Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – I WANT TO KNOW…:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Have you ever had things that you wanted to know? I want to know how airplanes, heavier than air, carrying trucks and tanks, can fly. I want to know how ships made of steel, loaded with cargo, can float. I want to know how the Egyptians built the pyramids. My list could go on and on.
There are a lot of things that most of us would like to know. Experts in the field of aviation, an engineer and archaeologists could probably answer my questions.
There are some questions that I have in the realm of ministry and about the Church that I would like answered. I am just as inquisitive about those questions as I am about things that seem to defy nature, and the quirks that we observe everyday.
I want to know…
I want to know why any pastor would allow any steward, trustee and other officers to serve in leadership positions in the local church that does not study the Bible or seek spiritual growth and development.
I want to know how any pastor would allow officers to serve in leadership positions in the local church who does not have any knowledge of The Discipline or how the AME Church functions.
I want to know how any pastor could allow any officer in the local church to serve in a position of leadership who has not purchased The Discipline or who has not taken the time to read and understand The Discipline.
I want to how we can allow any itinerant elder, local elder, local deacon, licentiate, exhorter to be in good and regular standing in the Church who does not maintain biblical and theological proficiency.
I want to know how we can allow candidates for ministry to move toward ordination who do not have a plan for meeting the requirements and maintaining proficiency in the profession of ministry.
I want to know why any local church would recommend a candidate for ministry who does not have a spiritual, biblical, educational, emotional foundation, or aptitude for ministry.
I want to know why any local church would recommend candidates for ministry who clearly are not capable for ministry.
I want to know how any local church would not insist that their ministers regularly attend theological and educational updates.
I want to know why a local church would not say, “No” to someone who is not suited for ministry and why local churches, the Quarterly Conference and the District Conference recommend unqualified candidates for ministry.
I want to know why any pastor would tell a local congregation that he or she does not know where the budget money goes.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry when he or she knows that they are not going to fulfill the academic and theological requirements for ordination.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry who does not believe or accept the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry knowing full-well that he or she has no intention of pastoring a church, or no plans to do fulltime ministry in any capacity.
I want to know why a person chooses the Itinerant track when he or she knows that he or she will only serve in a local ministry.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry and just be satisfied with sitting in the pulpit, praying when called upon, reading the scripture or leading in the Decalogue.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry track with the thought that they cannot go into fulltime ministry because there are no local churches that can support them. Even the disciples quit their fishing jobs to follow Jesus.
I want to know how any local church accepts “weekend warrior” pastors; pastors who only work on weekends; do nothing at the church during the week; paid a fulltime salary; and essentially, get paid to go to church.
I want to know how any pastor could be satisfied in part-time ministry; preach on Sunday and go back to his or her secular (real) job on Monday morning like anyone else who has a job.
I thank God for the fulltime pastors who were models for me. They were not mega-pastors, but they were faithful to the Itinerant ministry. Among them, the Rev. Theodore Clements, the Rev. Aldustus Jordan, the Rev. Jesse F. Owens, the Rev. B.C. Burton, the Rev. George “Tookie” Reid, the Rev. W. P. Stevens, the Rev. George Simms, the Rev. Donald Tucker, the Rev. C. E. Blake, the Rev. Rudolf Gibbs, and many, many more. They didn’t make a lot of money, sent their kids off to college, and trusted God to “supply all of their needs…” Not only were the pastors fulltime, the presiding elders were also fulltime. My dream for ministry was to be a fulltime pastor and to work in ministry fulltime.
I want to know how any local church would not insist that their pastors and ministers subscribe to all of the periodicals of the Church. And for those who don’t know the names of the AME periodicals: The Christian Recorder, The A.M.E. Church Review, The Voice of Missions, The journal of Religious Education, The Women’s Missionary Magazine, The Secret Chamber, and The YPD Newsletter.
I just want to know and would welcome any insights that any of our readers could provide. I might discover that I am the only one who wants answers to the issues I have raised.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Thank you for being a voice for reality checking. Many of our members are expressing this reality by giving less. Many churches are experiencing reductions in income, particularly from tithes and offerings. To put it more bluntly, if we, as Christians and our spiritual leaders do not speak up and offer some guidance, the people will not contribute and they will go, where their needs for support, comfort, and encouragement are met. I believe 75,000 or so jobs were lost yesterday alone, that is staggering. Some of those newly unemployed people are AME members.
I am still heartbroken about the 93 year old man who died from hypothermia in Michigan because of his utility bill. My prayer is that I will have laser like sensitivity to challenges among those in my spheres of activity so that I will respond as the Holy Spirit directs.
Dr. Paulette Coleman
Retired General Officer
3. A GREAT WEBSITE RESOURCE:
The link below is an excellent resource that addresses current issues. The website was shared by Dr. Paulette Coleman that she accessed from the AMEC Christian Education Website.
http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=201
4. SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT IMPLEMENTS TIME AND COST REDUCTIONS:
In the words of Charles Dickens, we are in “the best of times and in the worst of times.” On the one hand, we have the joy of President Obama's Inauguration and all the possibilities it brings. And, on the other hand, we live in the midst of serious economic conditions that have left many of our citizens mired in financial crisis. The African Methodist Episcopal Church and its members are not immune from the problems facing the wider society. For this reason, we in the Sixth District and across the Church must think of new ways in which we can save resources and still carry out the mission of bringing souls to Christ.
We have already begun to use some cost-reducing strategies that are most helpful. The budget has been stabilized, and we have made the commitment to live within our means. Now, we will prayerfully employ several time and cost reductions in the following schedule adjustments in our upcoming Annual Conferences:
1. Each of the six Annual Conferences will close on Thursday evening rather than Friday.
2. The Ordination and Commissioning Services will be combined into one closing service on Thursday evening.
3. The Services of Retirement, Memorials, and Church School will be conducted on Thursday morning before the Women in Ministry Service, which will now be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
4. The Ministers’ Spouses Luncheon will be held on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
5. Finally, after the Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference closes on Thursday, June 4th at St. Paul A.M.E Church/Pryor Road, Atlanta, GA, the Planning Meeting will convene at this same location on Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6, 2009.
It is our prayer that the financial benefits of instituting the above changes will far outweigh any corporate or personal inconvenience we may experience as we strive to tighten, shorten, or alter our former ways of operating in order to accommodate these new cost-saving strategies.
As we endeavor to be better stewards of the resources God has entrusted in our care, your patience and support are needed to help make these changes occur as smoothly as possible.
If you have any concerns, please send them via email to sixdistr@bellsouth.net or bring them with you to our Founders’ Day Celebration on February 19-21, 2009 at Saint Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church in Savannah, GA. Your input and support are appreciated.
Bishop William P. DeVeaux,
Presiding Prelate, the Sixth Episcopal District
5. THE SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WILL ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AT 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
The Second Episcopal District will spend time addressing issues facing the current economic climate during the Conference Institutes in each Annual Conference. The Right Rev. Adam Jefferson Richardson is the presiding prelate of the Second Episcopal District.
The background for the discussions will be led by a "practitioner" in the field, who will focus on the economic issues in a “plain English” analysis of Ali Velshi's book (primary economics analyst of CNN), "Gimme My Money Back." The book also addresses not only how the market downturn happened, but also how we can begin to recover individually.
The next session will feature Dr. Cain Hope Felder, who will make a presentation on our Conference Theme: "Celebrating a Political Milestone, Continuing a Prophetic Ministry." This, too, has economic implications as we consider the fact that the church can not be a mere "Cheerleader" for the Obama administration, we must also be a gadfly as Prophets of the Most High God -- even while we are praying for him and his administration. This is especially relevant for not only the economy, but the other thousand and one things that will come across his desk and ours.
6. FIRST AME CHURCH BUILDS NEW SANCTUARY:
God’s Newest Oasis in the Desert …
“In the midst of it all, First AME Church in Las Vegas, Nevada is doing God’s work, God’s way. Now that we have made it, God is going to establish, strengthen and settle us in this new land.”
Thus, began the sermon of the illustrious Reverend Dr. Ralph E. Williamson, Senior Pastor of First AME Church, 2450 Revere Street, Las Vegas, Nevada.
As Pastor Williamson approached the pulpit in announcing the subject text; “We Made It” (1 Peter 5:10) the parishioners were filled with joy and thanksgiving as he delivered an inspirational and thought provoking message in the new sanctuary. First AME founded in 1966 has grown through the years and found the physical facility “bursting” at the seams as it established itself as a stronghold in the Las Vegas community. The culmination of five years of pray, planning, and focusing under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ralph E. Williamson, Senior Pastor, came to fruition on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 9:30 am as an overflow of worshippers filled the sanctuary. The groundbreaking ceremony was April 27, 2008. Now, just nine months later, despite being “in the midst of it all” – financial markets tumbling, mortgage foreclosures, job layoffs, wars and rumors of war - the people of God of First AME, Las Vegas were celebrating the first service in the 500 seat, state-of-the art, spiritually filled sanctuary.
On the preceding Sunday, First AME was truly blessed during three days of revival services during the first week in January 2009. God’s presence filled the sanctuary every night as the revivalist, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr., senior pastor of Tanner Chapel AME Church in Phoenix, Arizona delivered dynamic and soul-stirring messages using the theme, “Chosen to Serve: Enhancing the Kingdom of God ”(Matthew 9:37).
At the conclusion of Friday night’s worship experience, the anointing of the Lord led the senior pastor, ministerial staff, officers, visitors, and congregants of First AME Church to march around, and into the new house of worship singing, “We’ve Come this Far By Faith.”
The best was yet to come; oh, what a morning!
People began arriving early Sunday morning, January 11, 2009 and continued to arriving until the sanctuary was overflowing, the choir loft was overflowing, the narthex was filled and yet they continued to come. Many persons stood outside participating in the service via the outdoor speakers that allowed them to hear the service.
To God be the Glory for this new stronghold - an oasis for God in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, as Rev. Dr. Williamson concluded, “While we are challenged as a nation, First AME believes we must be a light that continues to shine even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty. We must be a source and inspiration to others who have lost their way, to those who are in our own household and to those in our community. We must show them the way to the Kingdom of God. The work has just begun but to God be the Glory for the things He has done and will do as he establishes us in this new place.”
The Rt. Reverend T. Larry Kirkland serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District and the Reverend Dr. Howard Gloyd, serves as the Presiding Elder.
Submitted by Glenda Logan Osby,
Director of Christian Education
7. AME-INDIA REPORT - JANUARY 2009:
Greetings from AME India
We praise the Lord for God's care and guidance in 2008. We thank the Lord for enabling us to start this New Year with new vision and new hope. We thank God for all our prayer partners and all those who read this report.
We praise God for enabling us to conduct a Pastor's meeting in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh. We had a total of 25 people where 12 Pastors along with their spouses attended the meeting. All these Pastors are with AME-India. We are pleased to also inform you that four new Pastors have joined AME-India in this region. All the Pastors in this region are doing wonderful work and are sending their reports regularly.
Please pray for all the 16 Pastors, their families, children's education, that God to meet all their financial needs and that their ministry will grow; for protection in the midst of all the opposition that they face in the mission field, and for permanent places for worship in the respective villages.
Pastor Samuel Ramachandran shares a testimony which makes us wonder at the miracle that God has done for him.
On December 30, 2008, the hostel authority asked Pastor Samuel to vacate the room and leave the work because he was working for AME-India. Many souls have been touched by his ministry. On January 1, 2009, by faith Pastor Samuel organized a meeting for 150 people, without any financial resource in hand. He had prayed until the last night in December 2008; he wept and pleaded with God for a miracle, he prayed for God to guide him to preach. To his surprise early in the morning at 5 a.m., different people donated 15 kilograms of chicken, 20 kilograms of rice, cooking oil, fruits, sweets etc. Just as he had prayed the Lord provided enough food to feed all the 150 people, there was still much left over to distribute to other needy people. He also preached a very powerful sermon from Isaiah 40:31; people were touched. Of the 150 people only 10 were Christians; all others are Hindus from the fishing community. He shared this experience with us. It was amazing. Though the Lord took him out of the job which had helped him to sustain himself, the Lord blessed him with a powerful ministry. All praise, be to God, the Almighty.
Pastor Samuel Ramachandran, at the same time he was pastoring two of the AME churches, had been working as warden in the Christian boys’ hostel. He hails from the fishing community. Samuel's whole family was thrown out of their community because the whole family had converted from Hindu background; the family didn't get any benefit from the Government during the Tsunami because of their Christian identity. In 2006 we met with him shared about AME, after that, with much prayer he joined AME-India. We encouraged him. With God's guidance he has two churches in two villages, where people come to worship secretly, because all of them are Hindus from the fishing community.
Pastor Samuel also reports that that two new converts have been baptized and renamed, Daniel and Esther.
Please pray that the Lord would provide a job to Pastor Samuel to sustain himself; that his tow churches each acquire permanent place for worship, with a structure for people to gather for worship; for protection from the enemies of the gospel; for the two churches to grow in spiritual life and become mature Christians; that more people come to know the Lord in this region; and that Daniel and Esther grow in their new-found faith and become mature Christians.
On January 24, 2009, we visited the Bangalore AME-India Churches.
First of all we praise God and give all the glory to God for the way God used us in Bangalore. Both the Rev. Sarah and the Rev. Abraham preached in the Nepali and Tamil congregations. Pastor Joshua Vijayamani, the pastor of the Prince of Peace AME church, has started an English service, the Rev. Abraham preached in this service. Although it is a small gathering it has the dynamic potential to grow.
Rev. Sarah also had the opportunities to cast out evil spirits, heal and prophecy; some very interesting revelations came to her as prophecy for this congregation.
Please pray for Sukanya, a teenage girl, who was delivered from a spirit that tormented her with epilepsy; and for Sukanya's mother, Gowri, to make a personal commitment to God and that she will experience salvation; for Mr. Philip and Mrs. Susan to make a deep commitment to the Lord and experience salvation. They were also delivered from the evil spirit. They also need physical healing. Please pray for Gary, son of Mr. Philip and Mrs. Susan, who is an ex-drug addict; that he will be touched and healed by the Lord; and for Sanjay, a dynamic young person, who is at cross-roads of life as he seeks God's guidance in his life. We also request prayer for Mr. Alex, who lost his leg in an accident; he urgently needs a good prosthetic leg to make him mobile. He is one of the most active members of the Prince of Peace AME church.
Pastor Samuel Murugavel, reports that he conducted a public meeting in the month of December in which 200 people attended. He had invited the village elders and other officers to attend. They positively responded to his invitation, he recognized their presence and honoured them. Most of the people who attended the meeting, including the honoured guests were all Hindus. This was an opportunity for Pastor Samuel to convey the gospel to them. The region where Pastor Samuel works is a Hindu dominated place, surrounded by temples and it is also a Hindu pilgrimage centre.
Please pray for the safety of Pastor Samuel Murugavel, his family and for his children's education; and for he new converts in his church.
Finally we request you to pray for us as our rental agreement with the present house is coming to an end; we have to rent a new house, and this is a tedious and expensive process. Since we do not have a regular support, we are finding it very difficult to maintain and rent a house. Just for the monthly house rent we require a minimum of 300/- USD.
We would like to inform you that our residence is also the AME-India's office and a place where lot of people come for counseling and prayers. God has given us an excellent ministry, but our lack of resources limits our involvement. We surely know that God is our Jehovah Jireh, but sometime our human weakness becomes a source of discouragement. We request you for your valuable prayers for us in this matter.
The Reverend Sarah and the Rev. Abraham Peddinny
Presiding Elders, AME-India
Editor’s Note: AME-India needs our prayers, but AME-India also need our financial support if the ministry is going to be successful. Donations may be sent to:
We just wanted to inform you that our contact address given in the TCR for donations is our old address. For the last two years we are residing in the following address:
Revds. Sarah & Abraham Peddiny,
30/65, Medavakkam Tank Road,
Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010, Tamilnadu, India.
Donations could be sent to the following Bank Account, which will be the safest mode of making donations:
Name: MINNIE SARAH ABRAHAM PEDDINY,
Name of the Bank: State Bank of India .
Name of the Branch: Puraswalkam Branch.
Branch Code: 01515
My Account Number: 00000010332995153.
Place: Chennai, Tamilnadu , India .
Swift code: SBININBB 458
In India the postal system cannot be trusted, therefore a bank transfer is the safest way for transactions. We request you to kindly make the changes. Thanking You.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny
Presiding Elders, AME-India.
8. JUXTAPOSING MAMA’S CHURCH AND THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH:
January 24, 2009
The Rev. Ronald L. Slaughter
Editor’s Note: The following presentation was delivered at Candler School of Theology by the Rev. Ronald L. Slaughter, pastor of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Macon, Georgia
I am the product of the Silent Generation. I was reared by my maternal grandparents who are presently respectively 79 and 83-years-old.
I learned the value of hard work and ethics. I can recall at the age of 7 and 8, having to attend Quarterly Conference with my Great-Grandfather who was a Presiding Elder. No one is more aware than I of the enormous challenge the 21st Century church faces in attempting to minister to four generations at the same time.
We must face reality in that Mama’s Church, as glorious as it seems, needs some tweaking and tailoring for the sake of relevancy and growth. The Yer and Xer’s generation have invaded our Churches in mass numbers causing our Churches to make many adjustments in order to deal with this phenomenon. Youth pastors and young adult pastors are in positions and hear terms that Mama’s Church never had to deal with.
As I attempt to Juxtapose Mama’s Church versus today’s church, I do believe as President Barack Obama, our 44th President stated on Tuesday (January 20, 2009) that times have changed and we must face it. However, I do believe that the values, sacrifices, and work ethic our forefathers and mothers exhibited, are worth preserving.
Advances in technology has redefined our worship and preaching.
In this season, the preacher can no longer rely on clichés such as, “Ain’t He Alright” and “Won’t He Do It” and a “sweet hoop” to suffice as preaching.
Today’s Church mandates that scripture integrity, and careful exegesis be done before any “hooping” can take place, or we risk leaving today’s parishioners spiritually starved, and suffering from spiritual indigestion.
Pastors no longer preach to parishioners who can’t read or, like my grandfather, who only completed the 3rd grade.
Today we preach to persons that possess earned PhD’s, Masters, Bachelor, and Associate degrees. These persons, instead of taking the sermon as gospel; go home and, as Dr. Teresa Fry-Brown says, they “Google God” to checkout the validity of our sermonic interpretation of scripture. The German Theologian Karl Barth stated, “In order to be relevant in our preaching; the preacher must possess in their mediation time, a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.”
It’s A New Season: A season in which Sola – Scripta = Scripture being the sole authority, is actually practiced in our churches. The Discipline or Law of the Church, or “this is how we always done it,” is almost non-existent in most churches. Terms in which Paul Tillich coined in his 4-step Systematic Theology have become household terms.
Members now know that God as Greater deals with Theology. Jesus as the Christ is Christology. The work of the Spirit is Pneumatology, and the Kingdom of God is Ecclesiology (at least my folk do).
Today’s Church has, and uses all types of Bible software in order to spiritually develop itself.
It’s A New Season! It’s a season in which financial and fiscal reports can no longer be written out on a torn piece of paper and handed to the just the treasurer and pastor like Mama’s Church did. In this season, accountability is a must and the usage of software such as Excel and PowerChurch Plus are being used to effectively balance accounts and keep the IRS away.
It’s A New Season! It’s a season in which our parishioners don’t walk to church, but drive to church from the suburbs and other areas requiring the church to invest in a city, county, and surrounding area demographical study in order to effectively evangelize. George Thompson’s book, “How to Get Along With Your Church” emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural capitol and tacit assumptions which can alleviate unnecessary stress. In Mama’s Church everybody knew each other.
It’s a New Season. In today’s church, women are not limited to just being stewardesses, ushers, missionaries, or choir members. Unlike Mama’s Church, today’s church believes in gender equality; women can be bishops, pastors, elders, and professors. In today’s church sexual harassment by clergy is taken seriously and not swept under the rug.
It’s a New Season. It’s a season when technology is used to communicate visions and explain the purpose of ministries. Emails, text messaging, telephone tree calling and websites are now used to announce upcoming events instead of a church sister reading the announcements for ten minutes in Mama’s Church. Board meeting agendas and minutes are presented and available through PowerPoint presentations or emails. In this season, the Steward Pro-tem and trustees no longer sing songs that only they know; instead video screens in worship now display the words of the songs.
I declare again. It’s a New Season. We’re no longer fighting for a seat on the bus or a seat at the White House dinner table; we’re now fighting against sexism, racism, and classism which requires the church to not only have a dream, but to believe we bring about change!
As I close, I’m Methodist, not Baptist. I was playing on the Internet and discovered a gentleman named Austin Cline. My mentors in seminary told us that that we need to read a variety of sources. Austin Cline educates people about atheism and agnosticism and secular humanism. He quoted religion historian Jaroslav Pelikin who stated, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the death faith of the living.” Cline went on to say, “People insist that tradition should not be lightly overturned in favor of new ideas.” But sometimes the defense of tradition can become a sort of fetish that is done for its own sake and becomes traditionalism. He says there’s nothing wrong with tradition or respecting tradition. However, when tradition is placed beyond questioning or debate, it becomes traditionalism. Tradition that doesn’t adapt over time becomes dead and ultimately irrelevant to how people need to live their lives.
Some may argue there’s nothing wrong with Mama’s Church but I don’t believe it’s beyond critique. After all, “It’s a New Season.
The Reverend Ronald L. Slaughter, Senior Pastor, Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Macon, Georgia
9. REFLECTIONS FROM THE MALL – E PLURIBUS UNUM:
*The Rev. Derrell Wade
This past week was full of excitement, joy, hope and thankfulness for me. I could not get to sleep on Monday night because I feared oversleeping and missing my 5 a.m. train trip to Washington, D.C.
I left home about 3 a.m. and arrived at one of my best friend’s home at 3:30 a.m.; and woke him up early. We prayed for God’s blessings and safety upon the inauguration and presidency of President Barrack Obama, and then we shared Holy Communion, remembering our God’s “Divine sacrifice,” God’s beloved Son Christ Jesus.
We arrived at the local train station in Manassas, Virginia at 4:45 a.m. and found it overflowing. The train departed promptly at 5:15 a.m. and arrived in Washington at 6:15 a.m. As I stepped off the train, I questioned my own sanity. The temperature outside was freezing, but not cold enough to dim my spirits.
To my dismay, when we arrived at the Mall before the dawn, it seemed as if a million people had already taken their places. The group I was with could not enter the Metro’s 7th Street Gate, so we walked down to the 12th Street Gate and entered. I greeted everyone I passed as I pressed my way to a closer view of the Capital. Excitement and cooperation filled the air. It was at that moment that I realized I was exactly where the Lord wanted me to be. It was confirmed when I met a lady and her family from my home town of Columbia, South Carolina. I spent a considerable amount of time sharing and fellowshipping with people from all over this country and around the world. It was especially rewarding, fellowshipping with a young lady from Romania and two students from Israel. We all rejoiced together for hours in the frigid cold. When my feet began to feel like ice, I thought about the 75 and 80 year old ladies that were standing in front of me hardly able to stand. When one of them was encouraged to go into a building and warm up, she replied “Child, my body might be chilled, but my soul is warm and filled. I’ve come too far; can’t miss a moment of this!”
My heart remained filled with joy throughout the whole inaugural celebration, for my God had allowed me to meet people of every race and creed from all over the world.
Between conversations, I thought and mediated on what my Sunday morning sermon would be. One thought was to pick up a handful of pebbles and place them in the isles of the church and invite the worshipping congregation to pick them up as they came to the altar for prayer to symbolize the twelve men who returned to the dry river bed and took stones to serve as a sign of what the Lord God had done for them (Joshua 4).
Then it occurred to me that out of approximately 2 plus million men, women and children the Lord God chose just one person to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River(Numbers 1:46).
On Tuesday, January 29, 2009, I was reminded that and even today, God’s people all around the world had, and still has, a different kind of Jordan River to cross.
Today’s Jordan River ebbs and flows with economic calamity, declining stock markets, banking and business failures, home foreclosures and auto repossessions. The current economic calamity reaches seniors dying in their homes in the midst of winter because their heat is turned off. Some choose suicide rather than evictions from their homes they have lost due to unscrupulous charlatans.
To cross today’s Jordan River, we have to tread through the pains of hunger in the land of plenty and limits to health care in a nation of abundant health-care facilities and great scientific minds.
Furthermore, the Jordan River crests vengeful terrorism, devastating wars, and climate and environmental abuse.
Despite the berth and dept of our current Jordan River, President Barrack Obama was chosen out of more than 300 million people, to be the leader of these United States of America. Just as God had ordained Joshua to be a great leader and do a great work for Him, I firmly believe within my heart and soul that this President was not just being inaugurated as President of these United States, but he had been ordained to do a great work for the Lord our God.
It also occurred to me that like Moses of old, President Barack Obama is going to face some of the same challenges and problems that Moses faced as the leader of Israel.
President Obama like Moses is going to face people who make excuses and who don’t believe; people with rebellious hearts. He is going to be confronted with people who are determined to do things their own way.
As I boarded the train to return to the warmth of my home, I reflected on the day’s historic events and the many people I met. I surmised that if I could personally speak to President Obama or had I been invited to give an inaugural message to the President and to his cabinet, I would have reminded him that the Lord God chosen just one person to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan and into the Promise Land and that out of over 300 million people he, Barack Obama, was chosen to be the leader this great nation.
I would have said to him that, "Out of many, one" was chosen. I would encourage him to do all within his power to heal wounds, divisions and strife in this nation and to bring people closer together as Americans.
"Out of Many, One" or “E Pluribus Unum” can also be translated, “We are all in this together.”
*The Rev. Derrell Wade is the pastor of Beulah AME Church in Farmville, Virginia
10. A POEM - FAITH IS…:
By Sister Doshia Crowley
Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is believing in God even when you don’t understand his means.
Faith is knowing that when one door closes, other one will soon open.
Faith is the God-kind of faith that can move any mountain.
Faith is not depending on man but putting your hand in God’s hand.
Faith is seeing the invisible, believing the impossible, and reaching the unreachable.
Faith is acting on the Word of God, even when times are rough and hard.
Faith is work, commitment, and perseverance.
Faith is reading the Word with persistence and endurance.
Faith is abiding in Him and His Word in you. (John 15:7)
Faith is believing that He will supply all you needs when you have no money or food and your bills are due (Phil. 4:19). God may not come when you want God to come and you may even think God is late.
Faith is keeping you eyes lifted towards heaven because the reward is great.
Faith is giving of your time, talent and your tithe. God assures that anyone who obeys His teachings will never die. (John 8:51)
Faith is praising God, worshiping God and loving God when you’re at your high and even at your low and saying, Lord let your will be done, send me I’ll go.
Faith is acting a fool for God when your friends say you make no sense.
Faith is trusting in the Word of God in your defining moments; to stand on the Word of God; you must have courage, conviction and confidence.
Faith is blessing someone else when you yourself are in need because
Faith is shown through you works and good deeds. (James 2:14-18)
Faith is calling those things that are not, as though they were; and believing that it is already done; with no doubt or distrust.
Therefore, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lend not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Sister Doshia Crowley is a member of Greater St. Peter AME Church in Jonesboro, Georgia where the Rev. Isaiah Waddy is the pastor. The poem was written in response to a series of teachings Pastor Waddy did on faith.
11. THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2009 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
The Right Reverend William Phillips DeVeaux, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Pam DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor
SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 10-12, 2009
Saint John A.M. E. Church
800 West Magnolia Street
Valdosta, GA 31601
TEL: 229-242-9674
FAX: 229-242-0460
The Reverend George Vereen, Host Pastor
The Reverend Jacqueline Smith, Host Presiding Elder
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA CONFERENCE
March 24-26, 2009
Saint John A.M. E. Church
3980 Steam Mill Road
Columbus, GA 31907
TEL: 706-682-6944
FAX: 706-682-4143
The Reverend Dr. Debora F. Grant, Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. M. S. Karl Colquitt, Host Presiding Elder
GEORGIA CONFERENCE
April 14-16, 2009
Greater Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
1085 State Street
Waycross, GA 31501
TEL: 912-283-3683
FAX: 912-283-3683
The Reverend Abraham Frazier, Sr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Dan Stevenson, Host Presiding Elder
AUGUSTA GEORGIA CONFERENCE
April 28-30, 2009
First A.M.E. Church
521 North Hull Street
Athens, GA 30603
TEL: 706-548-1454
The Reverend Richard A. Washington, Sr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder
MACON GEORGIA CONFERENCE
May 12-14, 2009
Greater Turner Tabernacle A.M.E. Church
1104 Third Street
P.O. Box 6623
Macon, GA 31203
TEL: 478-743-4932
FAX: 478-785-1126
The Reverend Ernest L. Gordon, Host Pastor
The Reverend Alan H. Wicker, Host Presiding Elder
ATLANTA NORTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE
June 2-4, 2009
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
1540 Pryor Road, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
TEL: 404-622-9711
The Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Host Pastor
The Reverend Walter E. Daniels, Host Presiding Elder
POST-PLANNING MEETING
June 5-6, 2009
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
1540 Pryor Road, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
TEL: 404-622-9711
The Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Host Pastor
The Reverend Walter E. Daniels, Host Presiding Elder
12. THE 7TH EPISCOPAL DATE CHANGE FOR THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE:
The 7th Episcopal District's Mid Year and Theological Institute will be held March 4-6, 2009 in Columbia, SC at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center (2100 Bush River Road - Columbia, SC 29210).
Room Rate: $109.00
Rate is good through February 15, 2009
To make Reservation call: 1-803-731-0300
Thank you much.
Submitted by Sister Kabrina Bass, 7th District CED Director
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret that we announce the passing of Mr. Larry Garmon, the brother of the Rev. Carl Garmon, Sr., pastor of Brooks Chapel AME Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mr. Larry Garmon, was called from labor, pain and suffering on Thursday, January 22, 2009.
The Homegoing Service for Mr. Larry Gormon will be held:
Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:00 A.M.
Gregg L. Mason Funeral Home
10936 N. E. 6th Ave.
Miami, Florida 33161
Ph: (305) 757-9000
Fax: (305) 757-3505
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Carl Garmon, Sr
2949 River Bend Court
Corpus Christi, Texas 78415
Ph: (361) 853-7038
Home: (361) 549-9649
Email: garmonsr@hotmail.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to inform you of the death of the Rev. Earl A. James, Presiding Elder of the Monroe-Lake Providence District, Central North Louisiana Conference. Our prayers are with his family and more information is forthcoming as it relates to funeral arrangements.
Eighth Episcopal District Administrative Office
5450 Executive Place
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 366-8240
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Bessie Carter, the grandmother of the Rev. Tresa L. Coston, pastor of Graham AME Church in Greenwood, Delaware (Delaware Conference, Dover District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Viewing - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
First United Baptist Church
3728 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-222-8558
Sunday, February 1, 2009
2nd Funeral Service & Burial
Vidalia, Georgia
Care entrusted to:
James L. Morse Funeral Home, Inc.
4000 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-382-4322
Fax: 215-382-8830
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Tresa L. Coston
704 Kirkwood Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-655-3201
Fax: 302-656-1364
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Larry H. Thomas, the brother of the Reverend Troy I. Thomas, pastor; and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Maxine Thomas, assistant pastor of Historic St. Paul AME Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
Larry T. Thomas passed on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.
Service arrangements:
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Family Viewing:
11:00 a.m. -12:00 Noon
Homegoing Service:
12:00 Noon
Grace AME Church
67 1/2 Winters Lane
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: 410- 744-9478,
Fax: 410-744-3120
The Rev. Howard Wright, Pastor
The Rev. Raymond Edmonds, Eulogist
Professional services provided by:
Gary P. March Funeral Home
270 Fredhilton Pass
Baltimore, MD 21229
Phone: 410-945-1100
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Troy & Rev. Maxine Thomas
1325 Copper Run Blvd
Lexington, KY 40514
Phone: 859-224-9961
Email: ThomasRevTroy@aol.com
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Pastor Carl E. Prude Sr., District Superintendent with the Church of God in Christ and father of the Reverend Avis Thompson, pastor of Saint Paul AME Church in Manchester, Kentucky.
Pastor Carl E. Prude Sr. passed on January 24, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Reverend Avis Thompson
853 Silver Creek Rd
Beattyville, KY 41311
859-948-5344
samavis@bellsouth.net
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Kenneth Garmon, the nephew of the Reverend Carl Garmon, pastor of Brooks Worship Center AME Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Service Arrangements for Mr. Kenneth Garmon:
Viewing:
Friday, January 30, 2009
2:00 PM - 9 PM
Gregg L. Mason Funeral Home
10936 N. E. 6th Ave
Miami, FL 33161
Phone: 305-757-9000
Fax: 305-757-3505
Funeral:
Saturday, January 31, 2009
1:00 PM
Liberty City Church of Christ
1263 NW 67th St.
Miami, FL 33147-7194
Phone: 305- 836-4555
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend and Mrs. Carl Garmon
2949 River Bend Court
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
Cell phone: 361-549-9649
Email: garmonsr@hotmail.com
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. 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
19. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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
