Eric Folkerth

For many years now, Texas has been victim of a false sense of itself and a too-flat understanding of our broad and complicated state. That false narrative has also come to be how others see us as well. Stereotypes, widely…

Let’s get this out of the way.
I can’t stop crying.

I stop for a while, laugh or shake my head. Scream with joy. But so far it seems to always come back to tears.
Last night.
This morning.
Middle…

This morning at our weekly CLEAR-DFW prayer vigil outside the Dallas ICE Field Office, I reminded the crew of the story behind this picture.

This is a close up picture of a roadside memorial in Houston, Texas. The Memorial honors…

If there’s one overarching mantra I hope you remember about Jesus’s Great Commandment, it’s this:

Not TWO commandments but ONE.
Not TWO loves, but THREE.

For many years, I’ve been convinced Christians MIS-understand Jesus’ Great Commandment. We misconceptualize it ways…

I spend at least some part of every week here. In the quiet of our sanctuary, praying for our church, our neighbors, all of Oak Cliff. We try to be an inclusive church that serves all our mission field…Oak Cliff…Bishop…

Today, we in CLEAR-DFW were privileged to stand beside eight partner groups in the effort collectively known as No Love For ICE Air as we jointly announced some remarkable news:

We have credible conviction that ICE Air has ceased operations…

Today we talked briefly about the horrific plans for a public execution and CLEAR-DFW’s sign on letter in opposition to glorifying state violence. I also talk about the benefits of journal-keeping; how it can help center us, slow us down…

An abbreviated Coffee on the Porch this morning….but here’s the archive.

Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

In the series “Game of Thrones,” some of the more chilling scenes are rows of crucified bodies outside the fictional city of Meereen.

It happens twice. First, when “Breaker of Chains,” Daenerys Targaryen, enters the city. She’s horrified by rows…

This week, we mainly caught up, after I had been gone for two weeks.

I talked about my recent trips, and some of the writing I’ve done during that time.

Song of the Day: “Plowshare Song,” by Spencer LaJoye…

For forty years now, I can never think of Jesus’ “Parable of the Two Brothers” without remembering a video we made, way back in 1980. We were just starting our senior year and we produced a retelling off…

This should be obvious, but I’ll start with this today, anyway.

JD Vance does not “own” Christianity.
No denomination or church “owns” Christianity.
No political party “owns” Christianity.

Organized Christian faith is —in both America and worldwide— is in fact,…

Take a good look at this picture below.
Because if you understand the symbolism behind it, you’ll get how it’s a subtle message that deftly sums up everything I want to write to you today.

It’s one person’s response to…

Friday marks twenty-five years since the horror of 911.
This week also marks a forty-ish year return of the Republican Party to my city of Dallas.

This morning, I am reflecting on how these anniversaries coalesce and intersect in how…

This week, Eric again speaks to the controversy between the United Methodist Church and Highland Park UMC in Dallas.
He refers to this second essay, and suggests that TRUST, or lack of it, is a fundamental issue.

Then, Eric turns…

This week, Eric shares about his renewing week in Malibu, California, and also speaks to the break controversy between HPUMC and the United Methodist Church.

This essay is much of the conversation:

Song of the Day: “Rock Me On the…

Today, Eric talks about the scatalogical turn that Jesus takes in a specific Gospel lesson. He’s also interrupted by birds!

Song of the Day: Dan Fogelberg’s “Icarus Ascending.”
In honor of Dan Fogelberg’s birthday.

Here’s my other recorded version of…

This week, Eric compares the message of the Odyssey (the Sirens) to the story of Peter walking on water.

Essay for the week:

Song of the Day:
Eric’s Song: “Voices”
Find it here:

Thank you , , , and many…

Last night, I attended a birthday party for a dear church member and her son’s house. It was a lovely twilight evening, a backyard pool area, a near-Preston Hollow neighborhood, very near my former church….a great night.

And on the…

Beloved Members of Highland Park United Methodist Church,

For those who don’t know me, my name is Eric Folkerth, and I greet you in the name of Christ as pastor of your sister United Methodist Church, Kessler Park United Methodist…