Christ Church Memphis

Send us Fan MailFollowing his election as a bishop in the Global Methodist Church, Paul Lawler reflects on the moment his name was called, the months of discernment that preceded it, and the bittersweet reality of leaving Christ Methodist Church. He also looks ahead to what God may do next, and back to the young man who could never have imagined where a life of following Jesus would lead.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat is God doing in one of the world's largest refugee settlements? Robert Hunt and Kathryn Naifeh share firsthand stories from Bidi Bidi, Uganda, where Ebenezer Global is equipping refugees, sharing the gospel, and building relationships across religious and cultural lines.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat does your heart want most? Jesus' promise that the pure in heart will see God invites us to examine what has captured the center of our lives and discover how Christ cleanses, transforms, and gives us a heart increasingly set on Him. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailAs Nathan Cook prepares to conclude his time on staff at Christ Methodist Church, he joins us for one final podcast conversation, leaving us with a challenge from Luke 14 to reconsider what has our attention and fully participate in the Kingdom of God.In Luke 14, Jesus tells of a banquet prepared and an invitation extended, yet one by one, the invited guests allow the concerns of everyday life to keep them away. In this conversation, listeners are challenged to consider what may be keeping them from fully participating in the Kingdom of God.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailDaniel Baldwin, Director of Middle School Ministry, steps into the pulpit for the first time in a Christ Methodist Church worship service with a message on Jesus' words, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”What does mercy look like when someone has genuinely hurt us? Through Matthew 5:7, Daniel explores the relationship between mercy and forgiveness, why Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and how the mercy we receive at the cross gives us the grace to extend mercy to others.When forgiveness feels impossible, the cross reminds us both how deeply we have been forgiven and where we can find the strength to forgive.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like to live as someone who has truly experienced the mercy of God? Jesus calls His followers to move beyond feelings of compassion into lives marked by tangible care and forgiveness—even when extending mercy is difficult.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the school year ahead is more than just another year to get through? High School Director Ava Parks looks back at Youth Encounter Weekend and the “Hero's Journey” that challenged students to embrace God's call, walk through life in Christian community, and trust the story He is writing through every season.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailHow early can a child begin to know God? For Laura Neal, that question is deeply personal—and central to her new role as Nursery & Preschool Director at Christ Methodist Church. From growing up in Memphis and serving as a missionary in Jordan to working with refugees, children, and families, Laura shares how God has woven a wide range of experiences together and shaped her passion for helping even our youngest children develop a meaningful foundation of faith. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailGod gives us His righteousness not simply to change our standing before Him, but to change the world through us. As Christ forms His character within us, we become faithful stewards of His righteousness—bringing mercy, integrity, generosity, holiness, and love into our families, workplaces, relationships, and communities.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if real strength is found in surrender? When Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek,” He isn't calling us to weakness or passivity. He invites us into a life where we surrender our strength, influence, words, and need for control to Him. Discover the surprising freedom and peace that come when we stop fighting for our own way and learn the meekness of Christ.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the testimony you prayed for turns out to be your own? Kimberly Owens shares a deeply personal story of faith, loss, prayer, and discovering God's faithfulness through seasons she never expected, including the journey that ultimately brought her to Christ Methodist Church. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the sorrow we try hardest to avoid is actually the doorway to freedom? Jesus declares, “Blessed are those who mourn,” revealing a godly sorrow that takes sin seriously, leads us toward repentance, and opens our hearts to the forgiveness, comfort, joy, and peace only God can give.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you step into places where the gospel is changing lives every day? Nathan Cook shares stories from Uganda and Senegal of refugee settlements, imprisoned believers, Muslim leaders asking for Bibles, and the surprising ways God strengthens faith when we choose obedience over fear.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the path to a truly flourishing life begins by admitting how much we need God? Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with a surprising invitation: come with empty hands, surrender your self-sufficiency, and discover the riches of His Kingdom.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Hannah Hutchinson, Christ Methodist Church's Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Women's Ministry, to hear the story behind her call to ministry and what brought her to Memphis.Hannah shares about growing up as the daughter of United Methodist pastors, surrendering to God's call as a teenager, preparing for ministry through Samford University and Asbury Seminary, and serving alongside her husband, Nathan, in Mississippi and Florida before joining the Christ Methodist family.She also offers a glimpse into her heart for discipleship, preaching, and equipping believers to discover their calling and make disciples in everyday life. Whether you're meeting Hannah for the first time or have already gotten to know her around campus, this conversation is a wonderful opportunity to hear her story and learn more about the ministry she'll be leading at Christ Methodist. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if Communion is more than something we remember? At Christ's table, we discover grace for today, strength for tomorrow, and a foretaste of the feast still to come. Come and see why Jesus continues to invite us to His table.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailAs the Apostle Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians, he calls believers to examine their faith, rest in the finished work of Christ, and pursue lives marked by restoration, unity, and peace. Discover how the gospel transforms both our hearts and the life of the church. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like to seek God's kingdom first? Through the story of Cornerstone Prep and the book of Nehemiah, Drew Sippel shares how God often guides His people through unexpected turns, calling ordinary believers to trust the King and join Him in rebuilding His kingdom.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat are you building with your life? Every day we're laying another brick, but are we building something that lasts? Discover the kind of church, ministry, and life that Christ builds through humble leadership, sacrificial love, spiritual integrity, and genuine repentance. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the very weakness you've been asking God to remove is the place where He wants to reveal His greatest strength? Sometimes God doesn't take away the thorn, but He always provides the grace to endure it. Discover why His power is most clearly displayed in lives that have learned to depend completely on Him.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat is Jesus worth to you? In a culture that prizes comfort, success, and security, Scripture asks a much deeper question: Is Christ worthy of your suffering? The Apostle Paul points not to his accomplishments but to his scars, revealing that faithful discipleship isn't measured by comfort but by devotion to the One who is worthy of everything.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailHow do you know what's true when every voice claims to speak for God? Not every inspiring message leads to Jesus, and not everything that sounds spiritual is rooted in Scripture. In a world filled with competing voices, followers of Christ are called to develop discernment—anchoring themselves so deeply in the true gospel that they can recognize anything that subtly pulls them away from Jesus.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the greatest spiritual battle you're facing isn't happening around you, but inside you? Every fear, temptation, resentment, and act of faith begins somewhere. The question isn't whether thoughts will come, but whether we'll surrender them to Christ or allow them to shape us. Freedom, maturity, and spiritual victory begin when we learn to take every thought captive and bring it under the lordship of Jesus. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if generosity is about far more than money? Every seed we sow—through our resources, prayers, service, and faithfulness—becomes part of God's greater work in the world. The harvest may not always be immediate, but God delights in using ordinary acts of generosity to transform lives, strengthen His Church, and bring glory to His name. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if generosity has less to do with your bank account and more to do with your heart? Paul points to a group of struggling believers whose joy overflowed into radical generosity, revealing a powerful truth: when grace takes hold of a life, everything changes. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if generosity has less to do with your bank account and more to do with your heart? Paul points to a group of struggling believers whose joy overflowed into radical generosity, revealing a powerful truth: when grace takes hold of a life, everything changes. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when faith moves from the head to the heart? This Pentecost message explores the fire of the Holy Spirit, the “strangely warmed” heart of John Wesley, and why many believers settle for cold religion when God offers living communion with Christ.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailChrist Methodist Director of Early Elementary and Director of VBS, Christy Tilmon, discusses her path into early elementary education and ministry, shaped by childhood experiences and bullying. She also shares about her teaching jobs, finding a better fit, and balancing ministry with family life.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if the pain you've been avoiding is actually the doorway to healing? Discover how godly grief, honest repentance, and the grace of Jesus can restore what bitterness, pride, and brokenness have damaged. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailChrist Methodist Church member Rebecca Tilmon shares how a moment of desperation led her to Christ, and how years of prayer, closed doors, and unexpected confirmations are now leading her to serve on mission in Thailand.Overview:Rebecca grew up in church but truly encountered Jesus during a moment of deep anxiety and desperation in eighth grade.As she began seeking God more seriously, He stirred a calling toward global missions through Scripture, dreams, and the encouragement of the church.Many mission opportunities closed unexpectedly, but each closed door revealed God's timing and preparation in her life.This summer, Rebecca will serve in Bangkok, Thailand, building relationships with college students and sharing the gospel on university campuses.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailCan you slowly drift from God without realizing it? In this sermon from 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1, Pastor Paul Lawler explores spiritual compromise, intentional holiness, and what it means to live as the temple of the living God. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, Moriah Eckel shares her journey from growing up in church to stepping into her role as Director of Contemporary Worship at Christ Methodist Church. Through seasons of loss, doubt, and rebuilding, she reflects on how God reshaped her identity, deepened her faith, and clarified her calling. The interview also explores her philosophy of worship and why it begins with God, not us, and how authenticity matters more than production. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailThis "sermon" explores the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia, particularly children affected by human trafficking, through the work of the Compassionate Hope Foundation. Pastor Paul Lawler emphasizes the church's mission of service both locally and globally, introducing the concept of "glocal." Al Henson, the foundation's director, shares his journey and highlights the dire circumstances children face due to systemic poverty and cultural exploitation. (Tina's song testimony was cut due to copyright issues.)HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when God calls you somewhere you never expected? In this conversation, Ashley B. Collins shares how a simple step of obedience led her into jail ministry, where stories of brokenness, grace, and redemption reveal the transforming power of the gospel and the truth that no one is defined by their past.About Ashley Ashley B. Collins is the daughter of Don and Paula Bourland. She grew up in Christ Methodist Church and at Christ Methodist Day School, and now serves in jail ministry through the Neighborhood Christian Center, where she disciples and walks alongside incarcerated women.Purchase a Copy of ",but God"Ashley's WebsiteAmazonHOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to receive the grace of God—and still miss its impact? 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 challenges us to stop delaying obedience and start responding to grace today. This sermon explores how grace works in real life, why it often shows up in hardship, and how a guarded heart can keep us from experiencing true transformation. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to truly live as an ambassador for Christ? This message from 2 Corinthians 5:11–21 explores the urgency of the gospel, how being made new in Christ reshapes your identity, compels your life, and sends you with a mission of reconciliation into a broken world.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat happens after death, and how should that shape your life now? This message explores the hope of a resurrected body, the reality of eternity, and why living to please Christ today carries eternal significance.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailIf the resurrection isn't real, everything falls apart, but if it is, it changes everything. This message explores why the risen Christ reshapes our faith, our hope, and how we live right now.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailThe crowds shouted “Hosanna,” but they misunderstood who Jesus truly was. This message explores the tension of Palm Sunday, where celebration meets surrender, and challenges us to move beyond fascination with Jesus into a life of true worship marked by sacrifice, humility, and a cross-shaped faith.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailAfter being nominated for the role of Bishop in the Global Methodist Church, Pastor Paul shares the heart behind his decision to accept the nomination and what it means for Christ Methodist Church in this unfolding season.To learn more about the General Gathering in late summer, go HERE. To learn more about what a bishop is and does in the Global Methodist Church, go HERE (begins on pg. 176). HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us Fan MailWhat if your weakness isn't something to hide, but the very place where God's power is revealed? This sermon by Christ Methodist Church Executive Pastor Rev. Josh Landen explores how suffering, faith, and eternal hope are deeply interconnected in the Christian life.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textWhat if the greatest threat to your faith isn't outright evil, but the good things quietly pulling your attention away from Jesus? This sermon presses into spiritual distraction, the power of the gospel, and why only Christ can truly transform a heart.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textThe Apostle Paul says every Christian carries a fragrance. Some smell life, yet others smell death. What does that mean, and how does the Spirit remove the veil so we can truly see Christ?HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textThis sermon examines the intricate dynamics between the Apostle Paul and the Corinthian church as seen in 2 Corinthians 1:12 to 2:13. The Apostle Paul discusses his sincere intentions and the integrity of his ministry, emphasizing clarity in communication rooted in God's grace. The historical context reveals misunderstandings regarding his travel plans, motivating his decision to withhold visits to spare the church further pain. Paul addresses accusations about his reliability, defending his integrity tied to Christ's promises.As he navigates emotional challenges, Paul highlights the interplay of love and joy within the church, urging forgiveness as crucial for spiritual health. He encourages the Corinthians to reflect on their responses to conflict, advocating for grace over judgment. We're empowered to embody love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, reminding both the Corinthian church and modern congregations of their mission to live out Christ's grace in fostering unity.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textDr. Watson, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, guest-teaches on identity, drawing from Romans 8 to emphasize believers' status as children of God and the transformative power of embracing that identity. He discusses the dangers of self-identity shaped by external labels and encourages attendees to see themselves through God's love. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textAva Parks didn't just “take a job” at Christ Methodist; she came home. In this episode, Ava opens up about growing up at the church, being shaped by JoyLife901, and discovering how God can use creativity, community, and even suffering to form a life of purpose. Along the way, you'll hear about her love for art and music, the slow work of surrender, and the heart behind her desire for students to feel seen, safe, and deeply loved.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send a textWhat if your desert season isn't punishment, but preparation? Discover how Jesus delivers, transforms, and builds destiny through the very places that feel like defeat.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us a textWhat if comfort isn't about escaping pain, but about discovering God's presence within it, and being changed forever by what you receive?HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us a textWhen you can't see a way out, and the pressure feels personal, Daniel's quiet habit exposes a louder truth: darkness doesn't get the final word.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us a textBefore you hear Bradley Anderson lead worship, we wanted you to hear his story.In this conversation, we sit down with Christ Methodist's new Director of Worship to talk about the moments that shaped him—from growing up in rural West Virginia, to falling in love with music at a young age, to saying yes to a calling that has taken him across the country and deep into the life of the Church.Along the way, Bradley reflects on why music matters in worship, how art points us to the Creator, and the responsibility that comes with leading others into the presence of God. You'll also hear about handbells (yes, really), baseball loyalties, meaningful mentors, and the quiet ways God confirms His calling at just the right time.This interview isn't about a résumé, but about the heart, faith, and story behind the leadership. Whether you're part of the choir, the congregation, or just getting to know Christ Methodist, this is an invitation to get to know Bradley a little better.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Send us a textA New Year's retreat, a theme called “Whisper,” and a moment so loud the whole camp could hear it. This is the kind of story that makes you want to pray for the next generation.Learn more about student ministry. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN