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. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
- The Christian Recorder Online
- If you wish to subscribe to The Christian Recorder Online, go to http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/
- If you wish to look at previous issues of The Christian Recorder Online, go to: http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/tcr-online/
- The President of Paul Quinn College resigns
The President of Paul Quinn College, since 2002, Dr. Dwight Fennell recently resigned with the effective date of July 15. According to media reports, Dr. Fennell did not specify the reason for his resignation. He cited his successes at the school including the graduation rate and enrollment increases.
- The Response given at the General Board by the Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Jr. to Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle’s address
- Immediately following the General Board Meeting and the Bishops’ Council, The Christian Recorder Online published the Public Statement from the Bishops and the opening address of the General Board delivered by the Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Presiding Bishop of the Twelfth Episcopal District. The Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Jr., pastor of St. Joseph’s AME Church, Durham, NC, delivered the response to the opening address. Reverend Cousin said that the AME Church is not only affected by changes from without, but we are also affected by changes from within the Church. Bishop Chappelle had used the analogy or metaphor of trees in his address and Reverend Cousin built upon Bishop Chappelle’s use of trees in his response. Rev. Cousin told the story of his grandfather showing him, when he was a child, beautiful-looking orange trees that had luscious- looking oranges but warned him if he ate the oranges from those orange trees, he would get violently ill because the oranges were bitter. His grandfather went on to explain, but if a sprig or a part of a good orange tree was grafted into the bitter tree, the fruit would become good and the oranges would be delicious.
Rev. Cousin said, “When we allow ‘strange trees’ to grow in our Zion, we shouldn’t be surprised when we get strains of a strange church.” He went to say, “Some of the fastest growing congregations are marginalizing their association with the AME Church” and went on to say that the Church must always graft good fruit into the wayward fruit trees and that the AME Church must move from rhetoric to implementation. He observed that the church must remain relevant, intentional, and deeply rooted “in the spiritual” for the tree to have deep roots to withstand the storms that are ever-present and destructive.
Dr. Cousin is a member of the Compilation Committee and the General Board of the Church. He also chairs the Board of Examiners of the Central Presiding Elder's District, and chairs the Finance Committee of the Western North Carolina Conference.
Editor’s Comment: I was curious about some of our leading pastors who were absent from The General Board Meeting / Bishops’ Council Meeting in Houston. I tend to think that AMEs like to meet. An acronym I have heard for “AME” is “Always Meetin’, Eatin,’” and so I expect to see the leading pastors at our large meetings.
2. THE EDITOR ATTENDED THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2005 LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY CONGRESS:
The Sixth Episcopal District 2005 Leadership and Ministry Congress, held July 13-15, 2005 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in Augusta, Georgia under the leadership of Bishop W. Phillips DeVeaux and Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Pam DeVeaux. Too often, we hear the joke, and I hope that it is said in jest, “the fastest growing denomination in America is ‘I used to be an AME.’” I saw more young AMEs than I have ever seen gathered in one location. And, if the Sixth Episcopal District is indicative of our other Episcopal Districts, than our Zion not what some people are trying to portray. I had hoped to attend the Seventh Episcopal District Leadership and Ministry Congress last week but was unable to do so. I suspect that the Leadership and Ministry Congress in the Seventh Episcopal District was successful also. I will be attending the Thirteenth Episcopal District Leadership and Ministry Congress this week.
I do not want to write about the Leadership and Ministry Congress I did not attend or the Leadership and Ministry Congress I will attend, but I want to share a little about the Leadership and Ministry Congress I attended last week in Augusta, Georgia.
I did not know that we had that many AME youths gathered in one place! The East Augusta Middle School gymnasium was full and running over. The young people were having a grand time and it reminded me that many of our pastors were motivated to accept their calls to ministry because of, what we used to call, the Youth Congress, and Sunday School Convention. My own call was solidified from the West Philadelphia District Sunday School Convention where the Reverend William Cody was a keynote speaker and moved round the church talking to young people. I was one of those young people. And, I guess that it was no accident that Bishop DeVeaux extended the invitation for people to accept the call to ministry after the closing sermon. Approximately eight persons came forward and there were probably many more young people who were too intimidated to come forward, but the “seed for ministry” has been planted.
I was curious about why everyone seemed so relaxed. I noticed that people were dressed relaxed, folks were attending the sessions, and the young people were engaged in the activities of the congress. Bishop DeVeaux responded that the young people had input into the Leadership and Ministry Congress schedule. They wanted less preaching and as a result, there were only two sermons scheduled for the Sixth District Leadership and Ministry Congress, the opening sermon by the Revered Dr. Daryl Ingram, Executive Director of the Department of Christian Education and the closing sermon by the Editor of The Christian Recorder. They had one other sermon, but it was not in the presentation of a traditional sermon, but it was a sermon and it was probably the best sermon of the meeting.
The best sermon and I must admit that I did not hear the opening sermon, was the dramatic presentation entitled, “The Loud Silence,” a play about HIV/AIDS written by Dr. Pam DeVeaux and directed by the Reverend Jamelle Jacobs. The noted gospel artist, the Reverend Gabriel Hardeman, Jr., provided the music.
The play had a powerful message that was relevant for young and old alike; and the auditorium was full. The playbill pointed out that, “There is a serious health crisis that is affecting the entire world. No longer, is the disease of HIV / AIDS something that affects a certain group or population within society. We can’t afford to keep silent any longer.” The play tells the story of four young people’s rise to fame as gospel music artists. The fame, money, and public adulation results in tragic events for the group as the lead singer strays from his spiritual roots. But, in the end, a message of hope, love, and faith prevails. The play was an enacted sermon that touched all of the emotions and activated all of the senses.
Among the talented cast were two presiding elders from the Sixth Episcopal District, Presiding Elder Ben Ridley and Presiding Elder Walter Daniels. Other Cast members: LaToyia Bradshaw, Janita Ferguson, Shawon Wiley, John E. Green, Jr., Daryl Lowe-Booker, Mae Morris, Annette Hardeman, Shirley Hart, Samia Geddings, Ryan Thomas, Matthew Fitch and Edna Killingsworth. Sonja Stewart was the Assistant Director, John Young, the Stage manager, Della Spearman, Special Consultant and Rae Fitch designed the Playbill.
The play needs to be shown to wider audiences. The young people and adults were moved and tears flowed. The Reverend Ronald Slaughter led in the Prayer of invitation that concluded the evening’s activities. Everything was finished by 8:30 p.m.
The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, pastor of Bethel AME Church was the Co-host, along with the Reverend Richard A. Smith; pastor of Ward Chapel AME Church served as the co-host for the 2005 Leadership and Ministry Congress. The Reverend Ella M. Smiley-Samuels was the host Presiding Elder. Dr. Daniel W. Jacobs, Chair, SED Christian Education Department, the Reverend James Hardaway, Director, Christian Education Department and the Reverend Vivian Green Associate Director of the Christian Education Department.
One of the highlights for the Editor was to see the retired Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Hardeman, Sr. Dr. Hardeman was one of the leading pastors and on the Board of Examiners of the Philadelphia Annual Conference when I was ordained and itinerant deacon and later as an itinerant elder. I remember him when I was a pre-teen and up to when I was ordained. He had deep voice and dressed “to the hilt.”
3. ONE OF THE WORKSHOP SESSIONS OF THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2005 LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY CONGRESS DEALT WITH RURAL AND SMALL MEMBERSHIP CHURCH STRATEGIES:
By George R. La Sure, D.Min.
During the annual Sixth Episcopal District 2005 Leadership and Ministry Congress, held July 13-15, 2005 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in Augusta, Georgia many workshops were conducted which addressed issues ranging from HIV/AIDS Prevention to Effective Leadership Techniques to Promoting Spirituality to setting up a Web Site. In the midst of these many areas of discussion, there was a workshop specifically geared toward discussing Rural and Small Membership Church Strategies led by the writer. The workshop audience consisted of pastors and laity and, a Presiding Elder who oversees a large rural district in South Georgia.
The workshop discussion covered many areas, which included the need for seminary-trained clergy, suitable clergy salaries and housing benefits. The session also addressed relocation of designated rural churches to areas, which provide more growth potential. It was also pointed out that “transition plans” need to be provided to newly appointed pastors and a 3-5 year pastoral service commitments to rural and small membership churches. The participants also thought it important the AME Church to address the issue of health and life insurance benefits for rural and small membership pastors and their families. The issue of continuity of purpose re-stabilized pastoral presence, AMEC budgetary assessment adjustments to reflect actual church membership and the ability of the church to pay adequate salaries. Another concern was the pastoral adjustments to accommodate rural and small membership church lifestyle and increased rural and small membership church participation in connectional church events and activities.
In the brief time allotted spirited discussion ensued. Most notable among the discussion topics was the need for stability in pastoral appointments. When pastors are assigned to the rural and small membership church, there is an increasing need for that person to be in place for at least 3-5 years in order to promote the stability of that congregation. Workshop participants agreed with the writer that it takes the newly appointed pastor between 3 and 5 years to be fully invested with the full leadership credential for the church. In other words, it takes that long to become the “pastor”. "Pastor" is not a title that is fully recognized unless that person has engendered the trust of the people.
Further, it was suggested that it is difficult for the rural and small membership church to make and sustain plans for growth and development when it is experiencing frequent changes in pastoral leadership. With each new leader comes a new set of visions, styles and priorities. It is hard and extremely dangerous to change horses in mid-stream.
Another item of discussion that drew much discussion was the writer’s suggestion that “transition plans” be made available to newly appointed pastors. The Transition Plan (TP) would provide the incoming pastor with a full statement of the church’s activity during the past twelve (12) months, financial records from the previous year, Quarterly Conference and Official Board records of boards and auxiliaries, written policies and procedures, the written church’s history, a listing of all active and inactive members (with addresses and phone numbers) and any statement of future plans that are contemplated by the church. The workshop participants all agreed that this type of transition plan would do much to enhance smoother pastoral transition and overall church stability and growth.
It was further acknowledged that each Episcopal District might consider eliminating charges that are too small to support a pastor and necessary and suitable church ministries. The recommendation was made that some charges might be consolidated with others within a reasonable distance to promote church growth and stability. Several workshop participants offered valued testimony relating to the extreme financial hardships that are borne by pastors who have fewer than 25 members. Their shared testimony spoke to the extreme difficulty involved with raising enough funds to provide for a pastor’s salary, utilities, insurance, AMEC budgetary assessments, funds to attend Episcopal District meetings, etc.
As the workshop concluded, there was an expressed desire on the part of the participants to continue the discussion of issues relating to the plight of the rural and small membership church. It was further recommended that there be some sort of continuing denominational oversight specifically relating to rural and small membership church issues.
This writer invites your comments and concerns regarding anything you have read in this article, as well as other rural and small membership church issues.
4. HURRICANE WATCH – AGAIN:
Dear Brother and Sisters -
Again we ask that you pray and send out the alert concerning the people in the Caribbean!
We are in the Hurricane and it appears that we will have an active hurricane season this year. Please stay in prayer for us. We know that God is able!
Please pray, and ask those you know to pray with us also,
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Clergy Family Information Center
Mrs. Ora L. Easley – Administrator
5. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - BECAUSE GOD CAN, I CAN THE PASTOR’S CORNER:
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He [Abraham] is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Romans 4: 17
Abraham and Sarah were called by God to bear a child at the ages of one hundred years and seventy-five years respectively (v. 19). All of us would agree that this is impossible for persons of these ages. Abraham did not waver in his belief in God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (v. 20).
Abraham and Sarah submitted to God’s authority in their lives and trusted God to fulfill that which they were unable to accomplish on their own. As we submit ourselves trustingly to the authority of God over our lives, we operate with the power of God in our lives. On my own, I can’t, but under His authority and power, I can.
At the small high school I attended, the seniors of the football team had their own separate locker room from the underclassmen on the team. One day, my older brother, who was a senior on the team, sent me to enter the forbidden realm of the seniors and get his other practice jersey from his locker. Fearfully and quite reluctantly, I slowly made my way down the hall to the door of the prohibited dominion. When asked by a couple of the senior boys, “What (expletives omitted) do you want? And why are you in our (expletives omitted) locker room?” I quickly replied, “My older brother told me to get his other practice jersey and bring it to him.” They told me to “hurry up and get the (expletives omitted) jersey and get (expletives omitted) out.”
I quickly retrieved the jersey and was met by another underclassman teammate as I exited the hall. He asked how I got in and out of the senior locker room alive. I explained that my brother sent me to do something and I got in on the basis of his “pull” on the team. My brother granted me the authority to do something that on my own I couldn’t do. Just having the right to do it wasn’t enough though. At 6’2” tall and 225 pounds of muscle, he had the power I didn’t have to back it up. Under his authority and power, I could do something I was unable to do on my own.
Isn’t that characteristic of our relationship with God? As we operate under God’s authority and power, God does things through us we are unable to do on our own. Romans 4:16-25 outlines God’s process for bringing His authority and power into our lives.
1. Romans 4: 16 - Receive the promise - God’s promise is God’s command for our lives. His promises set the direction. What did God say about the matter?
2. Romans 4: 17b - The power to fulfill the promise that we have been sent to receive lies in the hands of God, not us. This opens the door for God to work in the situation. Where man’s power ends, God’s power begins.
3. Romans 4: 18 - Believe God for the fulfillment of the promise. It is God who will do it. The outcomes are not limited to our power or to our understanding, but are in the hands of ”the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”
4. Romans 4: 19-21 - Recognize and accept the circumstances we face that are in opposition to the fulfillment of the promise. At the same time realizing that, God’s power and authority are greater than any problem we face. He can fulfill His Promise.
5. Romans 4: 22-25 - Recognize that God, the Father who raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in your life.
Under God’s authority, I can. Under the power of the God who gives life to the dead calls things that are not as though they were, I can. On my own, I can’t. But, in His authority and power, God can. And, because God can, I can.
Pastor Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
6. BEREAVEMENT NOTIFICATION:
Please share through your normal channels the homegoing of Mr. Lee Arthur Bright, Sr. of Walterboro, South Carolina on Friday, July 15, 2005. Mr. Bright is the father of Mrs. Mary Bright Darby, first lady of Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 21, 2005 at Saint Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Walterboro, South Carolina. Arrangements are being handled by:
Mungo Funeral Home
300 Francis St.
Walterboro, SC 29488
843-549-2890
Condolences can be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Joseph A. (Mary Bright) Darby and sons
1347 Coosaw Dr.
Charleston, SC 29488
843-766-4893
josephdarby@bellsouth.net
7. BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT PROVIDED BY:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Clergy Family Information Center
Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, Tennessee Contact)
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, Tennessee Contact)
(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
Please remember these families in your prayers.
8. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
