Building Bridges and Sharing Grace: New Projects in the Independent Sacramental Movement

I am genuinely excited about several new projects that have been coming together over the past few months—each one part of a larger vision to support and strengthen the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM). My goal is simple but ambitious: to create and share free and affordable resources that help our movement grow in depth, credibility, and unity.

At its best, the ISM is a movement of grace and creativity. We bring the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Gospel to people and places that mainline churches often cannot—or will not—reach. We are called to minister in the margins, to form communities where the sacraments are celebrated, and to embody a pastoral presence that is both compassionate and inclusive.

Breaking Down Barriers

If we are to flourish, we must begin by breaking down the barriers that divide us. While we may belong to different jurisdictions or ecclesial families, our mission is ultimately shared: to proclaim Christ and make the sacraments available to all. Collaboration, friendship, and mutual respect must take precedence over competition or suspicion.

That is part of why I have begun a new interview series—an effort to highlight voices and ministries across the ISM. Tonight, I had the joy of spending the evening with Deacon Abby Thacker of the Orthodox Catholic Church of America (OCCA). The OCCA has a long and meaningful history within our movement, and I have long admired the diversity of liturgy and theology that flourishes within it.

Our time together was not a formal interview, but rather a heartfelt conversation—over a shared meal, laughter, and prayer. My hope with each of these gatherings is to let the Holy Spirit guide the dialogue, allowing something authentic and life-giving to emerge. I’m deeply grateful to Deacon Abby for sharing her time, her ministry, and her story.

I also want to be intentional about the pace and purpose of these interviews. I do not plan to conduct many—perhaps only a few each year. For me, this is not about producing content but about building relationships. It’s one thing to host someone on a podcast; it’s another to sit at the same table, share a meal, and pray together. These encounters allow for genuine fellowship, where stories unfold naturally and mutual respect deepens. My goal is to make space for those sacred conversations that remind us why we serve in this movement in the first place.

Writing and Resources for the ISM

Alongside this new interview series, I’ve been hard at work on several writing projects that I believe will serve the movement in concrete ways. Two books are currently in progress—both focused on the formation, theology, and pastoral practice of the Independent Sacramental Movement. One of them is nearly complete; I’m eagerly awaiting the formatted version, and after final review, it should be ready for print by the end of the year.

The second project is a new manuscript in its rough draft stage, which I hope to release by late spring of next year. It continues the work of formation, offering practical and spiritual insights for clergy and laity alike.

Finally, I’m in the early stages of planning a book devoted entirely to ISM apologetics—a work that addresses the misconceptions surrounding our movement while presenting a positive and hopeful vision of what we have to offer the wider Church. My hope is to articulate not only who we are, but also the deeper why behind our ministries: the conviction that God’s grace cannot be confined by institutional boundaries.

Looking Ahead

The Independent Sacramental Movement is still writing its story. Each conversation, each act of service, and each community we build adds another chapter. My prayer is that the resources I’m creating—books, interviews, and shared projects—might contribute to that unfolding story of faith, unity, and renewal.

If you would like to stay updated, watch for upcoming posts and video releases featuring voices from across the movement. Together, we can continue to discover the beauty of our shared calling and bring Christ’s presence wherever people hunger for it most.

Part 1