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. BREAKING NEWS:
Correction to earlier posting: The Strategic Planning Meeting will not meet this morning at the Marriott near the Nashville International Airport. Instead the Strategic Planning Meeting is scheduled, and will meet this morning at the Sheraton Music City Hotel near the Nashville International Airport. Restructuring is the agenda for the council. Want to see the thinking and recommendations on restructuring the boundaries of the Church – Come to Nashville or read The Christian Recorder Online.
2. THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS ANNOUNCES QUADRENNIAL THEME:
The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church announces the establishment of the Quadrennial Theme; an innovative approach to create a ministry resource to give focused spiritual direction to the connectional church. The theme will be inaugurated at the Bishop’s Council and General Board meeting in Dallas, Texas, June 27- 29, 2005, under the leadership of the Council of Bishops and Bishop Gregory Ingram, Host Bishop and incoming President, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President, Bishop Phillip R. Cousin, Senior Bishop and Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, President of the General Board.
This historic program to resource the pulpit and the pew will unify the AME Church’s focus on issues that can be stumbling blocks to living the abundant life. It will provide both the church and the academy an opportunity to provide material for busy pastors and lay members who hunger and thirst to drink deeply the things of God.
The Quadrennial Committee has been working since February to develop the resource materials. The committee includes Bishops Vashti M. McKenzie, President and Chair; Phillip R. Cousin, Senior Bishop, Gregory Ingram, incoming President, McKinley Young, C. Garnet Henning, T. Larry Kirkland, William P. DeVeaux, John Hurst Adams, Vinton R. Anderson and Frederick H. Talbot.
This year’s focus is “Living Well”. The Biblical foundation is “I’ve come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10) Topics covered through the 12 month period include:
- Relationship to God, Self and Others
- Health: Prevention, Fitness and Restoration
- Equipping, Enlightening and Engaging the Mind
- The Heart (Emotions), Family, Parenting and Community issues.
“Serving Well” is the focus for 2006-2007, concentrating on improving our Christian service. “Managing Well” is the focus for 2007 –2008 highlighting earning, spending and saving well and coming into the 48th Session of the General Conference is Finishing Well, for 2008 – 2009 where the focal point is planning ahead for retirement.
“The rich full, Christian life is one that exudes excellence and is not fractured into destructive divisiveness,” writes Senior Bishop Philip R. Cousin. “The Christian Living Well is one with a wholeness that undergirds excellence. Wholeness represents a unity of Spirit, mind and body which is necessary if life is to be lived to the fullest.”
“The Quadrennial Theme provides additional continuity to our worship, witness and work,” states Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie. “This is an opportunity to provide resources to our congregations that are relevant to lifestyle challenges.”
“Our members,” says Bishop McKenzie, “are seeking answers to questions such as: How do I live an abundant life in a hostile environment? How do I find the strength to raise my children alone? How do I keep from losing my mind in a crazy world? Where does the Hip-Hop generation fit in? What does the Bible say about developing good health habits? Are there other resources that will help me to live well everyday?”
The Council of Bishop is producing a resource book, “The Anvil.” It will contain Episcopal epistles, sermon resources, Bible Studies, liturgies, meditations and reflections upon the theme that may be used in local congregations written by the bishops and others.
Pastors are encouraged to have an annual Quadrennial Theme Sunday and incorporate the Sunday School curriculum, quarterly devotional and theme topics into the worship and study life of the local congregation. They may utilize the resource guide, poster and other materials to assist congregants and community members in seeking Biblical answers to everyday lifestyle challenges.
Dr. Johnny Barbour, Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union and Publisher for the AMEC encourages all AMEC publications to focus attention on Living Well.
The Christian Education Department, under the leadership of Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Darryl Ingram and Commission Chair, Bishop Robert V. Webster, is fleshing out the Quadrennial Theme in Sunday School literature beginning in June 2005. The Vacation Bible School curriculum will reflect the theme beginning in June 2007.
The Christian Recorder, edited by Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III and Commission Chairman Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram will carry a monthly column written by a member of the Council of Bishops under the title “Living Well Everyday.”
Director Dr. James C. Wade and Commission Chairman Bishop Preston Warren Williams will publish reflections on the Quadrennial theme in the Church Growth and Development Department’s publication, The Secret Chamber, beginning in July 2005.
The A.M.E. Church Review under the editorship of Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson and Commission Chairman Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram will also feature articles reflecting the quadrennial emphasis.
The AME family is encouraged to subscribe to these excellent resources that provide information, insight and instruction for the 21st century sons and daughters of God, the legacy of Bishop Richard Allen. The Anvil and other resource materials will be available at the site of the Bishop’s Council and General Board.
3. TURNER CONVEYS 25 DEGREES:
During the Forty-sixth Commencement Convocation of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Rev. Daniel W. Jacobs, Sr., D. D., President/Dean of Turner Theological Seminary hooded twenty-five men and women, who answered the call to “study to show thyself approved”. The Turner Class of 2005 is the epitome of the African Methodist Episcopal Church as its members are representative of the Connection, age spectrum, and ministerial calling. An Honorary Degree was conveyed upon the Right Reverend Phillip Robert Cousin, Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District during the celebration ceremony.
The Following persons fulfilled the requirements for the Master of Divinity with Episcopal District and concentration, awards and honors:
-David W. Arthur, 5th - Homiletics and Worship
-Theresa B. Bedford, 1st - Missiology, Evangelism and Ecumenism, with honor, The Samuel Hopkins Giles Award.
-Selena Clark, 1st Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care
-Johnnie L. Cook. 6th - Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, with honor
-Anton G. Elwood, 11th - Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care
-Douglas “Sinclair” Forbes. 11th - Theology
-Jacqueline L. Fullwood, 11th - New Testament, with honor, The Dean’s Award, The Brigg’s New Testament Award
-Lionel Jackson, 8th -Sociology of Religion, The Bishop John Hurst Adams Award
-Andrew K. King, 6th, The William A. Wilkes Memorial Award.
-Lisa P. Marshall, 2nd, Homiletics and Worship, The John A. Middleton Award
-Raymond E. Mays. 6th, The Bishop John Hurst Adams Award
-Donald L. Phillips, III, 4th, with honor, The James H. Clark Memorial Preaching Honor Award
-Linda A. Powell, 1st, Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, with honor, The
-Bishop William Alfred Fountain Sr. and William Alfred Fountain, Jr. for Academic Excellence Award
-S. Matthew Roberts, 6th, Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care
-Estella E. Shabazz, 6th, Theology, The Josephus R. Coan Award
-Samuel D. Siebo, 14th - Homiletics and Worship
-Avis L. Snearl, 6th
-Jeffery C. Thomas, 6th Theology
-Lairalaine White, 6th -Church Administration and Leadership, The Bishop Frederick H. Talbot Award
- Jimmie L. Williams, 11th -Theology
- Angela D. Wright. -Missiology, Evangelism, and Ecumenism
Fulfilling the requirements for the Master of Arts in Christian Education:
- Ronald Butler-9th
Fulfilling the requirements for the dual degree Master of Divinity/Master of Christian Education:
-Amanda L. Furbert-Kelley- 1st – Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, with honor, The Bishop Frank C. and Martha C. Cummings Award.
-Margaret J. Outerbridge - 1st –Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, with honor, The Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming Award
Fulfilling the Requirement for the Doctor of Ministry Degree
- Cassandra Mency Hill, 6th, with honor
Doctoral Project- “Spiritual Empowerment for Pragmatic Leadership in
In Pastoral Ministry: The Case for Equality of Clergywomen In the Atlanta/North Georgia Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church”
-Lena Flowerds, 6th, with honor
Doctoral Project- “Health Education In The Black Rural Church”
An Interdenominational Theological Center Certificate of Achievement was presented to Mrs. Gia Harrow, widow of Mandrall Harrow, a Turner student and native of the 6th Episcopal District who passed away earlier this semester. We salute these graduates and honorees that through their diligent study and sacrifice are now prepared to serve the needs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and this ever-changing world. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning always mindful that it is not the degrees you hold, but the works that you do that will always speak for you. Kudos!
Rev. Kecia A. Lewis
President
Turner Student Fellowship
4. THE 139TH SESSION OF THE VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The Virginia Annual Conference celebrated its 139th session May 2-7, 2005 at the new Hampton Roads Convention Center located in Hampton, Virginia under the anointed leadership of the Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson. Mrs. Connie Speights Richardson presided over the Women’s Missionary Society.
For weeks now AMEs in Virginia wondered if the convention center was going to be ready for the Annual Conference. The members of the conference expressed joy and praises to God that the Virginia Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first to hold a convention at this site. To God be the glory.
The conference activities began on Sunday night May 1, 2005 as the conference presented a reception for Bishop and Mrs. Richardson. The Rev. Franklin West, first lady Mrs. Marylene West and the fine members of Saint Paul AMEC of Newport News, Virginia and the Reverend André P. Jefferson and first lady Tracey Jefferson of Bethel AMEC Hampton, Virginia gave opening remarks and presented Bishop Richardson and Supervisor Richardson. The Episcopal team greeted us and we dined on scrumptious food and the soft music helped to provide the ingredients for a lovely reception.
On Monday May 2, 2005, the Conference Branch Women’s Missionary Society under the leadership of President Barbara Leseur opened its conference with its morning worship service. Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer preached a timely and “fiery” message and the Annual Night in White brought out Missionaries far and near, stepping and glowing in Jesus joy and the love of God and missions through Him.
The WMS election saw Mrs. Mary P. Vick elected as Conference Branch President. Sister Faye Wilson the Virginia Annual Conference YPD Director turned playwright demonstrated her skills through a skit filled with learning, humor and Christian principles. Supervisor Richardson gave closing remarks that were timely and inspirational.
The Women in Ministry annual meeting under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer convened Tuesday May 3, 2005 at Bethel AMEC, Hampton, Virginia. Their slate of events included spiritual renewal and workshops that included “how to minister to men” which, was informative and enlightening.
The official opening of the 139th Session of the Virginia Annual Conference convened at 7:00 pm at the Hampton Convention Center under the “God-fearing,” “people loving “ Bishop Adam J. Richardson and his queenly wife Connie Speights Richardson, supervisor of missions for the Second Episcopal district.
After songs of praises and greetings from state Senator Mamie Locke, Rev. Vernon Ricks preached the annual sermon, using as his text act. 27: ff, and his subject, “Take What You Got, And Come on In.”
Other sermons preached during the conference were the Rev. Dwight Riddick of Gethsemane Baptist Church of Newport News, Virginia, the ecumenical message, “Something Better,” text Acts 3:1-5; Presiding Elder emeritus Paul Adkins preached the Men’s Night Emmaus Walk sermon. His message, “Overcoming Obstacles,” text Luke 24:13; the Rev. James Beatty preached the noon day refresher sermon entitled, “A Permanent Solution to a Long Term Problem.” His text was taken from Mark 5:21-28. Rev Chester Morris’ Lay Night message was “Off the Chain” as he expounded on the topic, “A Knee Mail to God”, text Daniel 6:11-22. Retired Bishop Frederick Talbot preached the Service of Ordination. His subject was “Ministry The Jesus Way.” His text was taken from John 20:21, 22. The Commissioning Service message was delivered by our Bishop the Right Reverend Adam Jefferson Richardson. His message, “Why I Still Follow Jesus” text Luke 9:57-62. Bishop Richardson electrified the closing of this conference as he called the roll of our cloud of witnesses that have left us legacies and testimonies.
Indeed we were ready to “go preach the gospel”
New assignments were as follows:
Rev. Willie White---- St. Stephens, Cape Charles
Rev. Timothy Smith---- Greater St. Andrews, Virginia Beach.
Rev. Oretha Cross----Gaskins Chapel, Savageville, Va. (Eastern Shore)
Rev. Sherry Dobbins----Mt. Moriah, Surry
Rev. David Holiday---- Centerville Chapel, Chesapeake.
Rev. William Scott---Greater Bethel, Chesapeake
Rev. Gwendolyn Minor----Macedonia, Carrollton.
Rev. Monica Spencer-----Ebenezer, Richmond
This reporter can truly say, and I am sure others agree, “The best is yet to come.” We praise God for the AME Church and we look forward to another year of service to God. We will continue to support the church, our schools and of course, each other.
Submitted by Pastor Norman D. Vick
5. THE PENTECOST CELEBRATION IN TENNESSEE:
By Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come. . .”
The scene had been properly set.
The Spiritual Leader and Chief Pastor of the 13th Episcopal District, the Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, had issued the call to the during the 13th District’s Founder’s Day celebration in February to prepare itself for a burning of heaven’s fire. And so, under her leadership and directive, the 13th District’s School for the Prophets produced and published the District’s first ever “Cross to Pentecost” devotional. This guide, full of insight and instruction, was developed within the district to prepare the people of the district for the burning that was coming from heaven!
Bishop Vashti McKenzie sanctioned and commissioned the Tennessee Pentecost Revival Committee of the Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield (Pastor, St. John, Nashville); the Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr. (Pastor, St. James, Memphis); the Rev. James Walker (Pastor, St. Paul, Columbia); and the Rev. Charlene Boone (Pastor, Warren Chapel, Chattanooga); and the Rev. Deborah Dennie to go ahead of the District and make the preparations for the appointed hour. The place selected for this great move of God was the newly established Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church founded and pastored by the Rev. Roderick D. Belin under the District Leadership of Presiding Elder Troy Merritt, Jr.
The outpouring upon the 13th District had already begun in Lexington, KY at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church pastored by the Rev. Dr. E. Holmes Matthews. And what a mighty outpouring it was! But the culmination of the 13th Episcopal District’s blessing would manifest itself on May 14, 2005 at 1:30 pm at the Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN.
“. . .they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven. . .”
AME’s from all over the state of Tennessee came together in Kairos Community Church, in a spirit of great anticipation and expectation, to gather and place the wood and the fuel for the impending inferno of Pentecost.
The St. Andrews AME Church Praise Singers of Memphis, TN (pastored by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson) brought fuel for the fire by ushering the worshippers through praise into the presence of God. The worship leader, the Rev. James Walker (Pastor, St. Paul, Columbia) brought fuel for the fire by lifting the consciousness of every believer in the house to openly acknowledge the worthiness of our God. The Rev. David Strong (Pastor, St. Paul, Chattanooga) with the opening hymn, the Rev. Charlene Boone (Pastor, Warren Chapel, Chattanooga) through fervent prayer, and the Reverend Jimmie Plummer (Pastor, St. Luke, Gallatin) and the Rev. Lisa Hammond (Pastor, Hopewell, Columbia) through the Scripture brought fuel for the fire, reminding us that “in Him, we live, and move, and have our being.” The Tennessee Revival Choir comprised of members of the Tennessee, East Tennessee, and West Tennessee Conference Choirs and under the direction of Mr. Sam Robinson (Greater Bethel, Nashville), brought fuel for the fire by soaking the room with highly combustible songs of worship, praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and joy!
As the hour drew near, Presiding Elder Robert E. Keesee of the North Nashville District presented the Episcopal Leader, The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Bishop McKenzie reminded us of our journey together from The Cross to Pentecost. She challenged us to prepare ourselves now for a spectacular move of God. Bishop McKenzie brought her own fuel for the fire by way of introducing the preacher for the hour, the Rev. Dr. Walter Malone, Jr.
Dr. Malone (the prolific, profound, and prophetic Pastor of the 4000+ member Canaan Christian Church of Louisville, KY and a product of St. John AME Church, Nashville, TN) brought fuel for the fire as he preached from Genesis 39 on the subject: “Favor Ain’t Fair.” He reminded Christians that, like Joseph and the Virgin Mary, we are blessed and highly favored. And many will try to throw our lives into disarray and darkness because of our God-granted favor. But the good news to us is that God (often) does His best work in our lives during our darkest hours. Favor Ain’t Fair!
More fuel was added for the fire during the invitation to Christian discipleship. Bishop McKenzie and Dr. Malone were moved of the Spirit to lay hands on and pray for every minister gathered in the house. And then. . .
“. . .there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
With all of the fuel and wood gathered in Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church on that afternoon, the Holy Ghost came and set that house ablaze—AND GREAT WAS THE FIRE! The anointing of the Holy Ghost fell fresh into that house and completely engulfed every soul in the inferno of the Glory of the Living God!
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie’s theme and mandate for this Pentecost Revival was “Set The House on Fire”—and indeed THE HOUSE DID BURN!
6. AME MEMBER AT SHORTER CHAPEL, DENVER HAD BOOK; I TOLD THE MOUNTAIN TO MOVE RELEASED MONTH:
I'm on the journalism faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder. As an African American and a member of the African Methodist .Episcopal Church, I'm writing to let you know that my new book, I Told the Mountain to Move, was released this month from Tyndale House and SaltRiver Books to outstanding reviews.
Publishers Weekly: “glorious…a powerful and personal book about prayer.” CBA Marketplace: “vibrant, eloquent prose.” Philip Yancey: “raw…and comfortingly real.” FaithfulReader.com: “a real gem…fluid and substantial. Strips away our often-childish notions about what prayer is and makes it something vital and, while not easy, possible.”
Or as one reader told Donna Britt of The Washington Post: “It was like salve on an open wound.”
With its release to such strong reviews, I am writing to ask if you would consider reprinting the attached press release in The Christian Recorder. My prayer is to share this book and its message with as many as possible, especially in the A.M.E. connection.
At Shorter A.M.E. Church, my home church in Denver, church members are calling me, e-mailing me, stopping me after service, often tearfully, to say how this book is impacting their lives. Tavis Smiley's producer invited me on his show -- my interview with Tavis Smiley aired last night, Thursday, May 19 on PBS -- after reading the book. It was featured two weeks ago on the DayStar Broadcasting Network's home page. The Moody Radio Network scheduled me for an interview on its nationally syndicated program, "Midday Connection" in late May.
I know you have more important things to do than think about authors and books. But I hope you will consider sharing information that will get this book into more A.M.E. hands. Just a word from you would make a difference. Thank God, indeed, for moving our mountains! Thank you for your kind and prayerful consideration. If you need a jpeg of the book jacket or an author photo, I can provide that, as well.
With gratitude and love,
Patricia Raybon
Contact: Kelly Hughes, (312) 280-8126, kelly@dechanthughes.com
“Raybon offers readers hope and empathy…she understands more fully what God’s command to love one another really means. This is a powerful and personal book about prayer.” – Publishers Weekly
Journalist Learns Prayer Can Move Mountains
Patricia Raybon’s award-winning writing life didn’t follow her home. Instead, she faced a mountain of discord: a strained 25-year marriage, conflict with two grown daughters, an unsettling alienation from her aging mother and a troubling distance from a silent God. Beset by such family and spiritual struggles, the author and journalist decided to enroll in her own personal school of prayer. Her new book, I Told the Mountain to Move (SaltRiver, an imprint of Tyndale House, $19.99, April 2005) chronicles a life-changing education that takes her from the rote prayers of childhood to a mature understanding of her faith.
Her husband’s sudden illness was the catalyst for Raybon’s quest, but it was just one of several trials she faced. Others included her youngest daughter’s conversion to Islam and the burden of secrets from her own past. Somehow, she says, this “scratched-up, middle-of-the-road Christian dug up enough common sense to call on God,” and embarked on a course of radical transformation.
For that’s the essence of prayer: it’s about getting changed. Being a “good person” – sending thank-you notes, driving the speed limit, attending church – isn’t enough. “God, it turns out, wanted me to be transformed,” Raybon says. And while she longed for such change, she knew that renewal comes only through work and sacrifice: “This was hard gospel. The gospel of trials.”
Raybon, 55, the daughter of devout Christians who raised her in a vibrant African-American church, had been going through the motions for years. Her prayers met with silence: “God was my Deus Absconditus – the God who is hidden,” she writes, “cold and distance, and as soundless as the grave.”
So Raybon vowed to learn to pray. But “what did I know of the secrets of prayer?” she says. A former reporter, she was now a journalism professor at a state university, “where the idea of praying to an unseen God could get me laughed off campus, if not out of a job.”
But a journalist’s instinct is to find answers. So Raybon started studying. She sought out teachers among classic and contemporary Christian thinkers, including Quaker theologian Richard Foster, evangelist R. A. Torrey and South African “prayer warrior” Andrew Murray. While their wisdom guided her, it was the experience of prayer, and the relationship it builds with God, that changed her.
Spiritual renewal is most evident in those moments when one might respond with anger, judgment or impatience – and instead responds with love. So while Raybon was confounded when her daughter left the family’s Christian faith for Islam, Raybon’s prayers led her to offer love-talk rather than arguments. “I couldn’t win Alana back by arguing,” she writes. “But I could live like a Christian. So I loved my daughter, hijab and all.”
In I Told the Mountain to Move, Raybon offers 24 prayer lessons, such as “Tell the Hard Truth” and “Serve With Love,” that trace her journey and her transformation. “I started out frightened and resentful, unloving and unsure,” Raybon writes. “I wanted God to change these hard things for me. But God was changing me.”
I Told the Mountain to Move
By Patricia Raybon
SaltRiver, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers
$19.99 hardcover
ISBN: 0-8423-8797-8
PUB DATE: MARCH 2005
Patricia Raybon is the author of the critically acclaimed My First White Friend, which won a Christopher Award for “artistic excellence affirming the highest values of the human spirit.”
An associate professor of journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Raybon began her career as a city desk reporter at The Denver Post and won national awards for feature writing as a feature reporter at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver. She has been published in USA Today, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek and several other newspapers and magazines. Patricia's essays have aired on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition and she has been a guest on national and local television and shows including NBC's “Today.”
Patricia and her husband, J. Daniel, have two grown daughters, one son-in-law and two grandchildren. They live in Colorado.
- Patricia Raybon on Attending “God’s School of Prayer”
Adapted from I Told the Mountain to Move
(SaltRiver, an imprint of Tyndale House, $19.99, April 2005)
Afraid of Hanging Around God
I was afraid of what hanging around God could do to a person. I was afraid I might grow up to become of the stewardesses at Cleaves Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Denver. The worst part was the hollering and running up and down the front of the church: “Jesus! Jesus! Oh Thank You Jesus!” They were like women possessed. The last thing I wanted to do was to grow up and be possessed by God. If possession is nine-tenths of the law – or whatever the legal fraction is supposed to be – I knew I’d never surrender myself to a God who would steal my self-control.
A Novice at Prayer
I was a beginning at knowing God – and at praying. Even after fifty years of going Sunday after Sunday to church. Even after all of that – after singing in the choir and hearing the gospel music and basking in the good, preached word of God.
Talking to God
God was talking. God’s Spirit was talking to my spirit and I recognized the voice. Not an out loud voice, of course. But I could the words in my head – or in my heart? As if they were spoken aloud. That is, my spirit could hear the words: “Stop crying. Start praying.”
Forgiveness
My parents never once said, “We told you so” (when Patricia returned home after an early disastrous marriage). They just put up a crib in my old bedroom, bought baby food and diapers and toys. Then my daddy spoke the words that would forever change my life. “You need to open your Bible.” The words of my recovery had been underlined by my father – years and years before – with his black ink pen. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer Circle Miracles
The prayer circle began to report back: “I’ve been so blessed by praying for Dan, I can’t explain it.” It seemed miraculous; then it seemed crazy. How could I, a rundown Christian – with just a few weeks given to the study of prayer and a lifetime record of unanswered prayer, inspire this?
When a Black Woman Listens to Vikki Carr
In the car, I traded my beloved NPR for an easy-listening station in Denver called KEZW. Holy Ghost music? Had to be. When a black woman listens to Vikki Carr and Englebert Humperdinck the only way to explain it is the Holy Ghost. So I was either crazy or sanctified, but mostly I had joy, and it didn't make any sense. And for the record, Vikki rocks.
I was a Lousy Christian Mother
Not all the time, of course. But on a certain level, yes, it was true. I was casual with the faith. I acted holy in church and hellish at home, bullying my girls, ignoring my husband, and dismissing his concerns, holding back love, condemning, belittling, impatient.
Wounded Black Woman
Scars linger in wounded people. So I doubted myself as an African American woman: I wasn’t truly lovable, was I? Do black women anywhere have a clear answer to this question? Are women – of any color – ever convinced that they are lovable? I still wanted to ask my husband, Dan, can even a black man love a black woman? I couldn’t ask it that way, of course. So I sat in my husband’s hospital room and said, “You’re squeezing me out.”
Two American Families
Protestant and Catholic, black and white and Latino, and their two Muslim offspring – found a way to have Thanksgiving dinner and nobody choked. In fact, we rose above ourselves. That’s how you do it.
Superstition or Good Medicine?
For people who don’t pray – who think the spiritual life is so much superstitious mumbling; who think God-fearing people are intellectual weaklings whose trust in the unseen is silly – a fervent prayer must look naïve and hopeless. But to a nurse – who knows when doctors have done all they know, and who has seen what God does when people pray – the spiritual life is fresh hope, and more than that, good medicine.
Learning to Love God First
But God understood what I didn’t: that God was my first love. Not Dan. What a crazy thing. Without loving God most, without giving myself first to God, I couldn’t love well or forgive right. Not my good but distant parents. Not my husband’s miscues. Not even myself. My prayer life depended on it.
Holy Ghost Sight
Without this supernatural vision – Holy Ghost sight – we can’t pray right. We can’t love right. Or discern right or serve right or preach right of teach right. We can’t live right. Absolutely, we can’t live with each other right. Moreover, we miss our calling in life without the Holy Spirit’s revealing and leading. The Holy Spirit is the key.
Early Praise For I Told The Mountain To Move”
"Other books on prayer give "how-to" advice. Patricia Raybon takes a different, and much more daring, approach. She embeds prayer in real life: surgery, family conflict, anger, prodigal children, race, memory. The result is raw—and for that reason, comfortingly real."
—Philip Yancey
“A real gem...both fluid and substantial. Strips away our often-childish notions about what prayer is and makes it something vital and, while not easy, possible.”
— FaithfulReader.Com
“Patricia Raybon’s memoir of learning to pray is wonderfully written...On her journey, Patricia discovers how her love for Jesus does not separate her from people of other faiths, but deepens her respect for them. Her story integrates prayer into every aspect of living. In fact, Patricia Raybon’s school of prayer is life itself.”
—Reverend Jane E. Vennard, Adjunct faculty, Iliff School of Theology; spiritual director; retreat leader
“Glorious…Raybon can tell a story to be sure…This is a powerful and personal book about prayer.” — Publishers Weekly
“Patricia's powerful, personal story becomes our own as we recognize similarities in our families, marriage, and life. Just as powerfully, her lessons about prayer become our own as we follow her journey closer to Jesus.” —Carol Kuykendall
Director of Leadership Development, MOPS International Author of three books and co-author of five books on family, mothering, marriage, and life transitions.
“Patricia Raybon has written a beautiful book with a beautiful message. She tells her story honestly, bravely, and with a good dose of humor. A very satisfying and illuminating book!” —Carleen Brice, Editor, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number: Black Women Explore Midlife
“With clarity of purpose, Pat, exposes her inner self and the challenges of her life. She brings the reader in child-like faith to trust more, love more, and wondrously develop the delightful experience of being able to listen and talk to God.” —The Reverend Lonzie Symonette Hospice Chaplain, Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains, Adjunct Professor Fuller Colorado Theological Seminary Assistant Minister, Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
“Patricia Raybon has written a power-filled yet gentle book about her journey to spiritual maturity. She allows the reader to overhear, envision, and identify with her deeply personal experiences and faith development. Her mantra of “God is bigger” permeates the prayer lessons she examines in the sweeping pages of this text. The creative vulnerability of her writing establishes her as one of the cutting edge voices in of spirituality.” —Teresa L. Fry Brown, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Author of “Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women Preaching God's Words” and “God Don't Like Ugly: African American Women Handing on God's Word”
“I Told the Mountain to Move has the unique quality of exposing the author’s journey toward understanding the heights and passion of communicating with God. Readers who are deliberately seeking the same will be drawn by Raybon’s words, wishing they could read them all at one sitting, but being wise to savor them.”
— Christian Retailing Magazine
Editors Note: Looks like a great book! There were many issues addressed that even I, as a man, could identify with.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
