The Rev. James Ellis, III
(
CBF)
For a long time now I have deliberated if perchance God is a minimalist, a proponent of the principles of minimalism entrenched in simplicity. Like any other, the concept is taken in different directions by people, but nevertheless in broad terms it is a proactive, provocative clarion call back to the basics where our lust for excess is put in check. The world over, but especially in America all the more, we need could benefit significantly from learning to do more with less, and in so doing stop overvaluing and quantitatively evaluating things in such a way that says bigger must be better, wherein we must go big or go home. Our bent towards sin reveals a disordered penchant for material abundance that abounds in discontentment.
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The Rev. James Ellis, III
(
CBF)
In my first ministry position as interim youth minister, my supervisor was only the fifth senior pastor in the suburban Baptist church's history. It was only his second ministry job after completing seminary. 27 years later he would leave, choosing again to serve as senior pastor, this time leading the restart of a historic downtown Baptist church on the other side of the country. It seems that lengthy tenures in ministry aren't nearly as common as they once were. With a globalized economy, increased educational options and pastoral opportunities, the advancement of communication tools like the Internet, and households where both parents often work outside of the home full-time, it is unusual for Baptist ministers to remain in the same position for two or three decades. Of course, this is also the case with United Methodist clergy, but for very different reasons. With an appointment system, not only their positions, but the churches they serve are selected by denominational supervisors in each geographical conference. Whether you stay put for two decades or serve eight churches in five different positions spanning that time is essentially out of a minister's hands. In the appointment system clergy are sent to not called by their churches.
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February 20, 2013
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
I had the opportunity recently of preaching at University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hyattsville, MD. The Rev. Nathan Hill, their new senior minister, and I are members of the 2012-13 cohort of Lewis Fellows through Wesley Theological Seminary’s Center for Church Leadership, so it was special to worship God in spirit and in truth with both colleague and congregation. Lord, hear our prayers.
December 17, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
We are confused and angry, our hearts weary and wounded by the loss of life in Newtown, Connecticut. God is here with the offer of abiding comfort alongside a call for us to break down the barriers that continue to hinder reconciliation and cooperation on the issues of our day, many which have root causes in race and class. Let connect with those who are different than us, but with whom God wants to show that we have so much in common.
November 07, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
None of us knows the deeper meaning as to why magnitudinous storms of all kinds invade our otherwise calm lives. These invasions are incapable of arriving at a “good time” because there isn’t one for such devastation. We don’t invite these occurrences, they simply occur. There is, however, one who changes not and who “is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Jesus is our anchor always and everywhere.
September 26, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
No matter how introverted or extroverted, deeply reflective or outwardly demonstrative you are, odds are that you struggle with patience. Maybe you are like me and from time-to-time must restrain yourself from saying or doing things that simply wouldn’t be prudent. Well, God has something to say about patience regarding how we might be empowered to conduct ourselves.
August 29, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
With the 24-hour news cycle and Internet technology's instant gratification, it is so easy to major in life's minors, to debate about our own struggles to the detriment of investing heftily in others' lives. Last week in Camden, New Jersey something terrible occurred that deserves our attention and action. It is much bigger than the Olympics, NFL preseason, or any celebrity drama that you can imagine.
August 28, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Relationships are difficult. There is no way getting around that. However, the qualities that one values in a potential mate and how they go about the business of evaluating compatibility can make a world of difference. Low standards are never good, but neither is looking for traits in others that your are unwilling to first live out yourself. This post was written with young adults in mind, but the principles apply to all ages.
August 10, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
Disagreements are normal and healthy, even those about big issues that affect all of society. But why today is there a leaning towards demonizing those who simply don’t see life the exact same way as us, especially on controversial issues? If anyone should know better and do better, shouldn’t it be Christians?
June 25, 2012
The Rev. James Ellis, III
(CBF)
In his track, “Church Clothes,” Christian rapper, Lecrae shares the feelings of an abandoned generation: “Truthfully I’m just doing me / and I don’t wanna face no scrutiny. / As long as the church keeps wildin’ / I can justify all my foolish deeds.” Clothes don’t make the man or woman, but they do communicate something influential about us to others. I wonder what God thinks about our church clothes?
