This Week on DavidDonnan.com | November 2–6, 2026
November 1, 2026
AI Disclosure: This article was written by David Donnan with assistance from artificial intelligence for organization, grammar, and editing. The ideas, experiences, and plans shared are my own.
I’m looking forward to another week of sharing some thoughts, reflections, and resources here on DavidDonnan.com!
Last week, I started sharing more of my sermon notes. This week, I have a few things planned, including a special announcement I’ve been looking forward to making.
Here’s what’s coming this week.
Monday, November 2 — Sermon Recap: Philippians 2:12–30
On All Saints Day, November 1, I preached from Philippians 2:12–30.
Last week, I published some of my rather sparse sermon notes. This week, I’m going to try something different. I’m planning to use a transcript from our worship livestream to create a more complete recap of the sermon.
We’ll see how it goes!
Tuesday, November 3 — A Special Announcement!
I’ve been working on a secret project that I’m very excited about!
There is still more work to do before everything is ready, but on Tuesday, I’ll finally be able to share what I’ve been working on.
Even better, I’ll share how you can participate in this new project.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 4 — A Day with N. T. Wright
I recently had the privilege of spending a day hearing from New Testament scholar N. T. Wright.
It was a wonderful experience, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of what I learned.
On Wednesday, I’ll share a recap of the day, along with some theological insights and personal reflections from the experience.
Thursday, November 5 — Book Review: Faith and Fire
On Thursday, I’ll share my thoughts on Faith and Fire, a book about Methodism written by Dr. David Watson and Dr. Kevin Watson.
Both authors have made important contributions to contemporary Wesleyan theology, and I’m looking forward to sharing my impressions of their book.
Friday, November 6 — A Pastoral Prayer
Each week, I prepare a pastoral prayer for Sunday worship based on the previous week’s sermon.
This Friday, I’ll share the prayer I’m preparing for November 8, reflecting on Philippians 2:12–30 and Paul’s encouragement to live faithfully as followers of Christ.
My hope is that these prayers might also be helpful to others in their personal devotions or as they prepare for worship.
Follow Along This Week
That’s what I have planned for the week ahead!
I hope you’ll find something here that encourages you, challenges you, or helps you grow in your walk with Christ.
You can follow along here at DavidDonnan.com throughout the week.
A Pastoral Prayer From Philippians 2:1-11
October 30, 2026
In my “this week” article I had declared my intent to publish my pastoral prayer for Philippians 2:12-30. That would be the passage I am preaching this Sunday. However, I actually pray my pastoral prayer before the sermon. Instead of introducing the theme in the scripture to be preached later, I am praying a pastoral prayer inspired and drawing on the text from the week before.
So for this Sunday, November 1st the passage to preach will be Philippians 2:12-30. The pastoral prayer will come earlier in the service reflecting on Philippians 2:1-11. Clear as mud?
Pastoral Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning thanking you for life and the conclusion of a wonderful month of appreciation, fall festivals, championship softball and changing of the season.
Jesus, we pray that we would be people of complete joy because our hope is found in you. Help us to consider the life of Christ as our model of faith. Help us to remember His humilty and sacrifice for us. May we draw on His love and sacrifice as we consider our we may be more loving and humble to others around us.
Spirit, we know this is only possible with Your help. Help us to be united in Christ like service as we look ahead to November. May it be a month of abundance, harvest, and hope for ourselves, our friends suffering, and for all the world. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Which Global Methodist Seminary Would I Recommend?
October 29, 2026
AI Disclosure: This article was written by David Donnan with the assistance of artificial intelligence for grammar, spelling, and formatting. The opinions, experiences, and recommendations are my own.
I’ve recently had the privilege of talking to two different men considering seminary. I wanted to share some information about the Global Methodist Church’s approved seminaries and offer my recommendations.
A Few Disclaimers
First, here is a disclaimer from me. I am totally biased by my experience. What might work for one person might be totally different for another individual.
My background is that I completed one year of seminary at Gordon-Conwell, taking distance learning classes, classes in Jacksonville, and classes in Charlotte. I graduated from Asbury’s now-closed Florida Dunnam campus while also taking classes in Wilmore, KY, and online. I earned my doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Second, if you are planning to be ordained in the Global Methodist Church, you must take the required courses from an approved Global Methodist school. There will be some who can finish at a school no longer approved, but for those starting in 2027, you have to attend one of these schools:
Global Methodist Church Approved Schools
- Asbury Theological Seminary
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Beeson Divinity School at Samford University
- Wesley Biblical Seminary
- Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University
- West Africa Theological Seminary
- Mid-America Christian University
- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
- Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University
- Ashland Theological Seminary
For the latest list, visit the Global Methodist Church’s Approved Educational Institutions page.
My Recommendations for Someone from South Georgia
If someone were to ask me, “David, I am from South Georgia and considering getting a master’s degree. What are your recommendations?”
Here are the ones I would consider for someone from South Georgia.
Beeson Divinity School at Samford University
Beeson Divinity School is located close to South Georgia.
While at Gordon-Conwell, I took a distance learning class that used Dr. Timothy Tennent’s lectures for World Missions. He is now at Beeson. I think it would be great to take classes with him.
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Wesley Biblical Seminary is an outstanding seminary.
President Andy Miller III and Dr. Matt O’Reilly are some of the top thought leaders in Methodism. South Georgia pastor Don Adams has also taught some at Wesley Biblical.
We have had several students from South Georgia take distance learning classes there.
Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University
Who doesn’t want to go to a seminary with a big-time football team?
The real draw would be to study with Dr. Jason Vickers. I had Dr. Vickers as a lecturer in my doctoral work at Asbury. I have also been a longtime admirer of his writing. He may be the leading academic in Wesleyan theology.
While at Asbury’s Florida Dunnam campus, I had a couple of classes with now-Truett professor Dr. Ángel Santiago-Vendrell. He serves at Truett as the Professor of World Christianity and Witness. He was great/
Then there is the greatest single repository of practice, history, and church knowledge in Methodism, Bishop Scott Jones, who will be teaching at Truett in his very active retirement.
Asbury Theological Seminary
All roads lead to Wilmore!
Asbury is my number one choice for its outstanding leaders, such as Dr. David Watson, Dr. Jessica LaGrone, Dr. Brian Russell, Dr. Thomas Tumblin, Dr. Tesia Mallory, and South Georgia’s own Dr. Ken Meyers. These are just some of the great people.
Wilmore is a special place to work, live, and study. While I was only there for intensives, I am jealous of those who get to spend their full time there.
If you want to meet leaders across Methodism and the Wesleyan world while getting an outstanding education, then you should take a trip to this holy place.
Your List?
Who would be on your list?
Help me out with these other schools. What knowledge do you have of them?
