W-2 PEOPLE FILES
- Sharon E Watkins - Charles Watson Jr - Barry Waugh - Michael Wear - Jenny Weaver - Rob Webb -Stovall & Kerri Weems - Peter Wehner - Mikey Weinstein - Justin Welby - Jack Wellman - Jared C Wellman - Dorothy Sanders Wells -
==sharon E watkins======
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins serves as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. As General Minister, she is general pastor of the denomination, responsible for representing the wholeness of the church, for reconciling differences, and for helping the church retain its clarity of mission and identity. Her work includes interpreting The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and convening tables for cooperative work.
Mar 28, 2015: Huffington Post: Disciples Of Christ Church Threatens A Boycott Over New Indiana Bill That Allows LGBT Discrimination
“Purportedly a matter of religious freedom, we find RFRA contrary to the values of our faith — as well as to our national and Hoosier values,” stated the letter, which was signed by Sharon E. Watkins, the church’s general minister and president, as well as the leaders of its overseas and domestic missions.
“Purportedly a matter of religious freedom, we find RFRA contrary to the values of our faith — as well as to our national and Hoosier values,” stated the letter, which was signed by Sharon E. Watkins, the church’s general minister and president, as well as the leaders of its overseas and domestic missions.
==CHARLES WATSON JR======
Charles Watson Jr. is a Baptist-endorsed chaplain. But at 33 he’s found what’s likely to be a lifelong passion — advocating for religious liberty. As education and outreach specialist for the Washington based Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the Georgia native aims to expand the base of support for religious liberty and engage the next generation of advocates.
Charles Watson Jr Files
"I believe religious liberty is always one generation away from extinction. Protecting it demands our utmost vigilance, including a targeted approach to the education of young people. This means we can never get so comfortable with this liberty that we take either one of the two religion clauses in the First Amendment — preventing an establishment of religion and protecting free exercise of religion — for granted. Fighting against government-sponsored religion and defending each citizen’s right to the free exercise of religion have to be the priorities of everyone who wants continued religious liberty for all in this country. Those two clauses were intended to keep government neutral — neither helping nor hurting religion, but taking a step back and allowing people of faith to practice their religion as they see fit.
If you are of the mindset that one particular religion should be given favorable treatment over others, then you probably are a little concerned to see religions other than your own being treated equally. It has been true for every civil rights or social justice issue in this country: when one group has been privileged or preferred, change can feel like assault or punishment to the previously entitled group. Actually, it is the pendulum swinging back to neutral, and that is where it should be in this country when it comes to religion.
I am inspired when people of different faiths can work together with each other in a collective advocacy effort. The BJC often collaborates with a wide range of religious and nonreligious organizations; of course, since colonial times, Baptists have worked in alliance with others when we find common cause. When people — regardless of faith — start with what they have in common, the BJC’s efforts to increase the number of religious liberty advocates are more successful.
It is disheartening when people advocate for the government to favor one religion over others. Many nations around the world have shown us that violence is the result of governments who fail to protect religious minorities. That is why our educational efforts at the BJC are focused on providing advocates with reliable resources on religious liberty issues. They can trust that our work is based in Baptist principles and centered on religious freedom for all — not just those who share our faith. We remain steadfast in our coalition work with groups of many faith perspectives, and we will make sure our efforts continue to reach younger generations of future advocates. " --Charles Watson Jr; Baptist News Global: Charles Watson is on a mission: to ensure religious freedom for the next generation ; 9.14.14
If you are of the mindset that one particular religion should be given favorable treatment over others, then you probably are a little concerned to see religions other than your own being treated equally. It has been true for every civil rights or social justice issue in this country: when one group has been privileged or preferred, change can feel like assault or punishment to the previously entitled group. Actually, it is the pendulum swinging back to neutral, and that is where it should be in this country when it comes to religion.
I am inspired when people of different faiths can work together with each other in a collective advocacy effort. The BJC often collaborates with a wide range of religious and nonreligious organizations; of course, since colonial times, Baptists have worked in alliance with others when we find common cause. When people — regardless of faith — start with what they have in common, the BJC’s efforts to increase the number of religious liberty advocates are more successful.
It is disheartening when people advocate for the government to favor one religion over others. Many nations around the world have shown us that violence is the result of governments who fail to protect religious minorities. That is why our educational efforts at the BJC are focused on providing advocates with reliable resources on religious liberty issues. They can trust that our work is based in Baptist principles and centered on religious freedom for all — not just those who share our faith. We remain steadfast in our coalition work with groups of many faith perspectives, and we will make sure our efforts continue to reach younger generations of future advocates. " --Charles Watson Jr; Baptist News Global: Charles Watson is on a mission: to ensure religious freedom for the next generation ; 9.14.14
Charles Watson Jr
“In this nation, Christianity has always been used as a sword. When has it not been used as a sword?...We’ve seen what happens with this. We don’t have to talk about slavery or the Holocaust. We can look at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., to see what Christian nationalism does. If you were to look at Dylann Roof’s manifesto, it was filled with Christian nationalism.”
--Charles Watson Jr; Baptist News Global; If you’re upset about the Taliban, you should be upset about Christian nationalists too, panelist says 12.22.21
--Charles Watson Jr; Baptist News Global; If you’re upset about the Taliban, you should be upset about Christian nationalists too, panelist says 12.22.21
==barry waugh======
Barry Waugh (PhD, WTS) is the editor of Presbyterians of the Past. He has written for various periodicals, such as the Westminster Theological Journal and The Confessional Presbyterian. He has also contributed to Gary L. W. Johnson’s, B. B. Warfield: Essays on His Life and Thought (2007) and edited Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machen’s Correspondence from World War I (2012).
The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of the truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any; endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name. --Barry Waugh; Reformation21; The Scope of Commandment Nine; 8.11.23
==michael wear======
Michael Wear
“The majority of white evangelicals have accepted this idea that Trump wants what they want — I’m not sure this indictment changes that...I don’t think there is any clearer picture of what’s going on in the right-wing political space. What used to be assertions of evangelical influence are now assertions of evangelical assimilation into a political movement.”
--Michael Wear; Center for Christianity and Public Life 8.4.23
--Michael Wear; Center for Christianity and Public Life 8.4.23
Michael Wear
Dallas Willard defined joy as a “pervasive and constant sense of well-being.” How many of us would say our politics is full of a pervasive and constant sense of well-being? How many of us would say we bring a spirit of joy to our politics? The loudest voices urge division and exclusion. They tell us that politics is only about conflict, that politics is where we go to play out our resentments and hatreds. They’re loud precisely because they feel so threatened, so fragile. Their well-being is always at risk. Their anger reflects a lack of confidence and conviction, not an abundance of it. But politics needs people with joyful confidence who seek security not in politics but in Jesus. We can break the vicious cycle. There’s a better story to tell. And we should tell it as we live it.
(Christianity Today 10/18/22) READMORE>>>>>
(Christianity Today 10/18/22) READMORE>>>>>
==jenny weaver======
Jenny Weaver
“The Lord said to me…there are houses of prayer; He has designed you to be a house of prayer for all nations. And the Lord said, ‘Do not change your assignment and go the political route because you see other churches doing that. They have their assignment, you have yours.’ Stay the course and God will continue to bless it. If you get off course.......We are living in the last days and the deception is going to get worse and worse, and if you are deceived now at the beginning stages of dark deception, what are you going to do when it gets even worse?” --Jenny Weaver
==rob webb======
Rob Webb earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2011. Shortly afterwards, he and his wife and moved to Colorado to start his career with an aerospace company while working on his graduate degree. In 2014, Rob received an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Astrodynamics and Satellite Navigation from the University of Colorado–Boulder. As a Christian, particularly a Young Earth Creationist (YEC), working in the secular rocket science (i.e., aerospace) field, Rob Webb has experienced what many modern-day believers have—engaging in a workplace with beliefs counter to the wisdom and science of this world.
Rob Webb Files
Despite Satan’s head being victoriously crushed by Jesus Christ and ultimately destroying Satan’s work via the cross (1 John 3:8), our enemy remains determined in his hatred of the church. And since he knows the victory is certain and imminent, he’s looking to take casualties with him, prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). So, in his feeble attempt to prevent God’s kingdom from expanding (Matthew 6:10), Satan still deceives many to do his bidding and destroy our unborn neighbors, all under the pretense of “choice.” -Rob Webb; Answers in Genesis; 5.6.22
==Stovall and Kerri Weems======
July 27, 2023: Christian Post: Church of the Highlands founder Chris Hodges denies ‘engineering’ takeover of Celebration Church
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
==peter wehner======
“The former president’s son,” Wehner writes, “has a message for the tens of millions of evangelicals who form the energized base of the GOP: the scriptures are essentially a manual for suckers. The teachings of Jesus have ‘gotten us nothing.’ ”
- Peter Wehner, evangelical Christian & former adviser to President George W. Bush
- Peter Wehner, evangelical Christian & former adviser to President George W. Bush
“The ethic of Jesus has gotten in the way of successfully prosecuting the culture wars against the left. If the ethic of Jesus encourages sensibilities that might cause people in politics to act a little less brutally, a bit more civilly, with a touch more grace? Then it needs to go. Decency is for suckers.”
--Peter Wehner; The Atlantic
--Peter Wehner; The Atlantic
==mikey weinstein======
How Christian Nationalism Spread In The US Military
As tensions between Moscow and Washington, D.C. rise along the Ukrainian border, an officer responsible for some of the most powerful weapons in the U.S. arsenal tells his men that he knows how to respond to the situation because he has seen it all before — in the Book of Revelation. While the scenario sounds like the plot of a Tom Clancy novel, this is no work of fiction, according to Mikey Weinstein, a former air force officer who is the founder and head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
(Joseph Hammond/Religion Unplugged) Read More>>>>>
As tensions between Moscow and Washington, D.C. rise along the Ukrainian border, an officer responsible for some of the most powerful weapons in the U.S. arsenal tells his men that he knows how to respond to the situation because he has seen it all before — in the Book of Revelation. While the scenario sounds like the plot of a Tom Clancy novel, this is no work of fiction, according to Mikey Weinstein, a former air force officer who is the founder and head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
(Joseph Hammond/Religion Unplugged) Read More>>>>>
==justin welby======
Archbishop of Canterbury and pope focus on Gaza in Christmas messages
The archbishop of Canterbury and the pope are using their Christmas addresses to show solidarity with Bethlehem and those caught up in the Israel-Gaza war. Referring to Jesus Christ’s birthplace, which is now in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Justin Welby will say “the skies of Bethlehem are full of fear rather than angels and glory”. (Jane Clinton/The Guardian 12/25/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
The archbishop of Canterbury and the pope are using their Christmas addresses to show solidarity with Bethlehem and those caught up in the Israel-Gaza war. Referring to Jesus Christ’s birthplace, which is now in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Justin Welby will say “the skies of Bethlehem are full of fear rather than angels and glory”. (Jane Clinton/The Guardian 12/25/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
==jack wellman======
Jack Wellman is pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane, Kansas. With degrees in Biblical studies, history, and education, Pastor Jack's primary focus is theology, apologetics and evangelism.
Jack Wellman
When I was witnessing to a stranger the other day, he was convinced that he was a pretty good person, but compared to whom? Compared to his own ideas of what is good and what is bad. God’s idea is that we need to be perfect, having the required righteousness of Christ. I reminded him that none of us are really good, not even one of us (Rom. 3:10); it’s just that we’ve been forgiven by a very good God. He said, “Well, at least I’m not a murderer,” but I told him that each of us will have to stand and give an account for what we’ve done in this life (Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 5:10) and that God will not say, “Well, compared to your neighbor there, you’re a pretty good guy.” No, we will stand alone, and God won’t say, “Okay, I’ll wait until you find someone who’s worse than you and then judge you according to how bad they are.” Try that in a court of law. I can guarantee that it won’t work.
Paul said that not only is it foolish to compare ourselves with others, but we dare not even try to classify ourselves in a certain standing before God based upon what we think (2 Cor. 10:12a). Jesus said that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48) and that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (Matt. 5:20), so that presents a problem. Nothing sinful or imperfect can even enter heaven (Rev. 21:27). We must compare ourselves to the model of Christ and not others, and that’s a pretty high bar to reach, but there is a solution. For those who have repented and trusted in Christ, they will be seen as having the same righteousness as Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Problem solved. - Jack Wellman; Rhetorical Jesus; Do You Compare Your Life To People Around You, or to Me? 10.8.23
Paul said that not only is it foolish to compare ourselves with others, but we dare not even try to classify ourselves in a certain standing before God based upon what we think (2 Cor. 10:12a). Jesus said that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48) and that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (Matt. 5:20), so that presents a problem. Nothing sinful or imperfect can even enter heaven (Rev. 21:27). We must compare ourselves to the model of Christ and not others, and that’s a pretty high bar to reach, but there is a solution. For those who have repented and trusted in Christ, they will be seen as having the same righteousness as Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Problem solved. - Jack Wellman; Rhetorical Jesus; Do You Compare Your Life To People Around You, or to Me? 10.8.23
Jack Wellman
When Jesus was speaking about adultery, He said that it’s not only the physical act that is sinful, but in our minds we can sin too. The Lord said “that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt 5:28). To be sure, sin begins in the mind before it’s ever manifested in the flesh. We think about it…ponder it, and then act on it. The fruit the human heart naturally produces evil works, so whatever starts in the mind can end up being “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Gal 5:19-21a), and the bad news about those who bear such fruit is that “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21b). The fruit reveals the root, and until we’ve received the Holy Spirit, we cannot possible bear righteous fruit like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). -Jack Wellman; Christian Crier
Jack Wellman
"Here is where David admits that his sin is not going away and “is ever before” him, meaning that unconfessed sin is sin that is not forgiven. David does eventually confess in his repentant state of mind. He admits that his sins are primarily (but not only) against God and by confessing, he wants to be justified and be seen as blameless in God’s sight." -Jack Wellman
"Here is where David admits that his sin is not going away and “is ever before” him, meaning that unconfessed sin is sin that is not forgiven. David does eventually confess in his repentant state of mind. He admits that his sins are primarily (but not only) against God and by confessing, he wants to be justified and be seen as blameless in God’s sight." -Jack Wellman
==jared C wellman======
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SBC Executive Committee member once again criticized for sexually crude social media posts
Likewise, Jared Wellman, an Arlington, Texas, pastor who chairs the Executive Committee, denounced Fredrick in a tweet: “There is never a proper context to objectify another person. This is especially true for the Christian, who knows by God’s Word that people are made in God’s image.” (Mark Wingfield/Baptist News Global 2/3/23) READ MORE>>>>> |
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==Dorothy sanders wells=======
Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi elects its first woman, Black person as bishop
In a historical election, the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi chose Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells as its new bishop Saturday, making her the first woman and first Black person elected to lead the church. The selection continues a trend in Mississippi as Sharma Lewis was elected as the first Black woman to become the Mississippi United Methodist Church bishop in November 2022. Wells will become bishop-elect on May 1 and work alongside Seage before being ordained on July 20. (USA Today 2/4/24) READ MORE>>>>>
In a historical election, the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi chose Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells as its new bishop Saturday, making her the first woman and first Black person elected to lead the church. The selection continues a trend in Mississippi as Sharma Lewis was elected as the first Black woman to become the Mississippi United Methodist Church bishop in November 2022. Wells will become bishop-elect on May 1 and work alongside Seage before being ordained on July 20. (USA Today 2/4/24) READ MORE>>>>>
