Authors /
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.
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.
July 5, 2019
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.
June 28, 2019
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.
June 11, 2019
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.
June 4, 2019
Limited faith in a risen savior (John 20:19-31)
The disciples don't believe Mary—or do they?
April 21, 2017
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.
April 13, 2017
April 16, Resurrection of the Lord
At grief’s mercy, Mary stays at the site of her loss.
March 21, 2017
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.
March 22, 2015
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.
March 17, 2015
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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.
March 15, 2015
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.
March 10, 2015

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....
October 2, 2014
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.
April 15, 2013
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.
February 11, 2013