Emily Hunter McGowin
@ehmcgowin.bsky.social
associate professor of theology, Wheaton College | priest-theologian, Christ Our Advocate | author, IVP, Fortress, Cascade | Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God: https://www.ivpress.com/households-of-faith
Friends, I'm going to be a lot more scarce on social media for a while. I want to make good use of the last few months of my fellowship and do what I can to protect my peace of mind. Grace and peace to all.
February 6, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Friends, I'm going to be a lot more scarce on social media for a while. I want to make good use of the last few months of my fellowship and do what I can to protect my peace of mind. Grace and peace to all.
Reposted by Emily Hunter McGowin
A collect for the feast of St. John Chrysostom
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM
A collect for the feast of St. John Chrysostom
These words from Fannie Lou Hamer haunt me today. She & so many others have testified faithfully, with words & flesh & blood. But the majority would not listen. We would not listen bc then we’d have to repent & be healed.
”I’m never sure anymore when I leave home whether I'll get back or not... 1/3
”I’m never sure anymore when I leave home whether I'll get back or not... 1/3
January 25, 2026 at 9:41 PM
These words from Fannie Lou Hamer haunt me today. She & so many others have testified faithfully, with words & flesh & blood. But the majority would not listen. We would not listen bc then we’d have to repent & be healed.
”I’m never sure anymore when I leave home whether I'll get back or not... 1/3
”I’m never sure anymore when I leave home whether I'll get back or not... 1/3
"How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, 'Violence!'
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?"
1/2
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, 'Violence!'
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?"
1/2
January 8, 2026 at 2:57 AM
"How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, 'Violence!'
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?"
1/2
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, 'Violence!'
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?"
1/2
Sunday's sermon: "Worship is never apolitical. So whom one chooses to worship, whom one chooses to serve, matters immensely. The world wants us to tremble before Herod; God calls us to swear allegiance to Christ, the poor Palestinian Jew born in Bethlehem." www.christouradvocate.org/blog/the-pol...
The Politics of Worship — CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
Worship is never apolitical. So, whom one chooses to worship, whom one chooses to serve, matters immensely. The world wants us to tremble before Herod; God calls us to swear allegiance to Christ, the ...
www.christouradvocate.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Sunday's sermon: "Worship is never apolitical. So whom one chooses to worship, whom one chooses to serve, matters immensely. The world wants us to tremble before Herod; God calls us to swear allegiance to Christ, the poor Palestinian Jew born in Bethlehem." www.christouradvocate.org/blog/the-pol...
Wake Up Dead Man is fantastic. Not only a beautiful and entertaining movie, but also as good a portrayal of the gospel embodied as I’ve seen in a long time. Reminded me what I believe and why I became a priest.
December 20, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Wake Up Dead Man is fantastic. Not only a beautiful and entertaining movie, but also as good a portrayal of the gospel embodied as I’ve seen in a long time. Reminded me what I believe and why I became a priest.
Arlie Coles reporting on the Ruch verdict for the Living Church. A good summary of things for anyone unfamiliar.
#ACNA ruling acquits Stuart Ruch, following a decision to set aside two independent investigations and admit additional evidence. #news
Ruch Acquitted on All Charges - The Living Church
The court’s ruling, its first-ever acquittal, followed a decision to set aside two of three independent investigations and to admit additional evidence.
livingchurch.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Arlie Coles reporting on the Ruch verdict for the Living Church. A good summary of things for anyone unfamiliar.
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
"If John the Baptist [...] can wonder if he’s gotten it all wrong, how much more will we? And yet, we little ones, we insignificant ones, are greater—exceedingly more privileged and blessed—because of what we’ve received by grace."
Read Sunday's sermon here:
Read Sunday's sermon here:
Trusting through Ambivalence — CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
If John the Baptist can struggle with doubt, how much more will we? If the greatest man of antiquity can wonder if he’s gotten it all wrong, how much more will we? And yet, we little ones, we insignif...
www.christouradvocate.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
Preachers know (or should know) that they’re always preaching to themselves, but it still surprised me just how on the nose this sermon was for me this week.
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
Given all the grievous ACNA church news this week, hearing this sermon preached on Sunday beforehand strengthened my faith. If you're bewildered by what the verdict in the Ruch trial said (blame the survivors and advocates) then take a few minutes and listen to some truth. ⚓
"If John the Baptist [...] can wonder if he’s gotten it all wrong, how much more will we? And yet, we little ones, we insignificant ones, are greater—exceedingly more privileged and blessed—because of what we’ve received by grace."
Read Sunday's sermon here:
Read Sunday's sermon here:
December 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Preachers know (or should know) that they’re always preaching to themselves, but it still surprised me just how on the nose this sermon was for me this week.
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
I’m deeply disappointed in the decision of the ACNA court in the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch. I’m also heartbroken and angry for the way survivors and their advocates are characterized in the court’s summary. 1/2
December 18, 2025 at 4:02 AM
I’m deeply disappointed in the decision of the ACNA court in the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch. I’m also heartbroken and angry for the way survivors and their advocates are characterized in the court’s summary. 1/2
My sermon from Sunday on trusting God through our ambivalence: “A Messiah who can be misunderstood and rejected; a kingdom that can be missed and despised. These realities are wondrous to our eyes; and they can be deeply disappointing.”
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/trustin...
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/trustin...
Trusting through Ambivalence — CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
If John the Baptist can struggle with doubt, how much more will we? If the greatest man of antiquity can wonder if he’s gotten it all wrong, how much more will we? And yet, we little ones, we insignif...
www.christouradvocate.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:49 PM
My sermon from Sunday on trusting God through our ambivalence: “A Messiah who can be misunderstood and rejected; a kingdom that can be missed and despised. These realities are wondrous to our eyes; and they can be deeply disappointing.”
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/trustin...
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/trustin...
Twenty-five years ago today, I went on a date with a gregarious Baptist preacher boy from Texas. It consisted of Italian food and walking around a bookstore.
When we first met, we hated each other. But we had mutual friends and didn’t have much choice but to spend time together. 1/3
When we first met, we hated each other. But we had mutual friends and didn’t have much choice but to spend time together. 1/3
December 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Twenty-five years ago today, I went on a date with a gregarious Baptist preacher boy from Texas. It consisted of Italian food and walking around a bookstore.
When we first met, we hated each other. But we had mutual friends and didn’t have much choice but to spend time together. 1/3
When we first met, we hated each other. But we had mutual friends and didn’t have much choice but to spend time together. 1/3
The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best Christmas Carol, and it’s not even close. It’s also an excellent Advent film. I think John the Baptist would approve.
December 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best Christmas Carol, and it’s not even close. It’s also an excellent Advent film. I think John the Baptist would approve.
All I want for Christmas is this Advent calendar…
I don’t know who made this cartoon panel, but speaking as someone who has a long-established and incandescent love for Fleming Rutledge … this is hysterically funny.
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
All I want for Christmas is this Advent calendar…
Our little church, @advocatewheaton.bsky.social, which is only three years-old, has gotten significant online attention recently. Much of it has been positive, focusing on the activism of our lay people... 1/5
December 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Our little church, @advocatewheaton.bsky.social, which is only three years-old, has gotten significant online attention recently. Much of it has been positive, focusing on the activism of our lay people... 1/5
Reposted by Emily Hunter McGowin
A collect for the feast of St. Ambrose of Milan:
December 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A collect for the feast of St. Ambrose of Milan:
I enjoyed being interviewed by Jennifer Schroeder at the Siburt Institute about my book, Households of Faith. Listen at siburtinstitute.podbean.com or wherever you stream podcasts.
Live from the Siburt Institute | siburtinstitute
Vibrant conversations between ministers, church leaders, and scholars, brought to you by the staff of the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry at Abilene Christian University. The Siburt Institute’s ...
siburtinstitute.podbean.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I enjoyed being interviewed by Jennifer Schroeder at the Siburt Institute about my book, Households of Faith. Listen at siburtinstitute.podbean.com or wherever you stream podcasts.
"The Christian Church is the community of brethren in which, in Word and Sacrament, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ acts in the present as Lord. With both its faith and its obedience, with both its message and its order, it has to testify in the midst of the sinful world... 1/2
December 6, 2025 at 5:11 PM
"The Christian Church is the community of brethren in which, in Word and Sacrament, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ acts in the present as Lord. With both its faith and its obedience, with both its message and its order, it has to testify in the midst of the sinful world... 1/2
“As Jesus Christ is God’s comforting pronouncement of the forgiveness of our sins, so, with equal seriousness, he is God’s vigorous announcement of his claim upon our whole life. Thru him…comes to us joyful liberation from the godless ties of this world for free, grateful service to his creatures.”
December 6, 2025 at 3:52 AM
“As Jesus Christ is God’s comforting pronouncement of the forgiveness of our sins, so, with equal seriousness, he is God’s vigorous announcement of his claim upon our whole life. Thru him…comes to us joyful liberation from the godless ties of this world for free, grateful service to his creatures.”
Reposted by Emily Hunter McGowin
I really enjoyed this conversation with Ann Boyd at InterVarsity's The Well about my book and life in general as a woman pastor-scholar.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Emily Hunter McGowin: Households of Faith
Podcast Episode · The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast · 12/02/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with Ann Boyd at InterVarsity's The Well about my book and life in general as a woman pastor-scholar.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
“Jesus Christ, as he is attested to us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God whom we have to hear, and whom we have to trust and obey in life and in death.”
December 4, 2025 at 5:58 AM
“Jesus Christ, as he is attested to us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God whom we have to hear, and whom we have to trust and obey in life and in death.”
I really enjoyed this conversation with Ann Boyd at InterVarsity's The Well about my book and life in general as a woman pastor-scholar.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Emily Hunter McGowin: Households of Faith
Podcast Episode · The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast · 12/02/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with Ann Boyd at InterVarsity's The Well about my book and life in general as a woman pastor-scholar.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
I'm grateful for this recognition from Christianity Today for my book, Households of Faith, a finalist in their marriage, family, and singleness category. FWIW, I think it'd make a great Christmas gift for your Christian friends and loved ones. 🎄🎅📚
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/chri...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/chri...
The Christianity Today Book Awards - Christianity Today
Our picks for the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.
www.christianitytoday.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I'm grateful for this recognition from Christianity Today for my book, Households of Faith, a finalist in their marriage, family, and singleness category. FWIW, I think it'd make a great Christmas gift for your Christian friends and loved ones. 🎄🎅📚
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/chri...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/chri...
“The church lives in Advent. . . . We live at what the New Testament depicts as the turn of the ages. In Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God is in head-on collision with the powers of darkness. The point of impact is the place where Christians take their stand.”
- The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, “Advent”
- The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, “Advent”
November 30, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“The church lives in Advent. . . . We live at what the New Testament depicts as the turn of the ages. In Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God is in head-on collision with the powers of darkness. The point of impact is the place where Christians take their stand.”
- The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, “Advent”
- The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, “Advent”
I’m not sure there’s any more relatable scene for parents-of-teens in Stranger Things than Hopper talking to El/Jane in season 5.
Him: You drove with Nancy?! In the open?! You know we don’t do that! You know we use the tunnels, we never go above ground!
Her: I wore my hoodie!
Him: You drove with Nancy?! In the open?! You know we don’t do that! You know we use the tunnels, we never go above ground!
Her: I wore my hoodie!
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I’m not sure there’s any more relatable scene for parents-of-teens in Stranger Things than Hopper talking to El/Jane in season 5.
Him: You drove with Nancy?! In the open?! You know we don’t do that! You know we use the tunnels, we never go above ground!
Her: I wore my hoodie!
Him: You drove with Nancy?! In the open?! You know we don’t do that! You know we use the tunnels, we never go above ground!
Her: I wore my hoodie!