Season 2, Episode 3 of Table Talk
In the UMC, deacons are ordained to lead the church in relating Christians to their ministries in the world their worship, preaching, teaching, nurturing spiritual vitality and leading ministries of service, love, and justice. At the most recent UMC General Conference, legislation was passed granting authority to deacons to preside at the sacraments—both baptism and communion—in their ministry setting. Today, we’re in conversation with three clergy persons in our conference to learn more about the role of deacons, explore how the church is connecting to the world today, and talk about the impact of this recent General Conference legislation.
Rev. Christy C. Brown
Rev. Christy Collins Brown is a provisional deacon in the UMC. Her full-time appointment is serving as a pediatric Chaplain at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Christy is passionate about pastoral care, belonging for all, and the diaconate. Christy’s charge conference is at Collierville UMC, where she worships and engages the local church in ministry. She lives in Collierville, Tennessee with her husband of 24 years, Nicholas, and their three daughters.
Rev. Marie C. King
Rev. Marie C. King resides in Nashville and has previous residences in Mississippi and Louisiana. Rev. King is an ordained deacon and is now in the process of transitioning to the Order of Elders with The United Methodist Church.
Rev. King has served with unwavering commitment in various roles within the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church. Her previous appointments as a pastor have been as Interim Associate Pastor with Belmont UMC, Interim Senior Pastor with Glendale UMC, Senior Pastor with 61st Ave UMC, Senior Pastor with St. John’s UMC (Nashville), and Senior Pastor with Banks Chapel-St. John Charge in Springfield, Tennessee. Rev. King currently serves as the Senior Pastor with Mt. Pisgah UMC in Nashville. Rev. King has also served as a Clergy Delegate to the 2020/2024 General Conference.
Rev. King’s ministry calling began in healthcare as a Registered Nurse with experience in various areas of nursing, including Neurointensive Care, Clinical Nurse Supervisor, and Clinical Nurse Educator. Her journey has been marked by diverse experiences, serving in ministry as a Clinical Chaplain with Centennial Medical Center and Skyline Medical Center and earning an Ecclesiastical Endorsement as a hospital chaplain.
Rev. King serves as Chairperson of the Health and Wellness Initiatives Committee, on the Board of Directors for ENCORE Ministries, member of the Archives and History Committee, and on the Board of Directors for the Wesley Foundation at Fisk University.
Rev. King completed training as a Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse, with Vanderbilt University, earned her Master of Divinity degree through Central Theological Seminary and Basic Graduate Theological Studies through United Theological Seminary.
As the child of a United Methodist pastor and an Elementary School teacher, Rev. King grew up sharing in the ministry of teaching, healing, and caring for others. She is the eldest of eight siblings, four of whom survive and reside in the Nashville area.
For relaxation, Rev. King enjoys music, train travel, and sharing time and a pot of gumbo with family and friends.
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lewis
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lewis is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and a Board Certified Chaplain. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from the University of Georgia, a Masters of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a doctorate in pastoral counseling from Memphis Theological Seminary. He works full time for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as the Director of Community Partnerships, leading the Congregational Health Network and Chronic Disease Self Management programs. He teaches in religious studies at Rhodes College and directs a certificate program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center called “Serving The Underserved.” Jonathan is married to Maggie, an Occupational Therapist at Methodist Healthcare, and they have 3 children.
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