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Ayanna Johnson Watkins

Ayanna Johnson Watkins is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister and executive director and lead organizer for Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope.

Sunday’s Coming

The weariness and the harvest (Galatians 6:[1-6], 7-16)

It is easy to become weary after another officer-involved shooting of a young black man.
Sunday’s Coming

Saving your life, saving the world (1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21)

The most interesting part of "Avengers: Endgame" is the theme of salvation.
Lizzo performing
In the Lectionary

July 7, Ordinary 14C (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:[1-6], 7-16)

I want to be like Lizzo when I grow up.
In the Lectionary

June 30, Ordinary 13C (Luke 9:51-62; 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21)

Maybe Jesus’ words aren’t about me, my family, or my sacrifices. Maybe they’re about him.
Sunday’s Coming

Limited faith in a risen savior (John 20:19-31)

The disciples don't believe Mary—or do they?
Sunday’s Coming

The Marys are stronger together (Matthew 28:1-10)

The phenomenon of women in groups, in community, has been near the front of my mind for some time.
In the Lectionary

April 23, Second Sunday of Easter

1 Peter 1:3–9, John 20:19–31
In the Lectionary

April 16, Resurrection of the Lord

At grief’s mercy, Mary stays at the site of her loss.
Sunday’s Coming

Unnoticed stones

When she knew she was dying, my grandmother took me to see the cornerstone of a small brick church in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. I didn’t recognize the sign outside. It was a Baptist church, I think. It was pretty rundown, but still in better shape than the neighborhood. Overgrown vacant lots were everywhere; it was like visiting an abandoned church in the jungle.
In the Lectionary

March 29, 2015, Palm Sunday: John 12:12-16

Palm Sunday is a story of disappointed expectations, of what happens when someone you admire refuses to be who you think they should be.

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Sunday’s Coming

God doesn’t always do a gut rehab

I believe God can make us completely over, but I also believe that this is not always necessary.
In the Lectionary

March 22, 2015, Fifth Sunday in Lent: John 12:20-33

The Jesus that John shows us in this week’s Gospel text is not a religious robot, unemotionally prepared to end it all for the cause. He sees the risks, feels them.
Books

Ayanna Johnson Watkins's favorite books for ministry

What are the best books for ministry written in the 21st century? We asked seven pastors to pick their favorites. — Ed....
Books

Wise women: Texts for preaching

When I’m working on a sermon, I like to have wise women nearby. My favorite is the poet Nikki Giovanni, who tells it like it is.
Sunday’s Coming

Looking evil in the face

This week’s readings are generally about the faithful. Deuteronomy describes God’s faithful care of a “wandering Aramean” or “Syrian about to perish”—most likely Jacob. The psalm echoes God’s faithful care of God’s own, safely abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Paul reminds the Romans how uncomplicated it is to come by salvation: it only takes faithful hearts and faithful speech. And we see Jesus’ profound faithfulness as he survives the devil’s temptations in the wilderness. Preaching these texts looks easy enough, maybe even uninspiring. It doesn’t get much more basic than faith.

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