Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings
My name is Joanna Willoughby and I am a lay-leader at Common Spirit Church of the Brethren in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a microchurch in the Michigan District that started 10 years ago. Together with Roya Stern and Randall Westfall, we make up the leadership team using a Nonsalaried Team Ministry […]
What church practice is God leading you to renew and/or revitalize in 2022? The beginning of a new year is a great time to consider how to change, renew or revitalize a ministry practice. First, however, let us admit, there may be some fatigue in this area due to constant […]
Paul’s first encounter with the risen Christ was a unique one and quite frightening. The turnaround of events led Paul to follow Christ and start serving in ministry. You can imagine being struck by lightning, falling to the ground, suddenly hearing a voice from an invisible person, and becoming blind […]
I recently moved from the Washington metropolitan area (aka the DMV) to Polo, a small community in rural northwestern Illinois. I’ve become the pastor of the Polo Church of the Brethren. It’s a big change in a lot of ways, and my wife and I are still making the adjustment. […]
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying […]
The following essay is part one of a series. Please look out for part two on February 17. I have observed while listening to a number of white members of the Church of the Brethren in sermons, articles, and conversations, a tendency for some to articulate a vision of evangelism […]
As Common Spirit Church of the Brethren celebrates 10 years of ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall, it has been interesting to compare and contrast the history of the original Grand Rapids Church of the Brethren congregation to the current one. Both churches were started by families living in […]
The most vibrant night sky that I have ever seen was after a day-long hike into the Burmese mountains. I had no idea that so many stars could be seen to the naked eye—the sky was full and radiant with them. I finally had an understanding of why ancient peoples […]
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 […]
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb… –Rev 5:9 Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable […]