1. EDITOR’S CORNER
A letter from the Reverend Kenneth L. Johnson in response to the article in the Christian Recorder about liturgical colors:
I received a letter in the mail from the Reverend Kenneth L. Johnson, who lives in Detroit, Michigan. He wrote a response to my article in The Christian Recorder about Liturgical Colors. Reverend Johnson suggested that there is a need for “scholarly dialogue” and it appears to me that Reverend Johnson questioned the articles suggested use of liturgical colors as imitating other denominations. He used the phrase, “Too often we struggle to be ‘like mike.’” He went on to say that “Black theology has had no impact upon the church …” and that “We (the African Methodist Episcopal Church) still are not viewed as a part of the mainstream Christianity, but rather as a protest movement having come out of the mainstream.” Reverend Johnson was that, “We ought to be leaders in religious scholarship and praxis not copy cats” and went on to conclude, “Your article suggest (Sic) that we are more likely to engage in the latter rather than the former where our worship would reflect our historic development and meanings.”
My Response:
Reverend Johnson, thank you for taking to time to drop me a note concerning the article in The Christian Recorder concerning the liturgical colors. You asked the question, “Should we adopt this wearing of colors?” And then you go on to raise the issue about the AME Church following the same schedule of colors as the other denominations. It appears to me that you presuppose that we use liturgical colors because we are copying off of the larger denominations and that we are struggling to be, in your words, “like mike” and that is copying the other denominations’ rules and protocols. I was also somewhat puzzled that you feel that the AME Church is not “viewed as a part of mainstream Christianity.”
Let me address, first, your contention that the that African Methodist Episcopal Church as not being viewed as a mainstream denomination, and say that your conclusion about the African Methodist Episcopal Church not being viewed as mainstream denomination is “off target.” On the contrary, the African Methodist Episcopal Church is viewed as a credible and significant denomination, locally and globally. The AME Church is the oldest, and one of the largest historically Black denominations in the United States! The AME Church and our bishops are leaders in both the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. Additionally, the African Methodist Episcopal Church has significant real estate holdings and is a leader in the academic community because of our institutions of higher education and our commitment to social justice. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was, and continues to be a leader in the nation’s fight for equal rights. The Civil Rights’ movement was birthed in the African Methodist Episcopal Church with the significant work of Richard, his first wife, Flora, and later Sarah Allen. Brother Johnson, we are a mainstream Church! There has been some circles who have thought that we, as a church, may have been too mainstream and that we needed to “loosen up,” but that’s another discussion. The bottom-line for me on this subject is that we are significant and I would hope that our AME clergy and laity would recognize the AME Church’s significance in, not just the United State, but in the world!
Now, about the liturgical colors, we are not struggling to be “like mike.” AME Churches have used liturgical colors as long as any Protestant denomination in the United States with a similar historical timeline. My observation is that there have been those in the AME Church who have used the colors that they had available. Oftentimes that was red; and white was used on Communion Sunday. We couldn’t afford to purchase all of the liturgical colors. When I pastored in the sixties, my church had only the red altar hangings and the white alter hangings for Communion. We couldn’t afford to purchase the other colors. We struggled to pay the bills. Well, some of our churches are better off and can afford all the colors and the reason for putting the color scheme in The Christian Recorder was to inform those churches who had purchased all of the colors, and who wanted to follow the liturgical year to be able to do so. Denominations routinely publish the liturgical color schedule as a reminder.
The issue of liturgical colors is not a new concept. The colors mentioned in The Christian Recorder refer to the Old Testament with references in Exodus 28 (Read the entire chapter). Verse 5 mentions the colors that should be used for the priestly garments: “Have them use gold and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.”
The early church used liturgical colors as a means of helping the congregants to use the visual sense. Clement of Alexander recommended white as suitable to all Christians. The 13th Century prelate, Durandus in the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum explained the meaning of all of the liturgical colors. The early church worship excited all of the senses. Incense caused the sense of smell to be used; the proclamation of the Word and prayer excited the sense of hearing; the Sacraments excited the sense of taste; and the passing of the peace utilized the sense of feel. One might say that complete worship should find a way to excite the five senses. And I might add that the Holy Spirit excites the extrasensory sense.
And while I am on Clement of Alexander, he said, “It is possible for one who is unlearned to become a Christian believer, but it is impossible for one without learning to comprehend fully what has been made known in the Christian faith. He went on to say, “The Christian will gladly learn all that he (she) can from all branches of human knowledge, whether music, mathematics, astronomy, dialectics, or Greek philosophy.” (Kenneth Scoot Latourette: A History of Christianity). I mention Clement of Alexander’s comments because I believe that it speaks to need for an educated clergy and for us to be well-rounded as it relates to learning.
Correction
The Christian Recorder previously announced that the Reverend Lawrence O. Twiggs had been retired. Reverend Twiggs has not been retired. He is the assigned senior pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee
2. NEWS FROM JOHNSON CHAPEL AME CHURCH (JCAMEC), ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE REVEREND MIKE BARTA IS THE PASTOR:
- Eighth Annual Leadership Retreat in session this weekend
As of this past Tuesday, a total of 45 ministry leaders and Church Officers had registered for Johnson Chapel’s 8th Annual Leadership Retreat which opens this evening (Friday) at the beautiful Doubletree Suites Hotel in Dana Point, The Retreat will open with registration and refreshments at 6:00 PM followed by a brief opening worship service at 7:00 p.m. Associate Pastor Javier Suarez will deliver the Message. Sister Nesha Encalade, Coordinator of our Health, Fitness and Dance Ministries will help ensure that our blood is circulating to our brains beginning at 7:40 PM. The first Workshop Session will begin at 8:00 p.m. A second and final workshop for the evening begins promptly at 9:00 p.m. Following a very brief preview of Saturday’s Agenda; retreat participants will adjourn to their rooms at 10:15 PM.
Saturday’s activities will begin with continental breakfast available from 7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Sister Encalade will once again be “front and center” from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. with the first workshop of the day beginning promptly at 9:00 a.m.. The day’s agenda includes a working lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. and adjournment is scheduled foe 3:00 p.m. The theme for this year’s gathering is, “Turning the Church Inside Out So that the World May Know Jesus.” Pastor Mike Barta and the Rev. Dr. Maurice Wilson will serve as workshop presenters.
- The Rev. Dr. Maurice Wilson latest addition to (JCAMEC) Ministerial Staff
The Reverend Dr. Maurice Wilson, a veteran College educator and Pastor from the 2nd Episcopal District is the latest addition to the Johnson Chapel Ministerial Staff. Rev. Dr. Wilson was formally presented to the Congregation by Pastor Michael Barta on Sunday January 2nd. His first official act as the newest member of our Ministerial Staff was to lead the Church in the Invocation. Rev. Dr. Wilson was received by way of transfer from the 2nd Episcopal District by Bishop John Richard Bryant and his name added to the roll of the Southern California Annual Conference this past October.
Wilson and his then fiancée Becky first began attending Johnson Chapel this past summer and formally joined our Church Family in October of this year. The couple was joined together as Husband and Wife in their former home State of Maryland the day after Christmas. Rev. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Psychology as well as a Master of Arts degree in Theology. His latest position in the world of Academia was as Assistant Professor (Tenured) of the Applied Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling at Coppin State College in Baltimore, MD. He has served the AME Church faithfully as a Pastor for more than 20 years before voluntarily seeking supernumerary (without assignment) status in May of this past year.
Pastoral assignments have included St. John AMEC, Baltimore, MD; Bethel AMEC, Greensboro NC; and St. Stephens AMEC in Wilmington, NC.
Rev. Wilson will assist Pastor Barta with New Members Orientation, Staff Development as well as with Christian Education & Discipleship Ministries. Welcome Rev. Wilson!
- Johnson Chapel is designating this Sunday’s Benevolent Offering for Bishop Tyler-Guidry’s call for tsunami disaster assistance for Africa and Asia
As a part of our effort to assist victims of the tsunami tragedy, Our Benevolent Offering on 1/23 will be designated for SADA.
- The Articles from Johnson Chapel AME Church are extracted from the Johnson Chapel Weekly E-letter. The Reverend Mike Barta is the pastor.
Editor’s Comment: I share the news from Johnson Chapel because it is a great example of a church using technology to get information out to those who are connected to the Internet. E-Bible study and e-Sunday School Lessons are alternative methods of presenting the same materials.
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Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
