Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. A REPLY FROM THE REVEREND DR. GERALD A. COOPER CONCERNING THE TERM, “POSITIVE LAW”:
Dear Dr. Sydnor,
Despite the practicing attorney's unfamiliarity with the phrase, "positive law" is a legal term. She probably did not study the term in law school because it is not a term that requires study, nor is it a term that is or needs to be used very often. Many outstanding attorneys probably went through law school without ever using the term and find little or no use for it in practice. Nevertheless, Black's Law Dictionary, a standard legal resource, defines positive law as "Law actually and specifically enacted or adopted by proper authority for the government of an organized jural society." In other words, "positive law" is what many people would simply call "law."
While I have not had the need to use the term, I have often heard it used in AME circles. I have always taken the use of the term in the A.M.E. context as an attempt to distinguish law specifically set forth in the Discipline (i.e. positive law) from interpretations of the law and/or from A.M.E. traditions and practices that are not specifically set forth in the Discipline. Using the term in this manner is similar to using it in a legal context to distinguish legislation enacted by a legislative body from case law handed down by the courts. The phrase is probably unnecessary in most instances, but it is harmless so long as we have a common understanding of what we mean when we use it.
Peace,
Gerald A. Cooper (Esq.)
PastorSt. James A.M.E. Church
Cleveland, Ohio
Editor’s Reply:
Dr. Cooper –
Thank you so much for the clarification. What I failed to mention in my article was the statement by the lawyer and the Church representative was, as you stated, “positive law" is what many people would simply call "law."
Thank you for your response. I will certainly share your response with our readers.
2. REPLY FROM THE REVEREND CAROLE NELSON-INGRAM CONCERNING THE TERM, “POSITIVE LAW”:
Dr. Sydnor,
First - I love the work you are doing stimulating discussion on our "AME Ways!" Thanks.
I remember hearing the old timers speak of “Positive Law” and I am trying to remember if I ever saw it defined or if there was anything written about it anywhere. I hope that the voice of some of the elder-elders who may not get on the computer will find their way into this discussion.
I will listen to some of the hours of interview tapes I have with a couple of them who have gone to be with God to see if any of them have addressed this issue.
Thank you again, for touching upon some of the “untouchable subjects.”
Blessings,
The Rev. Carole Nelson-Ingram
3. OFFICIAL EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WEBSITES GIVEN TO ME OR THAT I COULD FIND ON THE INTERNET. SOME OF THEM NEED TO BE UPDATED. REQUEST ALL EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS REVIEW / SEND YOUR OFFICIAL WEB ADDRESS TO chsydnor@bellsouth.net :
Episcopal Districts:
1. http://www.firstdistrictame.com/html/district.htm
2. http://www.2ndamec.org/
3. Third District
4. Fourth District
5. Fifth District
6. Sixth District
7. http://www.amec3000.org/7th_District/
8. Eighth District -
9. Ninth District
10. Tenth District
11. Eleventh District
12. Twelfth District
13. Thirteenth District
14. Fourteenth District
15. http://www.amec3000.org/15th_district/
16. http://www.ame16th.com/
17. http://www.amec3000.org/17th_District/
18. Eighteenth District
19. http://www.amec3000.org/19th_District/
20. Twentieth District
4. SOME OF YOU ARE RECEIVING GIBBERISH IN YOUR CHRISTIAN RECORDER EMAIL MESSAGES. A MESSAGE FROM THE WEBMASTER:
The problem is in the Encoding Setting of each person's E-Mail Client. If one is using Microsoft Outlook do this: Click on View -> Encoding and select Unicode (UT-8).
If Unicode (UT-8) is not visible when Encoding is selected, select More and the options will be expanded.
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If the instructions above seem too complicated, go to
http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/tcr-online/ and read The Christian Recorder.
5. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Re: "Giving Our Best to the Rural Churches" by Rev. Dr. La Sure: I would, as a lay person, like to remark that many in the clergy have egos that make them resentful of even being given an appointment to a small church in an urban setting, to say nothing of being assigned to a rural church.
I am in agreement with the premise of your remarks in general, but I am, unfortunately, thinking of examples I have seen of clergy who don't do such a bang-up job in "the city"; and the rural church would probably not be given any better care.
This subject has many ramifications that are not easily answered, but you are imminently correct.
Joann K. Blake
Cincinnati, Ohio
6. A MEDITATION: "GOING FORWARD WITH GOD: UNITY OF THE BODY":
Submitted by the Reverend James M. Moody, Sr.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (I Corinthians 12: 12-13)
The Church is the body of Jesus Christ in the world today. The Church is a single unit made up of many different parts. The concept of a unit is one of binding together many parts to make one whole. The Church as a unified, living entity is the binding together of all denominations and “non-denominations,” individual congregations, ministries and auxiliaries within a congregation, and individuals who are recipients of the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2: 8).
This is the Church – many coming together as one. The Holy Spirit is the glue that binds the Church together. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are all unified, as He erases all the false and insignificant distinctions that would divide the body of Christ.
Galatians 3: 26-28 tells us “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” The Holy Spirit through Paul tells us we are all then children of God and all distinctions are removed. The imagery given here is that of everyone wearing the same uniform
– Jesus Christ.
Many of us have seen school children all dressed in the same uniform as they make their way to school. The wearing of uniforms facilitates unity in the process. Social and economic distinctions are removed. Everyone is the same. There is more opportunity to focus on the common mission of all involved. Doors of cooperation and efficacy are opened. Conflicts are avoided. Students can be more confident allowing for broader and effective participation.
What a picture of the Church, the body of Christ as we clothe ourselves with Christ. Social and economic distinctions are removed. Everyone is the same. There is more opportunity to focus on the common mission of all involved. Doors of cooperation and efficacy are opened. Conflicts are avoided. Members can be more confident allowing for broader and effective participation.
Ephesians 4: 1-3 & 11-13 gives us God’s directives on maintaining unity in the body of Christ.
1. v. 1 - Live each day and address every circumstance in a manner worthy of the name of Jesus Christ. “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. (II Corinthians 5: 20)
2. v. 2a – Conduct ourselves in a humble and gentle manner, recognizing that our own righteousness is but “filthy rags” in His sight, and our boast is in Christ Jesus alone.
3. v. 2b – Be patient and willing to shoulder the weight of each other’s failings, shortcomings, and burdens. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)”
4. v. 3 - Work to keep peace in the body of Christ. Peace is not the absence of disagreement or differences in perspective; it is maintaining the character and identity of Christ in the midst of disagreement or differences in perspective.
5. v. 11-12 – Submit to the authority of the spiritual offices established by God for His Church. Those who function as apostles (sent ones), prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers have been placed by the Father throughout the body of Christ as lay and clergy and empowered by the Holy Spirit to prepare God’s people for the work of the Church.
As we seek to fulfill God’s directives we will “be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4: 13, 16)
The Reverend James M. Moody, Sr. serves as Senior Pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Chicago, Illinois
7. A BIT OF HUMOR, ENTITLED, “JUDGE NOT” SHARED BY THE REVEREND GREGORY NETTLES. IT HAS A GREAT PREACHING POINT:
I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven's door, Not by the beauty of it all, by the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp-- The thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics, the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake.
And why's everyone so quiet, so somber? "Give me a clue."
"Hush, child," said He.
"They're all in shock. No one thought they'd see you."
(Author unknown)
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
