Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings
Metaphors and figures of speech are not just the tools of poets, but the fabric of our everyday life. In the previous sentence alone I employed two different metaphors to talk about metaphors (i.e. tools and fabric). We use linguistic images all the time, often without realizing it, and we […]
Do you think the twelve disciples ever wondered why Jesus chose them? Perhaps some of them thought they knew. When they were arguing about who was the greatest, for example, can’t we just hear Peter, “Well, you know Jesus chose me because somebody had to be the one to actually […]
The earliest memories I have as a child are of living with my family on the John Brown University campus in Arkansas. On more than one occasion I would find a stray dog to bring home to the apartment we lived in, which certainly did not allow pets. I eventually […]
A few years ago when my children were small, a Moms and Tots group would meet in our church building. Being one of the pastors of the congregation, sometimes it was just nice to drop my kiddo off and return to the office for a few uninterrupted hours of work. […]
Many things come into mind when one thinks about Joy. For instance, when a baby is born, when someone passes an exam, during graduation, weddings, or even when victory comes your way, and many more. It is a time in life when someone feels something good or fulfilling has happened […]
One of the great joys I have had in the last year is to be a part of a monthly check-in call of women in ministry among the Church of the Brethren. We have a monthly check-in call to share how we’re doing and provide comfort in community. Many of […]
A few weeks ago in worship, my congregation allowed me to forego a traditional sermon. Instead, after the scripture was read from John 3:1-21, I came out in one of those ridiculous Bible character costumes that have no doubt appeared in many churches. Taking a seat on a raised stool, […]
In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the different spiritual gifts that are given to build up the body of Christ. I submit that the gift of tears, and the profound and visceral experience of love and grace that it often expresses, is one such gift. […]
As previously examined, EYN is experiencing a paradigm shift regarding pulpit ministry. The contemporary pastors of the Ekklisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria are dilapidated, and the pulpit ministry is about to collapse. The EYN modern pastors are increasingly abandoning the responsibility of keeping the flock attentive to God. Many who are engaged […]
Introduction This was a sermon preached on my first Sunday back after maternity leave. That week as I transitioned back into ministry, I found myself reflecting on my new dual roles: mother to my new son Leo and pastor to Pomona Fellowship Church of the Brethren. I have been the […]