A public theologian, preacher, writer, and artist, the Rev. Doak Manfield currently serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa in Florida and as the editorial cartoonist for the Universalist Herald. He has dedicated his life to a progressive ministry, including service as a hospital and hospice chaplain, as well as a reserve chaplain in the U.S. Army. His latest book is The Kin-dom Option: A Meta-Modern Guide to Faith. A native of rural Tennessee, he is the father of two sons and has five grandchildren.
What past event do you often reflect upon, and how did that event change you?
June 21, 2010. Heart transplant. After 18 years of worsening heart health and several heart attacks, I needed a heart. Mine had had its best life at 61 years. Mine was a defective issue as was my Daddy’s. He passed away at 51.
I had died several times and resurrected from all of them. A heart transplant and ten weeks of recovery extended my living. With it came a restored calling and sense of vocation. I was and am a sample of amazing grace. Blessings come unprogrammed and without one’s management.
How does your work add to the quality of your life?
I’m in the meaning and value trade. My work is that of a spiritual seeker and teacher (rabbi/frair) who has accepted the call to learn and share human history, experiences, and wisdom. That encompasses the ministry of study, observation, pondering, “wonder-ing,” caring, and “faith-ing.”
God is a verb … creating, transforming, and sustaining energy present in all life. Faith-ing is confidence in its wisdom and mysterious way. Love is its incarnation enlivening every human. I’ve been in my work since high school and was educated and recognized by fellow pilgrims with ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1976. My spiritual orientation is as a Free Christian, that is, a pre-creed follower of Jesus.
Tell us a story you would like to share with the world.
I’ve a tale …
of travel to holy shrines
with carvings and statues …
of people and things.
Different and enlightening,
all.
Depictions, revelations, and relations
that touch,
heart and head …
with feelings that
comfort and ideas
that engage.
Such has been
my long pilgrimage.
Oh, the lessons I’ve
learned
and people who
have loved me.
I learned
living … and yes.
Forward …
Author photo: Courtesy of author
Side bar image: Pixabay/Edar
