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The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr., is senior pastor of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus, GA.

Member of:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Representative of:

St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, GA

Reverend William E. Flippin, Jr., was born on the eve of our nation's 200th celebration of independence, on June 26, 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee. His formative years and training was developed in the city known as "Too busy to hate", Atlanta, Georgia. He is a graduate of Morehouse College (1998) where he majored in History and minored in Religion. In 1999, Rev. Flippin, Jr. was selected to travel to Cote d' Ivoire, West Africa as a Mickey Leland Intern for World Hunger and Peace. This experience was momentous that Flippin, Jr. realized the hunger within would be shaped in Seminary training/studies. He is a 2002 graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse School of Religion (Baptist affiliate) receiving the Masters of Divinity where he concentrated in Church History/Reformation Studies. He furthered his education at Emory University, Candler School of Theology receiving the Masters of Theology (ThM) in 2003 an additional ThM (2005) from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Currently, he is completing his Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) in Transformational Leadership from Ashland Theological Seminary where his dissertation explores "The Shepherd-Servant Leader in the Books of Zechariah and Gospel of Matthew".

Rev. Flippin, Jr. has been featured on the History Channel which aired April, 2008 on the Reformation. He has been a contributer to the African American Lectionary as a Cultural Commentator with his most recent publication appearing July 30, 2010 on the subject on baptism. He is an adjunct Professor at Beulah Heights University and cofounder and Global Pastor of Peshitta Ministries, which is based in Atlanta, Ga. and most recently Columbus, Ga. In the span of two years since its inception he has developed transitional housing and community care centers in Monrovia, Liberia and Bombay, India. He will become a certified Transformational Coach under the International Coaching Federation in October of this year.

Rev. Flippin, Jr. has served the following churches: Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga. (2000-2003); Progressive Community Church, Chicago, Ill(2004-2006); Messiah-St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Chicago, Ill(2005); St. Stephen and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church both in Decatur, Ga.(2006-8). He is currently serving St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ga. initially as Associate Pastor and now as Senior Pastor since 2008. St. Matthew is a predominately Anglo congregation that has a deliberate multicultural focus in the surrounding community, nation and world. St. Matthew has been designated a Lead Congregation for Military Outreach, reaching out to soldiers and their families at Fort Benning, the third largest military installation in the world.

Rev. Flippin, Jr.'s mantra is found in Matthew 20:26 "the greatest among shall be your servant". He is committed to serving this present age and be truly a shepherd-servant leader.  

Latest Content by The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr.

Bill Flippin: Onward Christian Hell-Busters (Matthew 10:40-42)

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

 

Have you ever been to hell? This is the question explored in the recent release of author Dan Brown's work of fiction, "Inferno." Although the flames in this book are hotter than ever, the church is called to offer the world a "cup of cold water" -- to douse the flames of hell with the waters of eternity.

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Bill Flippin: Naked Young Man and the Easter Angel in the Gospel of Mark - Mark 14:51-52

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

 

"And a young man followed [Jesus], with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked."

Jesus had no help at the cross from his followers. Only he could bring about our salvation, and so he had to work alone. This view of disciples abandoning Jesus at his loneliest hour is affirmed in all the Gospels. However, I believe, in looking closely at some Greek words, that Mark's intention as a Gospel writer, showing that this man dressed in a white robe had a secret message -- a prevalent theme in Mark of the rebirth of humanity that was naked in sin.

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Other Recent Content by The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr.

March 10, 2013

The Day God Ran

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

In his message for the 4th Sunday in Lent, the Rev. William Flippin Jr. offers a fresh perspective on the parable of the prodigal son, showing us a God who loves us so much he runs to meet us.

February 12, 2013

Bill Flippin: Thoughts for Ash Wednesday: The Dirt on David

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

David is one of my favorite characters in the Bible and a statue in Florence of him gives us perfect insight into the character of David, a man after God's own heart, who got dirtied by pride and sin. Only confession and repentance could clean him up and restore him to the greatness of the man who was a giant-killer.

November 06, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: God, You Are My Preservation: Thoughts on the Presidential Election

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

Today we are engaged in the election of Mitt Romney or reelection of our current President, Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. This election has been the most tense and anticipated since I begin watching Presidential elections in 1988. It is a clear divide among American voters and the Presidential candidates.

August 20, 2012

The Rev. Bill Flippin: They Disagree, Divide, and Double

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

Despite the realities of dwindling numbers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Spirit of God is on the move.

July 27, 2012

The Rev. Bill Flippin: Olympic Peace

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

When people come together in London from different races, cultures and nationalities, peace is not going to be found in a spectacular opening ceremony. When people of differing ages, sexes, educational levels, professions and political orientations gather in a church sanctuary, unity is not created by a well-planned service of worship.

July 09, 2012

The Rev. Bill Flippin: All Will Be Judged, By God's Law or Theirs

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

From a jail in Birmingham, Ala., Martin Luther King Jr. discussed civil disobedience, noting that "there are two kinds of laws: just and unjust" and that there is a "natural law" to which we are subject. He was right: We shouldn't say we know right and wrong only because "the Bible says so."

July 01, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: Structural Marginality in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matt. 25:31-46)

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

In the Gospel of Matthew there are instances where one sees structural marginalization for those who are considered "outsiders." In the other Gospels, Jesus is very much present in the community as an advocate of social change.

June 19, 2012

William Flippin Jr.: Whose House Are You Building: The Message of Haggai

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

For Haggai, the bottom line for a place of worship was not about how it was constructed or how it looked, but who was there. Whether it's a tent, a temple or a truck, the key architectural criterion for sacred space is that it is a place where God's "spirit abides among you"

June 15, 2012

William Flippin, Jr.: Witness for the Execution

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

In our recent Synod Assembly held in Atlanta, our body passed a resolution regarding the abolition of the Death Penalty. In this we have resolved as a collective body to encourage and seek dialogue within our given contexts in presenting a unified voice of opposition to the death penalty, seeking legislative and judicial change.

May 14, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr.: Learn Your Bible ABCs

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

It is time we took seriously our Christbody responsibility to "learn the ABCs" -- learn "About the Bible in Church." Unless we read it, study it, learn what's in it and feel comfortable with it in our hands and on our tongues, we cannot truly love the Word of God.

April 19, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin: When Messiah.com Offers You a Job

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

Career-conscious Christians, listen up! Is Jesus calling us to re-evaluate how we are spending our time, our lives and our careers? Is he challenging us to break down and bust up the barrier between office and vocation, between what we do for a living and what we do to serve God?

April 09, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: No Kosher Jesus

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

Alternative versions of Christianity seem to emerge in every generation, but every variation eventually bumps up against the traditional view of Jesus' nature and is assigned an unorthodox alternative not so much by the decisions of councils but by the depth and strength of the traditional biblical view itself. So what's the big deal?

April 02, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner" Not Enough

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

I am very disappointed in the church particularly that has used in Christian circles around the country "hate the sin, love the sinner" perspective as a 'Christian approach to homosexuality. We must share God's grace at work in our spiritual lives and in our communities of faith.

March 22, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: The Resignation of Eve

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

There is a natural, and deliberate movement by women of the church to challenge the system of sexism and collectively demand that their gifts not be ignored any longer.

March 12, 2012

BlackVoices Preach! William Flippin Jr. on Jesus' "Occupy Temple" Protests

BlackVoices

In this week's BlackVoices Preach installment, Rev. William Flippin Jr. writes about Jesus' "Occupy Temple" protests in a Lenten sermon.

February 13, 2012

BlackVoices Preach! Rev. William Flippin Jr.: Celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones

BlackVoices

In this week's BlackVoices Preach! the Rev. William Flippin Jr. writes, "Absalom Jones' spirit of independence is an example to all those of African descent in liturgical traditions. Our Christian experience commits us to the view that there is no greater source of strength in the struggle of justice, equality and human dignity than faith in Jesus Christ."

January 29, 2012

Rev. William Flippin Jr.: Antioch: A Multicultural Church

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

I am always fascinated by the place where Christians were first given their name. This place, although sometimes overlooked in obscurity, was known as Antioch.

January 26, 2012

The Rev. William Flippin Jr.: When Does Worship Happen?

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

Worship happens wherever God is radically present, and the result is unplanned, unrehearsed, and uncontrollable.

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. - Day1 Conversations With Peter Wallace

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

This week Day1 host Peter Wallace sits down with the Rev. William Flippin Jr. to discuss his ministries, ranging from helping the poor in Liberia to ministering to U.S. troops at Fort Benning, GA, how he and all of his brothers came to the ministry, the diversity at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus, GA, where he serves, and much more. Join us for a conversation of faith and hope only from Day1.

June 19, 2011

Blessed Assurances

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

As the church observes Trinity Sunday, the Rev. William E. Flippin Jr. explores the riches of Romans 5:1-5, and helps us find assurance of our eternal relationship with God through Christ.

June 12, 2011

When Christ Shows Up

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

On Pentecost Sunday, the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. William E. Flippin Jr. guides us into experiencing God's peace, power and purpose through the Spirit within.