THE REVEREND DR. JOE DARBY RESPONDS TO THE EDITOR'S COMMENTS REGARDING THE MINISTERIAL TITLE OF, "THE VERY REVEREND":
I was catching on up my e-mail and saw your note about some AME clergy calling themselves "The Very Reverend." That raises a simple question - if those of us in ministry are called "Reverend" when ordained as Deacons, and are called "Right Reverend" when elected and consecrated Bishops, then what is the rite of ordination or consecration, or the ritual or rule of elevation in the AME Church that allows us to be called "Very Reverend?!?"
If it's in the Doctrine and Discipline, I guess I missed it! I suppose the question brings the traditionalist curmudgeon in me out - I still cringe when I choose to call myself "Senior Pastor" since regardless of the size of our churches, there is only one assigned pastor! That's why Morris Brown in Charleston, South Carlina has no "Assistant" or "Associate" Pastors - only members of the clergy staff.
Rather than borrowing from other traditions to sound and look "holy," we might do well to simply do and be what AME's are supposed to do and be in an efficient, effective and Spirit-led manner. In doing so, we'd be walking faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus. When someone was trying to curry Jesus' favor in Matthew 19:16-17 (KJV) by calling Him "good master," His response was, "Why to you call me good? Only God is good."
(Submitted by the Reverend Dr. Joe Darby)
THE A.M.E. CHURCH REVIEW SHOULD BE READ BY EVERY CLERGY PERSON IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND BY EVERY LAYPERSON WHO IS SERIOUS ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Yesterday, I stopped by the office of the Reverend Dr. Dennis Dickerson, the Editor-Publisher, Historiographer and Executive Director, Department of Research and Scholarship. He handed me the current issue of The A.M.E. Church Review and I perused through it while we chatted. Every now and then I would interrupt him to share some tidbit of new information that I was picking up while perusing through "The Review." Each time I interrupted, I felt slightly ashamed of my bad manners because I thought that Dr. Dickerson must have felt that I was not paying full attention to our conversation because I know that interjecting unrelated issues in a conversation is bad manners.
Well, I kept on doing it because I was amazed at all of the great information that was in our A.M.E. periodical! I finally said to Dr. Dickerson, "All of our preachers should be reading The Review; this is great stuff!" And then he told me that The Review had less than 4000 subscriptions and that a lot of our pastors have not subscribed to The A.M.E. Church Review; and very few laypersons are subscribed to it. That should not be the case. In my opinion, The A.M.E. Church Review is the best denominational periodical that I have ever read.
I want to share with you some of the things that I perused as I scanned and am now reading The A.M.E. Church Review. Dr. Dickerson has put in a biographical profile of all of the newly elected bishops. All of them were successful pastors and all of them are seminary graduates; six of them have earned doctorates.
Some AME Church trivia picked up perusing The Review: We have had 5 bishops born in Africa; 4 bishops born in Mississippi; 8 bishops born in Alabama; 11 bishops born in Florida; and 2 bishops born in Texas. I wonder how many bishops were born in South Carolina? I learned from reading this edition of The Review that at least one bishop, John Mifflin Brown, was born in Delaware.
There are a number of great articles in theology, history, and from the contemporary perspective that could give foundation and relevance to our preaching and teaching. Of particular note to me is the article written by the late Eugene C. Hatcher. When I thought of Bishop Hatcher, I thought about a great preacher and the hymn, "The Storm is Passing Over." I did not realize that he was a scholar. If you read his article entitled, "Peter," you will be blessed. He was a scholar and theologian in addition to being a great preacher.
In the area of Biblical Studies, the late Bishop R.R. Wright, scholar - theologian, authored an exhaustive work entitled, "Jesus." He breaks down the titles, Son of David, the Christ, Son of Man, Son of God; and writes about Jesus' mission, death and the Second Coming. You want some "meat" for a sermon, Hatcher and Wright has it packed in their articles. They were "prime-time" bishops.
There are three great sermons by Bishops Belin, Kirkland and Adams. As I read those sermons, I began to experience some ambivalence for I thought, "If every AME preacher subscribed to The Review and read these sermons, then it would make it more difficult for those of us who read The Review to rework, tweak and preach some of the thoughts in these sermons.
Ever hear of Bishop John Mifflin Brown? I am sure that I have seen his name on the Quadrennial calendars with the pictures and names of our bishops, but I never paid attention to the name, John Mifflin Brown. I thought that every Brown Chapel AME Church in America was named after Bishop Morris Brown. And surely I thought that Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama was named after Morris Brown, but it wasn't. It was named after Bishop John Mifflin Brown, who was born in Delaware. Dr. Eldridge R. Ryan has penned and informative and an enlightening article about Bishop John Mifflin Brown. With February and Founder's Day approaching, the material in The A.M.E. Church Review would be a great resource of information. If you have not subscribed, I would suggest you do so.
Articles written by Bishops William DeVeaux, Preston W. Williams II and the other authors in the current issue of The A.M.E. Church Review offer a "banquet" of relevant articles that should be of interest to AMEs all over the world.
The Bookshelf gives us options of books that we might, and should, want to read. I got a sense that the Holy Spirit's was working in all of this as a read the book review of Reginald F. Hildebrand of Jeanette T. Johns' book, The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A couple of days ago I wrote about what that book and the life of Bishop Nichols meant to me and I did not know that the current issue of The A.M.E. Church Review was going to be dealing with Jeanette Johns' book on Bishop Nichols.
I am closing with the thought that every pastor and serious laypersons should subscribe to and should read The A.M.E. Church Review. Come to think about it, every applicant for ministry should be required to subscribe to, The A.M.E. Church Review! To do so just drop Dr. Dennis Dickerson a note: Whhbutler@cs.com or call his office: 615.248-0905.
And, to carry it further, we, AMEs should be subscribed to all of our periodicals. Our periodicals are ours and no one will tell our story better than we, ourselves, can tell it!
Please do not let it be said of us as A.M.E. pastors, "Put it in The A.M.E. Church Review (or our other A.M.E. periodical) and they will never see it."
I certainly hope, in addition to the Bible, pastors are reading other books. For preaching and counseling to be relevant, pastors must be well-rounded and well-read!
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
12/30/2004
12/29/2004
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (12/29/04)
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
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
12/28/2004
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (12/28/04)
1. A QUESTION FROM THE EDITOR:
A "traditional" benediction or ending of a benediction that we hear in many churches ends like this:
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now, henceforth and forevermore. AMEN"
My question? I looked up the word, "henceforth" and it is defined in The American Heritage College Dictionary as follows: "From this time forth." It appears to me that the benediction as stated above is redundant. One might simply choose to say,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now and forevermore. AMEN," or,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, henceforth AMEN"
Just a question!
And to underscore my question, I looked up the term, "hence," which means, "From this time; from now" and "From this life."
2. RETIRED AME BISHOP SERVED AS GUEST LEADER FOR STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS:
The Rector, Senior Warden, Vestry, and the leadership of Holy Timothy Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee have invited the Right Reverend Frederick Hilborn Talbot, D. Min. and retired Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to serve as the guest leader for its Stewardship Emphasis campaign that was held in December 2004.
Bishop Talbot addressed the parish leadership of St. Timothy on the biblical and spiritual dimensions of financial stewardship with an emphasis on tithing and percentage giving. Bishop Talbot's challenging stewardship presentations and inspiring messages were well received by parish leadership and members of St. Timothy.
Conservation Sunday is an annual event and Bishop Talbot spoke at both the 8 a.m. and the 11 a.m. Eucharistic Services, at which time the members were presented with their pledge cards.
3. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Subject: The Rev. George Thomas
Date: 12/27/2004 8:59:38 PM
From: jrturnerjerry@hotmail.com
It is with sadness that we announce the home going of the Reverend George Thomas, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Madison, WI. Rev. Thomas passed away yesterday (12/27/04).
Funeral Arrangements are pending
"Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal"
St. Paul AME Church
4525 Diamond Drive
Madison, WI 53714
608-242-9728
Mrs. Shirley Thomas, First Lady
Rev. Louis Toney, Presiding Elder
Mrs. Karen Norris, Fourth Episcopal District Minister Spouses President
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Prelate
Please remember the family in your prayers.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.com/
A "traditional" benediction or ending of a benediction that we hear in many churches ends like this:
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now, henceforth and forevermore. AMEN"
My question? I looked up the word, "henceforth" and it is defined in The American Heritage College Dictionary as follows: "From this time forth." It appears to me that the benediction as stated above is redundant. One might simply choose to say,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now and forevermore. AMEN," or,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, henceforth AMEN"
Just a question!
And to underscore my question, I looked up the term, "hence," which means, "From this time; from now" and "From this life."
2. RETIRED AME BISHOP SERVED AS GUEST LEADER FOR STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS:
The Rector, Senior Warden, Vestry, and the leadership of Holy Timothy Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee have invited the Right Reverend Frederick Hilborn Talbot, D. Min. and retired Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to serve as the guest leader for its Stewardship Emphasis campaign that was held in December 2004.
Bishop Talbot addressed the parish leadership of St. Timothy on the biblical and spiritual dimensions of financial stewardship with an emphasis on tithing and percentage giving. Bishop Talbot's challenging stewardship presentations and inspiring messages were well received by parish leadership and members of St. Timothy.
Conservation Sunday is an annual event and Bishop Talbot spoke at both the 8 a.m. and the 11 a.m. Eucharistic Services, at which time the members were presented with their pledge cards.
3. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Subject: The Rev. George Thomas
Date: 12/27/2004 8:59:38 PM
From: jrturnerjerry@hotmail.com
It is with sadness that we announce the home going of the Reverend George Thomas, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Madison, WI. Rev. Thomas passed away yesterday (12/27/04).
Funeral Arrangements are pending
"Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal"
St. Paul AME Church
4525 Diamond Drive
Madison, WI 53714
608-242-9728
Mrs. Shirley Thomas, First Lady
Rev. Louis Toney, Presiding Elder
Mrs. Karen Norris, Fourth Episcopal District Minister Spouses President
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Prelate
Please remember the family in your prayers.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.com/
12/27/2004
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (12/28/04)
QUESTION:
What are we going to do with the issues raised by Bishop Philip R. Cousin and the responses by the Reverend Dr. Floyd Alexander and Brother Jesse Burns at the General Board Meeting earlier this month? The issues were identified in The Christian Recorder Online and in the hard-copy Christian Recorder.
1. NOTES FROM THE EDITOR:
I have read several great books and looked at an exciting video over the Christmas holidays that I would like to recommend.
The first book that I read was From Boy Preacher to Serving God & Humanity "A Legacy of 77 Years," an autobiographical work done by the Reverend O'Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. It's a great book with a lot of AME history. It is easy reading, but has a lot inspirational moments and would be an encouragement for ministry. Every preacher should read this book
The Reverend C.E. Jenkins, retired presiding elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference has written several books that are on my reading list. Reverend Brown and Reverend Jenkins have told their stories and others of us need to tell our stories.
The second book that I read was The Christian Recorder, A.M.E. Church, 1854-1902 authored by Gilbert Anthony Williams. His book was so good that I tried to locate him, only to find out that he is deceased.
As the Editor of The Christian Recorder, I felt that this book was a must-read for me. This book is packed with history and it has inspired me to write some future articles on Richard Allen, Henry McNeil Turner and Daniel Payne. They were ahead of their times! I am also encouraged to write future articles in The Christian Recorder about our retired and active bishops. As an aside, immediately after the General Conference, I read the book about Bishop Nichols (I can't remember the title and I haven't unpacked all of my books) - absolutely a great read for African Methodists! We are a great Church!
I am also encouraged to write about "Endowment Day - a day that was held on the third Sunday in September to raise money for educational purposes of the AME Church" (Williams). In 1885, the AME Church raised $11,000 on Endowment Day for support of our AME schools. We had to support our own educational institutions because the AME Church rejected the "industrial education" model espoused by Booker T. Washington and as a result most of the philanthropic organizations did not support the educational institutions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We had to "go it alone."
If we had a grass roots Holy Ghost-filled "Endowment Day - 2004," I suspect that we could pay Morris Brown College out of debt and have some money left over. "Without faith, it is impossible..."
Anyway, the third learning was a video tape that I purchased at the General Board / Bishops' Council Meeting that was held in Nashville earlier this month entitled, Africa in the Holy Land. Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, and Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is the Executive Producer-Writer of "Africa in the Holy Land." Dr. Matabane did a wonderful job. It's a first-class video!
In my opinion, every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church should view this video. It puts the Bible and the holy land in theological and racial perspective.
The forth blessing that I received over the Christmas holidays was finding my copy of the Encyclopaedia of African 1948 compiled by Bishop R.R. Wright. I have not seen it in a number of years. I thought that I had lent it to the late Reverend Dr. Andrew White and that he had not returned it (Please forgive me, Dr. White for thinking that you had my book). I had it packed away in a safe place - so safe that I couldn't find it.
And, no, none of you can borrow it. It is such a great work and my bet is that a lot of our clergy and laity have not ever seen the great work of Bishop R.R. Wright.
So, I am having a great Christmas vacation! I have enjoyed reading the books and viewing that outstanding video produced by Dr. Paula Matabane.
P.S. - I still have some articles that some of you gave me for publication. I am working on those now.
2. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SMINARY - "A HEALING IN THE HEARTLAND," SUBMITTED BY STEPHANIE AND ERIC STRADFORD:
Wilberforce, OH, November 8, 2004 -- Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the first woman in a long line of healers at Payne Theological Seminary. Her inauguration, this week, distinguishes The Reverend Dr. Fitchue as the first African American woman to preside at an accredited seminary in America. The timing could not have been better. In the aftermath of a highly competitive presidential election, African Americans here in the heartland must now stand as healers for the nation. The Daniel Payne Legacy must now serve as an incubator for relevant ministry at a time characterized as, "Karos" by today's theologians. Dr. Fitchue stands on a legacy of theological giants in response to a call for promoting inclusively in America. Fitchue admitted, "I believe that God has blessed me to see the big picture. At the same time, He anointed and appointed gifts and talents here that can make things happen. Already, Fitchue has taken steps to enhance connectivity between Payne Theology and communities in need of relevant ministry. A new wireless computer network on campus was a necessary first step in engaging students, faculty and administration in advancing the institution. Effective and appropriate use of the technology by alumni, faculty, and students here will ultimately enhance access between Payne and the endless resources available through the body of believers in Jesus Christ. The Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley, Pastor, Mt. Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH, preached an "on time" pre-inaugural sermon that may offer prophetic insight to conditions experienced by Blacks in America. He described a contrast between the Greek words of "Chronos" and "Karos." "Chronos," from the word chronology, represents the "tick-tock" of time itself moving forward, minute after minute, day after day… "In contrast, "Karos" is crucial time, time that requires us to "Seize the Moment" for a breakthrough from God. Crucial time is God's time--the right time," he said…
(Read the rest of the article in The Christian Recorder - Subscribe to The Christian Recorder)
3. THE CALL TO WORSHIP IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS BASED UPON SCRIPTURE:
We recite the Call to Worship in most African Methodist Episcopal Churches each Sunday, but I wonder how many of our worshippers know that the AME Call to Worship is scriptural. I have appended the scriptural references to the Call of Worship.
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
(Submitted by the Editor)
4. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE RICHARD ALLEN YOUTH COUNCIL:
The web site of the Richard Allen Youth Council: www.rayac.org
5. A GREAT BIBLICAL WEBSITE:
http://bible.gospelcom.net/
What are we going to do with the issues raised by Bishop Philip R. Cousin and the responses by the Reverend Dr. Floyd Alexander and Brother Jesse Burns at the General Board Meeting earlier this month? The issues were identified in The Christian Recorder Online and in the hard-copy Christian Recorder.
1. NOTES FROM THE EDITOR:
I have read several great books and looked at an exciting video over the Christmas holidays that I would like to recommend.
The first book that I read was From Boy Preacher to Serving God & Humanity "A Legacy of 77 Years," an autobiographical work done by the Reverend O'Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. It's a great book with a lot of AME history. It is easy reading, but has a lot inspirational moments and would be an encouragement for ministry. Every preacher should read this book
The Reverend C.E. Jenkins, retired presiding elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference has written several books that are on my reading list. Reverend Brown and Reverend Jenkins have told their stories and others of us need to tell our stories.
The second book that I read was The Christian Recorder, A.M.E. Church, 1854-1902 authored by Gilbert Anthony Williams. His book was so good that I tried to locate him, only to find out that he is deceased.
As the Editor of The Christian Recorder, I felt that this book was a must-read for me. This book is packed with history and it has inspired me to write some future articles on Richard Allen, Henry McNeil Turner and Daniel Payne. They were ahead of their times! I am also encouraged to write future articles in The Christian Recorder about our retired and active bishops. As an aside, immediately after the General Conference, I read the book about Bishop Nichols (I can't remember the title and I haven't unpacked all of my books) - absolutely a great read for African Methodists! We are a great Church!
I am also encouraged to write about "Endowment Day - a day that was held on the third Sunday in September to raise money for educational purposes of the AME Church" (Williams). In 1885, the AME Church raised $11,000 on Endowment Day for support of our AME schools. We had to support our own educational institutions because the AME Church rejected the "industrial education" model espoused by Booker T. Washington and as a result most of the philanthropic organizations did not support the educational institutions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We had to "go it alone."
If we had a grass roots Holy Ghost-filled "Endowment Day - 2004," I suspect that we could pay Morris Brown College out of debt and have some money left over. "Without faith, it is impossible..."
Anyway, the third learning was a video tape that I purchased at the General Board / Bishops' Council Meeting that was held in Nashville earlier this month entitled, Africa in the Holy Land. Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, and Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is the Executive Producer-Writer of "Africa in the Holy Land." Dr. Matabane did a wonderful job. It's a first-class video!
In my opinion, every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church should view this video. It puts the Bible and the holy land in theological and racial perspective.
The forth blessing that I received over the Christmas holidays was finding my copy of the Encyclopaedia of African 1948 compiled by Bishop R.R. Wright. I have not seen it in a number of years. I thought that I had lent it to the late Reverend Dr. Andrew White and that he had not returned it (Please forgive me, Dr. White for thinking that you had my book). I had it packed away in a safe place - so safe that I couldn't find it.
And, no, none of you can borrow it. It is such a great work and my bet is that a lot of our clergy and laity have not ever seen the great work of Bishop R.R. Wright.
So, I am having a great Christmas vacation! I have enjoyed reading the books and viewing that outstanding video produced by Dr. Paula Matabane.
P.S. - I still have some articles that some of you gave me for publication. I am working on those now.
2. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SMINARY - "A HEALING IN THE HEARTLAND," SUBMITTED BY STEPHANIE AND ERIC STRADFORD:
Wilberforce, OH, November 8, 2004 -- Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the first woman in a long line of healers at Payne Theological Seminary. Her inauguration, this week, distinguishes The Reverend Dr. Fitchue as the first African American woman to preside at an accredited seminary in America. The timing could not have been better. In the aftermath of a highly competitive presidential election, African Americans here in the heartland must now stand as healers for the nation. The Daniel Payne Legacy must now serve as an incubator for relevant ministry at a time characterized as, "Karos" by today's theologians. Dr. Fitchue stands on a legacy of theological giants in response to a call for promoting inclusively in America. Fitchue admitted, "I believe that God has blessed me to see the big picture. At the same time, He anointed and appointed gifts and talents here that can make things happen. Already, Fitchue has taken steps to enhance connectivity between Payne Theology and communities in need of relevant ministry. A new wireless computer network on campus was a necessary first step in engaging students, faculty and administration in advancing the institution. Effective and appropriate use of the technology by alumni, faculty, and students here will ultimately enhance access between Payne and the endless resources available through the body of believers in Jesus Christ. The Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley, Pastor, Mt. Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH, preached an "on time" pre-inaugural sermon that may offer prophetic insight to conditions experienced by Blacks in America. He described a contrast between the Greek words of "Chronos" and "Karos." "Chronos," from the word chronology, represents the "tick-tock" of time itself moving forward, minute after minute, day after day… "In contrast, "Karos" is crucial time, time that requires us to "Seize the Moment" for a breakthrough from God. Crucial time is God's time--the right time," he said…
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3. THE CALL TO WORSHIP IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS BASED UPON SCRIPTURE:
We recite the Call to Worship in most African Methodist Episcopal Churches each Sunday, but I wonder how many of our worshippers know that the AME Call to Worship is scriptural. I have appended the scriptural references to the Call of Worship.
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
(Submitted by the Editor)
4. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE RICHARD ALLEN YOUTH COUNCIL:
The web site of the Richard Allen Youth Council: www.rayac.org
5. A GREAT BIBLICAL WEBSITE:
http://bible.gospelcom.net/