Analyzing Joseph and his dysfunctional family

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, I was asked by Rev. Rick Oberle to preach and lead worship at Columbia United Church of Christ in Columbia, Missouri, while his family was on summer vacation. The Revised Common Lectionary texts for the week included the first part of the Joseph story from Genesis 37 and Peter attempting to walk on water in Matthew 14:22-33. After playing around with the texts, reading some commentaries, and praying about what to talk about, I decided to focus on the Joseph story.

However, rather than just reading a portion of the story, I expanded the pericope and looked at Joseph’s family as a whole. The metaphor of family therapy made a handy way to explore the ways patterns of distrust, unequal love, and jealousy can destroy the relationships of people who should otherwise love each other. Although the details may be different, family estrangement and dysfunction are nothing unique to the biblical text. These very same issues destroy lives and families to this very day.

Ultimately, the sermon focused on what it might mean to trust in God’s presence even in the midst of isolation, injustice, and separation. The sermon also talked about how the giving and receiving of grace is necessary if relationships are going to continue. Finally, I also talked what it might mean for God to help us develop new, healthier patterns of being in the world and in relationship with each other.

The sermon is available on the Columbia UCC YouTube page and begins at 26 minutes.

All the thank yous:

Huge thanks to Rev. Oberle for the invitation, to the worship leaders for their help in putting the service together, and to the congregation for their hospitality.