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. MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP OF THE SIXTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
It is 4:30 A.M. in Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday, October 19th. It has been raining since we arrived on October 12 every day, all day and night. The rains had started many days before we arrived. Flooding started all over the Island this weekend and has increased over Monday and Tuesday.
Several pastors have reported being stranded in their homes because of the waters. Rev. Lenora Thompson-Prince and her family had already moved to the 2nd floor of their home on Tuesday, because the 1st floor was flooded. This report is now coming from other members in most of the Parishes.
I ask you to join me in prayer for the people. While we are not getting the force of Hurricane Wilma, the rains and winds are battering Jamaica. Some shelters have been set up, but access to them will not be easy for some.
PLEASE PRAY FOR JAMAICA!
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
2. IN MEMORY OF DR. HENDERSON SHERIDAN DAVIS:
A Service of Worship to Celebrate the Life of Dr. Henderson Sheridan Davis was held on Saturday, October 15, 2005 at Allen Chapel AME Church in Indianapolis, Indiana where Rev. Samuel Sumner is pastor. Bishop Phillip Robert Cousin, Sr., Senior Bishop of the AME Church and Presiding Bishop of the Fourth Episcopal District delivered the eulogy.
Dr. Henderson Davis was born on July 16, 1913 in Plainfield, Indiana. He left this life early in the morning on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 following a lengthy illness. He had lived a blessed life of 92 years.
As a General Officer, Dr. Davis characterized four historic bishops as the “Four Horsemen.” He highlighted their contributions to the founding and the expanding of the A.M.E. Church during the 1800’s by presenting their stories using various media including a “Parade of History” in which pastors and their wives dressed in historically accurate garments created by Mrs. Ruth Davis.
He is survived by Dr. Elmira Hendrix Davis, his children Vinita Ruth Holman of Nashville, Tennessee, Martha Maria Jackson of Indianapolis, Indiana, Henderson Davis, Jr. of Evansville, Indiana, and Lydia Joanna Davis Eady (Jaques) of Chicago, Illinois; five grandchildren Shirley Carter, Dwayne Williams (Emily), Kenetha Rogers, Andrew Eady, and Matthew Eady; three great-grandchildren Ashley Williams, Lilian Williams, and Joshua Smith; nephews James Gilbert and Paul Gilbert (Irene); niece Barbara Cosby (Charles); cousins Madeline Smothers, Maxing Price, and Marie Yanthis; and a host of other relatives and loving friends who share in the family’s loss.
3. WORDS FROM THE EDITOR:
- Lest We Forget:
- The War in Iraq
We have suffered 1950 fatalities in the War in Iraq, 1524 fatalities in hostile actions and 426 in non-hostile actions.
- Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
The nation has experienced 234 fatalities in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) with 115 in hostile actions and 118 in non-hostile actions.
- Iraqi Civilians are losing their lives also
Iraqis report that twenty-five civilians, including 18 children killed by American fighter jets in Ramadi in western Iraq.
4. GUEST EDITORIAL FROM THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER, THE HILLTOP EMAIL EDITION;
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/main.cfm:
- Politics on the Pulpit?
In town for the Millions More Movement, Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke at Howard's Chapel service in Cramton Auditorium. People were excited to have him since he is a prominent figure in our community. Weekly churchgoers piled in, took seats and waited for "The Word." To their surprise and disbelief, Jackson mentioned one scripture and instead used the time to discuss pressing issues like Katrina and the Millions More Movement. Okay, we are all black people and we do care about what's going on, but church is church! Many people come to Howard and expect us to be ready and willing to attack prominent issues around the clock. We get burnt out too and most of us come to church for a quiet moment of worship, not Bush bashing. Enough gets to be enough sometimes.Though Rev. Jesse Jackson has the title, he did not serve his pastoral duty for most worshipers. People left disappointed. There is a time and a place for regular or political discourse. That's what we have speeches for, not church Sundays. We are students to world topics as well as the classroom. We yearn to hear new ideas and inspiring suggestions from every outlet. When we get spoon-fed the same talks over and over, we begin to get annoyed and bored. So when people start "preaching" their personal agendas to us we often do not benefit.The key to keeping an audience captive is tailoring the discussion to them and their needs. Rather than bashing the government, celebrities, or decisions, sometimes we need to hear about solutions and approaches. Our intelligence is insulted when people regurgitate the same stories. We are not bashing Jackson because many other speakers didn't quite uplift or spread the Sunday message visitors and members hoped for. Nor or we bashing the Chapel. We are instead just suggesting that guest speakers remember what they are coming to and who they are coming for.
Reprint permission granted by The Hilltop Email Edition
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/main.cfm
The Editorial was published on Tuesday, October 18, 2005
The Hilltop is the Howard University Campus newspaper
Ruth L. Tisdale
Hilltop Editor-in-Chief
2251 Sherman Avenue
Washington, DC
Editor’s Note: Ms. Tisdale’s father is an AME pastor
5. NEW ORLEANS MAY FACE ANOTHER EVACUATION:
The issues of Katrina and Rita will be with us for a long time. Families are displaced, jobs have been eliminated, churches, AME Churches have been destroyed and presiding elders and pastors have not, and are not being paid. And, on top of that, Tropical Storm Wilma strengthens and moves closer to the southern United States and is expected to make landfall this weekend. The storm models do not show Louisiana and Mississippi in the path of the storm, but one never knows.
6. THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING CORDIALLY INVITES AFRICAN METHODISTS TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, DECEMBER 1-3, 2005:
Pearl Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
2519 Robinson Road
Jackson, Mississippi
The recent devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to the Eighth Episcopal District, Louisiana and Mississippi is well documented by the denomination and there are no words to express our gratitude for the many prayers and tremendous support, which AME’s have given to the recovery effort. December 2, 2005 has been set aside as AME Family Celebration Day and we are inviting those of the AME Family who are able to attend. The Celebration Worship will take place at 12:00 noon. Please join us in giving thanks as we fellowship in the spirit.
Housing is available at the:
Jacksonian Inn
1525 Ellis Avenue
Jackson, Mississippi 39204
(601) 944-1150/FAX (601) 355-3602
www.jacksonianinn.com
Best Western Metro Inn
1520 Ellis Avenue
Jackson, Mississippi 39204
(601) 355-7483/FAX (601) 353-8869
1-888-788-9788
Make your reservation early. Don’t be left out. For further information, please call (601) 949-2925, 26, 27 and 28.
7. AME HISTORY QUESTION:
Question: Name four elected and consecrated AME Bishops who were medical doctors.
Prize: a one-year’s subscription to any of the AME periodicals or any book authored by Dr. Dennis Dickerson.
The winner must answer the question not later than 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time October 20, 2005 (or within 24 hours of the posting of this edition of the online Christian Recorder).
8 THE MESSAGE FROM DR. JEROME HARRIS:
Dr. Jerome V. Harris, Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Annuity Investment and Insurance has arranged with the annuity investment vendors, Symetra Insurance Company and American Express, to process requests for "Hardship" annuity withdrawals on an EXPEDITED basis for those participants affected by Hurricane Katrina.
All participants assigned to the Eighth (Mississippi and Louisiana), Ninth (Alabama) and Eleventh (Florida) Episcopal Districts are eligible for expedited hardship annuity withdrawals. In an effort to provide more immediate financial assistance to persons in these devastated areas, expedited payments can now be made and received in as soon as 24 hours, depending on the mode of distribution, i.e. Direct Bank Transfer, US Mail, etc. The normal withdrawal process usually requires approximately 3 - 4 weeks, so our pastors and their families are cared for and blessed, in this time of difficulty, with the expedited arrangement.
Participants desiring to avail themselves to this process should contact the AMEC Department of Annuity Investment and Insurance directly at (901) 527-2006 or email: amec_des@bellsouth.net
9. JOHNSON CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH TO SPONSOR BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT:
Gospel Recording Artists Gregory Jones and Ministry Set to Perform in Concert at the Santa Ana Church Saturday October 22nd with Proceeds to Be Donated to Hurricane Relief Efforts
Santa Ana, California, October 18, 2005:
Gospel recording artists Gregory Jones and Ministry, one of Southern California’s most sought after new gospel groups will be the featured artists for a benefit concert sponsored by Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Saturday October 22, 2005 beginning at 4:00 PM. Admission to the concert is free but a love offering will be taken with all of the proceeds being donated to Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Johnson Chapel, Orange County’s second oldest predominately-black church, is located at 1306 West Second Street on the corner of 2nd and Bristol, in the heart of the City of Santa Ana.
“The A.M.E. Church has historically taken leadership in responding to disasters that affect the communities that it serves” according to Rev. Michael Barta, Senior Pastor of the 400 member Congregation, one of two A.M.E. Churches serving the greater Orange County area. “This has been true whether we are talking about the outbreak Yellow fever that struck Philadelphia, the birthplace of African Methodism, in 1793, the civil unrest that erupted in Los Angeles in the 1960’s and again in the early 1990’s, or natural disasters such as the hurricanes that ravaged the Caribbean last year, or now, with the almost unimaginable devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The bottom line is that we have a unique responsibility as a denomination as well as a local congregation, to join with others in responding to the very real needs of the families, churches and communities of the Gulf Coast Region and this concert is just one small way to do that”.
Submitted by the Rev. Michael Barta, Senior Pastor
1306 West Second Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
johnsonchapel@yahoo.com
714.972.8983 (Office)
714. 542-5812 (Fax)
10. THE RURAL CHURCH:
Rural and Small Membership Church Growth
By George R. La Sure, D.Min
What is the true measure of church growth? Throughout our denomination and, throughout the church, generally, much discussion is offered relating to church growth. In numerous settings, churches have experienced catastrophic growth in the numbers of persons who attend on a regular basis. In other settings, churches have experienced measurable growth in its ability to reach out and establish new ministries and to evangelize in the larger community. Some think that church growth is represented by the amount given in offerings and, the new buildings that are erected for worship.
But, the question remains…what is the true measure of church growth? How does a church grow? What are the basic ingredients for growth? For years I have witnessed pastors of every church size give their reports of stewardship at the annual conference. When pastors reported conversions and accessions, other pastors and the larger audience have given loud applause. When pastors have reported no conversions or accessions, there is a deafening silence. There is a general perception that the pastor with no conversions or accessions during a conference year has not given it his/her all and, that something must be wrong.
The time has come for the A.M.E. Church to lift up the standard for conversion to Christianity. Conversion is the entry point to the faith, not rhetoric. When persons are truly converted and filled with the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, he/she becomes one with Christ. All things become new, old things are passed away. When conversion and the evidence thereof becomes the standard for church membership, then there is an opportunity for that worshipping community to blossom and grow. Without there being any evidence of conversion, then evil actions become the order of the day.
No one of us is able to judge another but; we can all bear witness to what we see and what we hear. If a person is truly converted, he/she will give willingly of their time, their talents and their treasures. They will give abundantly over and over a gain because of their great love for GOD and the wonderful work of salvation that is going forth in their lives through the resurrected Christ! When one is converted, he becomes a living witness to those about him as he celebrates the goodness of GOD in his life. The new convert is compelled by the Holy Spirit to share his or her joy with all who will listen.
The rural and small membership church has a peculiarly unique opportunity to reach out and embrace its members. The rural and small membership church is small enough for everybody’s name to be known and, everybody’s challenges (i.e. sickness, death, etc.) to be felt and shared. It is often the case that while the rural and small membership church, via its pastor and officers, is rendering needed spiritual help to those who are in need, that real opportunities for individual and church growth become realities. When persons are positively impacted while going through a crisis, they never forget and, often the church’s intercession during times of need provide a catalyst for Christian growth and development.
When persons start volunteering to assist the church in its various ministries and are willing to “be there” in whatever capacity is needed, the church and the individual have experienced growth. When individuals start coming to Bible Study and Sunday School and, they are on fire to learn more about God’s Word, then that church has experience church growth. When persons start coming back to church after being away for a long time because they see a need for God to be in their lives, church growth is experienced. When a pastor shows forth the Gospel in the way that he/she walks and talks and, folk who have left the church for various reasons start coming back to church, that church has experienced church growth. When folk start acting as if they genuinely love one another and care for one another, that church has experienced church growth.
Unfortunately, there is no instrument to measure any of these areas of growth. It takes a stable pastor to have a stable congregation. Folk have gotten to the point that they would rather see sermons than hear sermons.
Church growth begins with the individual. When that person gives his/her life to Christ and begins to rely on the guidance and direction of the HOLY SPIRIT, then GOD will give us the increase. Jesus recognized the essential nature and embodiment of church growth. He said, “…where there are two or three gathered together in MY name, there am I in the midst.” As long as we gather in HIS name and place all of our hope, trust and confidence in HIM, there will be church growth.
Jesus said to Peter “Upon this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Take Jesus at His Word!
11. ALLEN CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OMAHA, NEBRASKA HOSTS “LIFT JESUS UP” CAMPAIGN:
A ‘Lift Jesus Up’ Campaign was held October 4-8, 2005 at Allen Chapel AME Church - Omaha, Nebraska under the dynamic leadership of the Reverend Portia A. Cavitt, will never be the same after five spirit-filled days of instructions in evangelism! The Reverend Juretha Joyner Maiden, the former Connectional Instructor with the Conference of Evangelistic Instructors (C.E.I.S), conducted the evangelism workshop. “Rev. Jurdy,” as she is lovingly known, swept into town with the impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and like her predecessors, left a lasting impression in the South Omaha community.
The evangelism workshop focused on love for humanity, and taught us that love should leave us with a ‘burden of guilt’ for those who are without the full knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus the Christ. The scripture admonishes us to adhere to the command that Jesus left in John 13:34; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The love that Christ has for us in addition to the love that we should have for one another was the platform from which we operated.
The fifty plus people in attendance were brought into the presence of God through praise and worship, the study of scriptures along with a formatted curriculum. Attendance at this workshop ranged from youth to adults, and many friends from the community as well as members and pastors from our fellow AME churches.
The teachings consisted of the proper methods to approach those in need of deliverance with an emphasis on showing love and kindness (meeting them where they are), and ensuring that judgmental attitudes were not demonstrated. When we are witnessing, we can administer the ‘prayer of salvation,’ or have the person read Psalm 51. Rev. Jurdy reminded us that the Holy Spirit works through us to bring the individual to salvation, we are to ‘plant the seed and God would give the increase.’
The week’s teachings were put into effect on Saturday morning as the students prepared to canvass the neighborhood with Love International Team bags. Groups were formed consisting of a facilitator, an intercessor, and a recorder with the task of visiting three to five houses to conduct a Love Survey. Individuals were then asked “if they were to die today, where would they spend eternity”. Under the watchful eye and tutelage of Rev. Jurdy, a major victory was scored, as we were able to lead a number of converts to Christ in our first outing! After the training, each attendee received a certificate of completion and accolades from Rev. Jurdy and Rev. Cavitt for a ‘job well done’.
Humanity is in need of salvation before Jesus Christ returns, and the necessity for evangelizing should be a critical point within the church. We have work to do, for the ‘harvest is ripe.’ As in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, we are to go into all the world and tell everyone about His goodness and His mercy.
LaToscha Calloway, Steward Pro-Tem
Chair, Public Relations Commission
Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor
12. NO DEATH NOTICES:
Praise God!
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
