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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:
Stephen Green won Honest Mwandu of the 17th Episcopal District and a member of Bethel Chapel in Kabwe, Zambia. Honest Mwandu is contemplating upon entering the ministry and is the Steward Pro Tem of Bethel Chapel in Kabwe, Zambia.
I applaud Stephen for his generosity and his example is an excellent example for all of us. His action is a great grass-roots model for Christians everywhere.
2. A DYNAMITE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Editor’s Note: I first saw this call to worship when I preached at Macedonia AME Church in Kaufmann, Texas where the Reverend Alton Paris is the pastor. Bishop G. M. Gregory provided the call to worship to all of the churches in the Tenth Episcopal District to be used on a designated Sunday. My pastor, the Reverend Charlotte Blake Sydnor saw it and used it at Shorter Chapel AME Church, Franklin, Tennessee and it seems to add power to “call of worship.” Feel free to use it.
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
MINISTER: I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Ghost Power; the dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! I will not look back; let-up; slow-down; back-up, or be still.
PEOPLE: My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I am finished and done with low-living; sight-walking; small-planning, colorless-dreams; tamed-visions; mundane-talking, cheap-living, and dwarfed-goals!
MINISTER: I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I do not have to be right, first tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on the Lord, run with patience, lifted by prayer, and labor by Holy Ghost power.
PEOPLE: My face is set. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way is rough. My guide is reliable. My mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, turned away, deluded, or delayed.
MINISTER: I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
PEOPLE: I will not… Give up! Shut up! Let up!, until I have stayed up; stored up; prayed up; paid up; worked up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! I must go till He comes. Give till I drop. Teach till all I know and work till He stops me.
ALL: And when Jesus comes, He will have no problem recognizing me, because He'll remember I was the one He gave power!
3. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Dear Editor Sydnor:
I am elated about the Online Christian Recorder appearing in multiple languages. It is a blessing for me because it is challenging me to practice my long dormant French language skills. This effort to be responsive to the global reality of our denomination is truly commendable and welcomed. Continue to innovate! I know that you and the webmaster are in the process of ironing out the kinks and I look forward to being able to receive the Online Christian Recorder in English, French, and Spanish.
Sincerely,
Paulette Coleman
Retired Editor, The A.M.E. Church Review
4. THE GENERAL SECRETARY PREACHED HOMECOMING MESSAGE WHERE HE STARTED HIS PASTORAL MINISTRY:
What a historical moment we experienced on Father's Day as Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church in Millington, Tennessee celebrated Homecoming 2005. The theme was, "Returned and Restored" taken from St. Luke 15:22-23. The worship service was held at the beautiful edifice of Wrights Chapel AMEC on Brunswick Road in Arlington, Tennessee, where the Reverend Walter Cox is pastor.
Dr. Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary and CIO of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was the guest preacher at the 3:00 p.m. celebration where he began his pastoral ministry many years ago. Mt. Pisgah is a church of “firsts.” Mt. Pisgah was Dr. Fugh’s first Church and it is the current pastor, the Rev. I. W. Booker’s first pastoral charge. Reverend Booker was a classmate with Dr. Fugh from the first grade through the twelfth grade.
Dr. Fugh eloquently “rocked the house” with an unforgettable message entitled, "When All Hell Breaks Loose, You Must Be Doing Something Right." His text was taken from the first chapter of the book of Job. As he unraveled God's message and the Holy Ghost rushed in, Dr Fugh "got happy" with his infamous yells of "Hallelujah, Hallelujah" and everyone in the sanctuary was “stirred-up.”
Area pastors from the West Tennessee Annual Conference attended the service to share in the momentous occasion of Mt. Pisgah’s homecoming. General Officers, Dr. Jerome Harris, Director of Salary Supplement and Dr. James Wade, Director of Evangelism and their spouses also attended the worship service. God blessed our homecoming and we thank God that the Reverend Dr. Clement Fugh has not forgotten “from whence he came” and “how far God has taken him.”
Submitted by Sister Irene Booker
iwbooker@yahoo.com
5. THE HISTORIC ST. PAUL HAMILTON BERMUDA WELCOMES THEIR NEW PASTOR AND THE NEW FIRST FAMILY:
The First District Planning meeting which was held at the proud First District Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 2nd and 3rd of June ushered in a new era. It was at that meeting that the Lord spoke through our mighty Bishop, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris, and sent a faithful servant of God, in the name of the Reverend Lanel D. Guyton to serve as the 32nd pastor of St. Paul AME Church in the beautiful Bermuda Conference. Upon his arrival, Rev. Guyton and First Lady Sister Tanzania, and children, Lloyd (2 years), Gisselle (1 year) were greeted at the award winning Bermuda Airport in the midst of festive Caribbean style welcoming music. On hand, were about twenty-five faithful members of St. Paul's Church. Sister Tanzania was presented with a bouquet of the finest flowers Bermuda has to offer. The welcoming delegation then escorted the pastor and family to the St. Paul sanctuary for prayer at the altar. A powerful prayer, asking God to bless the mother church in all her endeavors was rendered in such a powerful way, that the spirit of the Lord was indeed in St. Paul. Rev. Lanel D. Guyton now sits among history, having followed the likes of the Rev. Thomas W. Foster (1957-1959); retired Bishop Vernon R. Byrd (1959-1956); Presiding Elder-retired Clarence B. Crawford (1966-1970); the Rev. Wilbur Lowe, Jr. (1976-1986); the Rev. Silvester Beaman (1986-1993); and the Rev. Conway Simmons (1993-2005).
6. 2005 18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND PRAYER AND PLANNING CONCLAVE:
The Right Reverend Sarah Davis, Presiding Bishop
Botswana
WMS Convention - August 30 - 31, 2005
Annual Conference – September 1 – 4, 2005
Host Church: Cassandra A.M.E. Church – Hukuntsi
Host Pastor: Reverend Judge G. Tthage
Reverend Ada Mereyabone – Host Presiding Elder
Mozambique
WMS Convention – September 13 - 14, 2005
Annual Conference – September 15 – 18, 2005
Host: San Jose A.M.E Church - Beira
Host Pastor: Bro. Samuel Mandava
Reverend Vasco Tui- Host Presiding Elder
Swaziland
WMS Convention – October 11 – 12, 2005
Annual Conference – October 13 - 16, 2005
Host: Greater Collins Chapel A.M.E. Church, Mbabane
Host Pastor: Reverend Solomon Nxumalo
Reverend Isaiah Mamba – Host Presiding Elder
Lesotho
WMS Convention – November 22 - 23, 2005
Annual Conference – November 23 – 27, 2005
Host: Emmanuel A.M.E. Church – Maseru
Host Pastor: Reverend F. D. Rafube
Reverend F. D. Rafube – Host Presiding Elder
Northeast Lesotho
WMS Convention – November 29 – 30, 2005
Annual Conference – December 1 – 4, 2005
Host: Butha-Buthe A.M.E Church - Butha-Buthe
Host Pastor: Reverend M. T. Machefo
Reverend M. T. Machefo – Host Presiding Elder
District Prayer and Planning Conclave
District Prayer Conclave – December 8, 2005
Guest Teacher and Facilitator: Dr. T. C. Richardson, Washington, D. C ., USA.
Host: Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church
Mahlanya, Swaziland
Reverend N. M. Nxumala, Host Pastor
Reverend Albert Thwala, Host Presiding Elder
District Planning Conclave – December 9-10, 2005
Host: Greater Collins Chapel A.M.E.
Mbabane, Swaziland
Reverend Solomon Nxumalo, Host Pastor
Reverend Isaiah Mamba, Host Presiding Elder
7. FROM SLAVE, TO COLLEGE PRESIDENT, TO THE AME BISHOP:
By Ty Kelley
The Rev. Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, the first woman to serve as president of the 160-year old Payne Theological Seminary, was the keynote speaker for Historic Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Church’s 75th anniversary celebration in June. The church, named in honor of Bishop Joshua Henry Jones, was filled with descendents who traveled from various states for this important event.
By all accounts, Jones should have failed because the institution of slavery in which he was born was not intended to benefit him or “his kind.” Perhaps he should have been dead because in South Carolina, the prevalence of malaria led to high rates of child mortality. But, Joshua Henry Jones rose beyond expectations and went on to become a giant in African Methodism, a power broker politics, and a wise servant to humankind.
Born June 15, 1856 in the Pine Plains area of Lexington County, South Carolina, Jones was the product of an illegal union between his slave mother, Sylvia, and her master, Joseph. He was reared on the plantation of Asbury Hurley just outside of Orangeburg. When slavery ended in 1865, Jones joined Columbia’s Shady Grove A.M.E. Church, and was ordained at the tender age of 19. That same year, he married Elizabeth P. Martin, who bore him four children, but passed away while giving birth to the last child.
Jones completed graduate studies at Wilberforce Universities and later served pastorates in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Ohio. He was married for the second time to Augusta E. Clark, foster daughter of Bishop Daniel A. Payne. While in Ohio, he became the first African American elected to the Columbus Board of Education. During his eight-year tenure, he was successful at championing the hiring of African American teachers for the first time in the city's history. In 1900, Jones was elected president of Wilberforce University.
At the 1912 General Conference, Jones was elected the 38th bishop of the A.M.E. Church. He was first assigned to Tennessee and Alabama, and thereafter served Texas and Ohio. In 1928, he was assigned to the First Episcopal District, where he purchased a new publishing house for the church after its near demise in 1930, and borrowed against his personal funds to save many churches in the district. During his life, Jones was able to witness the great accomplishments of his children including Joshua Jr., a 1934 graduate of Brown University who went on the become an accomplished journalist, author, and Boston’s poet laureate. Another son, the Rev. Dr. Gilbert Haven Jones, became the first African American to earn a doctorate degree from a German university, the University of Jena in 1909; he also followed in his father’s footsteps by serving as president of Wilberforce. The Rev. Dr. Alexander Henry Jones was a Yale University graduate, and became the first African American to earn a doctorate in Theology from Drew University. His only daughter, Elizabeth Prudence Jones-Byrd, married an A.M.E. pastor, Rev. William Paul Quinn Byrd. Bishop Joshua Henry Jones passed away November 24, 1932.
For many of Bishop Jones’ descendents, this event marked the first time they had ever met. Those in attendance were of the lineage of Gilbert and Alexander. Research into the descendents of Joshua Jr. and Prudence is ongoing. At the anniversary celebration, citations were presented to the family from the Philadelphia City Council, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the U.S. House of Representatives. The celebration also included renowned soloist Robin Carney-Victor, followed by the afternoon Festival of Hymns Concert. Located at 2021 W. Diamond Street, the Jones Tabernacle edifice has been traced to Benjamin Franklin and the founding of the University of Pennsylvania through The Whitfield Academy, once housed at this location. As a result, The U.S. Department of the Interior and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania entered the edifice into the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1980.
8. THE SOUTHWEST GEORGIA CONFERENCE WMS/YWI HOSTED PRAYER BREAKFAST:
Together We Pray and Give Thanks
The Southwest Georgia Conference WMS/YWI got off to a great year by hosting a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 9:30 A.M. at St. James AME Church, Columbus, Georgia. The group led on by our Third Vice-President of the Southwest Georgia WMS, Ms. Sabrina Pryor. The theme chosen was, “Walking by Faith, Not by Sight.”
The speaker for this initial effort was Sister Vernessa Bowles, Third Vice President of the Sixth Episcopal District WMS. She gave a dynamic message on our need to “Reach Out, Reach Down” and lift someone in need. The following excerpt was taken from her dynamic message:
“Last year, R. Kelly, a famous rhythm and blues artist, popularized the song, “Step in the name of Love.” This catchy song became a hit and introduced many of us Southerners to a northern style dance known as “stepping.” In the song and music video, R. Kelley provides detailed instructions and demonstrations of the movements- step, step, side to side, round and round, dip down, separate, bring it back, now let me see you do the love slide. This makes it easy for an unfamiliar stepper to learn the dance simply by listening to the words, and following their instruction. Similarly, we can learn to be Christ-like “steppers” by listening to THE WORD and following ITS instruction.
Step: Know the Word.
Step: LIVE the Word.
Side-to-Side: We must remain in fellowship with like believers.
Round and Round: Turn around! Be converted! Be conformed!
Dip Down: This symbolizes the times when it may get hard. We all fall down, but we also have the capacity and the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus to get back up again.
Separate: Move away from your former self.
Bring it Back: SHARE the Word.
Do the Love slide! What greater love is there than the LOVE that Christ has for us?
There is no doubt that this assembly, led on by Sister Sabrina Pryor, has made an impact on the YWI sisters to go forth with motivation to do even more service for others and to trust God to lead us and guide us. We see God’s word directing us, guiding us. The early hour did not hinder our ministry sisters, their husbands and children from coming across the conference.
We, YWI Mission Sisters, believe our mission is to serve, encourage, inspire and educate as best we can to be a connecting force throughout humanity God’s way.
We thank the Senior WMS for great support in our endeavors in service, word, and deed as we minister to others in Jesus’ name. This prayer breakfast was our first conference endeavor, for which we thank God. To God be the praise and glory.
Submitted by:
Vernessa M. Bowles,
Third vice President
Sixth Episcopal District
Women’s Missionary Society
9. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER: CHAPLAIN JOHN MORRISON WANTS US TO PARTICIPATE IN ICE PROGRAM:
A campaign encouraging people to enter into their cell phones a personalemergency contact number with the heading ICE (In Case of Emergency) israpidly spreading throughout the world as consequence of recent terroristattacks in London.Established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows emergencypersonnel to contact your designated person in an emergency.The brainchild of British Ambulance Service Paramedic Bob Brotchie waslaunched this May. A paramedic for 13 years, Bob said: "I was reflectingon emergency calls I've attended where I frantically looked through theinjured's mobile phone contacts struggling for information for a patientwho was not able to respond. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now.With ICE we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to call. Thecontacted person may even know the patient's medical history."By adopting ICE, your cell phone can help rescue personnel quickly contactsomeone who may have vital information in your life or death situation. Itonly takes a few seconds and it could help save your life.Put ICE in your phone right now by selecting a person to contact in case ofemergency, entering it under the word 'ICE' with the telephone number ofthe person you wish to be contacted.Email this to everybody in your address book so everybody you care aboutwill know about ICE.It really could save your life, and put your loved one's minds at rest.For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
10. CONGRATULATIONS TO EBENEZER AME CHURCH:
Congratulations to Ebenezer AME Church, Annapolis, Maryland and the Rev. G. Nathaniel Curtis, senior pastor on the church’s 125th anniversary.
11. CONGRATULATIONS TO BROOKINS FAITH TEMPLE AME CHURCH:
Brookins Faith Temple AME Church, 7731 Finns Lane, New Carrollton. Maryland will hold its 15th anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. The guest speaker is the Rev. Dr. Lois Poag-Ray of Pilgrim AME Church.
12. THE PASTOR’S CORNER: ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE - GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOU:
15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:15-17)
The people of God crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. What the passage does not tell us is this was some forty years after the Israelites reached the Jordan River the first time. Numbers 13:1-2 & 26-27 tells us, the blessing was already theirs. God was fulfilling His covenant with His people and they only needed to possess their blessing. God gave them proof of His promise (v. 26). Things were as God had said they would be. Every promise God makes to us in His word is true. So why did the descendants of those who came first to the Jordan River enter the Promised Land while their ancestors didn't?
I submit that the differences in the two groups included the human characteristic of attitude. Attitude is a mental position with regard to a fact or state. It describes how we think, feel, and then respond to life. Attitude is also defined as the position of something in relation to a frame of reference. Someone was explaining to me that one of the flight gauges used in flying measures the planes position in relation to the horizon. If the plane’s attitude is negative, the plane is losing altitude. If the plane’s attitude is positive, the plane is gaining altitude. Attitude determines altitude.
An examination of Joshua 1:1 though 3:17 yields a description of the attitude of those who received the blessing of the Promised Land. Winners who receive the blessings of God:
1. Rise up after disappointments or setbacks. (Joshua 1:1-2, 10-11) –The people’s leader, Moses was dead (vv. 1-2), yet Joshua ordered the people to go forward with God, and they possessed the Promised Land (vv. 10-11). I read, this week, the amazing story of Thomas Doswell who when wrongly convicted spent 19 years in prison. He was released when DNA evidence proved his innocence. Doswell said, “I'm thankful to be home. I am thankful justice has been served. The court system is not perfect, but it works. I could not walk around with anger and bitterness. It would have done me more harm than good.” Doswell spent his years in prison getting an associate’s degree, learning to speak Spanish, and mastering seven musical instruments, including the guitar, saxophone, flute, and drums (Associated Press). Are you bouncing back when things do not go your way? Are you rising from disappointments? Attitude determines altitude. God wants to bless you.
2. See God is in control and believe He wants to bless them. (Joshua 2:1, 23, 24) – Some forty years after the first set of spies surveyed the Promised Land, those Joshua sent saw the same challenging conditions, but came back with the following report, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands.” (v. 24) The walls of Jericho were 30 feet high and so thick people built their houses inside them. (Joshua 2:15) Jericho was believed to be impenetrable. Great challenges are God’s opportunity to prove who God is. The God who created all things can handle all challenges. What challenges are you facing today? Your great challenge is God’s great opportunity. Attitude determines altitude. God wants to bless you.
3. Assume nothing, but expect God’s best. (Joshua 3:9-13) – Joshua told the people what God said about their situation. No conjecture, assumption, supposition, or opinion was offered. We often allow negative assumptions to block our entrance into the blessings of God. “That won't work because…” “We can't do that because…” “She won't agree with this because…” “We don't have enough …” Assume nothing! Instead, expect God’s best! Ignore the negative voices that suggest to us “what we ain't, “what we ‘can't’, “what we won't, or “what we don't.” Prayerfully and studiously, find out what God says about the matter and expect God to fulfill His word. Attitude determines altitude. God wants to bless you.
4. See beyond the current circumstances with an eternal perspective. (Joshua 3:14-16) – The people of God were commanded to cross the Jordan River while it was at flood stage. The Israelites saw their future from God’s perspective. They were able to use a spiritual telescope to see an end that far surpassed their current circumstances. Stepping into a flooding river was only a step in the process of the fulfillment of God’s plan. Seeing life from God’s perspective gives us courage and courage is required. (Joshua 1:6-9) Christ’s prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-42) offer the following insights on courage:
a. Never pray for an easier life – pray to be a stronger person.
b. Never pray for the tasks to equal your power – pray for power to equal the tasks. (Phillip Brooks, Streams In the Desert)
Remember, Attitude determines altitude. God wants to bless you.
Submitted by:
Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
