THE AUTHOR AND TITLE OF THE BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT BISHOP DECATUR WARD NICHOLS:
In the December 27th issue of The Christian Recorder Online, I mentioned that I had read the book written about Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols and that I couldn't remember the author's name or the title of the book.
The title of the book is The Upward Journey authored by Jeanette T. Johns. It is an inspiring book and well-written. I believe that every AME, or at a minimum every person who is a candidate for ministry should read it.
The book about Bishop Nichols tells the story of a pastor, who "thought outside of the box" from the very beginning of his ministry. He wasn't just a "Sunday or weekend preacher." He was committed to full-time ministry, even when the "money" wasn't good. His ministry was an excellent example of a preacher "growing where he was planted." He was a man of vision. He wasn't given the biggest appointment, but he made it the biggest appointment. In other words he didn't wait to be assigned to the biggest church, he "watered" and nurtured the ground he had. He was competent and knew God's place in his ministry. And to accomplish all that he did in ministry, and later in the Episcopacy, he had to have had the blessings of the Holy Spirit.
He was a Connectional preacher - he traveled to throughout the Connection and attended the "meetings of the Church. He was a nurturing preacher - he knew that he had not gotten to where he was on his own power, but that others had helped him and when he succeeded, he pulled others with him.
Bishop Nichols was a man who was committed to his roots and a man who did not forget "From whence he had come." He was a man who honored his mother and father - he always remembered his parents and was committed to the family he "planted."
Another important attribute of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols was when he was "knocked down, he refused to stay down." And, when he returned, he returned stronger. He didn't remain bitter. He smiled and "kept on loving" the Church. And as a result, the Church loves him. Bishop Nichols, the oldest living bishop in Methodism and a man of God.
Dr. Jeanette T. Johns recently wrote, "As he approaches his 104th birthday, plans are considerably simpler. The Bishop is looking forward to dining with those who mean so much to him and support him in every possible way, taking care of his every need, including three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His daughter, Wardean Nichols Henry, who lives in close proximity to her father and sees him every day, says she will be the one to make his favorite chocolate layer cake and see that he has his favorite Haagen-Dazs Strawberry Ice Cream."
EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER NAMED "2004 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR":
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor of The Christian Recorder was recently honored by the Kappa Kappa Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Incorporated (Newport News / Hampton, Virginia) as the 2004 Citizen of the Year. Dr. Sydnor is a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
HOW TO EMAIL THE EDITOR:
chsydnor@bellsouth.net
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
