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. EDITORIAL - DOES THE NUMBER 3200+ MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The number 3200+ is an important number, but apparently the number 3200+ means little, or nothing, to President George Bush and to those around him.
I hope the number 3200+ means something to you.
Why is the number 3200 important? It is important because the Department of Defense has identified 3200+ American Service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war!
It was not that long ago when the news media posted the number of U.S. deaths at 2000.
The U.S. has averaged 838 deaths a year since 2004 based upon DOD U.S. combat deaths figures for each calendar year; and, that’s not counting the 23417 wounded, or the service members who have died from combat inflicted wounds after returning to the U.S.
Soldiers and Marines are dying every day and we are still sending more soldiers to their deaths. It’s a shame; and all of us should hang our heads in shame until we bring our soldiers home. Like Viet Nam, when all of this is over, we will all call the deaths of Americans in this war, a waste of precious lives.
Congressmen, both Democrats and Republicans, are abdicating their responsibility to our soldiers by giving some distant date for pulling the troops out of Iraq. The troops need to come home now; the soldiers want to come home now. The families of the soldiers want them to come home now; they do not want their loved ones embroiled in the middle of a civil war, and that’s what the Iraq war is. And, sadder still, the Iraqis, both Sunnis and Shias want our soldiers to go home. The countries in the region want us to go home. Our allies want us to go home. Our friends and our enemies want us to go home; the world wants us out of Iraq.
So, why are we staying in Iraq? No weapons of mass destruction were found, Saddam Hussein has been removed, and a democratically elected Iraqi government is in place; so why are we staying in Iraq? Why do we continue to put our soldiers at risk?
Does Iraq represent a survival, vital or strategic risk to our nation? Those are the reasons nations go to war. Could it be oil? Are we keeping our troops in Iraq to protect our rights to their oil?
I have not heard the president make that specific claim. I have heard the president and vice-President tell us that our remaining in Iraq makes us safer. Cheney says, if we pull our soldiers out of Iraq, the terrorists will come here to America.” That’s scary, but I would remind Cheney that none of the 9/11 terrorists were Iraqis; they were all Saudis. The Washington Post in an article by Jobey Warrack recently reported, “Saudi Arabia routinely frees Gitmo detainees.” It sounds to me like we have other enemies lurking in the region.
What is the Bush administration logic? I am at a loss and most Americans are at a loss. The war’s cost is nearly $500 billion; a billion has nine zeroes. Just think of what $500 Billion could do if we applied some of it to upgrade our deteriorating educational systems and ineffective prison reform programs. What a blessing some of that money to the Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. Wouldn’t the money that we are spending on the Iraq war be better spent here in America? We could us some of that money to fund anti poverty programs, medical research, and needed military upgrades, especially housing for family members on military bases. Some of the money spent in Iraq could have been invested more wisely on upgrades at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and for hospitals and programs operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Whenever we pull out of Iraq tomorrow or three years from now, there will be a fight over who will be in charge. The Sunnis, Shias and Kurds will “fuss and fight” and one of those groups will emerge as the governing force of the country.
In the end, when all of this is over, the Iraqis themselves will decide who will run the country.
And in the meantime, the Army has lowered the recruiting standards to meet recruitment goals by allowing for moral waivers for violent offenders. That might meet the immediate recruiting goals, but “down the road” when the soldiers come back home, the Army will be in the same mess, as it was after Viet Nam.
We are going to pay for the sins of this war for a long time.
And as a retired combat veteran who has served on the battlefield in the first Gulf War and who has friends currently serving in Iraq, I can tell you, “I don’t care what the generals are saying to the media; the soldiers want to come home.”
2. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
- The college preparatory Philadelphia High School for Girls in Pennsylvania has entered into its prestigious library a limited edition book, TheEnterpriZe from Slave ship to Space ship. The book, published in 2001, is co-authored by Eric Stradford and Stephanie Walker Stradford. The 12 chapters of TheEnterpriZe introduce ordinary people who promote common values to sustain extraordinary deeds.
Eric Stradford is the son of the late Reverend James and Alma Stradford of the Third Episcopal District. The late Reverend Stradford founded Smoot's Chapel A.M.E. Church in West Virginia (circa 1943). The Stradford family has been members of Greater Avery A.M.E. Church for more than 50 years. Stephanie Walker Stradford was the first business manager of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Ft. Washington, MD. The co-pastors are Rev. Dr. Grainger and Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning.
- The Rev. Dr. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant AME Church in Watts and Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ among L.A. clergy who have pledged to rebuild churches devastated by Katrina.
- The 13th Episcopal District Mid Year Convocation will be held in Memphis this week.
- The 12th Episcopal District Founders Day was held in Little Rock last week.
3. THE CONNECTIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TWO UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING:
The Connectional Health Commission is pleased to announce two upcoming opportunities for training. The training sessions will be held at the site of the Ministries in Christian Education, April 19-21, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee and will also be held prior to the opening of the General Board meeting, June 22-24, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.
The training with the Department of Christian Education at the Ministries in Christian Education Conference, April 19-21, 2007 will have four sessions with sessions I and II offered on April 19th and sessions III and IV on April 20th.
It will be important for tracking and the development of future joint trainings that the registration form be completed as follows:
For Church Office – check “other,” and fill-in your Health Commission office Ministry Affiliation. Conference registration is $125 and the form can be accessed at the following website or from the Health Commission website (www.amechealth.org), then
http://www.ameced.com/2007mceRegistration.shtml
Hotel information: Hotel Preston733 Briley ParkwayNashville, TN 37214Hotel info: Room rate: $89 for King or DoubleFor reservations, ask for CED-AMEC BlockYou may also call the hotel directly: 1-877-361-5500
Also please remember that the Health Commission will be hosting its annual Leadership Training June 22-24, 2007 just prior to the opening of the General Board and Bishop's Council in Columbus, Ohio.
The training schedule and description will be released in the near future.
Hotel information: Hyatt Regency Columbus
At Greater Columbus Convention Center
350 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
To make a reservation, call (614) 463-1234 or (800) 233-1234 and ask for the AME Church block of rooms; The Group Rate: $132.
The Training:
I. Organizing Your AMEC Health Ministry and Overview of Connectional Health Commission (CHC) Programming: This session will provide the structure for the Connectional Health Commission, provide you with the informational resources to implement and/or expand your Health Ministry at any level (Episcopal, Annual Conference, Presiding Elder, Local Church). The over 11 areas of focus of the CHC will be discussed and how you can become involved.
II. Body and Soul Training: The creation or expansion of a wellness program for African American Churches: The Body and Soul program is designed to help members reduce their risk for diet related chronic diseases through simple lifestyle changes. The training will instruct churches on the implementation and expansion of Body and Soul programming with support from public and private community based organizations.
The training will also prepare churches:
– To promote Body & Soul,
– Partner effectively with churches within their districts
– Use the Body & Soul program to launch other wellness programs
III. Pandemic Flu Preparation: Church and Community strategies that do not involve vaccines or medications (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may serve as a first line of defense to help delay or mitigate the spread of influenza in the event of a pandemic. This session will discuss pre-planning and issues to be considered in preparation for and in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak
IV. The Development and Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with Outside Agencies that support your Health Ministry
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provides documentation of which organizations or parties are entering into an agreement, details responsibilities of parties entering into the agreement and provides accountability. This session will provide information on the development and implementation of an MOU that will assist in ensuring the best interest of the church, its members and surrounding communities is achieved.
4. [NCC NEWS] AFTER FOUR YEARS, IRAQ WAR STILL “IMMORAL”:
New York City, March 16, 2007--The leader of the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) reiterated the Iraq war is "immoral" as he prepared to take part in peace actions tonight and tomorrow (March 16/17, 2007) in Washington, D.C., marking the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
"It is the life and ministry of Jesus Christ that prompted our stand then and compels us now to reiterate the continued prosecution of this war is immoral. It should be ended as quickly as possible," said the Rev. Bob Edgar, NCC's general secretary, in a statement [see below] issued today.
"There is a numbness that seems to have overcome America about the purpose, cost and effects the Iraq war has had on our country's soul," Edgar said. His prescription for healing the soul of the nation is a time-honored, Biblically-based action.
"In church language, when you make a mistake you examine your conscience, promise not to do it again and change the direction of your life. It's called repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation," Edgar said.
The NCC leader also spoke of the toll to America's soul due to the torture of human beings in secret prisons and abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.
The Rev. Edgar was set to join thousands tonight (7 p.m. EDT) in a Christian peace witness [www.christianpeacewitness.org] at the Washington National Cathedral. Following the service a candlelight march to the White House is expected to join many more thousands "to surround the White House with the bright light of Christ," according to event planners.
The NCC is the ecumenical voice of America's Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These 35 communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states.
5. MILITARY CHAPLAINS RETREAT STRENGTHENS “WOUNDED HEALERS”:
By Hilly Hicks and Kathy L. Gilbert*
Oftentimes the most powerful person on the battlefield is an unarmed, praying chaplain.
Military chaplains live side-by-side with soldiers. They eat, sleep and work with young men and women in dangerous and uncomfortable conditions thousands of miles from family, friends and their United Methodist connections.
Circuit riders in Humvees, they bring a Bible as their only weapon.
The strain of seeing many members of their extended congregation die or receive horrific wounds is challenging, and chaplains have little or no time to tend to their own wounded souls.
Once a year, however, the "wounded healers" come together in Germany for a retreat sponsored by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency, part of the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. This year's gathering was Feb. 16-21 in the little village of Ettal, Germany.
Twelve chaplains and many of their wives and children spent the retreat in periods of worship, round-table discussion and relaxed times of fun and fellowship.
Retired Bishop Woodie W. White came as a special guest to preach, serve communion, counsel and listen to the chaplains. He also joined the Rev. Patricia Barrett, head of the Endorsing Agency, on a visit to the Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl where the war wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq are evacuated for medical attention before being flown back to the United States for further care.
White took his turn with chaplains walking around the medical center - offering prayers with and for the soldiers.
"I could hardly hold back the tears," White wrote in a column following his visit. "Then it was difficult to contain my rage. I was standing with a U.S. chaplain at the bedside of a wounded soldier recently evacuated from Iraq. The soldier was horribly burned over more than 40 percent of his body. Frankly, it was difficult for me to look at him. Then we moved to another bed. Here was a soldier who had both legs blown off."
Refueling and replenishing
United Methodist Chaplain David Smith was one of the U.S. Army chaplains attending the retreat in Germany. Each chaplain was given an opportunity to tell their own stories and to hear from church leadership that they were cared for and prayed for.
Smith recalls the "footlocker counseling" he did everyday with the military police in Fallujah, Iraq.
A simple request, "Hey, chaplain, would you mind stopping in to visit the platoon? They had a really rough day," became a ministry for Smith who came under attack many times himself on his rounds to see his "flock."
As part of a 54-unit ministry team in a task force scattered over an area the size of the U.S. state of Idaho, Smith traveled by vehicle or air to visit the troops. "It was critical for me to be their pastor," said Smith.
As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom during the initial occupation of Iraq, Smith described the experience as very dangerous at the beginning, followed by a period of stability. Then came the 30 days of Ramadan, a religious month of fasting for Muslims and a time of heightened danger for the troops.
"I was traveling prior to and during Ramadan in my Humvee with no doors, sandbags on the floor and really with a fear of God every time I left what I thought was the security of our forward operating base."
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are a constant threat in Iraq. Smith went weekly to visit soldiers at a military medical facility and he recalls one period of three close calls with IEDs exploding near his Humvee.
A hospital chaplain and friend suggested he try flying in the next weekend.
"I put an air request in to fly from our headquarters to the hospital, and on the way back that night to the headquarters the engine went out in the helicopter and we caught a hard landing. ... It was like a crash landing," he said. "I'm thinking, 'Lord what are you trying to tell me? Three weekends in a row.' But it was something that I felt was important to visit our wounded soldiers in the hospital."
Like many other soldiers, Smith has never really shared his stories. But sharing them with other chaplains at the retreat was "dynamic, personal and inspirational. It has been a healing experience."
Living with stress
Spouses and families of the chaplains also come to the retreat. Wartime stress for them is very real.
"You'd think that as a chaplain's wife that I'd have this faith that would keep me from feeling fear or feeling worried," said Karen Smith, David's wife. "But the truth is that I had to struggle with those feelings just like any other wife whose husband was deployed to Iraq."
Another Army Chaplain, Scott Weichl, told the group that "being able to reflect on my experiences in Iraq with people I know and trust makes being here at this retreat worth it."
Air Force Chaplain Joel Warren is stationed at Ramstein (Germany) Air Base and greets C-130 aircrafts when they touch down loaded with injured troops from Iraq or Afghanistan. What he has seen as he boards those aircrafts weighs heavily upon him.
"The war does not go away," Warren said. "I can't tell you the importance of sitting down with my fellow United Methodists and being reminded of who we are."
Bishop White said he "gained strength from the experienced, sensitive, compassionate chaplain" at his side in the hospital.
"I shall long remember being with those pastors, talking late into the night, singing songs of the faith, joining together in prayer and Holy Communion," White said. "The moments of deep sharing - and the tears."
*Hicks is director of United Methodist Productions; Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service: http://umns.umc.org
6. A UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE COMMENTARY - GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES:
NOTE: The following article was emailed by the United Methodist News Service (UMNS) and is used with permission of the UMNS appears in the was written for United Methodists who may be desirous of becoming delegates to the 2008 United Methodist Church General Conference that will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Christian Recorder is publishing this story because it has relevance for AMEs who might be considering an opportunity to be a 2008 AME General Conference Delegate.
By Rich Peck*
As United Methodists gather for their annual conference sessions this year, their 2008 global assembly will be uppermost in their minds.
In addition to acting on legislation to send to the 2008 General Conference, the annual (regional) conferences will elect delegates to represent their areas. The General Conference, which convenes every four years, will bring about 1,000 delegates to Fort Worth to set direction for the denomination.
The General Conference delegates are elected from among the members of the annual conferences. In order to be a delegate, you must have been a member of the denomination for two years and active in a United Methodist congregation within the boundaries of the annual conference for four years.
Serving as a delegate can be exciting, but it's also demanding. If you've been chosen by your congregation to attend annual conference as a member, here are some points to consider.
Step one: Consider whether you really want to be a General Conference delegate
It may sound like a lot of fun to be a delegate to the only law-making assembly of the worldwide United Methodist Church. However, ask yourself if you want to use 10 vacation days working on legislation from early in the morning to late at night. Don't expect a lot of free time to spend in the pool and to visit Fort Worth tourist areas.
If you want to become a delegate because you are concerned about a social justice issue, prepare to be disappointed. Delegates who are elected first have the first choice of legislative committees. If you are not one of the first delegates elected, you may discover that the only legislative committees still open are ones that have nothing to do with your primary concern.
You will have an opportunity to vote on all items during plenary sessions during the second week, but odds are great that you will not have the opportunity to speak to any of these issues. At any time, a sizable number of delegates will be trying to capture the eye of the presiding bishop in order to speak to the assembly.
You must also consider financial obligations. General Conference will provide travel funds and per-diem expenses, but you will search for a long time before you find delegates who found reimbursement amounts paid for actual expenses.
Finally, pray about this decision. Is this what God wants you to do?
If you still want to be a delegate, here are the next steps:
Step two: Gain visibility beyond your local church
After being named a lay member to the annual conference, attend conference events and let your district superintendent know you'd like to serve on conference boards or committees. Speak out in committee and conference sessions. Volunteer to take minutes, join conference work teams, and volunteer to write articles for the conference newspaper.
Step three: Read rules governing delegate election
Ask your pastor for a copy of the annual conference journal. Within that book you may be able to find the conference rules of order. Within those rules, you may be able to find conference rules for the election of delegates to General and jurisdictional conferences. If these procedures are not in the journal, call the conference secretary and ask how you can get information about election procedures.
Annual conference procedures differ. In some conferences, members are simply given blank ballots and they are asked to write the names of people for whom they wish to vote. The number of names will depend upon the number of delegates to be elected.
Other annual conferences have a nomination process that includes opportunities to submit personal information that is distributed to all voting members. There is frequently a 150- to 200-word limit for such submissions. Some conferences also include photos of nominees. Look at the listing from four years ago to garner ideas. Ask yourself which candidate would be most attractive to you, and prepare your biographical material accordingly.
Step four: Publicize your interest in becoming a delegate
If conference rules allow, prepare a brochure with a photo, a biographical sketch, and how you stand on specific issues facing the denomination. Don't be shy about telling about the offices you have held and various accomplishments and honors. You may want to include supportive statements from your pastor and conference leaders. Mail these brochures to the lay members of your annual conference in advance of the conference session. The annual conference office will be able to provide a list for you.
If your conference provides biographies of all nominees, it will probably discourage the preparation of individual brochures. If your conference falls into this category, you may want to provide buttons or shirts, but do not provide brochures.
In some annual conferences, each district is given the opportunity to nominate a set number of members to be candidates for General Conference. If this is the case in your conference, find out who is serving on the committee making recommendations and tell them of your interests and abilities.
Step five: Seek the counsel of others
Introduce yourself to the conference and district lay leaders. Invite them to lunch. Tell them of your interest in being a lay delegate to General Conference and seek their advice.
Seek the counsel and support from friends you have made while serving on conference committees. Ask them to make phone calls on your behalf.
Evaluate the benefits and liabilities of support from a caucus or political-action group within your conference. Talk with the caucus chairperson. If he or she has you near the bottom of the list of candidates the caucus will support, you are better off not being listed by the caucus. If, on the other hand, the caucus intends to make you its No. 1 candidate, you probably have much to gain by its support.
The first ballot will take place early in the 2007 annual conference session, so don't wait until conference begins to meet annual conference members from other congregations.
Step six: Campaign at the 2007 annual conference
Before the conference, read Paragraphs 601-655 of the 2004 Book of Discipline so you are familiar with the operating rules. Arrive early and introduce yourself to members while they are registering. If they are attending their first annual conference session, provide them with information about the sessions and tell them about voting procedures. If conference rules allow, ask friends to hand out brochures and talk about you.
The number of General Conference delegates from an annual conference depends on the number of clergy and members of local churches. The secretary of General Conference computes and announces the number of delegates each conference can elect. If, for example, an annual conference is allotted 10 delegates, five will be lay and five clergy. The second 10 members elected serve as delegates to the jurisdictional conference; they also serve as alternate members of General Conference in the order of their election.
Every annual conference is guaranteed at least one lay and one clergy delegate. Lay members may only vote for lay delegates and clergy for clergy delegates.
Most annual conferences require delegates to receive more than 50 percent of the valid votes cast before declaring an election. After each ballot, the presiding bishop or the secretary will announce the number of valid ballots, the number of votes needed for election and the results of the ballot.
In the final ballots for General Conference delegates, annual conference members may only be voting for one delegate. If more than one person receives more than 50 percent of the votes cast, the one with the largest number of votes will be the final General Conference delegate elected; the other will be the first delegate to jurisdictional conference and the first alternate delegate to General Conference. If there is a tie, there will be a run-off election between the two candidates.
After General Conference delegates have been elected, balloting will continue to elect an equal number of jurisdictional conference delegates and alternates.
At any time during the balloting process, conference rules or a conference vote can reduce the percentage needed for election. In some cases, a conference may elect people receiving the highest number of votes to the final positions.
Balloting may take more than one day. Be visible during the entire process and continue to widen your friendship circle. Now is not the time to hunker down with old friends.
Step seven: Your work begins
Immediately after elections, newly elected delegates will gather to select a delegation chairperson and choose legislative committees. Odds are great that delegates will select legislative committees in the order in which they are elected. If you have the opportunity, you will want to let others know that you want to serve on a particular committee and your reasons for such a choice. The group will set time and formats for future meetings.
If you are a General Conference delegate, you are also a jurisdictional conference delegate, and that delegation will schedule a meeting at annual conference. At that gathering, members may elect representatives to the jurisdictional committee on the episcopacy and set times for future meetings.
After all this work to get elected to General Conference, you may also be elected to serve as a board member of a general agency and you'll be given still more work to do. You will have to remind yourself that it is an honor and a privilege to be elected.
*Peck is editor of UM Men and has attended 10 General Conferences. He was editor of the Daily Christian Advocate for the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 General Conferences and was editor for United Methodist News Service at the 2004 assembly.
7. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - BAPTISM – A SYMBOL OF SALVATION:
*Rev. James M. Moody
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2: 40-41)
Every month we perform the sacrament of baptism at our various houses of worship. It’s important to stop and teach what the Word instructs us to know, believe, and live about this most important symbol of our salvation. We can shed biblical light on the sacrament of baptism by answering some frequently asked questions as outlined in “The New Catechism for African Methodists” as a basis for our teaching.
First, “What is baptism?” Acts 2: 37-38 tells us that baptism is the act or event where one begins a new life-style with Christ Jesus being the center of his life. As the people heard the Word they asked, “What shall we do?” Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. It is doing away with one’s old nature and beginning a new spiritual life in Christ.
Second, “What are the three (3) methods of baptism?” Acts 2: 41 and Acts 8: 36-39 give us some insight. We traditionally think of baptism as being immersed in a pool or lake. With three thousand or more persons being saved in one day, it’s hard to imagine the apostles “dunking” over three thousand folk. Tradition has passed along the methods of baptizing by sprinkling water upon the head of the candidate at the altar and is baptizing by pouring water upon the candidate’s head. The third method is baptizing by immersion. Acts 8: 36-39 indicates the finance minister’s whole body was put under water and brought up, using the water that was available.
Third, “Which method of baptism is most important?” Acts 2: 38 tells us “None.” No one method has significance over the other. They all involve the use of water, which is the “outward sign” denoting an “inward spiritual change” to a new life in Christ Jesus. The choice of method is up to the candidate. All three methods hold equal significance.
Fourth, “What is the most important element in baptism?” Acts 2: 38b-39 express the most important element in baptism is not water, but the fire of the Holy Spirit, inwardly converting and regenerating one’s spiritual being to Christ Jesus. There can be no real baptism without the fire of God’s spirit. Much energy has been spent arguing the most important elements and proper method of baptism. Acts 10: 44-48 shows how man’s requirements of circumcision and adherence to the law are nullified by the essential element in baptism: the Holy Spirit. One can be saved without being baptized with water. One can only be truly baptized by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Fifth, “What is the most popular method of baptism used by A.M.E.’s?” The methods of sprinkling and pouring on of water upon the head of the candidate at the altar are most popular by A.M.E.’s. The altar in the A.M.E. Church is a sign of humility before God and dedication and commitment to His will, making baptism at the alter full of meaning and reverence. Many A.M.E. congregations utilize baptismal pools for immersing candidates, thereby replicating the sacrament as performed by John the Baptist with Jesus.
Sixth, “Why do we baptize?” We baptize because Jesus commanded all who would follow Him must be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit. We are to make disciples (Matthew 28: 19b) and baptize them into membership in the body of Christ. It is important to note that failure to be baptized does not condemn someone (Mark 16: 15-16). The failure to believe brings us into condemnation by God. We are saved by God’s grace through the faith we have in Him (Ephesians 2: 8-10). Salvation does not come by the actions of man – including the act of being baptized by water. Our actions are to reflect our salvation. That is why baptism is symbol of salvation, not a means of being saved.
Finally, “Why do we baptize infants and children?” Matthew 19: 13-15 tell how persons brought their children to Jesus “for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.”
We baptize infants and children because we believe the grace of God is also available to the lives of infants and children. Dr. David Lowes Watson of Wesley Theological Seminary of Washington, D.C. describes how God’s grace has three dimensions that are at work in the world at all times.
The first is the prevenient grace that protects, provides and guides us until such time as we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. His grace keeps us as His grace saves us. The parents of infants and children who are being baptized have a special responsibility to insure that the child’s life is so ordered that he or she is place on path toward a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
The second is the saving grace that brings us into a saving relationship with the Son of God. This grace is available to every living being. In Watson’s words, “We’re all saved; we just all don’t know it yet!” We have a new position before God but have not yet developed a new practice.
The third is the sanctifying grace that transforms us into those whose practice conforms to their new position in Christ and live today the abundant life that Christ came that we might have.
We are saved by God’s grace through the faith we have in Him. That is why baptism is not a means of being saved, but a symbol of our salvation.
*The Rev. James M. Moody is the pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church 2401 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
8. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICES:
The Rev. John F. White II and Rev. Maria Mallory White, Pastor and Associate Minister of New Mt. Zion Tallahassee, proudly announce the birth of John F. White III, 7 lbs 14 ounces. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Submitted by:
The Rev. John F. White II
Pastor, New Mt. Zion Tallahassee, FL
Congratulatory email messages can be sent to: RevJWhite2@aol.com.
9. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICES:
It is with Jesus' joy that we announce the birth of a baby girl to Ralton and Esther Moses. Esther is the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Clive Pillay, pastor and first lady of Oak Grove AME Church.
We congratulate the grandparents, and pray God's richest blessing for the future.
Submitted by Joseph Lackay, Oak Grove AME Church
From: admin@oakgrovesa.org
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
None
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
