Thank you so much for speaking this message!! I learn far better from listening than from reading and this message was awesome! Thank you thank you thank you!
Dr. Walker-Barnes, this is my first time contacting you though I have been interested in your work for several years now. This sermon has motivated me to simply say Thank you. I'm a white Presbyterian minister, educated and ordained (1982) in the former Southern Presbyterian Church as reunion was being worked out. Your words resonate strongly for me. I did not find my way to self authenticity in Minister for many years, and only after leaving congregational ministry to become a professional chaplain working in hospice care. I'm not sure how I would have heard your words when I needed them the most, but I am grateful to hear them now as I'm still seeking to embrace my roundness.
I enjoyed it very much. I resonate with a square watermelon as off-putting, especially a southern girl who lived on a farm eating watermelons on the front porch. I graduated seminary two years ago, and I see my colleagues right here doing this: "Eager to secure your spot among the ministry elite, you might neglect your pastoral responsibilities in the mad rush to take on as many revival and conferences and “Seven Last Words” invitations as you can." You, my friend, have shared a word in my soul as I am not that square watermelon.
Thank you for a relevant word at a critical time where our country is asking for square watermelons of long standing institutions and individuals!!! Your video presence is engaging and authentic!!!
Dr. Walker Barnes as someone who was a student at Union with Dr. Kenny, I also heard him talk about the square watermelon 🍉. Thank you for your words to those graduating seminary. I will take them for myself since I just graduated seminary. I have already received messages to be more square, as a woman in ministry to not expect a lot and to be willing to take crumbs and act like it’s the whole cake.🎂
How is it so easy to let the world convince me otherwise? The pressure to “talk, think, dress, and act” like my tradition expects is so real—and I fell right into all of those traps. Thank you for this liberating word!!
This definitely resonated with me. I feel like within the past few years, I've let my "roundness" shine through. And it certainly applies to other fields, not just theology/ministry.
Dr. Chanequa, as always thank you for this offering and the encouragement to be our authentic selves as we usher people into leaning into the love of God!
Thank you! It's funny because I used this passage from John for my initial sermon. I think it's message about authenticity in the face of pressure may be my central life's work.
Ma’am…the shaved head, the lipstick? ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. 💯 Love this conversation too!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for speaking this message!! I learn far better from listening than from reading and this message was awesome! Thank you thank you thank you!
Dr. Walker-Barnes, this is my first time contacting you though I have been interested in your work for several years now. This sermon has motivated me to simply say Thank you. I'm a white Presbyterian minister, educated and ordained (1982) in the former Southern Presbyterian Church as reunion was being worked out. Your words resonate strongly for me. I did not find my way to self authenticity in Minister for many years, and only after leaving congregational ministry to become a professional chaplain working in hospice care. I'm not sure how I would have heard your words when I needed them the most, but I am grateful to hear them now as I'm still seeking to embrace my roundness.
I enjoyed it very much. I resonate with a square watermelon as off-putting, especially a southern girl who lived on a farm eating watermelons on the front porch. I graduated seminary two years ago, and I see my colleagues right here doing this: "Eager to secure your spot among the ministry elite, you might neglect your pastoral responsibilities in the mad rush to take on as many revival and conferences and “Seven Last Words” invitations as you can." You, my friend, have shared a word in my soul as I am not that square watermelon.
Thank you for a relevant word at a critical time where our country is asking for square watermelons of long standing institutions and individuals!!! Your video presence is engaging and authentic!!!
Dr. Walker Barnes as someone who was a student at Union with Dr. Kenny, I also heard him talk about the square watermelon 🍉. Thank you for your words to those graduating seminary. I will take them for myself since I just graduated seminary. I have already received messages to be more square, as a woman in ministry to not expect a lot and to be willing to take crumbs and act like it’s the whole cake.🎂
I have got to find one of his messages about it!
How can I insert my finger snaps and "Come on now!" into this sermon?
Because from the audience my heart is soaring with permission to publicly do what I have been doing from my sofa.
Digging and venturing into the spaces in which justice and theology meet an inclusive and expansive God.
But this is the work of resistance. We work head down until we find another sojourner for whom to link arms with.
Thank you.
Thank you!
How is it so easy to let the world convince me otherwise? The pressure to “talk, think, dress, and act” like my tradition expects is so real—and I fell right into all of those traps. Thank you for this liberating word!!
The world uses a lot of resources to inflict its pressure. It takes a lot of energy to resist it. Give yourself grace.
Wow. I really needed to hear this word today. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you!
This definitely resonated with me. I feel like within the past few years, I've let my "roundness" shine through. And it certainly applies to other fields, not just theology/ministry.
Authenticity has a way of spreading like that. When you do it in one area of your life, it seeps into the others.
I LOVE THIS SERMON! 🎉🩷
Thank you!
Whoo-wee. As I graduated with my DMin yesterday THIS was the sermon I needed today. Thank you. 🍉🙏🏽🎉
Thank you! And congratulations!
Dr. Chanequa I am trying to find the information for the course you are offering this summer.
I canceled the MBSR course for the summer, but I'll reschedule sometime within the next year.
This was amazing and liberating. I am not a square watermelon. Thank you.
Thank you. This is such a beautiful analogy. I'm gonna put a picture of a juicy round watermelon by my desk now.
I love this!
Dr. Chanequa, as always thank you for this offering and the encouragement to be our authentic selves as we usher people into leaning into the love of God!
Thank you! It's funny because I used this passage from John for my initial sermon. I think it's message about authenticity in the face of pressure may be my central life's work.