The Rev. James Ellis, III
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
The Rev. James Ellis III is an ordained Baptist, ecumenical clergyman and writer. Deeply committed to research in pastoral theology, he holds graduate degrees in theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, as well as an undergraduate degree in African American studies from the University of Maryland.
Desiring to responsibly proclaim the Gospel and in doing so bridge the gap between the church, the academy and popular culture, he is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and has been published in Christian Ethics Today, The National Baptist Voice and The African American Pulpit. Prior to ministry he was a multimedia producer at news outlets like USA Today, Teen People and National Public Radio.
His blog with Day1 is an effort to reflect imaginatively on his life of faith. A "spoken word" poet, he is the author of OnThaGrindCuzin: The School Daze of Being 'Incognegro' in 1619 (2004). A 1979 baby born in Okinawa, Japan, he is an ardent fan of all things Spike Lee, who earnestly enjoys weightlifting, good music, and relaxing with his wife.
Latest Content by The Rev. James Ellis III
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(
CBF)
In the song "Up All Night," which features his friend Nicki Minaj, popular hip-hop artist, Drake said this: "I prefer the better things. / People with no money act like money isn't everything. / I'm having a good time. / They just trying to ruin it. / Shout out to the fact that I'm the youngest brotha doing it." I understand the theme of Drake's lyrical assault of us lowly, common folk, but I must disagree with it. While people with no money do sometimes act like money isn't everything, they are largely a small, marginalized group. Last I heard no one was knocking down the door for membership there. I know lots of people who relatively speaking have little or no money and very certainly do act like money is everything. Even so, in rising to a higher spiritual altitude, even begrudgingly, we come to find that life is about more than money.
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The Rev. James Ellis, III
(
CBF)
Outside of the shower whatever vocal ability that I dream to possess fades drastically, so I am careful to keep my illusions of grandeur there. I am fine with preaching, "spoken word" poetry, and other individualized public presentations, but singing is another story altogether. There are countless soloists and choir members whose melodic notes I have benefited from in church, as they have led praise and worship. But, of course though, there are the household names that we know and love. Heralded vocal geniuses and bonafide superstars--in random order--like Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Chaka Khan, Vesta Williams, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Celia Cruz, Freddie Mercury of Queen, B.B. King, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Fred Hammond, Bob Dylan. This is an über abbreviated, highly subjective list from a novice music lover, but you get the point. These artists are not just good, like Tony the Tiger has screamed all of these years about his sugar concoction of milled corn, "They're Gr-r-reat!"
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Other Recent Content by The Rev. James Ellis III
March 26, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
If Christians are to make a significant impact in their communities, families, and within their professions, they must exhibit integrity based on God’s character. Rightly so, the world is watching how a life of faith is birthed, shaped, and lived in a pagan society. Being silent in the midst of injustice renders us just as guilty as the perpetrators.
February 06, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
My wife and I recently celebrated five years of marriage. It hasn’t been a stroll in the park though. There have been high highs and low lows. Thankfully, God has guided our steps, and used the good, bad, and ugly of it all to draw us closer to one another as husband and wife. God has turned us into people that barely resemble their former selves, but that is a good thing!
January 27, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
What is quiet brilliance? Are introverts God’s stepchildren or second-best creations with extroverts as the “crème de la crème”? Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate, and former corporate lawyer, Susan Cain has penned an intriguing book titled, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” (Crown, 2012). Maybe God can use introverts (and extroverts) to do great things in this wacky, crazy world after all.
December 22, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Many of us have are familiar with this sage advice: “Don’t mistake activity for achievement. Busyness does not equal productiveness.” Well, unfortunately Christians and church leaders routinely do the opposite, especially during Advent as we look towards the higher heights of ministry for the New Year. So, come, let us reason together.
November 24, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Even with faith as our fuel, the graceful means by which we make it from one day to the next, we know all too well that life is sho 'nuff anything but easy. There are ups and downs, highs and lows, failures and successes, and not always at an equal frequency or impact. Of course, God is still God and Jesus still reigns, but thus is life on this side of heaven. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul (amongst other biblical writers) tells us that a thankful disposition is the antidote to any unending disturbance of the soul.
October 23, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
We ought to be thankful not only about from whence we have come, but about where God will take us in the days to come. For most of us life is no walk in the park, yet we complicate things by our decisions to walk down easy street where the paparazzi of prestige and total comfort shower us with feelings of entitlement. No matter our station or circumstance in life we have much to be grateful to God for.
September 02, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Cheating isn’t inevitable. Contrary to the sometimes popular opinion, all men are not dogs. However, anyone (woman or man) who decides that they are above God’s word (both law and grace), whether in one moment-in-time or as a lifestyle, can become a cheater. Following Christ is always the better way!
August 13, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
The pastoral life is unlike any other. Remy Rougeau rightly reflected that those who follow Christ are “ambassadors of truth in a world of illusion.” As such, those who serve as shepherds of the people of God are multitalented. Yet, certain core competencies and gifting are needed to responsibly point others to Jesus. Learning to listen well, which doesn’t at all require agreement with what has been heard, is a life skill for us all, even as much as a requirement for pastors to be faithful on God’s terms. In a world where everyone is jockeying to be heard over and above the loudspeaker of conspicuous consumption, listening well, as a social architect and servant-leader, is paramount in embodying the biblical road less traveled.
July 09, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
This article was published in the spring 2011 issue of “Christian Ethics Today” and addresses the notion that while sociological descriptors are inevitable in any society Christians must not find their primary identity in anyone or anything other than Christ. Anything less is inconsistent with Scripture. Thus, even classifications like politics, citizenship, gender, class, membership in a fraternity or sorority, and even race, and culture must be made subservient to Christ, not vice-versa.
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
In this installment of our Young Leaders of The Church Series a good friend of Day1, Rev. James Ellis III, sits down with our host Peter Wallace to discuss the work of reaching young people in ministry, the importance of following and understanding pop culture, the enduring relevance of the gospels and the challenge of communicating it in a relevant way. Join us for a conversation of faith and hope only on Day1.
May 28, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Charles Swindoll commented in a recent interview: "We want a crowd to make us feel important and liked. But why is getting a crowd our focus? Jesus never suggested that crowds were the goal.” This is very true, but there is so much else, like our lack of consecration before the Lord and accountability with one another, that leads clergy down the road of insecurity, compromise, and manipulation. If Jesus is indeed on the mainline, then there must be a better way. We need some Divine intervention!
May 22, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
In the fourth part of our Young Leaders of the Church series, the Rev. James Ellis III looks at the testimony of Stephen when he was stoned, and draws implications for our own witness in the world.
April 25, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Christians are sometimes viewed as “holy rollers” who tend to be more heavenly minded than they are of earthly good. That, too, is a label given to those who support abstinence as the most morally responsible perspective that parents can arm their children with. I wonder why in today’s prevailing culture sex before marriage, even for pre-teens, is viewed as inevitable. Wouldn’t faith demand that it indeed is preventable and ought to be preferable for the people of God?
April 11, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
In our efforts to fit in, we believers can walk so closely with popular culture that our "sacred" values are swallowed up in the process, which only limites our witness to one another and the world. Today we need believers whose faith in Christ has grown deep like the rivers and who also can creatively testify of God’s greatness as missionaries to their respective communities, critically analyzing both secular and sacred values against the biblical witness.
March 14, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Filling in for the senior pastor, the Rev. Patrick Day, I was fortunate this morning to preach God’s word, and proclaim God’s goodness alongside the wonderful people of Northminster Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Roswell, GA. Satan seeks our demise, but let us reaffirm on this first Sunday of Lent that Christ has defeated sin, and in the Spirit’s power we, too, can be victorious in resisting temptation.
March 09, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Preaching is a gift and a skill that is essential to the Christian narrative, but there is an increasing gulf today between the pulpit and pew in technological, ideological, spatial, and theological terms. To mount the pulpit and declare an interpretive analysis of “what thus saith the Lord” isn’t worth nearly the same social capitol that it was just a few generations ago. We ought not weep, however. Hopefully this development will lead preachers to more fully embrace the Holy Spirit and present the Bible responsibly in a highly contextual, relevant manner.
February 21, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
It is imperative that we reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to the biblical reality that we are not of this world, that in losing our lives for Christ’s sake we gain it. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) In an outrageously materialistic and dominant culture, we must remind one another that establishing lives of ultimate comfort should never be our focus.
February 19, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
According to Paul Tillich, “The first duty of love is to listen.” If we believe that to be true, then Tyler Perry’s latest film, “For Colored Girls,” is a much-needed cinematic step in African American women learning from one another’s stories, and African American men becoming more informed likewise. In broader terms, however, it is a helpful addition to the cultural tapestry which represents both the uniqueness and universality of the African American experience.
February 10, 2011
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Christians have been fighting about the proper intersection of faith and politics for a long time. It has been said that ‘the personal is always political.’ On every level and to every degree there is hardly consensus about who Jesus is amongst the faithful, so surely debate around the convergence of salvific and earthly liberation will continue to be a hot issue. Nevertheless, John Howard Yoder, the radical Christian pacifist, provides us the opportunity for thoughtful conversation.
December 16, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Oh, how we need to center down, to take the time necessary to detach, albeit momentarily, from that which clouds our vision before God! Lorraine Hansberry, the famous African American playwright, issued a related admonition this way: “Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.” During this precious Advent season we would do well to recalibrate our spiritual discernment and perspective, reconnect to our Creator and the created, and appreciate the new hope that we have in Christ.
December 16, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
We sell ourselves to technology everyday it seems, as we live out our dysfunctions, constantly substituting substance for fluff. This is an attempt to expose those faulty dynamics and challenge us to turn back the pages of history a bit, to the basics regarding communication, as we learn to responsibly use technology. Real relationships take real work because they involve real people with inherent needs to vibrantly connect to one another. With cheap communication comes poor relationship.
October 30, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann wrote, “Though many of us are well intentioned, we have invested our lives in consumerism. We have a love affair with “more”—and we will never have enough. Consumerism is not simply a marketing strategy. It has become a demonic spiritual force among us, and the theological question facing us is whether the gospel has the power to help us withstand it.” We, Christian Americans, are suffering from a severe identity crisis. Are we merely consumers or faithful, peculiar, counter-cultural followers of Christ?
October 04, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Much has been said lately in the news and blogosphere, as well as in hair salons and at dining room tables across the country, about the charges of misconduct against Bishop Eddie Long, the pastor of a 25,000-member congregation in the Atlanta area. Some say that it reveals the hypocrisy and homophobia of Christians. Others lament that Long is innocent until proven guilty, and is a committed Christian leader. I say it is time to say “No” to celebrity Christianity, particularly amongst our leadership because preachers should not be akin to pimps.
September 26, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Math and science have never been my best subjects, but Dr. Ben Carson, a world-renowned surgeon and devout Christian, reminded me recently in his speech at Howard University in Washington, DC that, having been created in the very image of God there is absolutely nothing that we can’t do if God calls us to it, and we dedicate ourselves diligently towards that end. We limit our local and global impact partly because we believe the adversary’s lies of inferiority. But, with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and that is indeed good news!
September 19, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Increasingly, I think, “good” music is hard to come by. That isn’t to say that everything produced in the days of musical yesteryear was golden, rather simply that the mass commercialization of genres like rap and even gospel have taken a dip in the quality department, one might concede at least somewhat. Music that inspires and that, of the Christian variety especially, is theologically responsible is like finding a needle in a haystack. But, as a lover of music I am committed to the journey, rummaging through the crates of supposed “secular” and “sacred” music alike.
August 18, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Johnson Oatman, Jr. once wrote these beautiful lyrics: “Lord, lift me up and let me stand by faith on Heaven’s tableland; a higher plane than I have found—Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” In a world that bombards us with messages about self-help and self-fulfillment, it is incumbent upon us to find comfort in our Creator; that is, to be fascinated by God more than people, places, or experiences, as interesting as they may otherwise be in of themselves. This is possible only through relationship, however; a vibrant, authentic relationship with God through Christ Jesus, for anything else will not do.
July 04, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Today immodestly is the standard by which everything else is measured, from the corporate boardroom to the high school lunch room. The less that is covered the better. The bigger assets that are uncovered the better. So often Christians are silent; paralyzed by their coconspirator status in the melee, but also troubled by how people are manipulated to exploit themselves in this way. There is a better way with Christ.
June 22, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Some Christian parents cling to a distorted view of parenting, which focuses on establishing a legacy of economic prosperity, professional prowess, or upward mobility, for instance, as examples of how they are better than their own parent(s). Yet, as believers they are charged to teach their children the ways of the Lord, not how to live unfulfilled lives of fearful disobedience to God that are successful only in the world’s eyes.
June 17, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
In proclaiming the Gospel and caring for so many others during times of need, it is easy for clergy and other servant-leaders to forget that God’s providence and unconditional love apply to us, too. Through life’s inevitable storms we must be reminded of our need to trust in God, and God alone.
May 29, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
“Seminary” can easily be one of those buzz words that in certain circles Christians have very definitive opinions about. Is it required for effective service in the local church? Is the academy a safe space in which God can be questioned while faith is still affirmed? Only a week away from another seminary graduation, I am reflecting on my time training, institutionally speaking, to better understand what ministry is all about.
May 03, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
There has been a lot of rhetoric thrown around recently about the black church in response to Eddie Glaude's article "The Black Church Is Dead." This is merely a response; one of many is furthering the dialogue as to the relevancy, or lack thereof, of today’s black church.
April 30, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
We live in a time when ignorance is celebrated more and more often, much to the chagrin of those who know that with God there is indeed a better way. This is a reflection on the ignorance that racial minorities, particularly African Americans, are forced to endure and overcome given the mores of today’s American culture.
March 10, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
The “prosperity gospel” is an attractive heresy sweeping through American Christianity (although it has existed for quite some time now). Building upon the Protestant work ethic, it purports that God wants his followers to be rich, essentially by any means necessary. This, of course, is quite contrary to biblical, Christian orthodoxy. It turns opportunist, overzealous ministers into pimps, and obedient parishioners into prostitutes.
February 21, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Sadly, today we worship celebrities. The sustained frenzy surrounding Tiger Woods' recent marital troubles is evidence of that. God has called us to more than idolatry, however. We were made to overcome it not succumb to it, no matter what popular culture says.
February 08, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
It has been my experience that most people succeed in spite of not because of positive contributions that their family of origin made to their life. As sad as that it is, it seems to be many peoples’ reality. Yet, God provides for our well-being even given this kind of familial baggage. With God we don’t have to be arbitrarily subjected to a dogmatic concept of who can and cannot be family to us. Jesus’ view on family was much bigger than that, and our ought to be also.
February 02, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
God has created us to be human beings, not human doings, which is to say that we are to find out rest and purpose in God, not in vocational meanderings towards so-called "success."
January 28, 2010
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
We often fill celebrations of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy with lots of inaccurate fluff. We sensationalize the seemingly insurmountable vocational challenges that he faced every day, and gloss over the shortcomings in his character. Historical integrity along with a faithful commitment to Christ, however, requires that we tell the truth and shame the devil, as the saying goes.
