snellville-umc

Mayday, Mayday… (And No One Even Heard It)

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:33:05 GMT

MAY 2026

MAYDAY, MAYDAY...(and No One Even Heard It)

It’s May 1, and growing up, May Day signified that spring had truly arrived. By this time, pollen has already yellowed your car, the afternoons seem a bit gentler, and you begin to think, "Maybe life is about to feel a little brighter." That’s the essence of this season.

However, “Mayday" also serves as a distress call, indicating that help is needed when something is wrong. Recently, I've realized that many people are silently sending this signal. It’s not shouted out loud or dramatic, like someone yelling for help in the middle of Kroger (at least not when I was there). Instead, it's more subtle.

It shows up in small moments you might almost miss. The sigh you unintentionally release, the extra pause in your car before entering, or that moment when everything seems technically okay, yet something still feels wrong.

This season tends to bring that about. Schedules fill up, stress remains, and life doesn’t suddenly become easier just because it’s warmer. So, you keep going, doing what you always do, managing as best as you can. Beneath the surface, though, you sense it—you’re more exhausted than usual. You’re bearing more than you reveal. You may not pinpoint what’s wrong, only that something feels out of place.

Most of us won’t say “Mayday.” We just keep going. We keep scrolling on our phones, hoping it'll fix how we feel or that working on one more task might bring peace. We show up for others, quietly running on empty. To outsiders, everything appears normal. You made it to work, church, and your kid’s practice throughout the week and smiled when needed. Yet inside, there’s a subtle signal rising, too quiet for others to notice, but enough for you to feel.

This is where faith intersects with everyday life. Scripture doesn’t require you to act as if you’re okay or to have everything in order before coming to God. Instead, it welcomes your honesty—your true, unpretentious self, not the polished or “I’m fine” facade. You don’t need to be falling apart or at a breaking point to need God; you can turn to Him at any moment, before things get worse.

Sometimes you just need a moment to pause and be honest, even if it’s only with Him. Life can become overwhelming when multiple challenges hit at once, and if you're in that place, you’re not alone. Many people are bearing more than they reveal while still trying to keep everything going.

Here's a simple question to consider over the weekend: is there a moment when you need to say “Mayday,” even if no one else hears it? Not to fix everything or solve your entire life, but just to be honest. Often, that’s where something better begins.

If this week has felt heavier than expected, remember you don’t have to carry it alone.

We’d love to see you on Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. — no pressure, just a safe space to breathe, reset, and remember you’re not alone.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy Brown

What Daffodils Know

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:21:48 GMT

APRIL 2026

WHAT DAFFODILS KNOW

The other morning, I stepped outside to get the mail and noticed something bright against the brick. The daffodils were back, bright yellow and standing tall, like they were announcing that winter had finally let go. Every year they show up around the same time, and every year I have the same reaction. I pause and think, there they are again. It reminds me that I apparently have flowers I did not plant, which feels like a small win for someone whose gardening strategy has mostly been to stay out of the way.

Before we ever moved in, someone planted bulbs that would sit through the cold, the dark, and the waiting, only to show up later right on time. That means every spring, I get to enjoy the fruits of somebody else’s labor. For weeks before that moment, though, it looks like nothing is happening. Trees are bare, the grass is a dull yellowish-brown, and everything feels still. If you didn’t know better, you might assume nothing is changing at all.

Life has seasons like that. Plans don’t unfold the way you expected; relationships shift, work feels heavier, and a hard season lasts longer than you thought it would. You keep moving forward but quietly wonder if anything is changing. And right now, it’s not just the quiet seasons people are carrying. It’s real-life pressure, the cost of things going up, trying to take care of your family, watching the world shift, and facing decisions or conversations that are not fully clear yet.

That kind of uncertainty makes waiting feel heavier. You’re not where you used to be, but you’re not fully where you’re going either. You’re somewhere in between, trying to keep going while you wait and trying to prepare for what comes next. April sits right in the middle of that tension. It starts light, but moves toward something deeper, and Easter reminds us that some of the most meaningful changes in life begin when it looks like nothing is happening at all.

That’s what the daffodils remind me of. Growth can be happening long before we recognize it, and something can be developing beneath the surface while everything above ground looks unchanged. Timing isn’t ours to control, and waiting is not the same asnothing happening.

Hope often returns quietly. It shows up in a conversation that lifts your spirit, an unexpected opportunity, or a moment when something feels just a little lighter. It rarely arrives all at once, and it often comes in ways that are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Faith reminds us that God often works beneath the surface long before we see it, and Scripture says God is doing a new thing even when we don’t yet perceive it.

So maybe the step this week is not to force change or rush ahead, but to notice what is already beginning to grow. Pay attention to the small shifts and the quiet encouragement, and simply say, God, help me see what you are already doing. Hope often returns the same way daffodils do, quiet at first, but strong enough to remind you that even when you couldn’t see it, something was growing all along.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy Brown

When Life Feels Loud

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 01:13:08 GMT

MARCH 2026

WHEN LIFE FEELS LOUD

Every March, we all become experts. We analyze the teams, compare stats, and highlight matchups like we secretly work for ESPN. We fill out our brackets with confidence and tell friends, “This is the year I finally get it right.” And then the madness starts. Buzzer beaters. Upsets. Over time thrillers. Announcers shouting. Arenas shaking. By Saturday night, your once proud bracket is shattered. The ink is barely dry, and your championship pick is already eliminated. So much for being a genius.

March is loud like a tornado. And sometimes life is, too. Back in January, many of us quietly filled out a life bracket. “This is the year I will feel less stressed.” “This is the year things finally smooth out.” “This is the year I get ahead.” Now it is March. Maybe nothing has exploded. But nothing has magically improved either. It just feels busy. Loud. A little chaotic. And here is where something familiar shows up in all of us.

Some of us respond by applying more effort. We want progress. We want traction. We want to see movement. When things feel slow, we plan more. Push more. Work longer. Because that is how we are wired. We build. We solve. We keep moving.

Some of us notice the commentary getting louder. The comparisons. The what ifs. The pressure to get it right. The small fear that we are already falling behind. We are not just juggling schedules. We are also managing thoughts and emotions that do not always cooperate. But most of us are a mix of both. Depending on the day. And how much sleep we got. Work. Kids. Grandkids. Marriage. Health. Aging parents. Big decisions. Trying to understand what faith even looks like in everyday life.

And if you are honest, there are moments you quietly think, “Isn’t there more to life than just surviving?” That is not losing. That is being human. I have lived that too. I prayed. I planned. I worked hard. I believed momentum was coming. Instead, it felt slow. Not terrible. Just slow. Like pushing a grocery cart with one wobbly wheel while everyone else seems to be sprinting. You are moving. It just does not feel smooth.

Here is what I love about March, though. In the middle of the madness, there is always a Cinderella team. The one nobody expected. The one that took early losses. The one that adjusted. The one that stayed steady. They did not look like champions in January. They grew into it.

Madness is loud. Growth is usually steady. Strength develops beneath the surface. Stamina is built in small, repeated steps that no one applauds. And abundant life often works the same way. Abundant life is not perfect predictions. It is not a stress-free schedule. It is not about finally having total control. It is life with God in the middle of real life. It is staying grounded when everything around you feels loud. It is choosing steady faith over panic. It is adjusting instead of quitting. It is trusting that God is still at work even when progress feels slow.

Not every season requires acceleration. Some seasons require alignment. You do not always have to push harder. Sometimes you just steady the wheel and keep going. Real wins in life rarely come from perfect plans. They come from daily choices. Small faithfulness. Steady resilience. Showing up again tomorrow.

So, if this season feels chaotic, do not panic. Take a deep breath. Notice what actually matters. Keep choosing life with God in simple ways. Five still minutes. A prayer in the car line. Gratitude before bed. A real conversation instead of another scroll.

You may not feel like you are winning right now. But steady growth is still growth. And the strongest teams, and the strongest people, are rarely the ones who predicted everything correctly. They are the ones who kept adjusting and stayed steady when the madness hit. Spring does not rush. It just shows up. And so does steady strength.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy Brown

Staying Connected

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:24:35 GMT

FEBRUARY 2026

STAYING CONNECTED

Is there a time of year that makes you think more about the people in your life and how connected you feel to them? If you need proof, February, even though it’s the shortest month, doesn’t waste a second jumping into the conversation.

It usually starts with Groundhog Day. Some folks think about the groundhog coming out, looking around, and deciding whether he sees his shadow. Others think about that movie where the same day repeats again. Either way, the message feels similar. Some days really do feel like the same thing on repeat. Same routines. Same worries. Same winter. You wake up, look outside, and think, “Didn’t we already do this?”

Then Valentine’s Day shows up, right on schedule. Love is everywhere. Cards. Candy. Commercials. For some folks, it feels sweet and simple. For others, it feels a little complicated. Valentine’s Day reminds us of who we’re close to and who we miss, sometimes in the same moment.

And then there’s the Super Bowl. Even if you don’t care much about the game, you probably care about the gathering. Most of us don’t want to watch it alone. We like snacks. We like company. We like yelling at the TV with someone else and pretending we could coach better.

When you put it all together, February isn’t really about holidays or football. It’s about connection. At some point this month, many of us silently wonder about the same things, even if we don’t voice them. Who truly understands me? Where do I feel I belong? Who is there for me, and who do I support in return?

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years. We’re shaped by who we gather. Faith grows best when it’s shared. Hope is easier to carry when we’re not trying to do life alone. That’s true whether you’re raising kids, caring for aging parents, starting over, or simply trying to figure out what this next season is supposed to look like.

February is also Black History Month. It gives us a chance to remember a powerful witness of faith that has shaped generations. Across families and churches, people learned to trust God through hard seasons. Before faith was something people talked about easily; it was something they lived out every day. Prayer, Scripture, and the church were not just habits. They were lifelines.

That witness is bigger than any one group or moment in history. It is part of our shared story. It shows us what resilience rooted in faith looks like. Parents passing faith to children. Grandparents praying when answers were not clear. Songs sung and hope held on to, not because life was easy, but because God was faithful. These stories remind us all that deep faith is rarely loud or flashy. Most of the time, it’s quiet. It shows up early. It stays late. It keeps going when things are hard.

So maybe February isn’t asking us to hurry up or measure our progress. Maybe it’s inviting us to slow down and ask better questions. Who am I loving well? Where am I choosing to gather? What kind of person am I becoming?

Faith rarely grows in big, dramatic moments. Most of the time, it grows when grandparents keep praying. When parents keep showing up. When people stay connected, even when life feels repetitive, uncertain, or a little like Groundhog Day all over again.

If any of these sounds familiar, let me tell you something important. You don’t have to walk this season alone. Sometimes the most faithful next step isn’t a big decision or a major change. It’s simply staying connected. Showing up again. Reaching out.

So pay attention to who you love. Notice where you gather. And if you’ve been feeling a little disconnected lately, know this. There’s always room to pull up a chair and join the table again.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy Brown

Reset

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:39:07 GMT

JANUARY 2026

RESET

Christmas has passed, and if you're like me, the week after feels like your Waze app is constantly recalculating, and I quietly think, “Lord... me too.” We start a new year filled with hopes and big goals, as if we need to fix everything in our lives immediately. New habits, routines, budgets, and even a new look.

Suddenly, we imagine ourselves going to LA Fitness at 5:00 a.m. Remember, I said that’s a goal, not something I’m doing yet. Pray for me! The year begins with “On your mark, get set…” but some of us are still tying our shoes, looking for keys, or searching for coffee. It might feel like we're already falling behind before the year truly begins.

Here's the good news: real change often doesn't start with doing more. Sometimes, it begins by making space. Jesus didn't say, “Seek first a perfect plan” or “Seek flawless habits." Instead, He said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God," not to pressure us but to show where true peace begins. When we prioritize Him, there's no need to chase after purpose or self-worth. Grace leads the way. This year isn't about staying busy, for God's sake; it's about being available to Him.

As 2026 begins, it may be a gentle nudge from God to Reset, much like switching your phone from dark mode to light mode. Dark mode, used to save battery or avoid brightness, feels like survival mode: effective but incomplete. Light mode restores clarity—brighter, calmer, and clearer. This is like spiritual reset mode, which doesn't deny struggles but invites God to turn up the brightness so you can see His direction and remember you're not alone on this journey.

Survival mode makes us hold our breath, rely solely on our strength, and risk burnout. In contrast, Reset mode offers reassurance that God is in control, allowing us to breathe freely again. While survival mode can depend on caffeine to get through difficult seasons, Reset mode helps us truly live once more. In survival mode, we persist with prayer, coffee, and whatever little peace we can find. Reset mode involves trusting that God is guiding us, reminding us that He knows what He’s doing. It's not about pretending everything is perfect but trusting God's presence in each imperfect step.

Reset mode welcomes anyone ready for a new beginning. Whether you're a busy parent taking a moment to breathe, someone coming back to faith after a long absence, a student contemplating your next step, or a believer praying for renewal, remember you're not behind or late. You're precisely on time for God to renew and restore you. This year isn't just about surviving; it's about progressing like someone who understands the Promised Land is a real destiny, not just a dream. The Promised Land isn’t merely a physical place, but a spiritual promise of Rest and Reset with purpose, peace with a sense of direction, and confidence that God goes before you. No more wandering aimlessly; we walk with Jesus—calmly, steadily, without panic—He is leading the way.

To assist you in transitioning from survival mode to Reset mode in 2026, here is a prayer for you:

Lord, Reset my heart before I focus on habits. Align my spirit before I arrange my schedule. Renew my desires before I tackle my to-do list. Lead me from just surviving to genuinely resting in You. Help me to care for what You've entrusted to me with calmness, not pressure. Teach me to seek You first, trust You fully, and walk with You into the future You've prepared. Amen.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy Brown

Hope for the Holidays

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:50:55 GMT

DECEMBER 2025

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Snellville! The Chrismon trees, decorated in white and gold symbols representing Christ, glow beautifully in our sanctuary. Greenery drapes the railings, and gentle lights shimmer, symbolizing hope from heaven. The Christmas parade has already marched down Wisteria Drive, and the city tree shines across from our campus. The atmosphere is filled with warmth, laughter, and a welcoming sense of home.

Standing outside the church doors, gazing toward City Hall, I can’t help but smile. God knew what He was doing when He positioned our church right here in Snellville’s Towne Center. The city’s motto, “Where everybody is proud to be somebody,” perfectly reflects the Christmas message. Jesus' birth serves as a reminder that every person matters to God. His grace reaches across the globe, bringing hope, healing, and renewal. Through Christ, God invites everyone to belong, discover purpose, and experience renewal.

At Snellville Community Church, we believe God’s promise goes beyond mere survival. Jesus was sent so we could experience an abundant life, even during tough times. When stress feels overwhelming, God often restores joy in unexpected ways. This joy can be found in laughter echoing through hallways, children rushing to see Santa with sticky fingers, or a neighbor’s smile that exudes kindness. It might also appear at the gas station or when someone pays for your coffee.

An abundant life doesn’t mean perfection, but it signifies God's presence. The same God who once entered a humble stable continues to come into everyday moments, like waiting in line at the grocery store, filling up at the gas station, or gathering around your kitchen table. No matter if your pantry is full or your budget is tight, He remains faithful, bringing peace to anxious hearts and hope to tired souls. In unexpected ways, He shows up through caring neighbors, shared meals, and laughter that cuts through stress.

As the Christmas season approaches, we want to share a sense of hope that feels like home with our community.

On Saturday, December 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., our family-friendly Photos with Santa event will feature crafts and snacks, creating a festive atmosphere inside the Christian Life Center with Santa.

On Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary (with a reception to follow), our version of a Christmas concert, A Festival of Lessons and Carols , narrates the timeless story of hope through scripture and music.

We also warmly invite you to join our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services on Wednesday, December 24 at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. (with Holy Communion), which will include music, candlelight, and a live camel at the nativity scene between services, reminding us that heaven’s presence continues to touch earth here in Snellville.

This December, I invite you to spread hope through simple gestures: pray for someone in need, send a message, offer a prayer, or leave a note to remind them they are not alone. Small kindnesses, like buying coffee for someone, baking for a neighbor (mindful of allergies), or leaving a kind comment for a cashier, hold significant meaning.

Join in worship by setting aside time during your week to sing, serve, or simply relax in God’s presence. Remember, God’s love lasts forever, and the holidays are a perfect time to find hope.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy Brown

Gratitude: When Life Plays in Both Major & Minor Keys

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:23:54 GMT

NOVEMBER 2025

GRATITUDE: WHEN LIFE PLAYS IN BOTH MAJOR & MINOR KEYS

It’s that season once again: leaves are transforming, schedules are filling up, grocery carts are bustling, and (not surprisingly) someone is already playing Christmas music before we’ve found the cranberry sauce in the store. If you’re like me, November brings a blend of gratitude and fatigue. We aim to feel thankful, but daily busyness makes it difficult to recognize our current blessings. Amidst errands, emails, and never-ending “to-do" lists, our spirits can feel overwhelmed.

But what if I told you that gratitude isn’t solely about achieving more? It's more about pausing to recognize what God has already provided and learning to harmonize with the melody of gratitude. Imagine life as music, with some days celebrating in major keys of joy and vitality, while others explore minor keys filled with reflection, struggle, or longing—each contributing to the same divine symphony.

Talking about music, I’ve recently been thinking about Prince. (Yes, that Prince.) He achieved a great deal in his lifetime, with reports indicating around 8,000 unreleased songs stored in his vault. Simultaneously, he was recognized as a control freak, often acting relentlessly and coldly to others if things didn’t align with his vision. Nonetheless, everyone agrees his creativity appeared boundless. Aware of his idiosyncrasies and not dismissing them, I find his talent for composing songs in both major and minor keys particularly fascinating.

His popular songs, such as “Let’s Go Crazy” or “Kiss,” evoke a desire to dance, radiating joyful, carefree energy. However, listening to “Purple Rain” or “When Doves Cry” evokes a different emotion—a sense of longing, a prayer, or a heartfelt cry that runs deeper.

Life often presents a mix of emotions: some days are filled with laughter, the smell of good food that evokes childhood memories (Mmm, Donuts!), and small victories that make us smile, while others are calmer, gentler, and sometimes tinged with sadness or melancholy. Thankfully, both kinds of days are part of God’s plan. Gratitude isn’t only for big moments; it grows through everyday experiences. A truly grateful heart doesn’t wait for happiness but sees grace in all things.

Perhaps that’s why Thanksgiving feels like the ideal time to navigate the major and minor keys of life. As a holiday rooted in gratitude, it emerges amidst chaos. Amid grocery runs, family gatherings, and endless chores, God still guides us into His rhythm of grace.

Gratitude doesn’t eliminate chaos; it enables us to recognize God’s presence amidst it. Life, like music, unfolds in both major and minor keys. Some moments celebrate with joy and laughter, while others hum quietly with pain or longing. Nevertheless, every note is significant. Gratitude is not a single sound but a sacred harmony where joy and sorrow coexist, each contributing to the melody of God’s grace. Even when the rhythm feels irregular, God continues to conduct, transforming both the bright and broken parts of our song into beauty.

Before I conclude, I want to express my gratitude to the Snellville Community Church family during Pastor Appreciation Month. Your consistent care, quiet prayers, and thoughtful words to our pastoral team serve as a reminder of what gratitude looks like when life plays in both major and minor keys. Your encouragement helps us stay in tune with God’s rhythm, through the highs that inspire us to sing and the lows that bring us closer to His heart.

As we journey through this season together, may we continue to listen for the melody of grace that underpins everything. Gratitude stabilizes us, hope propels us forward, and God transforms every movement of our lives into something beautiful. God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving!

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy Brown

Unmasking Our Fears

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:41:39 GMT

OCTOBER 2025

UNMASKING OUR FEARS

One of my all-time favorite shows is Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! You probably remember how every episode would play out. The gang would stumble upon a spooky mystery, with some “monster” or “ghost” causing trouble. By the end of the show, they’d always uncover the real villain, who was just a regular person in disguise, who got outmatched by “those meddling kids!”

In October, we’re like the Scooby-Doo villains with masks and costumes popping up everywhere. We dress up for Halloween, getting to be someone else for a night. But in truth, we often do this too, before and after Halloween. We put on a “public face” to hide our fears, doubts, or struggles. On the outside, we might seem fine, but inside, we're like Shaggy and Scooby, scared or uncertain.

Each Halloween, we’re reminded that the things we fear often appear bigger and scarier than they really are. But when we look past the mask and face what's underneath, we often discover it's not as intimidating as we first thought.

And just like the gang in the Mystery Machine, we're not meant to face the unknown alone; we're meant to live life together with purpose, connection, and joy. Real community helps us uncover that purpose. It's like the Scooby-Doo gang - Velma, Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby. Each had their own part, and together they solved the mystery. On their own, they were unsure, but together they were invincible.

When we name and unmask our fears, most of the time, fear is just F alse E vidence A ppearing R eal. When we bring it out into the open with God and others, its power fades away. That’s why church is important – it’s a place where we can be real and walk with people who genuinely care about us. Whether it's through a support group, ministry team, or just a casual conversation over coffee, we become stronger when we face life’s challenges together.

As you see masks and costumes this October, remember this: Life can be scary, but you're not alone. God is with you, and no fear is greater than His love.

This month, don't just wear a mask for fun – take off the hidden masks you use to cover your fear and let God’s love bring healing and courage. And if you happen to spot a talking Great Dane in a van, give him a Scooby snack for me.

At the Intersection

Quincy D. Brown

Finding Life in Our Routines

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:34:35 GMT

SEPTEMBER 2025

FINDING LIFE IN OUR ROUTINES

It’s September, and fall is just around the corner! The school bus routine has brought more traffic to my area since August, calendars have filled up fast, and life seems to be moving at warp speed. Even if you don't have kids at home, the world's pace still affects your daily schedule. That’s where routines come in – they give our days a sense of structure and order, but they can also become a weight if they keep us running too fast.

When Dionne and I got married, we started hosting a Labor Day cookout with our family and friends. It became a regular part of our routine: cooking together, sharing laughs, and creating community around the table. As life got more complicated and friends moved away, that routine evolved. Looking back, it's clear how our daily patterns changed with each season. But no matter the season, the crucial question remains: where does God fit into your daily life, and how can your routines become pathways to the abundant life Jesus promised?

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it to the fullest” (John 10:10). The life Jesus talks about isn't about doing more but living with God at the center. This is a life filled with joy, peace, and purpose that comes when we make room for Him in our daily lives, turning ordinary moments into chances to walk with God. One of the most helpful ways to do this is by incorporating four simple practices into your daily routine, turning ordinary habits into pathways that connect you more deeply with God.

Life with God
Start your day by putting God first, not your phone. Take a moment to pray or reflect on a verse and let it refresh your heart before the day gets hectic. Psalm 143:8 reminds us, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.”

Life in Community
Community is all about staying connected and making room for others through fellowship. Today, that might mean having a device-free dinner with family, catching up with a friend every week, or sharing a meal with someone who lives alone. As the Bible says in Hebrews 10:25, it’s crucial not to give up on meeting together, but to support and encourage each other. When we shift from isolation to belonging, we discover true, abundant life.

Life of Generosity
When we’re generous, we shift our focus from ourselves to God and spread joy to both the giver and the receiver, uplifting and inspiring everyone. This can be as easy as planning one kind act each week, no matter how small. As Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Life of Impact
When we live with purpose, we can make a real difference - whether it’s at work, school, or in our communities. We have chances to shine God’s love in our lives. Ask yourself, “How can I share God’s love with those around me?" As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Even small acts of kindness can turn ordinary places into special spaces, giving us strength and making our daily lives more meaningful.

Our daily routines might seem like just ordinary habits, but they're much more. When we invite God into them, they become opportunities to experience an abundant life. Abundant life isn’t just found in big moments, but also in everyday tasks like preparing lunches, replying to emails, or checking in on a friend. Just as our Labor Day cookouts once created space for joy and connection, today’s routines can also become places where God meets us. Routines may change, but the invitation stays the same: find life in routines by making space for God in the ordinary and watch even the simplest rhythms overflow with abundant life.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Basketball and Back-to-School Faith

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:27:56 GMT

AUGUST 2025

BASKETBALL AND BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAITH

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for school to start again. In Gwinnett County, our students begin classes on August 4. Whether you’re a grandparent reflecting on how much your family has grown or a parent preparing for the first week of school, August always brings a mix of urgency and reflection. There’s a sense of movement in the air, but also a desire to hold on to something stable.

I’ve seen how this sense of movement can reveal spiritual truths. Interestingly, I learned this not in a church setting but on the basketball court on Fridays, in the 50-and-over men’s basketball league. The lesson is simple. To be able to move, I must arrive an hour early to stretch and practice by taking 50 shots, then go through a pregame routine of shooting from specific spots on the court. Finally, I must mentally anticipate how the game will unfold. When the teams are chosen and the game begins, it’s time to surrender to the game's flow.

In his book Sacred Hoops, legendary coach Phil Jackson shares a similar lesson when discussing his coaching of Michael Jordan, which was not just about winning, but also about trusting. To surrender doing everything alone, to play in rhythm with the team. What is that rhythm? The Triangle Offense is a system built on trust, movement, and timing. Here are five lessons based on trust, movement, and timing:

Lesson 1: Faith is trust in action. Trust is what unites us as a community, especially during times of change and uncertainty. Michael Jordan learned: “I can score 50 and lose... or score 30 (make 7 shots per quarter and add a couple of free throws for extra measure) and help the whole team win.” He had to trust the offense. Trust the team. Trust the coach. Faith isn’t just what we believe; it’s who we trust when everything shifts. The pace quickens. But God remains faithful. In times of uncertainty, we don’t just push through; we lean in.

Lesson 2: You don’t have to do everything. Back-to-school season brings pressure: forms, clothes, meals, activities, and rides. Deep down, many parents feel stretched and unseen. Jordan had to learn to stop carrying the team alone, and we need that reminder, too. You don’t have to lead your family perfectly. The family you’re building now, no matter how messy, is powerful. You’re shaping how love is given, how faith is practiced, and how healing begins.

Lesson 3: Friends make all the difference. In our community, we're not just friends or church members; we're a support system. We're here to share the load, listen, and walk together. Championship teams are made of more than stars; they’re built with teammates who show up, pass the ball, and hold each other accountable. Whether you’re a student, a senior adult, a parent, or a newcomer, the people around you shape your story.

Lesson 4: It isn’t about being flashy; it’s about faithfulness. Our church isn't about grand gestures or flashy displays. It's about being there for each other, day after day, in the ordinary moments of life. The triangle offense didn’t rely on one player. It depended on movement, space, and selflessness. That’s how I see the Church: not as a stage or a show, but as a faithful community of people growing together. We’re not perfect. But we’re present. We’re not trendy. But we’re trying. And God meets us when we gather with open hearts and willing spirits.

Lesson 5: The future is built on faithful foundations. As Jackson led the Bulls (and later the Lakers) to multiple championships, he wasn’t just focused on winning that year; he was building a culture that would last. And as a church, a family, a person of faith, you’re doing the same. Every step you take this fall, every habit you practice, every conversation you choose with grace over judgment, it’s building something.

So, as school starts, summer ends, and schedules shift, let this be your reminder: You don’t have to perform your way to peace. You don’t have to parent your way to perfection. At Snellville, we’re not just trying to run better plays. We’re learning to live a better rhythm, making room for trusting God and each other.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Freedom Beyond the Fireworks

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:22:41 GMT

JULY 2025

FREEDOM BEYOND THE FIREWORKS

July is a time when we think about freedom: flags waving, fireworks booming, and Independence Day celebrations. But, for me, freedom is also a personal matter. This month marks 13 years since the second moment that changed my life (the first and most significant was when I met Dionne on July 13, 2005), my second kidney transplant on July 1, 2012. That day reminds me of what it means to find freedom when you're stuck in the middle of life.

It's been twenty-seven years since I was told I had kidney failure. I spent hours hooked up to a dialysis machine because my kidneys were not working correctly. I was waiting—waiting for healing, for a transplant, for life to feel normal again. When I finally got my first transplant, it felt like a miracle. But then my body rejected it a few years later.

That’s when I truly learned what it means to live “in the middle.” Not where you used to be. Not where you want to be.

Just...waiting.

Then, on July 1, 2012, I got a second transplant. This one worked. Since that day, I’ve come to see July 1 as a day of freedom. Not just freedom in my body, but freedom in my heart and soul. Freedom to hope again. Freedom to trust deeper. Freedom to live with purpose, even when things aren’t clear.

I want you to know something: you don’t have to go through a health crisis to know what it feels like to be stuck.

Maybe you’re trying to figure out your next step at work.
Maybe your family life has changed, and it’s hard to hold things together.
Maybe someone you counted on has left or let you down.
Maybe you’re fighting a private battle no one else can see.

That’s where many of us are not in a full crisis, but at an intersection. An intersection between pressure and peace. Between life’s loud noise and the quiet you’re craving. Between staying busy and finding what really matters.

Here’s the truth: the freedom we need isn’t just about what’s going on around us. It’s about what’s happening inside us. And maybe it’s time to find freedom in your soul. Freedom from the constant need to prove yourself. Freedom from rushing to meet every demand. Freedom to be real, ask honest questions, and remember what makes your life meaningful.

So, this Independence Day, let’s celebrate more than a country. Let’s celebrate freedom, the kind that re-centers your heart, rebuilds your habits, and reminds you who you are.

If you’re waiting for healing, clarity, peace, or just a next step, I want you to hear this: Freedom isn’t only for those who’ve already made it. It’s for those still walking. Still trusting. Still standing at the intersection—holding on to hope. You don’t need every answer. You just need the courage to stop and the faith to believe that freedom can still find you.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Summer Promises

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:14:10 GMT

JUNE 2025

SUMMER PROMISES

Have you ever noticed that summer promises rest… yet you still feel worn out? The days are longer, and the pace is slower. But somehow, your soul feels just as busy.

I’ve been there. I once took a summer trip hoping to feel restored. Instead, I filled every moment with activity. I didn’t slow down—I just changed scenery. That’s when I realized: being still isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. And it’s in the pause, not the productivity, that memories are stirred, ones you thought you’d already moved past.

Amid packing for vacations, juggling summer camp drop-offs, navigating long road trips, and soaking in those extra daylight hours, something happens. The usual noise quiets just enough for old stories to emerge. I’ve found that summer becomes one of life’s intersections—a sacred pause where the past and future seem to meet me right in the middle of the present. It’s in those moments that I ponder: What story am I living?

Isaiah 43:18–19 speaks into that very intersection: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

God isn’t bound by our old stories. While we may carry regrets or wounds from the past, God invites us to take a new turn—to let Him rewrite our story with grace, healing, and direction.

This summer, as you load the car for a family trip, wait in airport lines, or catch your breath after a week of VBS or camp chaos, ask yourself: What story am I living? Is it one defined by past mistakes, missed opportunities, or closed chapters? Or is it a story shaped by redemption, hope, and new beginnings? Take a moment to identify one part of your story that needs a new narrative. Then invite God into that space.

Here are three simple ways to pause with purpose during the summer months:

Remember: Think of a memory that keeps resurfacing this summer. What is God showing you through it?
Breathe: In a quiet moment, say: “God, what new thing are You doing in me?”
Share: Tell someone you trust how God is helping you rewrite your story.

This summer may not promise perfect peace, but it can bring clarity if we let God be a part of it.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

A Day to Celebrate

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:08:33 GMT

FEBRUARY 2025

FEBRUARY 10: A DAY TO CELEBRATE

I love any excuse to celebrate! February 10th is one of the days that I celebrate. On a personal note, it marks my Aunt Rebekah’s 91st heavenly birthday. Mama had four sisters, and Aunt Rebekah was the baby. She lived next to us and was the most “outgoing” of my four aunts.

I remember Aunt Rebekah telling us that Santa Claus bought her a car one Christmas, but we didn’t believe her. So, she took us to see her 1979 gold manual transmission Toyota Corolla wrapped in a large red bow! To this day, I don’t know what surprised me most: the car wrapped like a present with a red ribbon or the fact that Aunt Rebekah could drive a stick shift! When Mama died, Aunt Rebekah stepped into her role, and because she resembled Mama in both appearance and voice, she acted not just as an aunt but also as my makeshift mother until her passing.

Aunt Rebekah was a preacher’s wife. Her husband, my uncle “Shorty” (though I’m not sure why he was called Shorty, as he stood 6’4”), would often talk to me about his love for the church. He would tell me how God is always with us, and that church is meant to offer hope for the future during life's messy moments. I never forgot that message.

When I became your pastor nearly four years ago, my first message was similar: “God is Relentlessly Present.” I shared how God is faithful and has blessed our obedience. This February, I’ve been sharing a message series entitled “Why I Love My Church.” Thank you to those who have expressed why you love our church during the 11 a.m. service this past Sunday. I resonate with many of your comments about why you cherish our church. However, if I had to share the ultimate reason I love our church, it would be your faithful resilience.

Your faithful resiliency has been evident over the years, whether you trusted God by becoming an independent church in 2023 or meeting 100% of the 2024 budget. God has blessed our obedience and faithfulness, which date back forty years to the Sanctuary’s opening and beyond.

Not only is February 10th a special day to me because it is Aunt Rebekah’s birthday, but it is also a special birthday for the church: the opening of the Sanctuary. This Sunday, February 16th, we will show our love for our church by celebrating the Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary at 11 a.m. with guest preacher Dr. Phil DeMore, who served as the pastor during the Sanctuary's construction.

As I write this reflection, focusing on the personal importance of February 10th to me and the church, I’m winding down from another celebratory “birth” moment for the church. During the February 10th city council meeting, the mayor and council approved our land sale proposal! And yes, after the vote, I was happy celebrating and praising God with over 40 congregation members in the parking lot!

February 10th is a day to celebrate, beginning with Aunt Rebekah’s 91st heavenly birthday and recognizing our Sanctuary’s 40th birthday! Now, February 10th marks the transformative city council approval to sell a portion of our property to build 140 townhomes and a commercial building to house a Day Center for special needs adults over 21, a bakery (Special Kneads and Treats), and a future restaurant. It’s another birthday to celebrate!

Dionne and I celebrate that we’re now proud residents of Snellville and even prouder to serve the congregation of Snellville Community Church! I hope you will join us on Sunday, February 16th, at 11 a.m. as we celebrate our love for our church and the Sanctuary’s 40th birthday!

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Creature of Habit

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 17:15:48 GMT

JANUARY 2025

CREATURE OF HABIT

I’m a creature of habit. Like clockwork, when I get up, I exercise and then go on my daily pilgrimage to Starbucks. My order doesn’t change much as I get Emperor Clouds and Midst Green Tea.

I also have a habit of preparing for Sunday messages. Typically, I prepare sermon series topics several months in advance through prayer and asking God to guide me in the message that the congregation and I need to hear. After I preach on Sunday and take a nap, I look at the scripture for the next Sunday. I work on the message on Monday, allowing the scripture “to speak to me” as I go about my day.

Sometimes, the Spirit uses everyday experiences to clarify what I need to hear from the scripture. I will submit my message notes to the tech team by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest, and our communications director will create the discussion guide. Of course, I allow room for God to change my direction for the message, and this happens often!

We’re all creatures of habit because we tend to fall into repetitive patterns of behavior and established routines. As creatures of habit, it is a daily task to manage our lives by cultivating healthy habits and letting go of destructive ones.

But what happens when you try to form healthy habits and fail? Yes, I know that adage that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 90 days to make it permanent, but what happens when unhealthy habits like worry, jealousy, envy, and gossip are so ingrained in you that no matter how hard you try, eventually, you find yourself back where you started, but with more guilt because you were not able to maintain the healthy habit.

Feeling as defeated as Sisyphus, the guy who continuously rolls an enormous boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again once it neared the top, we need something to change us on the inside and not just the outside. I believe God wants to change us from the inside out to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised. Changing from the inside always begins with letting go.

Jesus calls us to “let go” of our anxieties, burdens, and attachments to worldly things, surrendering our lives to God’s will and allowing Him to take control; essentially, this means trusting in God’s plan and releasing our need to hold onto things that may hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with Him.

During our January sermon series called Creatures of Habits, we will focus on ways to help you let go of unhealthy habits by inviting God to change you from the inside out. Changing from the inside out requires letting go of the need to be in control, and to focus on, trust in, and obey God. I want you to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised by living a Life with God, a Life in Community, a Life of Impact, and a Life of Generosity.

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

My Favorite Time of the Year

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:33:56 GMT

DECEMBER 2024

MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It’s my favorite time of year. It’s not just because my birthday is Christmas Eve’s eve, and it’s not because I have two nieces born on Christmas Day two years apart, though both help make it one of my favorite times of the year. Nor is it because of classic shows like A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s not even the many Christmas parties I get invited to after I schedule my December doctor’s appointment so that my lab work and the scale don’t expose my holiday hunger!

Christmas is my favorite time of year because of the Christmas songs. Some people like Hallmark Christmas movies, others like decorating their homes with lights and trees, and I like Christmas songs!

Play me Nat King Cole’s version of The Christmas Song or the Temptations' rendition of Silent Night, and I’m in my happy place for the season. I can listen to these songs over and over on my playlist. There are others, too, including Silver Bells, O Holy Night, Come All Ye Faithful, and Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella.

But can you guess the one song that stands out from all the rest? It’s a song that changes everything for me. It’s a simple yet profound song found in playing a simple scale and pauses. Don’t know it yet? Click here to watch and listen to Willie Manor (who does an excellent Morgan Freeman) tell the story to help you guess my favorite Christmas song.

We have planned several experiences at the church to help you prepare for Christmas. Here are a few to add to your list:
- Snellville Community Church’s Festival of Trees: Sunday, December 1 through Friday, December 20 at City Hall
- Women’s Christmas Luncheon: Tuesday, December 3 at 11:30 a.m.
- Photos with Santa: Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Hat and Mitten Tree to keep kids in Snellville warm this winter: Sunday, December 1 through Sunday, December 22
- Angel Tree for foster children: Sunday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 10
- Festival of Lessons and Carols: Sunday, December 22 at 4:00 p.m.
- Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Tuesday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. with Holy Communion
- Outdoor Live Nativity with animals on Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus, who changed everything about who we are. Granted, many distractions try to pull us away from Jesus this season, but ultimately, the Good News of Christmas is that this season is set apart for us to remember that Jesus has come into the world to change it. If we allow Him to do so, He will change our lives too.

Please join me in our experiences so Christmas may become your favorite time of the year!

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Thankful For You

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:31:36 GMT

NOVEMBER 2024

THANKFUL FOR YOU

Have you noticed that Christmas decorations are already up? I know that for some people, seeing Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving pushes them over the top. Part of me understands as I’m partial to the popular picture of an inflatable Tom Turkey, the mascot of Thanksgiving, sitting atop Santa Claus with a sign saying, “Wait your turn.” Then there’s the other part of me that says Thanksgiving helps prepare me to be thankful for many things, including the arrival of Christmas!

Speaking of preparing to be thankful, I must admit that there are times when life begins to swirl so much around me that it’s challenging to keep my focus. I act less like Tom Turkey and more like Eeyore, the mascot of mopey ungratefulness.

You remember Eeyore, don’t you? He’s the gray donkey filled with sawdust from the Winnie the Pooh stories. Eeyore has a gloomy outlook and is forever losing his tail. And like many of us, Eeyore resists change. His stance is, why bother going to the effort of finding my tail if it’s only going to come off and get lost again before lunch? Why bother fixing the house when the next gust of wind will likely blow more tiles off the roof and loosen another section of the gutter? Why bother putting energy and effort into becoming a better donkey when everyone knows I’m filled with sawdust? Why bother?

We live in a time where it’s tempting to be Eeyore’s and say, “Why bother?” about the changes in our community. Just as Eeyore loses his tail, we lose our perspective of God’s mission for the church and world. We are tempted to ask, why bother about changing anything? Perhaps we think, “We’ve tried inviting people to church, but they didn’t come. Why would this time be any different?” It might be surprising that we’re not the only people struggling with all the changes. Thousands of people in our community are struggling. They have lost their perspective on finding a work/life balance, how to positively influence their relationships with kids and grandkids, neighbors, and community, and how to find help and hope to deal with mental health.

But what if we focused on giving thanks in every situation instead of being a mopey Eeyore and dwelling on the changes happening in the world? What if we rediscovered what it means to participate in God’s mission of bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to a broken world through Jesus? What if we work to rekindle a spirit of gratitude and hope this Thanksgiving? Without gratitude, we’ll continue to feel like Eeyore because hope and gratitude are closely connected. Gratitude builds hope.

So, while you’re gathering around the table for Thanksgiving lunch, dinner, or during the break between the football games, I invite you to join me in giving thanks in every situation. I’m thankful for Snellville Community Church and will thank God for all our members on Thanksgiving Thursday. But come Friday, the day after, it’s game on, and I’ll be in full Christmas mode!

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

The Harvest - Abundant Life

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:30:27 GMT

OCTOBER 2024

THE HARVEST - ABUNDANT LIFE

While traveling home from a church meeting a couple of nights ago, I was captivated by the moon. It was a large full moon, a celestial masterpiece illuminating the night sky. As I tried to keep my attention on the dark road before me, I couldn’t help but peek up into the sky to continue to glimpse at the lunar spectacle that had captured my imagination.

Afterward, I went to Google to see if anyone else noticed the brilliant moon. I discovered it wasn’t simply a full moon, but a Supermoon, partial lunar eclipse, and Harvest moon, the full moon before the autumnal equinox. No wonder the moon caught my eye that night!

Throughout history, the moon has captivated human imagination, inspiring poets, writers, and dreamers (and yes, even preachers) alike to symbolize those seemingly unattainable dreams that may appear beyond our reach. However, that night, the mysterious glow of the harvest full moon reminded me that the Fall season was approaching.

Fall, the harvest season, is when we recognize God’s creation of dazzling sunsets, landscapes filled with colorful leaves, and cooler temperatures. Like the harvest, fall is also a time to reflect on God’s abundance, a season of plenty and blessings. On two occasions, Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” and “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Yet not all people have their share of the harvest and the abundant life that Jesus promised us.

Because we live in a world filled with anxiety, fear, and discord that is driving us to isolation, many people in our community need to experience the harvest of the abundant life that Jesus promised. At Snellville Community Church, we want people to experience abundant life by living a life with God, a life in Community, a life of Generosity, and a life of Impact.

The harvest moon and abundant life also signify that it’s stewardship season. As stewards, God entrusts us with responsibility over our lives, families, and the resources He’s given. God wants us to reap a harvest for the church and our community. We are invited to invest our gifts of time, services, and financial resources to help fund and execute new and existing ministries for the upcoming year. Here’s how to reap a harvest for the church and our community.

Our BeCAUSE Abundant Life Initiative is our congregation’s response to God’s goodness and our community’s needs. We believe that God has more for us in the future, BeCAUSE of all we’ve seen Him do in the last few years. We invite you to participate in the BeCAUSE Abundant Life to help our congregation and community experience a deeper spiritual life where our families flourish through generous living in a thriving community.

Our BeCAUSE Abundant Life Initiative is our congregation’s response to God’s goodness and our community’s needs. We believe that God has more for us in the future, BeCAUSE of all we’ve seen Him do in the last few years. We invite you to participate in the BeCAUSE Abundant Life to help our congregation and community experience a deeper spiritual life where our families flourish through generous living in a thriving community.

Primary Goal
100% Engagement

Secondary Goal
2025 Budget Goal $1.67M, includes Budget increases for:

Ministry initiatives focus on first impressions at worship, giving guests and members opportunities for connection and commitment.
Staff salaries to support creating the infrastructure for the work of abundant life.
Operations that include ongoing facility maintenance and technology expenditures.

Coming up
We’ve mailed the BeCAUSE Promise Card. Our sermon series and an available Sunday School curriculum will focus on BeCAUSE Jesus Promised an Abundant Life in October. For those who haven’t given yet, on Sunday, October 20, at our 9:30 a.m. and
11:00 a.m. worship services, we will turn in our Promise Card to help reap God’s harvest to Do Life Together for the Glory of God and the Transformation of Snellville.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

Front Porch and the Next Block Over

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 13:04:48 GMT

SEPTEMBER 2024

FRONT PORCH AND THE NEXT BLOCK OVER

When school began last month, I focused on the front porch and next block over metaphors to connect our church to the community (in case you missed it, click here ) . Now that school has been in session for almost a month, I want to recap the discussion to focus on how they apply to us.

Every home in our community of 51,000 residents, whether a townhouse, apartment, or single-family home, has a front door to enter the house. Several of these homes also have front porches. A home's front porch is more than just an entryway. It’s the unofficial greeting to guests, neighbors, and passersby and gives a brief yet notable impression of your home and personality. More than curb appeal, a front porch is the front door of your home that serves as the extension of your living area.

Like many neighborhoods in the area, our church also has curb appeal for a “Front Porch” group that represents people who are already in our building and use our facilities but are not connected to the church. Two of those groups are:

- The families of our 69 preschool kindergarten students who occupy Building D Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

- The 45 elementary, middle, and high school students who train with the Hoop Haven/Skills N Harmony coaches in the Christian Life Center (CLC) Gym during the week and their parents.

A “Next Block Over” group also represents people who live near and drive past the church. But we don’t know them, and they don’t know us yet. This group includes residents from the Town Center at the Grove and surrounding neighborhoods, Britt Elementary, South Gwinnett High School, and other schools.

The church’s task is inviting “front porch” people to enter the church and connect and cultivate relationships toward commitment and abundant life. Once this occurs, the next step involves our members and “front porch” people going to listen to the needs of the “next block over” group so that they become the new “front porch” group. Then, when this new “front porch” group attends our events, such as Wednesday Night Dinners, they can come to the church to connect and cultivate relationships toward commitment.

Our new associate pastor, Eason Adams, will champion this process of building connections and bridges between our “front porch” groups, congregation members, and “next block over” families with kids within our church community.

I hope you will join us as we continue focusing on our two “front porch” groups, the preschool and Hoop Haven/Skills N Harmony, to connect with them and invite them to attend the church.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

The Front Door

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:00:43 GMT

AUGUST 2024

THE FRONT PORCH

As a child, I lived with my grandmother, whom we affectionately called “Granny.” Before we moved to a ranch-style home in the county my Daddy built, we lived in a “shotgun” house in the city that stood on cinderblocks in Newtown, a neighborhood built after the 1936 tornado in Gainesville. The house had front and back porches with screen doors.

Granny or Mama always yelled, “Don’t let that screen door slam,” at me and my cousins as we left the house to play. But the warning always came a couple of seconds too late, as we always let the door “slam” behind us.

Several neighborhood kids went to the front porch to peek through the screen door to see if I could play. When Granny saw the kids looking through the screen door, she invited them into the house. Other kids from the “next block over” occasionally came by the house to play, but I wasn’t allowed to play with them. I knew these kids from seeing them around the way, but I didn’t know them well. When they came to the house, Granny or Mama would ask, “Who are your people?” When Granny or Mama didn’t recognize their names, they were politely sent home.

In my neighborhood, the difference between the “front porch” and “next-block-over” kids were that Granny built connections and relationships with the “front porch” kids’ “people.” Over time, the “front porch” kids convinced Granny and Mama that several of the “next-block-over” kids were “good kids,” and I was eventually allowed to play with them. Today, many of these “next-block-over” kids remain close friends.

It's been fifty-one years since I lived in Newtown. When Daddy built our new house, Granny moved with us “out the road” to the county, away from the city limits. Though we had a smaller front porch, two things remained the same: we still weren’t allowed to play with the kids from the next block, and my brother and I continued to let the screen door slam.

Like my old neighborhood, our church has a metaphorical front porch, a screen door, and a next-block-over group. The “front porch” represents people on campus in our buildings or near the church, e.g., our Preschool and Kindergarten. The “screen door” is a metaphor for people looking inside to see who’s there and what’s inside who check us out through social media and watch online. Finally, “the next block over” represents people who may see us around the community and may attend our events but are not connected to us yet.

This last group, representing the largest group in our community, is like the kids in my old neighborhood who lived nearby. Because I didn’t have a close relationship with this group, they didn’t come around the house much, and I didn’t interact with them. The same is true with our church. Without building relationships connecting us to the “next block over” group, getting them invited to our “front porch” will be difficult.

Beginning in August, we will focus on the “front porch” activities for our Preschool and Kindergarten and a “next block over” event, a community concert for our families in the South Gwinnett community.

- Saturday, August 10: Community Concert featuring our Praise & Worship Team
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be outdoor games for families with kids. The concert will be inside the Christian Life Center (CLC) from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

- Sunday, August 18 - 25: Preschool & Kindergarten School Supply Collection
We will be collecting disinfectant wipes, paper towels, boxed gloves for food and cleaning, and copy paper (white 8 ½ x 11) for use by teachers in their individual rooms. Please place these items in containers outside of Wesley Hall.

The goal is to get families with kids on our “front porch” to look through the “screen door” and be invited into the church. We want to build stronger ties with our Preschool and Kindergarten families and get to know the people who are the “next block over” through the community concert while allowing them to look through our “screen door.”

I hope you will join me in building relationships with our “front porch” people and those from the “next block over.”

At the Intersection

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

The Safety Net

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:03:22 GMT

JULY 2024

THE SAFETY NET

You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The ubiquitous commercial where Jonathan Lawson, a 15-year insurance agent dressed in a suit, interrupts your regularly scheduled television program and reminds you of the three P's of having insurance on a fixed budget: Price, Price, and Price. Like all insurance, Jonathan offers a financial safety net that protects you and your family from economic loss and uncertainty in an accident or other unexpected event. He says that with Colonial Penn Life Insurance, people with medical histories can get coverage options starting at just $9.95 monthly.

Targeted to people between 50 and 85, Jonathan offers a safety net of “guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance to the ineligible due to age or health status and to help their families cover funeral costs after the individual dies.” Like trapeze artists at the circus swinging from one trapeze to the other, the open safety net provides insurance in case one of the performers loses their grip and falls. Unlike circus performers, the funny thing about life insurance is that while it offers a safety net, it will only open when we die. We never experience the benefits of the safety net while living, but our families do.

Another insurance company’s commercial focuses on providing a safety net from “cut-rate insurance” and features the character “Mayhem.” Mayhem blends into the unaware public by wearing a black suit, white dress shirt, and black necktie. His face is usually bruised, scarred, or wearing a butterfly bandage.

According to Jonathan and Mayhem, we want to be safe from the chaos and certainty of death, taxes, and change. There isn’t a guaranteed fixed rate to protect us where life is free from worry and problems. Unlike a guaranteed locked-in rate on life insurance or protection from mayhem, when life gets challenging, I return to Jesus. He came to give us life to the fullest, an “abundant” life that begins on the inside.

This life is revealed in our responses to change, suffering, and life’s challenges. Jesus is the ultimate safety net, offering us a unique form of security that insurance cannot. I’ve found it necessary to use the safety net by following Jesus and practicing four spiritual habits to help me refocus and grow closer to God. These four habits aren't new as they originate from the disciples in the first-century church recorded in Acts 2:42-47 .

As you’ve heard me say on numerous occasions, the four spiritual habits are about doing life together to experience life to the fullest. These habits, which focus on relationships, community, stories of God’s grace and power, and making an impact on the world, are not just routines. They are tools that help us build a spiritual safety net, providing security and support in the face of life's challenges.

- Spending Time with God in worship and prayer
- Spending Time with others over a meal
- Sharing and listening to stories of life
- Using your gifts to serve a need in the church or community

If you've gotten out of practice, refresh your commitment to practicing the habits. Over time, the consistent practice of each habit throughout each week slowly changes our point of view as God’s power shifts something inside us that offers us a safety net free from mayhem so that we can live life to its fullest. Because Jesus came that we may have life to the fullest by practicing these habits, we have a safety net that is always open.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

(Trying to) Learn to Swim

Fri, 31 May 2024 15:05:45 GMT

JUNE 2024

(TRYING TO) LEARN TO SWIM

June begins the summer season—longer days, hotter weather, summer camp, and pool season! Across the country, thousands of kids ask their parents to take them to pools to enjoy the water. And in Snellville, the Briscoe Park pool and The Grove at Towne Center splash pad will be “hot spots” for cooling off.

I was no different as a child. I wanted to go to the community pool but didn’t know how to swim. I was afraid of the water. My fear of water began when an older cousin tossed me into the swimming pool’s deep end, saying I would sink or swim. I freaked out, thinking that I was going to drown. I violently flailed my arms as if the water was a sworn enemy to be defeated, and I sank to the bottom of the pool. After a lifeguard saved my life, my friends told me I would float if I stopped fighting the water and relaxed. I tried to follow this advice only to sink and not swim. I figured my body was either waterlogged or designed to stay on land.

I tried to overcome my fear. I took a beginner's swimming class in summer camp but have yet to learn to swim. I feared the water. I managed to reach the other side of the kiddie pool. But crossing over to the other side of the regular pool scared me to death. I was the only camper to receive a certificate who failed the swimming test. Someone had already printed the certificates, and no one had ever not earned one before. That is, at least until I participated. I never learned to swim. To this day, I'm still afraid of water, and I always pray when flying over water, thinking my waterlogged frame will be my demise even with the flotation device.

This June, I will enjoy the summer activities without water! While the calendar is filled with summer fun activities like the Outback Rock-themed adventure of VBS (June 11-13) and the game-challenging experience of the Father’s Day Challenge (Saturday, June 15), I’m looking forward to a new beginning with my first trip to Hastings, MN (a suburb of the Twin Cities), to attend the Annual Assembly for Harvest Network International . June 25-27.

This trip represents a new season for me, as my new ordination in Harvest Network International, which was approved in November 2023, will be publicly recognized. Honestly, this trip reminds me of my nervousness as a child at summer camp. Like trying to learn to swim again, I’m a little unsettled. There’s a bit of excitement, a sense of exploration, and a lot of guarded optimism because I’ve never done this before. I’m guessing this unsettled feeling is what we all feel when beginning a new season. Like most of us, I’ll look for hints, clues, signs, or, in my case, a lifesaver (today they would be floaties) to help me float across the pool and feel more “at home” with this new adventure.

Perhaps you’re experiencing an unsettling experience that makes you feel like you’re sinking to the bottom of the pool. I’m reminded of one of God’s promises: I will be with you when you go through deep waters. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3 NLT). This is the promise I’ve held on to like a personal life jacket to help me through the unsettling waters. The promise is also big enough to wear as a life jacket to help you seize the summer, especially when thrown into the deep pool.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

There’s a Call for You

Wed, 01 May 2024 20:06:44 GMT

MAY 2024

THERE'S A CALL FOR YOU

A few years ago, I worked as a church consultant to help revitalize a historical 158-year-old church experiencing decline. While attending one of the Sunday morning services, the choir began to sing a stirring rendition of Jesus on the Mainline; someone’s phone began to ring after the song. I was tempted to say, “The Lord is calling. Please answer the call.”

You’ve experienced it, haven’t you? You’re in a crowd, perhaps sitting in a meeting, attending a lecture, or even, like I experienced, sitting in church when someone’s cell phone goes off. For most of us, this is an embarrassing scene, especially when we’re wondering whose phone is going off, only to discover that it’s our phone, and we can’t seem to silence it.

The average person spends four hours looking at their phones daily, checking them at least 144 times daily. This includes spam calls, robocalls, and unknown callers, who often annoy us when they flash over our phones. Other calls roll over to voicemail for later listening. But what about the important calls that cannot be ignored? The Bible consists of stories of essential calls from God. God calls Abraham on a journey. God calls Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Jesus calls fishermen to come and follow. Jesus calls Saul to become the Apostle Paul.

Ok, so by now, I guess you’re saying to yourself, “Quincy, all that calling stuff was in the Bible, but I’ve never had an experience like a burning bush, a visit from an Angel, or an otherworldly vision from God.” Because our lives are so busy, it’s easy to ask, Does God still call people? More to the point, do I have a call — or maybe a collection of calls from God?

We tend to wrestle with different questions, such as, “How do I know what God is calling me to do?” and “If God is calling me to do or be something special with my life, am I capable or even willing to be or do what or who God requests of me?” This was my case, and if you are reading this blog, there is a strong chance that this is also true for you.

A calling emerges throughout life, sometimes in subtle ways or in areas we have overlooked. It could be argued that everyone has a calling and that all of us—whether we are aware of it or respond to it—have the potential to hear and follow a unique and personal calling in our own lives. This realization can be a source of hope and empowerment, knowing that each of us has a unique role in the grand design of God's plan.

In May, we will delve into answering God’s call. The four-week message series, There’s a Call for You, will explore how God calls ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things. We will discuss how answering the call to follow Jesus influences every aspect of our lives, shaping what God calls us to do.

If you want to explore your call more deeply, please see my book on Amazon, The Q.U.E.S.T. for Vocation: A Personal Journey to Discover a Life’s Calling.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

To Belong

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:17:44 GMT

APRIL 2024

TO BELONG

They call me Nehemiah. At least, that’s what they used to call me when I joined the graduate chapter of my fraternity a few years after graduating from college. Nehemiah was my “line name” before I became a “brother.”

Once I fulfilled all the initiation requirements, including attending classes to learn the fraternity’s history, participating in community engagement activities, and completing my “Brick” (prominently displayed on a shelf in my office), the symbol of brotherhood and unity, I was ready to belong to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity historically established for African American men.

Whether it was a primal instinct stirring in my gut or a deep-seated need to be part of a group, I yearned to belong. So, I embraced the title of an “Alpha man.” This affiliation showed me a profound sense of identity and purpose, a realization that I was part of something greater than myself. This longing to belong, be seen, be known, and be included is a universal human desire. It transcends rituals, dress, and handshakes and speaks to our innate need to matter to others.

Over the years, my fraternity has provided me with a community. No matter where I am, when I see a brother wearing our fraternity colors, “Black and Gold,” it’s a sign of connection and belonging. But as great as being in my fraternity has been, it hasn’t shielded me from conflict and disagreements, and, in some extreme cases, it was incapable of providing direction through life’s chaotic moments.

I don’t identify with the name Nehemiah as much these days. If I’m honest, as pastor of Snellville Community Church, I identify more with the name Moses, whom God called to inspire and lead people through unsettled space to discover new life. Like Moses, who was disappointed with belonging to the Egyptian palace in the Exodus story, I found that what I was searching for was more than fraternal bond; I was searching for peace in belonging.

Fraternities, groups, and other organizations offer ways to connect to individuals, but they fall short of providing a road map to new life and peace. In the Bible, the word peace is found 397 times in the Old Testament as the Hebrew word translated as “Shalom” and 97 times in the New Testament as the Greek word translated as “Eiréné.”

Shalom can be translated as “to destroy the authority that establishes chaos.” Eiréné can be translated as “to join or weave together.” If we combine the two words for peace, we get: God’s spirit destroys the authority that causes disunity and brings us back to the relationship of interconnectedness and interdependency. In other words, peace destroys chaos and creates relationships of belonging to a community.

As a church with “Community” as its middle name, our task is to receive, experience, and offer peace - God’s spirit that destroys the chaos in people’s lives to create belonging in relationships.

Belonging to a community is more than just a passive act of attending services or participating in activities. It's an active spiritual discipline that allows us to experience the transformative power of God's love. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and need God's grace. More than that, it's a source of unwavering support, a wellspring of encouragement, and a nurturing environment for our faith to grow. It may not always be easy, but the rewards are immeasurable.

I’m grateful to belong to a community where people matter to God, and we do life together to transform Snellville.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

More Than We Can Ask or Imagine

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 18:47:06 GMT

MARCH 2024

MORE THAN WE CAN ASK OR IMAGINE

Sometimes, things don’t turn out the way we expect. It surprises us when things turn out better than we could ever ask or imagine. At least this was my experience three years ago (March 7, 2021) when it was officially announced that I would be your pastor! Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would become the pastor at Snellville. Nor could I have imagined the journey that God would lead this church on in the next two and a half years following that initial announcement.

Though it surprised me to be where we are now, it didn’t catch God off guard. Looking back, I now see that it wasn’t by coincidence that my first sermon focused on how God is relentlessly present on our journey. And every Sunday since that first message, I’ve attempted to preach on God’s amazing grace that provides hope and new life. I’ve often leaned heavily on the Exodus story (Pre-Exodus, Wilderness, and Promised New Life) as the framework to help make sense of what God is doing at our church. We’ve crossed the Red Sea and are now in a transitional wilderness experience on the way to the Promised New Life.

We’re getting our bearing in the wilderness as we slowly learn to shed our old ways. And like high school seniors who leave their parents’ homes to enter the new and exciting world of college, we, too, have left our “institutional parent’s house” (denomination) to begin a journey towards a new and exciting world as Snellville Community Church. Along the way, we will discover a new identity emerging. And like college students learning to balance assignments, studying, and extracurricular activities, we’re beginning to realize that we cannot plan our way through our transition; we must learn a new way by listening and discerning what God wants to do for and through us.

I’d be less than honest if I said I didn’t have an idea or a picture of who we should be and where we should be headed as a new church. But I’m learning that I need to strive less to realize my picture of the church and more to surrender to God’s future picture for our church. Perhaps you also have a picture of where we should go and what we should become. Maybe it’s a picture that fits your idea of what church should be, or maybe it’s becoming one that our children and grandchildren would love. Or perhaps it’s something entirely different.

Whatever your image of what our church should become and our direction, I invite you to consider a couple of things:

No one could have imagined, two and a half years ago when I arrived, that we would be where we are today.
If it hadn’t been for God’s grace and power, we wouldn’t be where we are today!

And I believe that since God has provided a way out of nowhere for us to become a new church, God also wants to do something new in our individual and collective lives. This means that God may have to interrupt our plans with His plans. At least, that’s the lesson I continue to learn from God: the willingness to turn away from striving for the image in my head about what Snellville Community Church can become and surrendering to God’s bigger picture.

In the weeks and months ahead, if we need help stopping the strive for our way and beginning our surrender to God, we can ask this question: Am I clinging too tightly to the image in my head, my way, and what I think is best, or am I willing to surrender to God’s bigger picture, which offers more than I can ever ask or imagine?

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

Unconditional

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:01:19 GMT

FEBRUARY 2024

UNCONDITIONAL

February is the month associated with love. The store aisles are jam-packed with drinks, chips, and other items geared for the Super Bowl. We will also be able to celebrate the big game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs by providing a meal with our Souper Bowl Sunday (click here) , sponsored by our Men’s Group. Now that I’ve gotten that shameless plug out of the way, February is also ground zero for Valentine’s Day.

February 14 is all about love and also begins the season of Lent. Beginning with Ash Wednesday (click here) , Lent is a 40-day season of self-reflection where we deepen our prayer life and heighten our anticipation of the resurrection at Easter. It follows Jesus’ 40-day temptation period in the wilderness, which leads to his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave and demonstrates God’s unconditional love for us.

The spiritual practices of Lent include fasting or abstaining from things or behaviors (food, sweets, meat, coffee, television, social media, etc.) or adding something to their lives (more church attendance, prayer, giving, Bible reading, etc.)

I invite you to join us for our 40-day season of Lent as we focus on Unconditional: God’s Love for Us , our 6-week series leading up to Easter.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

In with the New: The Power to Change

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:03:29 GMT

JANUARY 2024

IN WITH THE NEW: THE POWER TO CHANGE

Happy New Year! January 1 ^st is finally here, and honestly, it’s hard to believe the watershed journey that God led us on in 2023. I would never have imagined our church would be at this threshold, but by God’s grace, we are a new church entity called Snellville Community Church!

The beginning of a new start as a church, like the beginning of a new year, is often filled with dreams of transformation. It offers a fresh start to focus on correcting our mistakes, eliminating harmful habits, and trusting God to do more than we can ever ask or imagine.

Thinking about what the Snellville Community Church can become as we seek to Do Life Together for the transformation of Snellville stirs my imagination and soul. More than a New Year’s resolution for 2024, here’s a glimpse of what I’m praying for how we can honor God as a new church in 2024:

Imagine a church that is not so much about a place with a program but people who pray for a purpose.
Imagine a church that emphasizes prayer, growth in faith, generosity, and sharing stories of how God can change a life.
Imagine a church for people who feel stuck in life, no matter how hard they try to make a positive change.
Imagine a church of ordinary people intentionally living out a mission of doing life together in partnership with neighborhoods, businesses, schools, government agencies, and non-profits to inspire and transform young people and their families.

Beginning January 7, we want to start the new journey of making this vision a reality. In the sermon series “In with the New: The Power to Change,” we want to provide hope and habits to discuss the most significant change we can make: our faith. Following Jesus to allow Him to transform our lives will form the foundation of every other change we must make. In January, we will focus on the following:

1/17 - Beginning the Journey

1/14 – Living with Uncertainty

1/21 – Recalculating Your Plans

1/28- Break the Cycle That’s Breaking You

God wants our church to experience abundance in 2024 as an abundant, adventurous life of vitality, unity, and generosity awaits us. Vitality doesn’t necessarily mean we will focus on getting bigger, but we will get better, and others will join us. Generosity will not be found solely in what we give, but it will be revealed in how we live. Finally, Unity isn’t where we will be in total agreement; instead, unitywill be in our total commitment to transforming the church with transformed people to transform Snellville. Will you join me in making abundance a priority this year? Here are a couple of Bible verses to help you focus your daily devotion and prayer time:

“… I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10)
Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us… (Ephesians 3:20)

Happy New Year!

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

It’s a Wonderful Life

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 19:14:30 GMT

DECEMBER 2023

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

December is the month when we prepare for Christmas. The weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with gift purchases, parties, desserts, Hallmark movies, carols, plays, and pageants. Did I mention gifts? But have we made Christmas too complicated? For many, December hovers over our lives like a low cloud that can quickly become a gloomy overcast. Avoiding the traffic and the crowds, trying to find that perfect gift makes Christmas feel more like a checklist to complete than a gift to receive.

A checklist is the furthest thing from the meaning of Christmas: God’s gift and promise of Jesus' coming so that we might have life and live it to the fullest. Preparing for Christmas invites us to Do Life Together by looking beyond ourselves to anticipate God’s greatest gift: the timeless good news of Jesus’ birth that offers us a chance at New Life.

The classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life also touches on the move away from a checklist life to Doing Life Together for a New Life by using our gifts to serve the community's needs. On Christmas Eve, the main character, George Bailey, unexpectedly discovers how one life touches another and that life touches another, and so on when we look beyond our ambitions and dreams. His father’s death forces him to take over the Savings and Loan, which he nearly bankrupts, and he is so distraught that he gives up on life.

After he sees the impact of remaining in his hometown, he prays to God to get his life back, and when everything is back to normal, he runs through his hometown of Bedford Falls, thanking God and yelling jubilantly, “Merry Christmas!”

Through disappointments and unexpected events, George discovers it is a wonderful life, even after giving up on his checklist of dreams. He’s grateful even for the inconveniences and difficulties of life because he uses his gifts to serve a need in his community.

Christmas doesn’t have to be a checklist. Instead, it can be a wonderful life for you as you experience God’s greatest gift.

Here are some opportunities for you to join us during December as we Do Life Together to explore how to share a Wonderful Life:

- December Sermon Series – It’s a Wonderful Life l 9:30AM & 11AM

- Sunday, December 3 l Festival of Lessons and Carols l 4PM l Sanctuary

- Wednesday, December 6 l Service of Hope l 6:30PM l Sanctuary

- Sunday, December 24 l Regular 9:30AM and 11AM morning services

- Sunday, December 24 l Christmas Eve Candlelight Services l 5:00PM l 11:00PM with Holy Communion

- Sunday, December 31 l 10:30AM Christmas Sweater Combined Service l Sanctuary (wear your favorite Christmas sweater!)

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

Thanks and Giving

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:09:33 GMT

NOVEMBER 2023

THANKS AND GIVING

There used to be a time when everybody went to church. Sunday services were always packed with people, and there was plenty of church stuff to do throughout the week. Then, there came a day when everything changed. Things aren’t what they used to be, and like Dorothy Gale, we’re painfully learning that “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” The culture has changed, and many don’t know how to be the church in this new time. On the surface, all these changes can be overwhelming. And if we’re not careful, it can become tempting to repeat Eeyore’s phrase, “Why Bother?” under our breath.

Eeyore is the gray donkey filled with sawdust from the Winnie the Pooh stories. Eeyore has a gloomy outlook and is forever losing his tail. And like many of us, Eeyore resists change. His stance is, why bother going to the effort of finding my tail if it’s only going to come off and get lost again before lunch? Why bother putting energy and effort into becoming a better donkey when everyone knows I’m filled with sawdust? Why bother?

But what if we shifted our energies from “why bother” about all the changes happening to an attitude of Thanks and Giving? What if we focus on being transformed people who attend a transformed church for the transformation of Snellville? This is a spiritual shift—from striving to fix things to surrendering to things beyond our control while trusting that God is still in control. This is easier said than done, and shifting our thinking and actions takes time.

During November, we invite you to shift your attention from Eeyore's mentality to Thanks and Giving. We begin with All Saints Sunday, where we recognize the people of faith who passed away since last year. During our worship experiences, we will remember our Saints (listed below) on Sunday, November 5, including Karen Mobley.

Like all our “Saints,” Karen embodied Thanks and Giving throughout her life. She was incredibly generous, even if it meant paying for a person’s lunch without them knowing. She did this for me several times while unassumingly walking out of the restaurant, saying, “Hello, Preacher!” Karen was known for her loyalty and was generous to a fault. And it’s appropriate to recognize hers and our church's generous members and friends as saints.

November is also our ALL-IN Thanks and Giving Stewardship campaign month. Our focus is on our ALL-IN journey of generosity! Whether you have participated in our church once or as a lifelong member, we thank you for your ALL-IN investment in giving to Snellville UMC through your gifts to serve a need in the congregation and community.

We will provide an ALL-IN estimated giving card and invite you to consider a financial pledge for 2024 prayerfully. Your pledges and contributions are investments in our church and community so that we can Honor God by Doing Life Together for the transformation of Snellville for 2024 and beyond. Thank you for continuing our Saints legacy of being ALL-IN with your Thanks and Giving demonstrated through your attendance, support, participation, and service.

Our Saints Members

Louise Weed

Gladys Sheets

Jim Kelly

Cathy McCafferty

Len Arthur

Joanna Herring

Joan Waters

Paige Choate

John Berger

Dick Moyer

Jerry Bird

William Folsom

Joyce Sillah

Nettie Rice

James Lilly

Karen Mobley

Cathryn Creasy

John Whiting

Jean Coward

Norma Jean Blum

Beverly Colter

Helen Love

Fran Leakey

Robert McCue

Nancy Spruell

Wayne Odum

Jeanne Brown

Duane Foutz

Our Saints Non-Members

Rick Russell, Father-in-law of Leigh Anne Russell

Robert Powell, Son of Betty Powell

Joe Nichols, Son of Phyllis Blosfeld

Margaret Cornell, Mother of Bonnie Cameron

Kay Argo, Mother of Eddie Argo

Nadine Smallwood, Grandmother of Justin Farmer

Edger Bottorf, Brother of Ileen Meggison

Adalyn Johnson, Mother of Sarah Gray

Virginia Andrisan

Ted Watts

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

The Four D’s of Endings

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 11:58:42 GMT

OCTOBER 2023

THE FOUR D's OF ENDINGS

Anytime we go through a change, we experience the surface emotions of being sad or mad. While not immediately apparent, a change that offers the possibility of a new beginning often triggers these emotions, which means something is ending.

Most of us mishandle endings and delay a new beginning. Like attending a funeral, we’re tempted to rush through the end to get to a fresh start. We fail to recognize that rumbling just below the surface of these emotions lies the Four D’s of Endings: Disappointment, Disengagement, Disenchantment, and Disorientation.

Here’s the way that we experience the Four D’s of Endings:

Disappointment - things don’t turn out as expected when a change occurs.

Disengagement - when we move away from a familiar situation and are unclear about the role we’re stepping into after moving from the ordinary into the unknown.

Disenchantment - when the “enchantment spell” that casts a big dream to inspire and energize us is broken, and the “way we operated in the world” that once inspired and energized us no longer makes sense.

Disorientation - when the customary signs of what we once knew as “dependable” are gone, the “I-know-where-I-am-going” is replaced with a sense of being lost or disoriented about which direction to turn.

Walking through the Four D’s of Ending is the process of transformation and New Life. This is fundamental to the church and its members. But what happens when a church experiences a change? How does a church change? To transform the church for New Life requires the people who attend the church to be transformed, too. Ultimately, transformation requires renewing your mind, worldview, and way of being.

During October, we will focus on transforming our church. We will examine specific spiritual principles to help the church navigate the change process.

Week 1: Uniting in Spirit

Week 2: Praying for Peace

Week 3: Working for the Ministry

Week 4: Forgiving Power of Love

Week 5: Using Your Gifts

Transforming our church requires following the spiritual practices above to help us move through the Four D’s of Endings. Only when we become transformed people who attend the church can our church be transformed and known for helping our members and community Do Life Together through the wilderness that leads to New Life.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

FOR SNELLVILLE

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 11:09:18 GMT

SEPTEMBER 2023

FOR SNELLVILLE

On August 19, Dionne and I attended a reception for the Centennial Celebration for the City of Snellville. We mingled with several former city councils, historical society members, and past mayors during this event. We saw pictures of old Snellville, including the Sawyer-Snell store, the first school bus, our church’s history, the first house of worship structure, and the wooden frame church building, the second church to be built in the city.

While a concert on the Towne Green was scheduled after the event, we couldn’t help but notice that we were among the youngest people in attendance at the reception. It felt like the college homecoming events I attended while working at LaGrange College, where the older alums attended an invitational sit-down meal. The younger alums and current students participated in the homecoming football game.

This month marks our church’s 140th anniversary. And like the city, we, too, have had a storied past, through three houses of worship and riding an unprecedented twenty-five-year population growth with membership, attendance, and program expansion. And like the Centennial and college homecoming celebrations, we also have an older congregation with missing generations who attend our worship services, with fewer younger members or attendees. We must find new ways to connect with the next generation to continue our legacy.

Over the summer, we discovered how the uncomfortable journey to New Life describes our church’s story. We learned that our pre-exodus experience of growth and expansion, which helped us thrive in our history, is no longer appropriate in a culture where church attendance isn’t automatic. But what would it look like for us to be strong and courageous and use our 140-year founding history as a springboard to listen to our community's wilderness experiences without an agenda?

For September, our sermon series will focus on what it means for our church to be FOR SNELLVILLE using Habit 3 (Sharing and Listening to stories of life) and Habit 4 (Using our gifts to serve a need in the community) . We will look at building relationships with our school partners in the South Gwinnett school clusters to Do Life Together. We can transform our schools by listening to their needs and creating more partnerships with local non-profits by:

Showing up in the Community
Listening to Learn the Needs
Meeting People who can help with the Needs
Creating Partnerships with them to Meet Needs and Share a Life-Giving Impact

Following these steps helps us partner with people in Snellville. These steps also help us help the next generation through their wilderness experiences. Most importantly, the emphasis on being FOR SNELLVILLE helps us become known as the church that provides tools to help our community Do Life Together through the wilderness that leads to New Life.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

New Life

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:50:45 GMT

AUGUST 2023

New Life

Tomorrow August 2nd, and Thursday, August 3rd, are the first days of school for Gwinnett County. A few weeks ago, Nathan Smith, our Director of Community Engagement, and I met with Rodney Jordan, the new South Gwinnett High School (SGHS) principal. While waiting in the school lobby, we noticed some new things, such as fresh paint on the wall, new ceiling tiles and new light fixtures. Meeting with Mr. Jordan and hearing his initial thoughts about being new was a pleasure. He said, “It’s hard to articulate what’s new when drinking from a water hose of new information.”

During our conversation, I discovered a couple of things that I have in common with the new principal:

He is a professional church attender, having grown up in the church since his father is a preacher. (My daddy wasn’t a preacher, but I’m a card-carrying member of the same club!)
We’re both members of the same fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated, so we’re frat brothers!

Knowing that we share some of the same history, it was easy to begin brainstorming about a new partnership between our church and the school. We’re committed to this new relationship while still determining what it will look like.

For me, our commitment is to Honor God by Doing Life Together for the Transformation of Snellville. This begins with partnering with principals and administrators in the seven South Gwinnett School System schools.

In our New Life sermon series, we’ve discovered over the past few months that we can’t get to New Life without going through the wilderness. And more importantly, you can’t plan your way out of the wilderness.

As we’re nearing the border of New Life as a congregation , we’re learning our way through it by practicing the four habits :

Spending time with God in worship and prayer.
Spending time with others over a meal
Sharing and Listening to stories of life.
Using our gifts to serve a need in the community and congregation.

In August, we will finally get to the Promised Land of New Life! As we will learn, New Life has new challenges that differ from our wilderness experiences. The good news is that practicing the four habits during our wilderness experiences has prepared us for the “giants” of New Life that we will face. Like starting the first day of a new school year, which many of our students will do this week, we have all of the previous year's experiences to build upon.

I look forward to walking into New Life with you during our August series. I also look forward to continuing our partnerships with Britt Elementary School and practicing the fourth habit of using our gifts to serve a need through the Back-Pack Buddies and Snellville Middle School, who invites me over to practice the first habit of praying with and for the administration, teachers and students on technology days.

I also look forward to practicing the second and third habits for a new life with Mr. Jordan of SGHJS and the other principals of our South Gwinnett cluster schools.

Stay tuned to learn how you can join us in transforming Snellville through the South Gwinnett school cluster.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

The Wilderness

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:10:40 GMT

JULY 2023

The Wilderness

Today, July 1, marks the beginning of my third year serving as your pastor. It's been an incredible journey. I look forward to continuing to live out the vision of Honoring God by Doing Life Together for the Transformation of Snellville. This statement has become a "God-Dream" for me, the future picture that I believe God is calling our church towards that embodies the best of our traditions and adapts them for today and future generations.

Speaking of my anniversary at the church, do you remember my first sermon? Okay, so it won’t hurt my feelings if you don't. It was two years ago! I discussed how God is Relentlessly Present on our Life's Journey and referenced the journey to a new season. Fast forward to today, and I'm still preaching about how God is relentlessly present on our journey to a new season.

Our current sermon series, New Life: The Uncomfortable Journey, continues this theme. We have concluded the Pre-Exodus experience of Where We've Been . Beginning this month, we will focus on the Wilderness experience of Where We Are on the New Life Journey. The best way to describe the wilderness to the average person is when we "hit a wall" in life and say, "I don't know what to do." Put another way, a wilderness experience is a metaphor for when life gets tough and we feel completely confused and overwhelmed.

For some, the wilderness experience may be dealing with a significant life change – a job change, moving, financial strain, life and career discontent, empty nesting or retirement, heartbreak, disappointment, physical suffering, or illness. And still, for others, it can be the loss of a loved one, anxiety, depression, or any time you feel like life is spinning out of control. And though it may not feel like it at the time, we are never alone because God is always present during our wilderness experiences.

In the Bible, the wilderness is on the way to the Promised Land. Its purpose was to get the people to God's Holy Mountain, Mt. Sinai, to learn how to worship. For us today, God desires that we Do Life Together by Practicing the Four Habits of New Life to get through our wilderness experiences on the uncomfortable journey of New Life.

Join us in July to discuss how God can bring New Life out of your wilderness experiences.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

Summer Offers New Life

Wed, 31 May 2023 13:34:26 GMT

JUNE 2023

Summer Offers New Life

Summertime is when our days become longer, schedules become less regimented, sleeping in becomes a thing again (well, let’s be honest, for the kiddos!), and the sun always shines! It’s a time for taking a break from our usual schedules and gives us the excuse to wear shorts daily. It’s also a time when we attend family reunions, birthday parties, and weddings, eat barbecue, dip our toes in the sand, sit poolside, enjoy vacations, travel with friends and family, and have picnics. And you know what else? Each of these summer activities is also an example of Doing Life Together!

But have you ever thought about how summer can offer us a new life? Because life can be challenging and messy, summer provides a time to Do Life Together at a relaxed pace. While summer is often recognized for vacations, it also offers a chance to build our spiritual foundation by maturing our faith. The extra leisure time that summer can bring means more time for Bible study, devotions, reflection, and quiet time. Being out in nature is the perfect steppingstone to spontaneous praise and worship. Summer also offers an excellent time to practice the four habits of Doing Life Together.

Spending Time with God in Worship or Prayer
Spending Time with Others Over a Meal
Sharing and Listening to Stories of Life
Using Our Gifts to Serve a Need in the Community

Here are two opportunities to practice the four habits in our community and congregation during June, which invite us to invest in our community to begin a journey of hope toward a new life.

Serve at the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op Meal, June 5th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Volunteer for Vacation Bible School & Parent’s Night Out, June 12th - June 15th from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.

The new life experience can be an uncomfortable journey with challenges and opportunities. While we’re all enjoying summer on the calendar, others may be experiencing an emotional and spiritual autumn where things change or might be in a spiritual winter. They feel they’re wandering in the wilderness in a barren land and can’t see beyond the darkness.

Recognizing that we all want to move through our spiritual autumn and winter seasons to experience the new life of spring and summer, for the months of June, July, and August, we’re offering a sermon series called Life: The Uncomfortable Journey.

In the summer series, we will look at the stories of Joseph, Moses, and Joshua and how God led them through their challenges and opportunities to help our congregation move toward a hopeful future of a restored community and transformed lives. We will focus on both our individual and congregation’s journey of Where We’ve Been (Pre-Exodus story), Where We Are (Wilderness story), and Where We’re Going (Promised New Life story).

I hope that you will join us this summer season to Do Life Together and attend our Summer Series, New Life: The Uncomfortable Journey , at 9:30 a.m. (casual worship experience), 11:00 a.m. (traditional worship experience), and 12:30 p.m. (Hispanic/Latino worship experience).

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor

Hope Is Not A Joke

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 14:08:41 GMT

APRIL 2023

Hope is Not A Joke

Happy April Fool's Day! April 1 ^st has become a day for playing practical jokes on people. But have you ever wondered who started it all? The origin of April Fool’s Day is a bit of a mystery. Some historians trace it back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.

Changing the calendar meant a new date to celebrate the New Year. Formerly the New Year was celebrated on April 1, but now under the new calendar, it is observed on January 1. The people who failed to get on the same page and celebrated the new year on April 1 ^st became the punchline of jokes and the recipient of pranks. They were the “April Fools.”

A fool is out of step with the rest of the world—a person who marches to the beat of a different drum. And no one likes to be different. The wrong one. The fool. People said Jesus was a fool. Crowds were coming to him to hear his message about God's love. Sick and disabled people pressed on him to be healed.

On what is now called Palm Sunday, onlookers who saw Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowds yell, “Save us,” thought that it was foolish to place Hope in Jesus’ ability to overthrow the Roman government and save people. But that’s precisely what Jesus’ followers and many were hoping for. By the end of the week, Jesus exceeded their expectations by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead to save people from their sins. And those who followed Jesus and placed their hopes in his death and resurrection were called fools with an Easter faith. Fools whose Hope is in the God who changes wilderness to land flowing with milk and honey, graves to gardens, and makes dead things come alive again.

Hope is not a joke because Easter proclaims that Hope is closer than we think! The season of Easter is a 50-day journey that provides us hope during life’s highs and lows. The season begins with Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Saturday) and culminates on Easter Sunday. But Easter Sunday is just the beginning of the season when people experience Jesus’ resurrection. There are 40 more days where people encounter the risen Lord through their day-to-day experiences. Whether through our expectations, doubts, losses, or what is familiar to us, the season of Easter proclaims that Hope is always closer than we think.

Each week in April, we will focus on different experiences of Easter to discover how hope is closer than you think. I look forward to seeing you at our worship experiences this month.

April 2 - Palm Sunday – People experience Hope beyond their expectations.

April 9 - Easter Sunday – Mary meets Hope at the garden tomb.

April 16 - Thomas experiences Hope through his doubts.

April 23 - Two Disciples discover Hope through their loss.

April 30 - Peter experiences Hope through the familiar.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Pray

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:54:02 GMT

MARCH 2023

Pray

A few weeks ago, I shared in a sermon how I struggled with prayer early in my ministry career. After attending a workshop on prayer, I realized that my struggle was that I couldn’t let go of the image in my head of how I expected God to act and answer my prayers. This hang-up stood in my way of praying. Simply put, I longed for the extraordinary but continued to struggle with the ordinary and wondered why God didn’t answer my prayers in the way that I thought. I believe that amazing things happen when God’s people pray because prayer changes people, and people change things.

Most of our prayers include thanking God, asking for help and forgiveness, and seeking to make important things happen. But it often surprises us when God works through the common to answer our prayers in ways we never imagined. We’re ordinary people who pray through everyday events, expecting God to answer in extraordinary ways.

Most of our prayers center on one of these five areas:

Gratitude and thanksgiving
The needs of our family and community
Personal help in crises
Our health and wellness
Confession and forgiveness

As I’ve said on many occasions, prayer is simply talking to and, more importantly, listening to God. Rather than a monologue with a “to-do-wish list” for God, prayer can be broken down into a unique pattern of PRAY, which stands for:

Praise - Thanking God for His amazing grace and mercy given to us.

Reflect - Focusing on how God might use ordinary events to speak to us.

Ask - Seeking God’s direction and will for our lives, families, and communities.

Yield - Actively waiting on God to provide a response and understanding.

During March, a few of you are participating in a study on prayer. Because we don’t want anyone to be left out on the importance of prayer, we’ve created a 4-week sermon series called PRAY. We will reflect on the words of the Lord’s Prayer and provide you with a way to practice spending time with God in prayer or worship.

Please join us as we Do Life Together by praying for each other, our church, our community, and our world. Let’s see how God will do amazing things in our midst as we pray!

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Love Is __________

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 20:04:05 GMT

FEBRUARY 2023

Love Is __________.

February is the month associated with love. The store aisles are jam-packed with society’s great passions: the Superbowl and Valentine’s Day. When I’m at the church, I hear about another great love. I often hear “I love my church” from our members.

A few weeks ago, when I asked the congregation what in Snellville breaks your hearts, you professed your love for unchurched people. As your pastor, I’m thrilled to hear this, and I have to say that I agree. I also love Snellville UMC and want to continue to see it be God’s legacy-thriving congregation for people in our community, including the unchurched. Our history bears this out, as we saw tremendous growth for over thirty years. Unfortunately, due to several factors, this trend changed, and we now have more empty spaces in worship on Sundays than we used to.

We’re surrounded by disconnected people, the so-called “nones and dones”. “Nones” (the unchurched) claim no church, faith affiliation, or practice. “Dones” (the de-churched) describes people who once attended church but no longer do. The “nones” are the fastest-growing group in the country. In 2021 fewer than half of Americans identified as belonging to a house of worship for the first time.

While the Gospel message of God's amazing love through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection to provide hope, healing, and wholeness hasn’t changed, the world around us has. And how do we share this love of God in Jesus Christ to reach people outside the walls of our church who want to impact their communities, friends, and loved ones in meaningful ways?

If we are to give them a place of connection and learn from them, we may need to consider what we stand for. Do we stand in agape (God’s love)– not just for those outside the church's threshold but also for those already inside it? Do our actions reveal how we’re doing life together as a community of love, where wounds are bound, and needs are met in concrete, tangible ways? And, even more importantly, can we ask these questions while being rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)?

We want to ask these questions during February as we focus on spending time with God in prayer or worship. We’ll begin a new series called Love is ___________. Each week we’ll fill in the blank about love.

Week 1: Love is forgiveness (Leviticus 19:15-18)

Week 2: Love is action. (Luke 10:25-37)

Week 3: Love is self-sacrifice. (Matthew 19:16-30)

Week 4: Love is God, and God is Love. (1 John 4:7-11)

I invite you to join us on this journey to experience God’s love for the disconnected people in our surrounding community and us.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Adapting in the New Year

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 14:16:27 GMT

JANUARY 2023

Adapting in the New Year

Happy New Year! Today, we reflect on the previous year’s experiences and look forward to correcting, continuing, or creating new habits for 2023. For a review of 2022 at Snellville UMC , click here .

For 2023, I resolve to substitute the word adapt for change, which has become like “a four-letter word” that strikes most of us as ugly, painful, and profane. Just because I’ve resolved to use adapt doesn’t mean that I will not need your help, as I’m prone to break New Year's resolutions as quickly as I make them.

Change is hard! Oops, there I go again. I mean, adapting is hard. Adapting is about accepting new beginnings; we can’t begin something new until we end something old. Adapting is ultimately about loss: loss of identity, status, purpose, place, direction, and meaning.

Speaking of loss, we have had our fair share of challenges with loss this past year, but we also have a faithful congregation who stepped up to those challenges we’ve faced. There's no quick fix to our challenges, but I remain hopeful and encouraged that our momentum from 2022 will carry over.

I wholeheartedly believe that we will adapt by discerning and accepting our present reality, dreaming about God’s preferred future for our church, and developing plans to do life together. We can help people in our community to flourish through relationships of influence and impact with their families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

We have a long history of serving our community. To continue as God’s legacy-thriving congregation in Snellville will mean rethinking our actions for mission and ministry. We are invited to listen to what God calls us to be and whom to listen to in the local community where He has called us to serve. Instead of continuing to do things the way we've always done, we will have to grieve that our old ideas will no longer produce the results they once did.

Here are three ways we’re adapting for 2023.

First, I have invited 12 people to participate in a 40-day discernment team ( for information, click here ). Together we will listen to who, where, and how God wants to lead us as we continue our story of becoming a legacy-thriving congregation that helps our community flourish. Here are the three questions we will dwell in scripture on to listen for God’s direction:

Lord, what is Your future picture for Snellville UMC for the next 3-10 years (including the church’s relationship with United Methodist Church) ?
Lord, how do we use our facilities to generate revenue with ministry partners?
Lord, how do we practice the 4 Habits of Doing Life Together with the people moving into The Tomlin at Grove and the surrounding areas?

Second, we’re also offering a new group study experience called Doing Life Together. Participants will comb through the Gospels to examine how Jesus lived out and applied the four habits through scripture. For more information or to sign up, click here .

Finally, we’ll practice one of the 4 habits of Doing Life Together each quarter, starting next Sunday with our series on Nehemiah: Rebuilding for a New Start.

I look forward to where God will lead us in the new year as we learn to adapt to life together.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Connection is the Lesson of Christmas

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:40:33 GMT

DECEMBER 2022

Connection is the Lesson of Christmas

For as long as I can remember, I've heard complaints about how Christmas has become too commercial. Even in the Christmas classic film “A Miracle on 34th Street,” which was filmed 75 years ago, one of the characters complains that most people are too caught up in the material aspect of the holiday. And for as long as Christmas has been celebrated, people have warned us about the dangers of it becoming too commercial. Despite the “jingle-jangle” from the “holiday hubbub,” there is a lesson to be learned from Christmas that isn’t just about materialism.

Contrary to popular belief, Christmas is when people can connect with others on a deeper level. It is supposed to be a season where we learn to avoid the craziness that often plagues our lives in December to discover what Christmas is all about: connecting with God and one another. Instead, we’ve become disconnected and trapped between the clutches of materialism. Perhaps our disconnected state forces us to scamper from department stores to wholesale outlets to find the perfect gift. This is not the lesson of Christmas; it is the lesson of materialism.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly character in Charles Dickens's classic Christmas Carol, had to learn the lesson of connection. Remember how the Spirit of Christmas Past took him back to his childhood and youth Christmases. The most meaningful ones for him were always connected to his family, friends, and that remarkable woman who had been his fiancée. But now he was disconnected. Having cut himself off from such human ties, Scrooge had become a selfish, lonely, bitter older man whom people pitied, feared, or hated. But then the lesson of Christmas came...

I believe that Christmas’ greatest lesson is ultimately a spiritual lesson that focuses on unwrapping the greatest gift of connecting with God and each other. This connection makes us realize how important family is in our lives. During the holiday season, be one of connection through the values and ideals that you hold most dear, your sense of who you are, where you come from, your beliefs about why you are here—the meaning and purpose you see in your life - and your relationship with God to each other and the world around you.

I invite you to connect with our community and us during our December activities as we prepare to Unwrap the Greatest Gift:

Christmas Craft Bash l Sunday, December 4 l 2:00 p.m.
Holy Light: A Candlelight Service of Carols l Sunday, December 11 l 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services l Saturday, December 24 l 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Hope and Gratitude

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:57:03 GMT

NOVEMBER 2022

Hope and Gratitude

There used to be a time when everybody went to church. Sunday services were always packed with people, and there was plenty of church stuff to do throughout the week. Then there came a day when everything changed. Things aren’t what they used to be, and like Dorothy Gale, we’re painfully learning that “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” The culture has changed, and many of us don’t know how to be the church in this new time. On the surface, all these changes can be overwhelming. And if we’re not careful, it can become tempting to repeat Eeyore’s phrase, “Why Bother?” under our breath.

Eeyore is the gray donkey filled with sawdust from the Winnie the Pooh stories. Eeyore has a gloomy outlook and is forever losing his tail. And like many of us, Eeyore resists change. His stance is, why bother going to the effort of finding my tail if it’s only going to come off and get lost again before lunch? Why bother fixing the house when the next gust of wind will likely blow more tiles off the roof and loosen another section of guttering? Why bother putting energy and effort into becoming a better donkey when everyone knows I’m filled with sawdust? Why bother?

We live in a time where it’s tempting to be Eeyore’s and say, “why bother?” about the changes in our community. Just as Eeyore loses his tail, we lose our perspective of God’s mission for the church and world. We are tempted to ask, why bother about changing anything? Perhaps we think, “We’ve tried inviting people to church but didn’t come. Why would this time be any different?” It might be surprising that we’re not the only people struggling with all the changes. Thousands of people in our community are struggling. They have lost their perspective on finding a work/life balance, how to positively influence their relationships with kids and grandkids, neighbors, and community, and how to find help and hope to deal with mental health.

But what if we focused on God’s mission for the church instead of all the changes happening in the world? What if we rediscovered what it means to participate in God’s mission of bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to a broken world through Jesus? What if the four habits of doing life together ( click here ) with people help us to rekindle a spirit of gratitude and hope? Without gratitude, we will feel like Eeyore because hope and gratitude are closely conn ected. Gratitude builds hope.

During November, our attention turns from Eeyore's mentality to Gratitude and Hope. In addition to continuing to practice the
4 habits with your 3 people, please join us as we offer opportunities to show gratitude and hope this month.

All-Saints Service l November 6 l 11:00 a.m.
A Night in Bethlehem l November 26 l 4:00p.m.
Service of Hope l November 30 l 4:00 p.m.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

October Treasure

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:59:24 GMT

OCTOBER 2022

October Treasure

October Treasure I value relationships. One of the many relationships that I value is my family, and I’m looking forward to attending a family reunion this month. I’m a product of the Harrison clan. My great grandparents, Jim and Sarah Harrison had ten children and forty-one grandchildren, including my father. When I was a child, Daddy told me that I was related to just about every Harrison in Gainesville, and he was right!

Funny thing about family. You don’t get to choose them; you are part of the group, whether you like it or not. Perhaps that’s why the old saying rings true: You can choose your friends, not your family. And sometimes you choose your friends because of your family!

Most things we learn early in life begin with our families. You might say that we know how to do life together from our families.
And if we value family, chances are good that our actions will follow that value. Simply put, we treasure our families.

Whether we realize it or not, we all have treasure. We all have things we search for, fight for, and store up. Though the items in the chest are different, we all have a treasure that holds great value.

Often, we think our treasure will follow our hearts. The thinking goes that if we focus on changing our hearts, then our values or treasure will shift. Believe it or not, it’s easier to change our treasures than to change hearts! Because the things we hold dear, which we consider essential to our happiness, survival, and security, become our treasures. And our treasures determine our priorities as they reveal our true ambitions, attractions, and affections. What we invest in, we are committed to. The things we treasure govern our lives. What we value occupies our minds and grips our emotions.

But what if God’s mission of doing life together becomes our treasure? Then, as Jesus suggested in his Sermon on the Mount, the opposite happens - that our heart will follow our treasure. When Jesus talks about treasure, he means more than just money. He is referring to how we invest our lives. When our treasure is centered on God’s mission in our community, we become ALL-IN by investing our time, energy, and resources to do life together!

During October, our Stewardship month, we will focus on a new series called ALL-IN Treasure – Doing Life Together. I treasure relationships, so my heart follows doing life together with others. Like many of you, I also treasure the legacy of Snellville UMC and want to see it continue beyond my lifetime.

As a product of my great-grandparent’s lineage, most of whom attended our home church in Gainesville, I understand what it means to be part of a legacy in a community. I’m committed to continuing Snellville UMC’s legacy and helping the congregation thrive by doing life together with our members, friends, family, coworkers, and community members.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

The Church as Missionaries

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:02:26 GMT

SEPTEMBER 2022

The Church as Missionaries

Recently, I was asked by a church member, “Quincy, what would Paul say if he walked into our church?” Admittedly, this question stopped me in my tracks. It was a good question and one that I didn’t have an immediate answer to.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t step through a time machine and travel back to the first century to talk to Paul. Here are a few answers that came to mind as I walked around for the remainder of the day: “You’re a church passionate about supporting missions and service.” “You’re a praying church.” “You’ve got excellent worship services.”

Perhaps you could add more. What do you think? How would you answer this question?

The question continued to gnaw at me until I began to go back to the Bible and reread about Paul. Anyone who reads about Paul’s activities concludes that, among other things, Paul is foremost a missionary. A missionary is “sent” on a mission since the word “mission” comes from the Latin words that mean “sending” and “to send.”

A missionary is on a mission from God to proclaim, participate in, and spread Jesus’ peace of salvation, healing, hope, and wholeness into a broken world. So, Paul was often sent to places unfamiliar to him. He describes his mission in terms of action (sent to the Gentiles) and in terms of intentionality (to proclaim the good news about Jesus’ death and resurrection that offers healing and salvation).

In many ways, God has called our church to join Him in bringing healing, hope, and wholeness to a broken world. Jesus is the center of this mission as He came to restore the relationship between God and humanity, between human beings and one another, the created order, and within people’s inner lives where they struggle with pain and shame, wondering if they have what it takes to live a meaningful life. Our mission statement uses the language of “Welcoming All People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus.”

So back to what Paul would say to us if he walked into our church: How are we missionaries to the South Gwinnett community? Put another way, what does it look like for Snellville UMC to join in what God is already doing in the South Gwinnett community with intentionality (paying attention to what God is up to in people’s lives and communicating how Jesus offers hope, healing, and wholeness in ways people can hear, relate to and understand)?

This month, we will address this question in our sermon series: Connect with Neighbors. In this series, we will help you establish habits to build relationships with one another, grow in your relationship with Jesus through community, and see that the time we put into developing with one another is worth it. God can do amazing things personally and collectively through a small group of relationships.

Being missionaries sent to the South Gwinnett community begins through a small group of relationships with people like you, doing the things you’re already doing, Spending time with God and others, using your gifts, and sharing your stories with people in our community.

Paul would say that we are missionaries who participate in God’s mission of healing, hope, and wholeness when we connect with our neighbors to do life together.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Keep Running

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 20:50:39 GMT

AUGUST 2022

Keep Running

I ran track in high school. I was the third-leg runner on the 4X100 meters relay team. I never thought I was fast, though I clocked at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Looking back, I’m convinced I gained my speed running from my neighbor’s German Shepherd named King. King didn’t like me and chased me every morning and afternoon, getting on and off the school bus.

I admit, I was nowhere near Bo Jackson (4.16) or Usain Bolt fast (4.22) , but I was the second-fastest on the team behind Mike, who ran the anchor on the team with a 4.4 time (I’m the guy on the left in the above picture) .

I spent most of my time at practice focusing on the baton hand-of. Coach Davis often preached, “Guys, the second thing to get right is the hand-off. But the most important thing is to keep running to finish the race!”

Following Coach Davis’ instruction, we spent most of our practice time getting the “change over zone” down pat. It was a repetitive exercise until we could do it without thinking. I knew the daily drill. I looked behind me to the location next to the track where we had placed our marker. When my teammate Kenny reached that spot, I was supposed to spring from my starting position. I accelerated into a sprint with my hand open and thumb down. Because Kenny, who ran the second leg, would already have momentum, he would catch up to me quickly, extending the baton forward, lunging toward the moment we would exchange the baton.

I would feel the slap into my hand, and for a brief second, we would run in tandem, his hand and mine both clinging to the baton. Slowly, he would let go and fade back, and I would charge forward for the sprint!

Our practice paid off, and we went to the Regional Finals at Memorial Stadium at Jefferson High School Track in Jefferson, GA. If we won our meeting, we would go to the state finals.

When we arrived at the regional track meet, we walked the track. This was our ritual for every meeting, as we were a bit superstitious and thought we needed to continue the practice. Except for this time, it was different. As we walked the track, we saw several fans in the stands. Before this meet, there were no crowds in the stands to watch us run. Being awestruck by the public and not paying attention to my surroundings, I accidentally tripped over a hurdle and fell on the track. How embarrassing! I quickly jumped to my feet, hoping no one saw my blunder. But the laughter of my teammates and the opposing teams told me otherwise.

Before we began the race, I looked to see the other teams’ persons who ran the third leg. I mentally evaluated each runner to determine his speed and, most notably, his weakness. My job was the same as always. I was to either catch-up on time if Kenny was behind, or build a lead for our anchor, Mike, to carry the baton across the finish line.

When Kenny approached, he was behind, and I took the baton and gained on the race leader. I successfully handed the baton to Mike while yelling, “One, Two, Go!” and watched him take off like a rocket.

Mike took the lead, and it appeared we were going to state. But just as the crowd distracted me, causing me to trip over a hurdle, Mike was distracted by what he thought was the finish line.

Mike stopped short of the finish line, raising his hands in excitement. The crowd was so loud that Mike couldn’t hear us screaming, “Mike, don’t stop; that’s not the finish line!”

We lost the meet and didn’t qualify for state.

I never forgot that experience. We had focused so much on making the baton transition seamless, but when the race counted, we broke Coach Davis’ rule: we didn’t keep running to finish the race!

As your pastor, I’ve attempted to lead the race by focusing on engaging families with children in the South Gwinnett School Zone. In many ways, community engagement is like successfully passing the baton during the "change over zone" in a track meet. It involves an exchange of listening and asking questions. But as important as engaging with families for sustained growth is for us now, it’s just the beginning of the race, and represents coming out of the starting block. We must keep running to finish the race by equipping people for ministry, disciplining people to follow Jesus, and becoming like Jesus to do what Jesus does.

Here are a couple of ministry opportunities to help you keep Running the Race of equipping and discipling families to become like Jesus!

Back-to-School Worship Experience
August 7 at 10:30AM
Christian Learning Center (CLC)

Church Wide Bingo & Desserts
August 28 at 4PM
Christian Learning Center (CLC)

Thank you for running this race alongside me. As my high school track team’s experience at Memorial Stadium, there are onlooking crowds outside our walls. May we run with the endurance of the race set before us to make disciples of Jesus in Snellville and beyond.

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor

Growth and Gospel Relevancy

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 20:54:59 GMT

JULY 2022

Growth and Gospel Relevancy

Welcome to the first edition of At the Intersection, a monthly blog where I muse about navigating the intersections of life. Since we’re nestled a ¼ mile from the historical intersection of SR-124 and US-78, it seems appropriate to focus on how we can become a Welcome Center to help people navigate the crossroads of life.

One year ago, when I was blessed to become your pastor, you gave me marching orders to grow the church! Of course, I can’t do this alone, and it will take all of us listening to and responding to the Holy Spirit to grow. What I can do, however, is to set the table for our work together. My definition of growth is the ability to adapt to external changes. Likewise, my definition of decline is the inability to adapt to change. So, it’s not just about numbers but more about the willingness to change.

You’ve heard me talk about focusing on community engagement with families in the South Gwinnett School Zone. We’ve seen fruit from our partnership with the city on events in our parking lots, such as the 4th of July Star Spangled Snellville celebration and Frozen Christmas while lighting the community Christmas tree. These two events brought over 800 people to our campus, many of whom were grateful for our efforts and didn’t know what we did, and a few became first and second guests at our worship experiences.

The primary reason for our emphasis is that Snellville UMC is in an area where people are looking for meaning and encouragement in their lives. We have a history of engaging with people looking for hope, inspiration, community, and a place that will provide opportunities for connection and engagement. This is the same need I discovered about people outside the church’s walls seven years ago when I was a church planter trying to build a new church from scratch.

As a church planter, I learned the importance of relational work with people in the community. Additionally, I learned the vital lesson of Gospel Relevancy, how the good news of Jesus could address the questions people ask about hope, life, relationships, work, family, disappointment, fear, and uncertainty. Even though I eventually pulled the plug on the church plant, I learned engagement involves navigating the intersection of church culture inside the walls and the people outside the church walls.

Over the next few months, we will begin creating a Road Map for Sustainability and Gospel Relevancy by learning to use what our church does well internally to adapt it to address the changing needs of our community. The method may sometimes feel like navigating a newly constructed roundabout on a well-traveled road. It will require cautious driving and adjusting speed to arrive safely at our destination. Similarly, the congregation will need significant time and energy to work with the Holy Spirit to grow the church. But it can be done!

I look forward to navigating this intersection with you in the next few months!

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor