The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell

Denomination: United Methodist Church (UMC)
Organization: Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell is senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Howell became Senior Pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in 2003, and is adjunct professor of preaching at Duke Divinity School.

In 1984 he earned a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Duke, studying under Fr. Roland E. Murphy. He was the 2003 Jameson Jones Distinguished Lecturer in Preaching at Duke.

His publications include twelve books, including Yours are the Hands of Christ, The Beautiful Work of Learning to Pray, The Life We Claim, and The Beatitudes for Today. His most recent books are Conversations with St. Francis and The Will of God. He is the author of the denominational devotional resource, The Sanctuary for Lent, in 2007 and 2008. He is a regular contributor to many publications, including The Christian Century.

James leads many workshops on preaching, Bible, theology, ethics, and ministry for clergy and laity at the local, conference and national levels. He preached on The Protestant Hour and won the F. Parker Duncan Church Public Relations Award of Excellence (1997). James was honored with the Francis Asbury Award (1999) for his work mentoring college and seminary students. Twice he has received the Award of Excellence in Christian writing for columns in The Christian Century.

He has been elected a delegate to Southeastern Jurisdictional Conferences, General Conference, and the World Methodist Councils, and is active on many boards and agencies.

James is married to Lisa, who is a social worker for WISH, a community and church-based housing program; and they have three children.

Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell

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Is the Bible Inspired?

Tuesday October 15, 2013
Dr. James Howell shows us that God wants the Bible to make sense to people like us, that God wants to redeem the broken, lackluster and messy. And as Paul said, God wants to use it to equip us for every good work.

God Has Plans for You

Tuesday October 08, 2013
Many people consider Jeremiah 29:11 to be comforting and hopeful verse--'God has a plan for my life!' But in his sermon, Dr. James Howell reveals a surprising twist in this prophetic promise that could change our lives.

Is the Lord Among Us Or Not?

Tuesday September 20, 2011
Exodus 17 says the Israelites put God to the test, and God doesn't seem to mind. Is the Lord among us or not? God seems to welcome the challenge--God loves hard questions and doubts, says James Howell.

Small and White, Clean and Bright

Tuesday September 13, 2011
What does God's provision of manna to the murmuring Israelites in the wilderness tell us about our relationship with God? Quite a lot, as James Howell explains.

In But Not Of the World

Tuesday May 19, 2009
The Rev. Dr. James Howell examines Jesus' prayer for his disciples from John 17, and helps us understand what it means to be "in but not of the world" today.

As the Father Has Loved Me

Tuesday May 12, 2009
The Rev. Dr. James Howell offers a fresh exploration of Jesus' love for his disciples as revealed in John 15--and what that means for the recipients of that love in today's world.

Yours Are the Hands

Sunday August 18, 1996

The End of All Exploring

Sunday June 16, 1996

The Primrose Path of Dalliance

Sunday May 19, 1996

Video by The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell

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The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell (FOH Part 3) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Friday July 23, 2010
The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to discuss his new book "The Beauty of the Word" and the enduring power of preaching. Part two of a three part series only from Day1.

The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell (FOH Part 2) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Friday July 23, 2010
The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to discuss his new book "The Beauty of the Word" and the enduring power of preaching. Part two of a three part series only from Day1.

The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell (FOH Part 1) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Friday July 23, 2010
The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to discuss his new book "The Beauty of the Word" and the enduring power of preaching. Part one of a three part series only from Day1.

The Rev. Dr. James Howell (Part 1) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Tuesday October 20, 2009
The Rev. Dr. James Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace and discusses the importance of mentoring young people, the underlying subject of much of his writing, his current projects and even his work ethic.

The Rev. Dr. James Howell (Part 2) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Tuesday October 20, 2009
The Rev. Dr. James Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to discuss a wide range of topics, including how Dr. Howell was called to the ministry, growing small congregations, ministries of Myers Park United Methodist Church and much more!

The Rev. Dr. James Howell (Part 3) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace

Tuesday October 20, 2009
The Rev. Dr. James Howell sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace and discusses the importance of mentoring young people, the underlying subject of much of his writing, his current projects and even his work ethic.