The Rev. Billy Honor

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA)
Organization: Pulse Church, Atlanta, GA

 

Billy Michael Honor is a minister, public theologian, and cultural critic whose progressive and compelling insights have made him a sought after preacher, lecturer, and social commentator.

Billy is the organizing pastor of  Pulse Church in Atlanta, GA, which was launched in 2015.   Prior to organizing Pulse Billy was the pastor and head of staff of New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, GA, which under his leadership became the fastest growing predominantly African American Presbyterian congregation in the United States.  He is also the founder and facilitator of an independent public scholarship ministry that focuses on promoting quality social commentary and criticism on religion and culture. 

Recognized as an emerging progressive social voice, Billy regularly speaks at churches, conferences, colleges and community events and is a media commentator on issues related to contemporary faith and culture.  Since 2008 he has facilitated a respected blog called "The Critical Cleric" that maintains a diverse and growing readership and his sermons and writings have been featured in Huffington Post, the Root.com, Presbyterians Today magazine, Yahoo Voices, Odyssey Network  and Day1 Media Ministry.

Billy holds a bachelors of arts in Biblical Education with honors from Beulah Heights Christian University in Atlanta, Georgia, a Master of Divinity degree from Johnson C. Smith Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta (where he graduated at top of his seminary class), and has completed an advanced studies Master of Theology degree with honors from Emory University's Candler School of Theology, where his research focused on the intersection of theology, race and cultural criticism.

Billy also serves on the board of trustees of several institutions including Columbia Theological Seminary, Johnson C. Smith Seminary and the Interdenominational Theological Center.  He has also been an adjunct professor of religious studies and guest lecturer at various theological institutions and is currently working on completing his first book project titled "The Mis-education of the Church Negro".      

He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Kaldeen who is an educational advisor and non-profit professional.

 

Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Billy Honor

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How to Handle a Scandal

Tuesday April 22, 2014
In his sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Billy Honor says that sometimes we try to bury and conceal the struggles and scandals of our lives. But our redemption story, like Jesus' story, has the power to inspire if we choose to let it.

Articles by The Rev. Billy Honor

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ON Scripture: Trump’s Inauguration and Conflicted Hope in a Divided Christianity (Isaiah 9:1-4) By The Rev. Billy Honor

Monday January 16, 2017
The nation of Israel was in a time of looming war and destruction, darkness and gloom (Isaiah chapter 8). As a result, the people were divided and uncertain about the future and searching for answers. This was the period of time somewhere around the end of the reign of King Ahaz when the Isaiah prophesied that the coming of a new messiah or divine leader was near.

ON Scripture: Why Jesus wouldn’t be a Democrat or Republican (Luke 14: 1, 7-14) By Billy Honor

Monday August 22, 2016
If you just listened to the current presidential candidates talk, you’d think the United States is a nation comprised of only rich and middle class individuals. Almost nothing in their speeches, party platforms and interviews would tell you that approximately 47 million citizens live in poverty in what is clearly the richest nation in the world.

ON Scripture: Jesus, Poor People and the Underside of Thanksgiving (Matthew 25: 31-46) by Billy Honor

Monday November 17, 2014
I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, the fellowship, the friends and family, the football and did I mention that I love the food. Unashamedly it might very well be my favorite holiday. Yet, despite all my warm feelings about Thanksgiving, I am not blind to its historical shortcomings.

Billy Honor: African American Churches and the Neglected Public Minister

Tuesday March 18, 2014
Presently, the most pervasive images of African-American pastors in media and public discourse are of the high-profile superstar pastoral types and the infamous wolves in Shepard's clothing that have been publicly exposed to be hustlers and sexual predators. Obviously these images, though sexy for general conversation, do not come close to telling the whole story of pastoring in African-American communities. In reality, African-American pastoral images are quite diverse and richly textured.