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 WILL BE ATTENDING THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA:
Editor Sydnor leaves tomorrow to attend the Global Development Council Meeting in Cape Town, South. The meeting will be held February 6 - 7, 2007 at the Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel.
Delegates from all of the overseas districts will be attendance as well as some of the bishops of the Church and General and Connectional Officers.
Please pray for the GDC Meeting and for all of our safe travels. The Editor expects to send updates to those of you who are subscribed to The Christian Recorder Online.
2. EDITORIAL COMMENT: CHURCHES SHOULD HAVE THE SAME COMMITMENT AS BUSINESSES; PASTORS AND LAITY SHOULD HAVE THE SAME COMMITMENT AS ENTREPRENEURS:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
If fulltime businesses operated their businesses as some of our Churches do, they would be bankrupt and out of business.
In community after community all over the United States, one can drive past churches all during the week and they are locked shut. I cannot speak for our overseas AME Church building, but I hope to find out when I go to South Africa. So, right now, I am not speaking for our overseas church buildings unless they are guilty of the same practice.
Some of our church buildings are only opened for a few hours on Sundays and then they are closed until the next Sunday. Exceptions might be that some churches open their buildings for Bible Study, Prayer Meeting and Choir practice. The operative words are, “some” and “might.” Some of the buildings occupied by some of our churches occupy expensive real estate; in the millions of dollars and yet they are only open for three or four hours a week.
What fulltime business do you know that can operate at a profit for a few hours a week? Entrepreneurs have to spend long hours promoting and doing what is necessary to create a profit. An entrepreneur spends long hours strategizing on how best to create a positive image and to develop positive customer relationships. Hours of operation have to be determined, along with a multiplicity of decisions that have to be made in order to promote and enhance profitability.
And yet, some of our churches do the same things, the same way and complain because things do not change and they do not realize a growth in membership; often many of our churches see a decline in membership.
I am discouraged when I see churches closed up during the week. I know that we have some bi-vocational pastors, but some of the members could assist in developing some relevant programs that would draw people to the church house during the week. It doesn’t always have to be the pastor.
What about opening the church for senior citizens; no money making project, just open the church as place for seniors to meet and fellowship. Many of them may be sitting at home. They could go to the church house for games and just to socialize. I am sure that some of their activities would spill over into an increase in the Sunday morning worship attendance. Maybe the church can’t be opened every day; but it seems to me that one or two days, for a couple of hours a day might not be an unreasonable expectation.
How about just opening the church for youth as a place where they could do homework, socialize and be exposed to a healthy environment. Some store-bought cookies and milk could be available and they would love it. The issue is not “if a program for senior citizens or youth could be successful,” but “the consistency and commitment of those operating such a program.”
Church programs and evangelism is a fulltime business. We cannot be successful operating several hours a week. We, clergy and laity, need to rededicate ourselves to the business of professionally operating our churches so that our churches will be spiritually and financially profitable. The work of the church should be a vocation; not an avocation.
Clergy and laity should be disturbed about the state of many of our churches and should find ways to re-excite themselves for the work of Christ and the Church.
3. CONVO IX, MARRIOTT BWI AIRPORT, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 2, 2007:
Proposed Areas of Consideration:
- Faith, Order and Ministry
- The Education Ministry of African Methodism: Whither?
- Funding the Denominational Ministry: Re-examining the Quad. Budget
- Economic Development: A Connectional Strategy for the Future
CONVO IX will begin at 1:00 pm on Wednesday February 28th at the Marriott BWI Airport, Baltimore, MD, and will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday March 2, 2007.
Reserve your hotel rooms now!
4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ISSUES:
To the Editor:
I want to thank you for the service, the timely service you provide through the Online Christian Recorder.
It has always been a dream of mine to travel to the Holy Land, to see the places mentioned in the Bible.
In December of 2006 you mentioned in The Christian Recorder Online that the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta had received a grant to sponsor a Holy Land Pilgrimage for Pastoral Renewal. The requirements were to have a seminary degree (Asbury Theological Seminary, 2005), have been a "Senior Pastor" for at least five years (in my 22nd year now), must be between the ages of 35 and 55 (I am 49), and must have denominational permission to be away from March 3-17 without contact with your church during that period for renewal purposes (Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie has been so gracious!). The article indicated the need for immediate and timely response as there are only 20 slots. The cost to the chosen persons is $200.
Well, I applied. I was accepted. And I will be traveling to the Holy Land in March for spiritual renewal at a cost of $200! What do I get for the $200 you ask? They fly me to Atlanta on March 3rd. I am housed with three meals a day until March 5th. They fly us to the Holy Land on March 5th. We are housed, transported on the ground, and given breakfast and dinner every day. We will be flown back to Atlanta on the 17th, and I will continue on to Lexington! Additionally, I am flown back to Atlanta in June for the "Post Pilgrimage Retreat" with the same amenities. All for the same $200!
I feel truly blessed by this opportunity, and I thank you richly for providing this type of service online through The Christian Recorder!
Blessing on both your journey and your service to our Zion!
The Reverend Kenneth Golphin
Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, Lexington, KY
Editor’s comment: Rev. Golphin, thank you for your letter because it affirms my commitment to make The Christian Recorder the most relevant denominational periodical. Hopefully, when people read your testimony, they will be inspired to apply for some of the opportunities that we share with them. I personally check out almost everything I publish in The Christian Recorder. I wonder how many read the announcement about the ITC sponsored trip to the Holy Land, but didn’t take the time to apply.
Thank you for sharing your blessing. You will be a different person when you return from the Holy Land! The Bible will take on a new meaning! Take it from one who has “been there, done that!” CHS III
5. THE GLOBAL CORNER: AME-INDIA REPORT FOR JANUARY:
We praise God for enabling us to enter into a New Year which is purely the grace of God. Indeed God is gracious, because in spite of all our unworthiness God continues to be merciful.
We covered a distance of 170 kms and visited five churches in Tiruvallur district. We were able to attend the worship services with them, preach and encourage them. We thank God for the travel mercies and protection. Here, a man named Sekhar had a paralytic attack with his left side becoming immobile. Through pastoral visitation, prayer and use of prayer oil he experienced divine healing from his partial paralysis and he surrendered his life to Jesus. Now he is able to walk and live on his own without anyone’s help.
Pastor Peter Morris reports us of a miracle. Everyday Pastor Morris used to go for a prayer walk, passing an area where they used make country liquor. This place was also famous for immoral trafficking. Pastor Morris used to pray that the place would be transformed and changed completely and be rid of its vices. God heard his prayers and the police moved in and banned all the illegal activities going on in this place. The kingpin of the liquor business in this place was a lady by name Kalaivani, she had both muscle and money power. But she used to suffer from insomnia, being tired of her problem, she decided to commit suicide, but before that she tried for healing by meeting a magician, where she spent Rs. 16000/- but to of no use, that is when Pastor Morris met her and told her that she can find what she wants in Jesus and invited her to the cell group. She responded positively, now she comes for prayer regularly, she also testifies how she experienced healing from insomnia. She even brings her son along with her for prayers.
In another instance a person named Vinod was suffering from a tumour in his stomach. He along with his mother came to church expecting healing and shared about their woes and the doctor’s suggestion to operate. But after prayers now the tumour has disappeared and Vinod is healed.
Pastor Samuel from Kancheepuram district informs us that in a place called Sittanoor, which is 18 kilometres away from Kancheepuram there is a worshipping group, a person named Venu Mudaliar who was an alcoholic, committed his life to Jesus and opened up his house for worship. We also praise God for the seven new people who have joined this worshipping community and are awaiting baptism. Taitopu, Murugan colony, Pallavar colonies are places where there are no churches and dominated by Hindus. Pastor Samuel informs us that he and the member of his church distributed 2000 tracts in these areas, so let us pray that the Spirit of God will continue to speak to the people as the read the tracts. In another place named Chillathangal, they distributed tracts and now have started a prayer cell; lets pray that the Lord may add people to it. Pastor Samuel has set the target to distribute 10,000 tracts every month along with his congregation in un-reached areas.
Pastor Khrist Pal Rai, the pastor of the Nepali church at Bangalore had come down to Chennai and explored possibilities of starting a Nepali worship service in Chennai. Pastor Rai stayed with us and we had a nice time of fellowship together.
We also thank God for Pastor Vijayamani and his family who also came down from Bangalore and stayed with us for sometime as Mrs. Greeni Vijaymani underwent a medical treatment which had required urgent attention – PTL for the healing, she is fine now.
We are eagerly looking forward for the AME delegation to visit India in November 2007 under the leadership of Bishop John Bryant and Rev. Cee. God is surely going to do great and marvellous things. Therefore we request prayers for this visit. We also request your prayers for Sarah as she applies for Visa to visit USA in the month of July to attend a conference.
We thank Bishop Bryant & Rev. Cee for giving us the opportunity to serve the ministries of AME in India. We are grateful to them for their encouragement and leadership.
As we look back to last month we thank God for the way God guided us and used in God’s ministry. We look forward for greater ministries in the month of February and we believe God is surely going to do great things. We request you for your valuable prayers as we continue to serve God.
Minnie Sarah & Abraham Peddiny
AME-India
6. JOHNSON-FERGUSON ACADEMY IN BRENHAM, TEXAS RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE WITH SCHOLAR OF THE MONTH AWARD:
The Johnson-Ferguson Academy in Brenham, Texas, expects no less than excellence from its young scholars. The Johnson-Ferguson Academy was founded in 2000 by the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Southwest Texas Conference.
Ten scholars are enrolled at the Academy in grades kindergarten through four. The day school employs one teacher in a multiple-grade classroom, and utilizes a Christian-based curriculum and an Afro-centric approach to instruction.
In keeping with the 10th Episcopal District’s 2006-2007 theme of “Always Moving towards Excellence,” the Academy implemented a Scholar of the Month Award in October 2006 to recognize various forms of excellence among Academy scholars and to serve as an incentive for scholars to strive for all around excellence.
Selection criteria for the Scholar of the Month Award include the scholar’s attendance at school, class participation, exhibited level of motivation, level of daily preparation for learning and their attitude for learning and working with others. Additionally, scholars are judged on their level of achievement beyond expectations, serving as a role model for fellow students, performance of special actions or noteworthy activities and service or assistance to others at the Academy or in the community.
Recipients are selected by the Johnson-Ferguson Academy’s teacher, Onie Mae Wilson, who may receive input from other staff and volunteers at the Academy. Mrs. Wilson said that the award serves as a great motivation to scholars in that she has noticed enhanced pursuit of excellence among the scholars since implementation of the award.
In recognition of this honor, Scholar of the Month Award recipients receives an engraved medallion. Also, scholars receive recognition by having their picture and a feature story included in the Brenham Banner Press, the local newspaper, as well as being featured in the St. John Herald newsletter, the church’s newsletter. Award recipients’ names also are placed in the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Sunday bulletin one week of the month, and their name is placed on the church’s marquee. At the Academy, the scholars’ pictures are placed on a bulletin board to recognize their achievement.
The award is sponsored by Brenham Trophies & Awards, a local supporter of the Academy. The engraved medallion contains the scholar’s name, Academy’s name, month of the award and an image of the Academy’s mascot, the eagle.
Bishop Gregory G. M. Gregory Ingram is the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District. The Rev. Dr. Alvin Larke Jr. is the pastor of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church and is co-founder of the Academy.
One truly can say that the Johnson-Ferguson Academy is Always Moving towards Excellence.
7. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: THE PROFOUND, PASTOR WALTER R. BAULDRICK, SR., RESTORES YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN BRINGING THE SCRIPTURES ALIVE:
Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
The Rev. Walter R. Bauldrick, Sr. is this week's nominee as "Clergy of the Week." He is a profound scholar, teacher, preacher, and is currently the pastor of Coppin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, Illinois.
On October 30, 2004 The Right Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District and Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Church, re-assigned Dr. Bauldrick to historic Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Church, where he served previously under the pastorate of the Rev. Charles S. Spivey, Jr., as an assistant pastor from 1981 to 1982.
During his tenure at Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Church, his challenge has been to bring the scriptures ALIVE to the present generation. In his quest for teaching and having the challenge to inspire youth and young adults, one of his greatest aspirations during the pastorate, he relates; as a pastor, my challenge is to bring the scriptures alive to this generation. "Dr. James Cone, whose writings influenced my ministry greatly, defines theology as the study of God's interaction with his people (paraphrased). Therefore, it is important for me to make the God of history relevant to those in need of God's care. The small and in some cases, minute affects, where I served as the instrument for positive change has been most rewarding to me personally. These experiences have enabled me to grow spiritually and to become even more confident in God's activity with his people. I have watched young people grow stronger spiritually, realizing what I too have learned, that God does care and the righteous are not forsaken. He further states; " Though I have learned far more from seniors than I have given, I am please I have I had the opportunity to share my skills with those in need.
Rev. Bauldrick is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he received his early Christian training at Saint James A.M.E. Church. He received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from South Carolina State University. Upon graduation he joined Universal Oil Products, a leading international manufacturer and licensor of process technology and technical services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical processing industries. After 33 years of service in his corporate career, he has retired and now devotes his fulltime service to the Christian ministry.
When asked Pastor Bauldrick asked: “What measures do you feel that the A.M.E. Church can take in involving young adults in restoring them back to the A.M.E. Church, those who have left and went to other denominations?”
He replied that; "This is a major challenge for the A.M.E. Church and I pray that God will guide us in addressing this concern. First and foremost, I don't think our liturgy, our structure, or our worship is the primary reason for the decline in young adult attendance. As with any church, there are some worship experiences better than others, but the A.M.E. Church remains overall a quality Church. We must also acknowledge that most mainline denominations are having similar experiences. I attribute one cause for this decline is the shifting in our values as more young people became educated, mobile and more optimistic about their personal future. As young people migrated across the country they sort congregations amenable to their personal values. We must confront the concerns challenging this audience in order to attract them. We must offer meaningful programs to assist in addressing current issues. We must teach this generation the importance of a Christian life."
An active religious and civic-minded pastor in the community, he is a member of the Chicago Alliance of the A.M.E. Ministers and presently serving a second term as president, a member of the A.M.E. Board of Examiners of the Chicago Conference and former President of the Evanston Ministerial Alliance. He is a Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a past president of his chapter where he was named "Brother of the Year” in 2000. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity identified him as an outstanding contributor with a written article in the historical 85th edition of the Sphinx Magazine. He has served as chairman of the Mu Mu Lambda Education Foundation and a board member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Education Foundation representing the Midwest Region.
A man of great wisdom and service to others he was elected as a member of Who's Who in America and a Black Achievers in industry by the Harlem, New York Branch of the YMCA. A member of the Industrial Research Institute and an Advisory Board member of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Reverend Bauldrick is married to Patricia White Bauldrick, a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Mrs. Bauldrick is an Elementary Education Principal in the Chicago Public Schools. They are the proud parents of three lovely children. The couple has resided in the Chicago area for more than thirty years.
Congratulations, Pastor Bauldrick and the Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Family for your contributions to the community and African Methodism.
*If you would like to nominate your pastor, clergy staff person or PK as "Clergy of the Week" please email your request to:
ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E. is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
8. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Rev. Danielle Rogers, co-founder of St. Paul Community A.M.E. Church in Bozeman, Montana completed her seminary degree on Dec. 14, 2006 at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.
Rev. Rogers is editor-in-chief of the A.M.E. Herald www.ameherald.com.
Twenty-nine year old Rev. Danielle Rogers is also working as a chaplain at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. She is in the Fifth Episcopal District, Bishop John R. Bryant is the Presiding Prelate and the Rev. Shermella Garrett is her Presiding Elder.
Congratulatory messages to Rev. Danielle Rogers may be emailed to: deniserogers@bresnan.net
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Marian L. Stevens. Sister Stevens was the mother of Rev. Karl A. Stevens, pastor at Byrd’s AME Church, Clayton, Delaware (Delaware Conference, Wilmington District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral will be held Saturday, February 3, 2007
Viewing - 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Funeral - 10:00 am
Fairview Baptist Church
Essex and Balignack Avenue
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Phone: 215-477-6695
Rev. Carolyn V. Jordan, Pastor at Fairview AME Church will be officiating.
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Karl A. Stevens and family
167 Hemlock Drive
Cochranville, PA 19330
Submitted By:
Dolores M. ClintonFirst Episcopal District-AMECPhone: 215-662-0506Fax: 215-662-0199
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Brother Robert Brown, Jr. on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Macon Medical Center. He is the husband of the Reverend Lusora Brown who serves as the pastor of Greater Strawberry A.M.E. Church in the Eastern District of the Southwest Georgia Conference in the Sixth Episcopal District.
Homegoing Service:
Saturday, February 3, 2007
2:00 P.M.
True Faith Church of God and Christ
2048 Jeffersonville Road
Macon, Georgia 31217
Jones Brothers Funeral Home
3035 Millerfield Road
Macon, Georgia 31217
478-743-3331
FAX: 478-743-2361
Condolences may be sent to:
The Reverend Lusora Brown and Family
4593 Sylvester Circle
Macon, Georgia 31201
478-745-1364
Please remember the Brown family in your prayers.
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
12. 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
