Greetings

    Hello, and greetings to any and all members of ministerial search teams reading these pages. I'm Rev. Eric Posa, and I invite you to explore this online search packet. I hope these pages answer some of the questions you may have about me, and about my experience and perspectives. I look forward to exploring with you, the possibilities for your congregation and for me to enter fruitfully into ministry together.

In faith,

Rev. Eric Posa

I believe that any congregation would be fortunate to have Rev. Eric Posa as their minister. Having served as a member of my church's Search Committee, I can attest to his dedication and care.

Ronald Marcus Peck - First Unitarian Church of Memphis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[Note: The pages linked below include summaries of text that can be found in my Ministerial Record, along with photos, quotes from church leaders who have worked with me, and links to other documents.]

• Biography (includes link to Curriculum Vita)

• Preaching and Worship (includes link to sermons)

• Theology (includes link to theology sermon)

• Ministry in the Congregation (includes links to reference letters)

• Ministry in the Community (includes link to news articles)

• Ministry in Times of Change (includes link to congregational roadmap)

Biography

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas on November 30, 1971, and raised in the semi-rural suburb of Kennedale. My dad was a truck driver, while my mom stayed home to take care of her only child. Religiously, though, we were unchurched. By the time I moved from to Denton (about 40 miles north of Fort Worth) in 1990, to begin my undergraduate studies at the U. of North Texas, I was a committed atheist. I completed B.A. and M.A. degrees in philosophy there.

January 1994 was a time of major transitions in my life. In January, I had my first major religious experience (which changed my atheism to theism), and I went to church – the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. I joined two months later, and remained a member there until I graduated seminary.

Soon, I was thinking about ministry. But in the meantime, I took a university job for 4 years as an academic advisor. I filled my other hours with a great deal of church lay activity, and justice work in the community.

In the Fall of 2000, I started work on the M.Div. degree at Brite Divinity School, of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, a broadly ecumenical and liberal-leaning Protestant seminary. My ministry internship was in the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge in 2002. I finished seminary, and was ordained and fellowshipped, in Spring 2005. 

MINISTRIES
[Note: The remainder of my biography focuses on the churches and other ministry settings in which I have served. More information on such experiences can be found in my Ministerial Record, available to search committees of congregations where I've applied.]

Right out of seminary, I accepted an opportunity to do a chaplaincy residency, spending a year as a full-time hospital chaplain in the suburbs of Fort Worth. The experience was powerful - especially the lessons I learned serving the psychiatric unit - but convinced me that I needed the community of a congregation to serve in ministry more effectively and authentically.

This led me to accept a 1-year interim ministry, at First UU Church of San Antonio (360 members, 2006-07), an engaging ministry which offered my first taste of interim work. As the minister they called later said:

The congregation still remembers the quiet, soft-spoken Rev. Eric, who with the patience of Job could listen deeply to their stories, and then tell them with the conviction of Micah the errors in their ways.

Rev. Bret Lortie - First UU Church of San Antonio (2007-13)

Shortly before moving to San Antonio, I met my new partner (& now spouse), Suzi. However, Suzi's work as an academic librarian kept her anchored initially in Fort Worth, while I served over 250 miles away in San Antonio. Fortunately, the relationship between Suzi and I still grew, and we married in May 2007.

My one called ministry thus far, to which I moved with Suzi, was with the UU Church of the Brazos Valley in College Station, Texas (100 members, 2007-11). It was a positive ministry overall, but this particular congregation was less of a good fit for me than the church in San Antonio had been. As this ministry concluded, I discerned that at that time, transitional ministry work was a better match for my gifts and call than settled ministry.

I entered what then was called the Interim Ministry Guild in Spring 2011, and have served various congregations as interim minister through to the present day:

• I moved from Texas to serve the UU Church of Greensboro, in central North Carolina (210 members, 2011-13). 
• I next served as Interim Sr. Minister at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, the state capitol in south-central Pennsylvania (315 members, 2013-15). 
• Following this, I was in Memphis, Tennessee's First Unitarian Church, AKA "The Church of the River" (298 members, 2015-17). 
• I then moved to the Olympia UU Congregation, in Washington's state capitol city (300 members, 2017-19). 
• Next I served the UU Church of Boulder, Colorado (255 members, 2019-20). 
• Most recently, during the pandemic, I served as both Interim Sr. (2020) and Interim Assoc. Minister (2021-22) in a familiar setting: the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge (425 members), my former internship site. 

The varieties of challenges and perspectives gained from serving these varied congregations have prepared and equipped me to engage a diversity of ministry needs, as I now discern the time has arrived for me to shift back to a longer-term congregational ministry.

RESOURCES

• Curriculum Vita

Preaching and Worship

Eric’s sermons are well constructed, ...[and] he worked well with the [Worship Arts] Team who helps put together all of our services.

Jack Jackson - Olympia UU Congregation

In congregational communities, the central venue for offering ministries of many kinds is the pulpit. The sermon is the most in depth element of the worship service in that the themes, the values being lifted up for us are explored in greatest detail through that sermon. Yet the sermon cannot be reduced to mere text. In my own preaching, I often find my delivery of the sermon is most effective when I step away from the pulpit and can walk around, at least for portions of the sermon, incorporating movement in delivering the message. 

In the pandemic era of virtual and multi-platform worship, opportunities for movement have been lessened. A return to a less stationary approach to worship is one of the many hopes I have for 2022. That said, I am convinced thee move to multi-platform worship has been good for congregational outreach. And in my preaching, one other change has emerged: I now regularly break the sermon into smaller sections, better suited to engaging via video.

Preaching at installation of Music Minister, William Ross
First UU Church, San Antonio, TX, September 2006

My sermon topics vary widely. I believe in drawing upon many faith traditions and many spiritual and intellectual disciplines to inform my sermons, while avoiding the trap of cultural misappropriation. I have experience with theme-based ministry, and have preached on a “theme of the month” at three previous churches. 

I find my emphasis, in most sermons, is more inspirational than intellectual. While I do explore "big ideas" in sermons, my general style is to draw these themes out of stories that not only illustrate these themes but also help people connect on a more visceral level. My goal in preaching a sermon is for people to leave with a little food for thought, but more so with motivation to commit to another aspect of life.

Eric helped us settle into our new ministry structure and focused his attention in worship on things we needed to think about, work on and come to terms with before calling a new minister.

Linda Selsor - Olympia UU Congregation

The Sunday morning gathering - especially the worship service - is the primary moment that guests and newcomers encounter the life of a church. “Radical hospitality” includes taking every meaningful step to make the church as welcoming as possible to guests. I always encourage lay leaders to ask themselves how our guests and newcomers will experience our worship (as well as our other ministries). Asking this question helps the work of the church to welcome others.

I feel no need to abandon completely the worship traditions that have evolved in a congregation, but some changes may be appropriate. The key questions are, what is the church’s core purpose for being, and for doing ministry? How can their worship best help them live that? Anything in a congregation’s liturgy that distracts the church from its mission and vision, should be examined carefully for alternatives.

Signing the marriage license for the first 

same-sex marriage legally recognized in 

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

May 24, 2014

Another vital avenue for participation in worship is music. The wide involvement of multiple singers and/or instruments not only fills out the sound, but can feel more inviting. While I see great value in those churches with strong formal music programs, I have experience and interest also in exploring more contemporary forms of worship, with congregations that are open to trying new things.

(And I should add: one element of my ministry most frequently noted, by members of every church I serve, is that when the music is lively, you're gonna see me dancing and clapping along in the chancel.)

SERMONS
[Note: The titles link to PDFs of sermon texts, unless followed with indication that video of the worship service is online. Some sermon texts are complete, while others are intentionally incomplete sermon notes. I alternate between styles of preparing sermons, depending on which best suits the delivery of that service.]

[Note on Audio: The MP3s linked to the word "(audio)" are podcasts of the sermons. Each begins with a standard intro clip; the sermon begins between 1:50 and 1:55 on each MP3 file.]

• "The Far Country"...(audio)
• "The Whole, Greater Than Ourselves"...(audio)
• "The God of My Understanding"...(audio)
• "Deep Grief, Deep Conversations" (online worship video) 
• (sermon in 2 parts, starting at 16:14 & 36:53)
• "The Future of Our Faith" (online worship video) 
• (sermon in 4 parts, at 25:10, 32:03, 43:26, & 58:27)
• "Re-Committing to Ultimacy" (online worship video) 
• (sermon in 4 parts, at 24:18, 33:02, 42:55, & 53:10)
• "Love the Hell Out of the World" (online worship video) 
• (sermon in 4 parts, at 33:25, 40:25, 53:07, 1:08:28)

Theology

Theology is a broad topic in any religious tradition, but especially in Unitarian Universalism. I find meaning in the classic definition that theology is "faith seeking understanding." "Faith" derives from the Latin for trust. Whether our faith is in something natural or supernatural, personal or impersonal, we trust in something we can rely on, to make sense of our world.

We UUs are free to define our faith in ways meaningful to us. But in our covenantal religion, individuals make promises to one another – promises that form communities greater than the sums of their parts. We each need faithful trust in more than just me myself, to enter together into those covenantal bonds. 

Christmas Eve service

UU Church of Greensboro

December 24, 2012

For myself, my spiritual life has led me to a faith in a sacred presence that I have come to know as God, and I know it also as Love. This ever-present Love is a source (though not the only source) for strength and inspiration. And yet, this in no way negates my faith in the overwhelming power of nature, the capacity of human community to offer healing and liberation, or many other sources power and meaning.

I‘ve come to value the importance of stories and metaphor, as a fundamental way in which we human beings make meaning in our lives. I appreciate the narratives of sacred scriptures from many traditions. Deep meanings about fundamental aspects of life are conveyed through these stories, regardless of their historical accuracy.

Eric...gave sound counsel and offered sage reality checks. But mostly he kept our eyes on the prize.

Linda Selsor - Olympia UU Congregation

Since seminary, I have been inspired by the stories of the life and ministry of Jesus. Like early Unitarian Theodore Parker, I reject the religion about Jesus, but affirm the religion of Jesus – loving the divine and loving humans, especially those marginalized and oppressed, while rejecting the idolatries of empire. I value these and other sacred stories, not for any literal truth they claim, but for the metaphorical truth of their teachings.

A church and minister with contrasting theological perspectives and emphases often find themselves matched together. This, I believe, is good, even healthy. We are called to affirm those people whose perspectives differ from our own. That includes hearing our various views on life and faith with minds open enough to be changed, even as we assert our core values.

SERMON TEXT ON THEOLOGY

"Three Theologies"

Ministry in the Congregation

Leadership is a vital aspect of congregational ministry. In my ministry, the leadership I offer comes in two primary modes: vision-casting, and facilitation. Casting vision comes from exploring with a church not only its goals and priorities, but also its collective gifts and characteristics. The important call for the church is to live into its vision, and to live out its mission, while always keeping our focus, not inward, but out toward those to whom you minister. As I summarize these points: “Affirm your identity. Discern your calling. Serve your community.”

Much of my leadership role is to set the conditions for all stakeholders to claim their voice at the table, while also supporting appropriate boundaries. I work closely with congregational boards to clarify which issues truly demand direct board involvement, and which are better delegated to others. This means using individual and collective power to gain insights, reach decisions, and make changes that benefit the whole group.

Rev. Posa’s ministry...laid the foundation for the congregation to recover from one of the more difficult congregational conflicts that I have seen.... [His] ministry... was essential in helping the congregation to return to healthy relationships and systems.

Rev. David Pyle - UUA Congregational Life Staff

I have found that Religious Education (RE) classes for adults, and small group ministry programs, provide opportunities for the give-and-take exchange of ideas plus a more intimate fellowship that fosters deepening of insights and spiritual exploration. I will seek ways to establish an ongoing adult RE program where one is not present, and support or strengthen one that is active.

I also strongly support children's and youth ministry, and will look for ways in any congregation I serve to be present with children, teens, and parents throughout their experience of church life. That said, I find that I most effectively can support RE and family ministry by entrusting a competent and committed religious educator to accomplish the work effectively, while offering support and advice when needed, according to the church's broader ministry goals.

Speaking with a congregant after worship

Olympia UU Congregation

August, 2017

Pastoral care is one of the aspects of ministry where the importance of shared ministry comes most clearly into focus. In my work as an interim minister, unlike in a longer-term ministry, it has been important that I NOT act as the primary pastoral caregiver; forming deep pastoral bonds with congregants is cruel for an intentionally short-term minister. Yet there are aspects of pastoral care best entrusted to the minister, particularly in working with people grieving -  due to death of a loved one, divorce, relocation, etc. Frankly, one of my stronger motivations to return to settled or similar ministry is my increased longing to form deeper and broader pastoral relationships with congregants, to walk alongside people moving through changing phases of their own lives.

        I strive to remain engaged, emotionally and spiritually present with those I'm leading, without getting caught up in the anxieties or worries of those feeling overwhelmed. Maintaining this "non-anxious presence" is not easy for anyone, and even the best of us fall short from time to time. Plus, I work to offer new insights to church leaders, beside whom I serve closely, that can open new ways of considering and resolving issues that face the lay and ministerial leadership alike.

PERSPECTIVES FROM OTHERS

• Letter from Rev. Bret Lortie
• Letter from Rev. David Pyle
• Reference Contacts (available upon request)

Ministry in the Community

Eric...followed through, provided opportunities for congregational reflection on our past [and] where we want to go... [while keeping] the momentum going on social action and critical projects.

Linda Selsor - Olympia UU Congregation

Part of what brought me back from chaplaincy to parish ministry, was the call to social justice. Most of my young adult life was spent doing community service and political activism, and I longed to re-engage this wider advocacy. I seek opportunities to engage the specific justice needs of a community, often working alongside local activist partners.

Even during my various interim ministries, I never fell into the stereotype that said congregations should become solely inwardly-focused during their transitions. While periods of introspection are appropriate for a church or fellowship, I am convinced neglecting the ministry to with the larger community for any notable period of time is detrimental to a congregation's mission. I see it as a core task of congregational ministry - interim, settled, or otherwise - to encourage a church in exploring its social justice work, and (when necessary) to consider new ways to engage the community. 

participating in the United for Marriage rally
w/ Revs. Dan De Leon (left) and Darryl Kistler (right),
March 26, 2013

 Two areas in particular have been at the forefront of my social action work. One is advocacy as an ally with LGBTQ+ communities in the places I have served. Even before I came out as a bisexual man a few years ago (to myself & to others), I worked with 5 different congregations on pursuing or renewing Welcoming Congregation status. I also have advocated for marriage equality, and represented congregations at Pride events.                                   

The other aspect of activism that has dominated my focus is grassroots community organizing work. I have been a clergy leader in chapters of three different congregationally-based community organizations, each in different cities. Other organizing efforts I've worked with include the Occupy movement in 2011, the Moral Marches and Poor People's Campaign led by Rev. William Barber, and helping found a local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). This work equipped me to promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process, in ways that helped produce real results in the communities I serve. 

with my spouse, Suzi, at the Occupy Greensboro march,
October 15, 2011

 Yet social justice work is not the only engagement we UUs can have with our larger community. Unitarian Universalism has a saving mission - overcoming divisions of belief with the spiritual power of love, liberating each other from oppressions including racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia, and healing the toxic pain of shame through affirmation of inherent worth and dignity. We are called to carry this anti-racist, anti-oppressive commitment with one another, and out into the world, for our Unitarian Universalism is to be made real in our lives 24/7.

The question of how we might embody our UU mission throughout our lives, and what impact this will have on our churches, is one I have explored deeply in recent years. I am a part of a cohort of UU religious professionals exploring the "missional church" paradigm. This model encourages viewing the church as a place that prepares people to go out into the world to meet its needs. I will be particularly interested to explore this missional paradigm with any congregation hoping to deepen its practice, understanding, and living out of its Unitarian Universalist faith.

NEWS ARTICLE

• Article - News story in nation-wide online news venue, quoting me as minister of church hosting an immigrant family living in sanctuary at the church

Ministry in Times of Change

Rev. Posa was invaluable in our search for a new settled minister. His acute knowledge of the process and the reasons behind that process, helped...us on the path to a very successful search.

Kent Canny - Olympia UU Congregation (2017-19)

We live through changing times, and we face so many kinds of shifts, losses, and newness. The time between long-term clergy is a period of especially complex change in the dynamics of a congregation. In my interim work I have trained for, and experienced, engaging congregations in ministry that fosters intentional change. Such ministry - whether or not engaged as an interim ministry - can empower congregations, healthy &/or troubled, to experience transformation and wholeness.

I have been a fully Accredited Interim Minister (AIM) in the UUA for 7 years. I have completed three tiers of training with the Interim Ministry Network, an ecumenical/interfaith organization that certified me as a Transitional Ministry Specialist. I also have attended multiple annual seminars for UU Interim Ministers, receiving specialized training at each one. Plus, I seek out additional training most every year (usually in autumn). Now completing my seventh interim ministry, I have incorporated tools and analyses from all these educational opportunities into my work with congregations.

Discussion of Interim Ministry in UU Churches

featuring myself and Rev. Alex Holt (pictured in still image)

"The VUU" - online talk show produced by Church of the Larger Fellowship

January 15, 2015

    "Coaching" is a good metaphor for my approach to ministry. Responding to change is the work of the congregation itself, more than solely for the minister. I bring the tools, skills, and leadership presence to guide lay leaders and members in this work. In doing so, I emphasize listening to discern the particular context of each congregation. I always begin my ministry with a congregation by taking time - the first few weeks - to hear the multiple viewpoints of church members and leaders. Then I work with the congregation on specific strategies to meet their own needs, and build upon their relevant strengths.

Increasingly, the principles and techniques I've studied in community organizing have informed and deepened this work. As many community organizers say, "Never do for others what they can do for themselves." Ministry never means enabling or coddling, but equipping all - ministers and lay leaders alike - to claim and balance their proper authority and responsibility. I note the negative and/or positive consequences I see as likely arising from a particular course of action, and encourage the stakeholders to weigh those likely consequences in their deliberations.  

RESOURCES

• Roadmap for Interim Ministry - Olympia: prepared for congregation's board, following and based upon 5 weeks of initial meetings with dozens of lay leaders throughout the congregation. This document functioned as a guide for work going forward in this congregation.