Sunday, November 02, 2025
Sunday Reflection: Back at 7th & J
Last Wednesday, I was thrilled to find myself back at my old church in Waco, 7th and James Baptist. I was there to talk about clemency, and the room was full-- though probably not for me. It was the night of the traditional Halloween parade of kids in their costumes, which was just as cute as you might imagine.
Seventh and James is the place where I experienced the most intense growth in my entire spiritual life. There, I was surrounded by smart, warm, fascinating people who took their faith lives seriously and had built a remarkable and supportive community. I would say that going there let me see old friends, but the truth is that many of my closest current friends, people I talk to regularly, are there. It is the best church experience I have ever had, and one of the things I miss most about Waco.
When Jesus taught that when "two or more are gathered in my name, I am there" (Matthew 18:20) it was a powerful directive to worship in community with others. Finding that community can be the hard part.
Baylor may not have been the right place for me, but Seventh and James was.
