From dust you came and to dust you shall return.
Tonight, I will repeat these words over and over as I look into the eyes of church members – people who count on my to reveal the presence of God in their midst. People who look to me for hope and wholeness. People who come week in and week out, seeking the God who creates and sustains.
James from Liberia – Remember the day? Eight years ago on a Tuesday in June, you reluctantly hopped into a big red cargo van, driven by some random American girl who happened to be 21 with a license – the two qualifications Passport needed to entrust her with your safe travels. Remember the day? No air conditioning. No radio. Just…
This week at Broadway, we are beginning a new Sunday School curriculum with the children. I am beyond excited for the ways the Shine On Curriculum will help our children meet God in new and imaginative ways. As I prepared to lead our Sunday School teachers through the first week’s lesson, this prayer came to my heart, and it is…
I dreamed of being a member of the CBF Fellows Program from the day the initial cohort formed. As the first ended and the second began, I watched in awe of the way friendships developed and learning led to confidence, joy, and clarity in calling. I desperately wanted to experience such mentorship, community, and growth as I began my ministry at Broadway, but I knew it would be nearly two years before the dream would even be a possible reality.
A week ago, I stood in the third floor Sunday School room at First Baptist Decatur. I looked around the room in the faces of my new friends, and I saw a dream making its way to reality in the eyes and hearts of the 15 other “young” ministers surrounding me.
Throughout Seminar, I met people of all walks of life – many thriving in their business. I heard stories of Top Directors who didn’t even want to go to their first Mary Kay facial, but ended up leading their unit to $1 million in production! I watched an attorney become one of the top three highest selling consultants, all while staying full time in her career – and thriving.
I saw pieces of myself in those women, and I began to believe that anything would be possible for me too. I closed my eyes and watched as my debt cleared, house repairs brought on little stress, and someone else pulled my weeds.
Throughout seminary, I heard about Peer Learning Groups and the value of connecting with fellow ministers on a regular basis. When I worked for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, I wrote articles and blogs about successful peer groups throughout the CBF community. No sooner than I accepted my position at Broadway, I e-mailed friends in town to find out if there…
I do not understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us. …
Like 2014, 2015 was a year of ups a down, both for me personally and for our world in general. In the history books, 2015 will be a year remembered for more mass shootings than days, racism, and, well, Donald Trump. In Louisville, it will be marked by the biggest scandal to come out of any UofL sports program in…
I don’t remember much about life before elementary school. Since I’ve moved back to Louisville, I’ve met a few people who apparently taught me when I was in preschool at Southern Seminary, and connected with a few friends who must have been in my class, but unfortunately I have no memory of them. If I go back into the deep…
October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Over the next four weeks, I will share the stories of ministers who impacted my life and faith journey. Today, however, I begin Clergy Appreciation Month with a look back on my first year as a full time clergy person. At this time last year, I walked into the church building each day with a…
Rev. on the Edge 