The Rev. Dr. Jamie Jenkins

Denomination: United Methodist Church (UMC)
Organization: North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church

Jamie Jenkins is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference who retired July 1, 2013 after 41 years. He and his wife, Lena, are enjoying this new phase of life. He writes a weekly blog.

Before retiring, Jamie served as director of New Church Development for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Earlier he served as the Executive Assistant to Bishop Watson, supervising the Benefits Office and the Office of Communication. He also served as Executive Secretary of the Conference Trustees and the Executive Officer of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits. 

Jamie's previous appointments include: Director of Ministerial Services and Spiritual Formation; Atlanta-Marietta District Superintendent; Roopville UMC; Comer UMC; Bright Star UMC; and Aldersgate UMC. He was also awarded North Georgia's Denman Award for Evangelism.  

Jamie and his wife, Lena, are natives of Mobile, Alabama. They are active at Peachtree Road UMC. Their family includes Jonas, Jennifer, Jason, and his wife, Keiko and their grandchildren, Jamie and Felicia. He enjoys people, traveling, and playing table tennis.

Jamie has served as a General Conference Delegate in 2000, 2004, and 2008, has been a delegate to the last four Jurisdictional Conferences, and served as General Conference reserve delegate in 1996.

Articles by The Rev. Dr. Jamie Jenkins

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Jamie Jenkins: Carpe Diem

Saturday February 27, 2016
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I know you have heard that before. So what do you make of it.

Jamie Jenkins: Health and Wholeness

Saturday January 24, 2015
Americans are very health conscious. Regularly we see and hear reports about obesity, heart disease, and cancer. There is much concern currently over the flu virus that has swept the country.

Jamie Jenkins: Change and Changeless

Sunday January 04, 2015
I don’t like change. I am comfortable starting my day pretty much the same way all the time, or at least most of the time. An occasional break from routine is good but before long I want things to get back to normal.

Jamie Jenkins: An Attitude of Gratitude

Thursday November 27, 2014
As we approach the National Day of Thanksgiving it is appropriate to examine our attitude. Is it one of thankfulness or do we suffer from the common sin of ingratitude?

Jamie Jenkins: The Center of the World

Thursday November 20, 2014
Just a few miles south of Hartwell, Georgia there is an historical marker and stone monument that declare that this spot is the 'Center of the World.' When you see the marker and note the rural surroundings you wonder how that designation came to be.

Jamie Jenkins: Dreams May Take Time

Friday October 24, 2014
Ancient Corinth controlled the two major harbors and thus command of the trade routes between Asia and Rome. In those days small ships were often dragged across the isthmus on a paved road. Larger ships unloaded their cargo, which was then carried across the isthmus and then reloaded onto other ships.

Jamie Jenkins: Fitting In--Or Not?

Thursday October 16, 2014
When I was eight years old my family moved from a rural community in south Alabama to the city. We lived just a few blocks from the heart of downtown Mobile. My parents were uneducated working class people. It is certainly accurate to say we were not affluent.

Jamie Jenkins: I Want to Understand

Thursday September 11, 2014
I want to understand how anyone could think that violence solves anything. Whether it be in Iraq or Gaza or Ferguson, Missouri, or a casino elevator in Atlantic City.

Jamie Jenkins: Blessings

Tuesday August 19, 2014
My wife, a Master Gardener, has devoted many hours (and more than a few dollars) to establishing gravel paths and flower beds with a colorful variety of flowering plants and greenery. Our backyard is a place of beauty and tranquility. I am not always conscious of that but as I was sitting on the patio early one morning I realized how blessed I am.

Jamie Jenkins: Pointing the Way

Friday August 08, 2014
They are everywhere. You have probably seen them along the roadside or at a busy intersection as you drive around. I am talking about the people with signs pointing you to places that serve food, rent apartments, prepare taxes, are going out of business, or will buy your gold.

Jamie Jenkins: Sharing the Road in Ireland

Wednesday July 02, 2014
"It's not 'my side of the road' or 'your side of the road.' It’s just 'the road' and it's shared as a cooperative adventure.' That is how travel guru Rick Steves describes driving on the narrow rural roads in Ireland.

Jamie Jenkins: Learning from Life

Sunday June 15, 2014
Experience is the best teacher so I have been told. I think that is probably correct but there is an old proverb that adds an appropriate and accurate caveat: 'but the tuition is high.'

Jamie Jenkins: Communication

Saturday May 24, 2014
To put it plainly, communication is a balance of talking, listening, and understanding. It is important to say things clearly, pay attention to what others are saying (or not saying), and make sure that there is common understanding of the interchange.

Jamie Jenkins: Living in Chaos

Thursday May 08, 2014
I have been living in chaos for the past four weeks. Remodeling a house while still living there is insanity and I am the insane one. I was not (too) crazy before this project but now I have an an excuse (reason) for my craziness

Jamie Jenkins: Promises

Saturday May 03, 2014
I was stopped at a traffic light when I saw a sign posted in the grass beside the street. In simple block letters it read: 'Psychic Help, All problems solved.' I was intrigued, amused, and a bit irritated.

Jamie Jenkins: Museums That Should Not Be

Thursday April 24, 2014
I just returned from a trip to The Netherlands and Belgium and I saw more museums than you can shake a stick at.

Jamie Jenkins: Temptation

Thursday April 10, 2014
There are two things you can count on in life besides death and taxes. The first is temptation.

Jamie Jenkins: An Artist and an Athlete

Thursday April 03, 2014
They are siblings. One is an athlete. The other is an artist. Family members value this brother and sister equally. They recognize that they have different natural tendencies and talents. Not in competition with each other. Not better or worse--just different. Both are encouraged to apply themselves and develop their abilities. Society does not necessarily concur with this family’s perspective.

Jamie Jenkins: We Must Get Along

Thursday March 20, 2014
Bishop Mike Coyner notes that the Apostle Paul was distressed when he saw Christian people at odds with one another. He appealed to the folks at Corinth to 'get along with each other.'

Jamie Jenkins: Signs of Spring

Tuesday March 11, 2014
One of the first signs of spring is when the redbud trees start to bloom. I don’t know why they are called redbuds because the flowers are pink and very pretty. Anyway, I saw the first one in bloom a week or so ago. When that happens you can count on it, winter is on the way out and spring time is near.

Jamie Jenkins: Divine Intervention or Luck?

Sunday March 02, 2014
Was your good fortune the result of divine intervention as a reward for your faith or was it simply the 'luck of the draw?'

Jamie Jenkins: Remodeling

Saturday February 22, 2014
I have heard that building a house is one of the most difficult things a couple will ever do together. I have never done that but I think buying a house might provide competition for the honor. My wife and I are now engaged in another venture that rivals either of those mentioned above.

Jamie Jenkins: I Wish I'd Said That

Saturday February 15, 2014
I admit it, I do talk a lot and, OK, I admit that most of it is not very memorable. There are a lot of things I wish I had said. Here are a few of them.

Jamie Jenkins: Blessings and Curses: The Internet

Saturday February 08, 2014
Pope Francis has blessed the internet. He didn’t sprinkle holy water on it or anything like that but he said it is a 'gift from God.' At the same time he extolled the value of the internet the Pope also called attention to some of the negative implications. While it facilitates communication, he warns that the obsessive desire to stay connected can actually isolate people from their friends and family.

Jamie Jenkins: Being Anonymous Can Be a Good Thing

Friday January 31, 2014
When my phone rang the other day caller ID indicated the person on the other end of the line was Anonymous. Since I do not know anyone by that name the call went unanswered.

Jamie Jenkins: The Long Journey Was Worth It

Saturday January 18, 2014
Maybe you have heard it said, 'You can’t get there from here.' It is one way to describe how difficult it can be to travel from one place to another. The old saying certainly captured my feeling last month when I traveled to Malaysia.

Jamie Jenkins: Every Day Is Saturday

Friday January 10, 2014
In retirement, every day is like Saturday. While that is not exactly true, it does describe the change after 41 years of service in the North Georgia Conference. Sunday is the one exception.

Jamie Jenkins: There Are Changes on the Horizon

Monday June 18, 2012
For the past five years my responsibilities have been varied and much of my work was with the retired clergy and their families. In my role as the Director of New Church Development, my new “congregation” will be mainly new church pastors and the folks that they shepherd.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: No Such Thing as an Overnight Success

Monday June 11, 2012
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That is a silly way to illustrate the fact that significant tasks are accomplished only with perseverance.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Thursday June 07, 2012
Conflict is not a bad thing. The way we respond to it can be.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What Are Your Ebenezers?

Monday May 28, 2012
On this Memorial Day Americans encounter many kinds of memorials that remind us of the faithful service and ultimate sacrifice many gave in service to our country and for us. We remember and are grateful.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Hearing God's Word amid the Silence

Monday May 21, 2012
Anyone who knows me knows that I like to talk. But I understand the value of being quiet. So I took a recent 48 hour retreat of silence.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God Is Always With Us

Monday May 14, 2012
I am grateful that God does show up. And I am glad that it is not just to confirm our decisions and actions. Sometimes God comes to re-direct or correct us. In reality God does not suddenly appear.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Guest Writer Lena Jenkins: Thank God for Our Extended Family

Monday May 07, 2012
One consistent thing in my huge extended dysfunctional family has been the supportive hugs. As a clergy family in North Georgia, we have lived away from relatives for over forty years. I have missed a lot of family hug fests.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Lives are being saved in Africa

Monday April 30, 2012
North Katanga is The United Methodist Church’s episcopal area in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly called Zaire and the Belgian Congo. It is one of the fastest growing areas of the United Methodist Church.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Lend me your vulnerability and compassion

Monday April 23, 2012
Commitment and compassion are not weakness and the ability to command and oppress is not strength. Mary Donovan Turner offers this observation in her reflections on the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah (2 Samuel 11).

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well

Monday April 16, 2012
When we have used our resources and skills to the best of our ability we can expect good results. I am not suggesting that the results will always be excellent but we should not worry about it. There may be imperfections but our goal is not to be perfect. Our goal is to do our best.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What Is Our Attitude Today?

Monday April 09, 2012
This is the day after Easter. Yesterday we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus. We sang, "Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose victorious from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign.” That was yesterday. Where are we and what is our attitude today?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Rewards of Believing in Our Risen Savior

Monday April 02, 2012
Call me crazy but as “impossible” as the Resurrection is, it is far more reasonable to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead than it is to believe that I can win the Mega Millions jackpot.

Jamie Jenkins: A Prayer for Those in Outreach Ministries

Monday March 26, 2012
In his latest blog post, Dr. Jamie Jenkins shares the story of a young man who answered the call to ministry in Central America, and offers a prayer by Oscar Romero for all those who minister.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Practicing Radical Hospitality

Monday March 12, 2012
United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase has identified five practices of fruitful congregations. One of these is what he calls “radical hospitality.”

Offering and Receiving the Gift of Peace

Monday March 05, 2012
“Your flight has been canceled.” That is not the news you want to hear when you arrive at the airport at 9:30 PM for your return flight and you are thousands of miles from home.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Memorizing Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Monday February 27, 2012
There are two books that will change your life. Neither of them is on the current Top Ten Best Seller List. You will not see their authors parading through television talk shows promoting their writing. There two books to which I refer are The Bible and the hymnbook. They should be mainstays in every library.

The God we love and serve never changes

Monday February 20, 2012
When I was in my early teens, I read the award-winning novel, The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck. The author was the daughter of missionaries to China. She lived in China from the time of her birth in 1892 until the 1934 uprising. Her novel, about a poor Chinese family’s struggle to survive, opened up a world of Asian culture that was completely foreign to this South Alabama native.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Love Comes from God

Monday February 13, 2012
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. There is a variety of stories that attempt to explain the history of this special day. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia there are at least three Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, and all of them associated with February 14. Regardless of the origin, the date has long been celebrated as a day of romance.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Let Us Bloom Where We Are Planted

Monday February 06, 2012
Each of us has opportunities to make a difference. To bring hope and help to our world. What idea has God planted in your mind and heart? What need do you see that moves you to want to find a solution?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What's in a (church) name?

Monday January 30, 2012
What is in a church name? Sometimes it is obvious but sometimes it is hard to tell. Here are some examples.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Reading and studying the scripture is important

Monday January 23, 2012
Many good modern translations have come alongside the King James version of the Bible in the last few decades and I find them to be very helpful. It really does not matter which one is used but it is very important for us to read and study the scriptures.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday January 16, 2012
As we celebrate his legacy, almost 44 years after his death, I want to share the following quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: You Might Be a United Methodist If...

Monday January 09, 2012
Dr. Jamie Jenkins takes a page from Jeff Foxworthy with a humorous look at life in the United Methodist Church.

Jamie Jenkins: I Am a Work in Progress

Monday January 02, 2012
New Year’s resolutions are too often broken before the calendar has barely been turned. While the start of a new year is a good time to consider things that you need to change in your life, New Year’s resolutions just don’t work for me

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Let us continue to joyfully tell the story

Monday December 26, 2011
"Bad news travels around the world twice before good news gets its shoes on." That is what one of my teachers told me many years ago. Unfortunately, I believe he was right.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Generosity Is at the Heart of Christmas

Monday December 12, 2011
During this Advent Season as we prepare to celebrate the Greatest Gift, the Christ Child born in a manger, let us be generous. Remember that Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Little Things Mean a Lot

Monday December 05, 2011
Little things make a big difference. Sometimes a small act or word can turn a phrase or situation on its head. Do you remember the television commercial a few years ago that featured “Mean” Joe Greene?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Called to Be Peacemakers

Monday November 28, 2011
John Lennon sang, “Imagine all the people living life in peace.” Picturing it in your mind is one thing, but I believe that peace is more than a dream. Peace is possible. We are called to pray for it and we must work for it.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: In everything give thanks

Monday November 21, 2011
This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. I look forward to time with family, turkey and dressing (and all the other good stuff), and football. The day also causes me to think about some of the things for which I am thankful.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Our actions and inactions affect countless lives

Monday November 14, 2011
Folks who don’t follow college football may not know that Paterno is a class of his own when it comes to winning football games, but they probably know that he lost his job last week and they know why.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Our Quarreling and Contentiousness Can Diminish Our Influence

Monday October 31, 2011
People of faith should be passionate about things that matter but we can still be respectful and gracious towards those with whom we disagree.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Don't Be a Bystander

Monday October 24, 2011
Don’t be a wall flower, a bystander, a spectator. Be a willing participant in the full life that God provides through Jesus Christ. Enjoy it. Share the Good News with others.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God's Love Can Be Tremendously Transforming

Monday October 17, 2011
I enjoy baseball and R&B music. Last Wednesday night they came together wonderfully.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Living in an "As-Is" World

Monday October 10, 2011
As followers of Jesus we are called to live in an “as if” world. We recognize our reality but believe that Jesus came to “reconcile all things unto himself.” The lyrics of one of Chris Tomlin’s songs say that Jesus “takes the pieces and turns them to praises.”

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God Is Making Everything New

Monday October 03, 2011
The Old Testament Preacher hinted at the meaninglessness and futility of life when he said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” He suggests that whatever will be has already been (Ecclesiastes 1). There is something to be learned from his comments. However, his pessimism is not the only truth.

How we live is far more important than how long we live

Monday September 26, 2011
The psalmist said that “We live for seventy years or so and with luck we might make it to eighty” and then he adds, “Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (Psalm 90:10, 12, The Message).

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: We Must Be Faithful to the Task

Monday September 19, 2011
The final score is 59-0. You are the coach of the team that did not score. What do you say to your players after the game and over the next few days?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Pain, Suffering, and Loss Are Part of Life

Monday September 12, 2011
While I remember and mourn the events of 9-11-2001, September 11 is a very important day in my family for a very different reason. That day marks the birthday of our first born child.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Right Word at the Right Time

Monday September 05, 2011
"There is a right time to speak and a right time to be silent" (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Lord, teach us when to speak up and when to shut up.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Neither throw out the past nor be bound by it

Monday August 29, 2011
I have been energized by recent conversations with younger clergy. I am encouraged by their passion for the Gospel and their love for the Church. Their perspectives hold tremendous promise but they have challenged me in many ways.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy Go Hand In Hand

Monday August 22, 2011
I believe that right actions are informed and undergirded by right beliefs. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy go hand in hand. It is not just believing right or acting right; it is a both. It is important to ask WWJD? but life is not as simple as I wish it was.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: We Need to Know People So We Can Really Love Them

Monday August 15, 2011
God knows us and still loves. We are called to love each other in the same way God loves us. But we need to “know” people so we can really love them.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God Is Not Put Off by Our Questions

Monday August 08, 2011
I believe that honest inquiry is a pathway to truth and faith. God is not put off by our questions and is willing and able to answer them all.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: There Is a Child in All of Us

Monday August 01, 2011
We might be missing much of the richness of life if we don’t allow the “child” in us to remain alive as we follow Jesus.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Don't Abandon the Past, Build on It

Monday July 25, 2011
Our history is important. We don’t abandon our past but build upon it. The things that we learn from our experiences inform us as we prepare for the future and changes that are needed. God promises us “hope and a future.”

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: A Servant and a Success

Monday July 18, 2011
University of Georgia football Coach Mark Richt does not agree that one has to choose between Christian beliefs and career. One can be a servant and a success at the same time.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Effective Ministry Requires Continuous Learning

Monday July 11, 2011
It is certainly inaccurate to think that you can learn it all and then just coast the rest of your ministry. The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know. One must grow in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to be relevant and effective in ministry. This applies equally to clergy and laity.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Thankful for the Freedoms We Enjoy

Monday July 04, 2011
I am thankful for the freedoms that we enjoy in the country and the price that many people have paid throughout the years to provide and preserve it. Today I also celebrate the freedom that comes from knowing and following Christ.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: New Beginnings

Monday June 27, 2011
This is a day of new beginnings. This line from a fairly new hymn is appropriate. Yesterday over 100 United Methodist congregations in North Georgia shared worship with their new pastor as they began a new phase of ministry together.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: God's Love Is for Everyone

Monday June 20, 2011
God loves us. No matter who we are. No matter where we are or what we have done. God loves us and God wants us to accept that love and share it with others.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: How do we engage in ministry to the poor?

Monday June 13, 2011
“Billions of people the world over – most of them women and children – exist without their basic needs being met. They live a life of preventable suffering and are perpetually at risk.” These words remind us that Christians cannot be oblivious to the needs of the poor.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Civility Is Key Among Differing Perspectives

Monday June 06, 2011
Want my unbiased opinion? Well, most often I don't have one. As much as one might try to be objective there are so many Influencing factors that effect every decision. Biases can be harmful but they may also be helpful.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Memorial Day Is About Reconciliation

Monday May 30, 2011
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, had its beginning as a day of remembrance for those who died while serving our country. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.

A heart strangely warmed

Monday May 16, 2011
The time I spent as a part of that vibrant group of Christians at the Aldersgate UMC was one of the most important periods of my life. I was enriched in my ministry and encouraged in my faith. There were many opportunities to experience and share the grace of God during those years.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Every Day Is Easter for Christians

Monday April 25, 2011
Worship services in churches all over the world were full yesterday. Christians joined together and celebrated the resurrection of our Lord. Next Sunday is known as Quasimodo Sunday or Low Sunday. Why?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Knocked Down, But Not Out

Monday April 18, 2011
Victory and defeat. Triumph and tragedy. Life is filled with both. We have a lot of expressions that attempt to convey that reality. All my life I have heard, “Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose.”

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Going Where You Are Sent

Monday April 11, 2011
For 39 years I have trusted my life, my ministry, and my family to this method of deploying clergy. I have seen how much prayer and attention is given to this process.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Do Our Attitudes and Actions Cause Religious Disharmony?

Monday April 04, 2011
Anger over the burning of the Muslim holy book has erupted into deadly violence for the past several days in Afghanistan, with demonstrators setting cars and shops ablaze in riots that have left at least five civilians dead, officials said.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Finding the Answers to Life's Most Pressing Concerns

Monday March 28, 2011
I had an experience which reminded me that I don’t have to have all the right answers but it is important to know where to find them.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow and Who Holds My Hand

Monday March 21, 2011
“We are all OK” was the message when I opened my email on Friday morning, March 11. The message was from my son in Tokyo and he was reassuring me that the he and his family had been spared the disaster that had happened in Japan while I slept.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Spring Brings New Changes

Monday March 14, 2011
As you enjoy all the beauty of spring and the new life that it brings, pray for those who are engaged in this process of becoming clergy. Their leadership into the future is critical for the advancement of the Gospel and the witness of the Church.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Discipline Is an Indispensable Ingredient

Monday March 07, 2011
Discipline is an indispensable ingredient if life is to be lived to the fullest. It is necessary if a person is going to reach their potential. That is true whether in athletics, academics, entertainment, or life in general.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Christians Under Construction

Monday February 28, 2011
It has been said that every person has feet of clay. All of us make mistakes. Some mistakes are more serious than others. Some are more public than others and have a more widespread impact.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: How to Help the Homeless

Monday February 21, 2011
There are a number of ways that followers of Christ can help the homeless. Dr. Jamie Jenkins enumerates a few.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Love Is the Theme for Today

Monday February 14, 2011
Today is Valentine’s Day. Love is the theme of the day whether it is expressed with chocolates, flowers, or mushy lines in a greeting card. Love is...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Thanking the Faithful in Church

Monday February 07, 2011
In every church there are people who work very hard to be sure the ministry of that congregation continues. Most of these folks are invisible to the average church-goer. They often get little or no recognition or affirmation.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Called to Be Generous, Not Gullible

Monday January 31, 2011
Even when my instincts tell me clearly that requests for help are bogus I still find it difficult to say no. What if this one is genuine and I turn them away?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Wesley's Means of Grace

Monday January 24, 2011
We who have experienced the transforming grace of Christ are called to faithful living and to fruitful practices that help others to see and come to know Jesus. John Wesley emphasized repeatable activities that draw us near to God and send us to serve others.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Transformative Power of the Sun

Monday January 17, 2011
Last week was an unusual one for folks in Georgia. The record snowfall hung around for longer than normal because of the prolonged sub freezing temperatures.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: A New Year, a New Beginning

Monday January 03, 2011
Introspection and goal setting are important and can be helpful in these efforts at the start of a new year.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The 12 Days of Christmas

Monday December 27, 2010
The Twelve Days of Christmas are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of the season of Epiphany. Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12).

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Walter and the Gift of Christmas

Monday December 13, 2010
There are unforgettable people in everyone’s life. Walter is one of them for me.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Things Are Not Always as They Appear

Monday December 06, 2010
Things are not always as they appear. Sometimes they are better. Sometimes they are worse than it seems at first glance.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: One Reason to Believe

Monday November 29, 2010
If you have been to a shopping mall recently, you know that it is the Christmas season. (I hope that was not your first clue.) At first glance one of the major department stores seems to be a faith-based organization. Their theme for this season is, "There are millions of reasons to believe."

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Expressing Gratitude in 6 Words or Less

Monday November 22, 2010
Thursday is Thanksgiving Day and there is much for which to be grateful! I asked a lot of people to tell me what they were grateful for ... in 6 words or less.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Our Past Helps Us Remember Who We Are

Monday November 15, 2010
We are products of our past and we owe so much to many people we know and multiudes of others whom we do not know. It is awesome to think you and I are also providing a heritage for others who will one day want to learn more about their ancestry.

Celebrating the Saints who have gone before us

Monday November 08, 2010
Yesterday was All Saints Sunday in United Methodist churches. In churches everywhere bells were rung and candles were lighted as the names of folks were read.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Some Things Are Beyond Our Control

Monday November 01, 2010
As I get older (and thank God I am getting older) I am coming to understand that there are many things in life that are completely outside my control and that is all right.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Development of Moral Character

Monday October 25, 2010
Political campaigns can cause one to wonder if anyone desiring to be elected is really capable or has the character to be a public servant. It is alright to disagree with the actions and opinions of another but politics often involves more than that.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Handling Change

Monday October 18, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins reflects on the major changes facing the Atlanta Braves on the retirement of manager Bobby Cox. How should the church handle change?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Phenomenal Rescues

Monday October 11, 2010
On August 5 a gold and copper mine in Chile collapsed and trapped thirty-three miners 2,000 feet underground. By the time you read this the ordeal might be over.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Quotations Worth Sharing

Monday October 04, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins share some pithy wisdom in a collection of quotations he has gathered, and invites you to add your own.

God Has Children of Many Types

Monday September 27, 2010
It was nobody’s fault but my own. Vehicle Registration Renewal notices (the reminder that your auto license plates are about expire) arrived several weeks ago. It happens every year on your birthday.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: On Reading the Bible in a Year

Monday September 20, 2010
“Everyone should read it””all of it!” That is the conclusion of David Plotz. He said further, “While reading the Bible, I often felt as if I had finally lifted a veil from my eye. Reading the whole Bible has changed me.”

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Celebrating Unsung and Unnoticed Heroes on Labor Day

Monday September 06, 2010
Today is Labor Day, a day set apart to honor the ordinary folks whose work is essential to our lives. They are the people who rarely get the spotlight but without whom we would not have food on our tables, houses in which to live, clothes to wear, electricity to light and cool our homes, automobiles to drive, computers to connect to the world.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Knowing Our Origin Gives Us an Identity

Monday August 30, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "I must be careful to live in such a way that when Jamie Sola Yoshikawa Jenkins grows up he will be proud to be my namesake." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Grandchildren--Wonderful and Exhausting

Monday August 23, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins shares some memories and thoughts about having his two grandchildren spend more than a month with him and his wife this summer: "After 33 days they are gone. The house is quiet. Less cluttered. And a little sad." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Some Things Need to Be Valued and Left Alone

Monday August 16, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "There is no question, some things can be improved. But some things just need to be valued and left alone." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Conflict--Crisis and Opportunity

Monday August 09, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes about an incident on the road the other day: "Without warning and with a total stranger I encountered conflict. I didn’t see it coming and I had no clue what caused it." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: A Church's Worth Is Not Measured by Its Size

Monday August 02, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "Whether the church membership numbers many or few, it is important for everyone to have the sense of 'belonging.' No matter what the size of the congregation, it is possible to be known and to feel that your presence and participation is important." Read on.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Oberammergauers are fulfilling a promise to God

Monday July 26, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "The story begins in 1633 with the village of Oberammergau in a bad way, the Thirty Years War raging around it and the death toll from the bubonic plague rapidly increasing. Those still alive made a vow that if God spared them, they would put on a performance detailing Christ’s own suffering and repeat it every ten years in gratitude for their deliverance." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Nothing Can Get Between Us and God's Love

Monday July 19, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes: "I wonder if God gets irritated with me when I am fearful or agitated and don’t accept the comfort and reassurance that is offered? When God speaks peace to me, why do I reject it? Why are my circumstances more convincing than the reality of God’s Presence?"

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What We Can Learn from Pixar

Monday July 12, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "Creative thinking, risk taking, industriousness, and many other characteristics ... are essential to Pixar’s success. But [one of the founders], referring to the process of making Toy Story, said they believed that 'people are more important than ideas.' That might be the key."

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Beauty of the Peachtree Road Race

Monday July 05, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins was one of 55,000 participants in Atlanta's 41st annual Peachtree Road Race on July 4 (along with Day1 host Peter Wallace!). Here are Jamie's thoughts about the meaning of this massive 10K event, written in anticipation of it.

Clergy and laity have begun a new year of partnership

Monday June 28, 2010
Yesterday was the second Sunday after Annual Conference. In many United Methodist churches in North Georgia it was the first Sunday for the new pastor. In others it was the time to celebrate the return of pastors for another year.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Lawn Care and Church Polity

Monday June 14, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "I had a revelation (you might not call it that) while cutting the grass last week..." Both lawn care and church polity have different means but one goal. Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Forgiveness Can Come When We Acknowledge Our Mistakes

Monday June 07, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins offers some lessons learned from last week's Major League Baseball blown call, which deprived pitcher Armando Galarraga of a perfect game.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Memorial Day Is About Reconciliation

Monday May 31, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes: "...Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all for the freedoms that we enjoy--and often take for granted." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Wesley's Aldersgate Experience

Monday May 24, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "...On this date in 1738 John Wesley, the Father of Methodism, experienced his 'heart strangely warmed.'" The rest is history. Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Changes in Leadership

Monday May 17, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes on the itinerant system in the United Methodist Church: "There are many reasons to change leadership--of a basketball team or a church. Tenure and ”˜shelf-life” may be factors, but just needing a change is probably not enough." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Proms with a Purpose

Monday May 10, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "Important moments in our lives need to be celebrated and remembered. But maybe, just maybe, we can do that in ways that are not only memorable for us but also beneficial for others." Read on...

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Praying for the Nation

Monday May 03, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "Please join with me and our brothers and sisters across the nation every day but especially this Thursday as we 'pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God's continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.'"

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Everyday Words and Deeds Have Power

Monday April 26, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "The words and deeds of everyday and ordinary people have power. They build up or they tear down." Have you experienced that for yourself?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Some Insights from This Year's Masters

Monday April 12, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins gained some interesting insights while he attended this year's Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: It Is More Blessed to Give

Monday April 05, 2010
During a mission trip to Honduras, enjoying a week without a cell phone or computer, Jamie Jenkins remembered the instruction of the Bible that those who have much are expected to be generous with what they have. "I experienced the truth that it really is more blessed to give than to receive."

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Remembering Humility

Monday March 29, 2010
During Holy Week, Dr. Jamie Jenkins reminds us: "Without Jesus' humble obedience there would not have been an empty tomb and a resurrection. As we prepare for Easter, let us think of ourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself."

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What Churches Can Learn from Good Customer Service

Monday March 22, 2010
After a few good customer service experiences, Dr. Jamie Jenkins wonders what churches can learn about making visitors feel more welcome.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Holy Ground

Monday March 15, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins writes, "It is the presence of God that makes any place 'holy.' The psalmist said there is no place where God is not present."

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Parenting: A Roller Coaster of Joy and Sorrow

Monday March 01, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins reflects on his experiences as a parent, and shares encouragement for the roller coaster ride all parents must endure.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Who Are You Following?

Monday February 15, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins reminds us that Lent offers us a wonderful opportunity to be intentional about who or what we are following.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Using Good Judgment While Helping Others

Monday February 08, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins takes a look at the orphan situation in Haiti, and reminds us to do the right thing in the right way.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Practicing Customer Service in Our Churches

Monday February 01, 2010
Good customer service is essential to any endeavor that deals with people. So why do churches often ignore it?

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Everyone Is Gifted to Serve

Monday January 25, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins on the call of every baptized believer to use his or her gifts to serve in Jesus' name.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday January 18, 2010
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dr. Jamie Jenkins shares some lessons learned through his lifetime about racial reconciliation and the hope of dreams come true.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Try, Try Again

Monday January 11, 2010
Dr. Jamie Jenkins starts the new year pondering different ways to deal with life's problems.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Thoughts on 41 Years of Marriage

Monday December 28, 2009
Dr. Jamie Jenkins reflects on his 41 years of marriage and offers advice on how to make relationships thrive.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: The Many Moods of Christmas

Monday December 14, 2009
A record album by the Robert Shaw Chorale prompts Dr. Jamie Jenkins to ponder the many moods of Christmas.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What Do We Really Want for Christmas?

Monday December 07, 2009
Dr. Jamie Jenkins offers some suggestions on how to make Advent and Christmas more meaningful this year.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Who Are We Waiting For?

Monday November 30, 2009
As we enter the season of Advent, Dr. Jamie Jenkins reminds us who we're waiting for--and what we should be doing in the meantime.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Let Us Give Thanks to God

Tuesday November 24, 2009
The Rev. Dr. Jamie Jenkins encourages us to give thanks to God, at Thanksgiving and every day, regardless of our circumstances.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Giving with Gratitude

Tuesday November 17, 2009
Dr. Jamie Jenkins explores the struggles churches are experiencing with their finances--and suggests ways we can all save money in order to give more generously to God's work.

Dr. Jamie Jenkins: What Will Happen in 2012?

Monday November 09, 2009
Jamie Jenkins takes a look at the upcoming movie "2012" which portrays a predicted devastation of Planet Earth.