Nashvillians know Rev. Dr. Judy Cummings as a social justice advocate, pastor, and community organizer. Yet she understands herself to be a shepherd at heart.
Dr. Cummings, pastor of New Covenant Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, is a recognized leader, and change-maker in Nashville. We are so grateful to welcome her as a guest for the next few weeks here on Three Minute Ministry Mentor.
She works relentlessly for the good of her North Nashville neighborhood, as well as the city as a whole. She leads by serving, organizing, and helping New Covenant embrace its social justice identity. As part of her vision of shepherding the congregation she helped them articulate a powerful mission and vision. As she says: “A congregation can only go as far as a leader takes it.”
This week's pastoral wisdom from @drjudycummings!
How far will you take your organization? #practiceofministry #clergy #ministrylife #3mmm pic.twitter.com/wxo15UC5gK— Three Minute Ministry Mentor (@3MinuteMin) November 16, 2020
Now Dr. Cummings is approaching her second retirement in late December. Following graduation from Tennessee State University, she had a full career of twenty-five years as a registered nurse. Then she responded to God’s call to seminary and pastoral ministry. Since 2000 she served in congregational leadership. And for the last decade she has been the senior pastor of New Covenant. With Advent this year, comes a new season for Dr. Judy Cummings. She is ready for new challenges and a change of pace.
Shepherding Justice
In today’s episode, Dr. Cummings tells us about…
- How an encounter with a rude and racist hospital patient became a catalyst to her personal approach to ministry
- Ways her career in nursing prepared her for a vocation of pastoring
- How the metaphor of shepherding became her inspiration for pastoral leadership.
The place where justice and care come together in the ministry of Dr. Judy Cummings, is a ministry of healing. And the world is in great need of healing right now. We believe her work will inspire and inform your practice of ministry.
If you would like notifications about each episode that features more of our conversation with Dr. Cummings, subscribe today! And share this link with your friends in ministry. Who among us does not need a little inspiration about now?
Speaking of inspiration… are you still gathering ideas for Advent? Visit and download our Advent Resource 2020 page. We think you’ll find some wonderful stuff there.
