The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE BUCK STOPS HERE … RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
The people in every organization should know who is in charge and to know where “the buck stops.” This is especially true in connectional organizations, like the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the federal, state and local governments; in the military and in corporate America. As a matter of fact I cannot think of an effective organization where “the buck” doesn’t stop with someone.
In effective organizations someone has to be in charge. In the military, the buck stops with the commander or officer-in-charge. Every officer knows, “the commander is responsible for everything that happens, or fails to happen in his, or her, area of responsibility”; it’s called command responsibility. An officer cannot blame organizational failure on subordinates or any other entity; “the buck stops” with the person in charge. So, in “the buck stops here” environment, the person in charge is in a “take charge mode” because he or she knows that “the buck stops” with him or her.
In the local church, “the buck stops” with the pastor; in the presiding elder district, “the buck stops” with the presiding elder; and in the annual conference or the episcopal district, “the buck stops” with the bishop.
Effective and high performing organizations do not tolerate leaders “passing the buck” or playing the “blame-game.”
Pastors cannot blame uncooperative or mean-spirited members for the lack of local church growth or ministry shortcomings. Presiding elders cannot blame uncooperative pastors for any inadequacies in the presiding elder district. Bishops cannot blame uncooperative pastors for shortcomings in the annual conference or episcopal district.
The concept of the leader taking charge can be seen time and time again. The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer. “The buck stops” with President Obama; he can’t blame Vice President Joe Biden for any deficiencies in the government. Presidents of other countries have similar responsibilities. In the United States, governors have oversight of what goes on in their states. Likewise, mayors, city managers have oversight of cities and counties. School principals have oversight of their schools and the superintendant of schools has oversight of the school district. On athletic teams, the coach is in charge and the athletes are expected to follow their leadership. In the military, officers and non-commissioned officers are responsible for the soldiers and programs under their supervision.
The “buck stops here” person must be a person of integrity, competent, moral, ethical, and must have strong people skills. Additionally a strong leader should be innovative, authentic and should be a person of high character. A strong leader knows how to motivate and mentor subordinates. A strong leader knows that he or she must be able to inspire members of the organization, whether religious or secular, to buy in to, and take ownership for the program. That’s a part of the leader’s responsibility of making “the buck stops here,” work.
Leaders, whether pastors, or leaders in government, in a school district, corporate America, in the military, or in any other entity can have all of the leadership attributes, and then some; but it takes at least one more thing to make every organization work effectively.
The “buck stops here” will only work if there is a respect and reverence for authority. Obedience, a word that many people dislike, is the major component in respect for authority. It is not always easy to be obedient to authority because there is an inherent or instinctive desire for a lot of people, laity and clergy, especially in the AME Church, to have their own way.
Respect for authority is commanded by God. Romans 13:1 remind us, “Everyone must submit himself (herself) to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Respect for authority will strengthen and sustain the life of the local church and the Connectional Church because our episcopal form of government requires, and demands, respect for authority.
In the local church, the laity must have respect for pastoral authority. Pastors must have respect for the presiding elder’s authority. Laity, pastors, and presiding elders must have respect for the authority of the assigned bishop. Respect for authority involves respect for the position. Respect for authority requires obedience.
Respect for authority has nothing to do with whether we like the person who has authority over us. Whether a local church member likes the pastor, or whether pastors or local church members like the presiding elder or whether local church members, pastors or presiding elders like the bishop does not negate the expectation of respect for authority and the respect for the office. I am sure that David did not like King Saul’s attempt to destroy him, yet David believed deeply that authority should be respected and he respected his adversary, Saul and could write in Psalm 105:15, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."
If the African Methodist Episcopal Church expects to reach its highest potential and if we want to see growth in our local churches, we must respect the authority of our leaders.
2. MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE HAD 25 GRADUATES AND CONFERRED TWO HONORARY DEGREES:
The Morris Brown College Commencement Exercises was held on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the John H. Lewis Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. George Moore, Sr. and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. were each awarded the degree of Doctor of humane Letters. The Singers of Morris Brown and the Morris Brown College Band provided the music for the occasion. Dr. Ben Chavis delivered the Commencement address.
Congratulations to the students, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, the President of Morris Brown College; and to the Right Reverend William P. DeVeaux, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bishop William P. DeVeaux and Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr., President of Morris Brown College extend a special thanks to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and to all of the persons who continue to support Morris Brown College.
3. BREAKING NEWS: DR. DARYL INGRAM ELECTED CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP MINISTRIES COMMISSION:
May 18, 2009--At its May meeting, the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches, USA elected the Rev. Dr. Daryl B. Ingram Chair of the National Council of Churches Education and Leadership Ministries Commission (ELMC). Ingram will complete the unexpired term of the Rev. Dr. José Abraham De Jesús, United Church of Christ, who will retire from his United Church of Christ post at the end of September.
Dr. Ingram serves as the Executive Director of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Christian Education Department and serves on a number of ELMC program ministries, among them the Committee on the Uniform Series (which produces outlines for Church School literature) and the Committee on Black Congregational Ministries. Likewise, he has been instrumental in the constitutional and standing rules revisions of the NCC and Church World Service at various levels. The Rev. Garland F. Pierce, AME itinerant elder from the Seventh Episcopal District, serves as Senior Program Director of ELMC. In addition to Dr. Ingram, other AMEs on the NCC Governing Board: the Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, Connectional Medical Director, as the Chair of the NCC Justice and Advocacy Commission; the Rev. Dr. Marcia Allen Owens (11th Episcopal District), and Bishop John F. White, Ecumenical Officer for the AME Church.
The Education and Leadership Ministries Commission is an umbrella - fifteen ecumenical program committees and two project teams working in diverse areas of educational ministry. These committees represent the work that the denominations do together to support local congregations in educational ministry.
Priorities:
- Provide relevant approaches and resources for strengthening families, so that every child may grow up and fulfill her or his full potential.
- Provide leadership development for congregational leaders.
- Provide creative projects to enhance and foster spiritual formation.
- Promote and support high quality, comprehensive public education.
- Provide action programs to dismantle institutional racism.
www.ncccusa.org/elmc
Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for ecumenical cooperation among Christians in the United States. The NCC's member faith groups - from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches - include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.
www.ncccusa.org
Submitted by the Reverend Garland F. Pierce, Senior Program Director
Education and Leadership Ministries, National Council of Churches USA
4. MARCUS HENDERSON NAMED ONE OF TOP TEN FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVES NATIONWIDE:
By John Hancock Financial Network
BOSTON, MA, May 20, 2009— Marcus Henderson, Nashville native and member of St. John AME Church in Nashville was named one of top ten financial representatives nationwide. He was recognized as one of the top ten financial representatives nationwide for 2008 by John Hancock Financial Network and named to the President’s Roundtable. Henderson’s firm, Henderson Financial Group, Inc., is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and affiliated with Innovative Financial Group, LLC.
Affiliated with John Hancock Financial Network since 1989, Henderson’s mission is to guard the financial health of his clients on an ongoing basis. He has received numerous awards and honors from the John Hancock Financial Network over the years for his continuous outstanding performance.
In addition, Henderson has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, an international association of leading financial representatives, for 18 consecutive years.
"We are very proud of Marcus’ achievement and his affiliation with our firm. It's clear that he goes above and beyond to serve his clients,” said Alan Moore, Managing Partner of Innovative Financial Group, LLC.
5. BISHOP WILLIAMS CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN MINISTRY:
*Mr. Benjamin Harrison
Friday, May 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., more than 1,000 individuals from across the state of South Carolina and beyond, convened at Allen University to honor Bishop Preston W. Williams II as he celebrated his 50th anniversary in ministry. Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Retired Bishops Vinton R. Anderson, Frank C. Cummings, Phillip R. Cousin and Zedekiah L. Grady, General Officers George F. Flowers and Clement Fugh, Dr. Leah G. Fitchue, President, Payne Seminary, Dr. Charles E. Young, President, Allen University, the seventeen 7th District Presiding Elders, pastors, clergy, laity, business associates, friends and family all gathered together to pay their respects to Bishop Williams for having reached such a noteworthy milestone of accomplishment.
Additionally, Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; Dr. Scott T. Kisker, United Methodist Church; and S.C. Senator John Y. McGill were seated on the dais during the celebration. Earlier in the day, Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt Jr., Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and AME General Officer Daryl B. Ingram congratulated Bishop Williams during a Methodist symposium conducted by the 7th Episcopal District.
The evening opened with Bishop Williams’ daughter, Wilma Williams, officially welcoming the banquet attendees to the celebration, and his son Arnold Williams offering greetings on behalf of the Williams family. The Rev. Dr. Allen W. Parrott, Presiding Elder of the Kingstree District, and his wife Mrs. Parrott, served as the Master and Mistress of Ceremony.
Throughout the affair Bishop Williams was showered with gifts, awards, praise and thanks. U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn, Sixth Congressional District (South Carolina) sent words of congratulations and appreciation. S.C. Senator John Y. McGill presented Bishop Williams with a resolution on behalf of the South Carolina Senate congratulating him for having achieved 50 years in ministry and applauding him for the inspiring work he continues to accomplish throughout the 7th Episcopal District. Both the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Presiding Elder of the Wateree District and member of the S.C. Senate, and the Rev. Carl Anderson, Pastor of Greater St. Stephen A.M.E. Church and member of the S.C. House of Representatives, also sent congratulatory statements on behalf of both state legislative bodies. The Rev. Randolph Miller, President of the AME Charleston Area Ministerial Alliance, presented Bishop Williams with a Dr. Martin Luther King award.
AME Bishop Julius H. McAllister delivered kind words of congratulations on behalf of the Council of Bishops, noting that, “Because Bishop Williams and the entire 7th District played such an integral role in my election as Bishop of the AME Church; I would not have missed this occasion for the world.” Retired Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, Chairman, Payne Seminary and Dr. Leah G. Fitchue presented Bishop Williams with a plaque thanking him for the $350,000 dollars contributed thus far to Payne Theological Seminary by the 7th District in support of the theological education development of 7th District clergy.
In light of the fact that Bishop Williams was born in Willacoochee, Georgia and for 16 years served as the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Bess Sr., current pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, brought greetings on behalf of his fellow Georgians. Rev. Bess reminisced on the many years he has known Bishop Williams and offered a personal testimony of gratitude, noting a time when he was “down and out” and Bishop Williams reached deep into his own heart and pocket to help him turn things around and make it through a “trying storm.” Captain Mark B. Cisco, Brigade Chaplain for the 157th Infantry at Fort Jackson, S.C. thanked Bishop Williams for having always treated him “like family,” and for having served as a spiritual mentor in times of difficulty.
The Rev. Charles Graves, President of the 7th District Council of Elders, presented Bishop Williams with a plaque commemorating this momentous occasion. Mr. Norman Deas, President of the 7th District Lay Organization, offered a special tribute to Bishop Williams who during his tenure has promoted an increased level of interconnectedness between South Carolina’s clergy and laity.
Bishop Williams’ daughter Prestina Williams made a special presentation to her mother, Dr. Wilma D. Webb-Williams, 7th District Episcopal Supervisor, reflecting on the goodness of her life as a Christian mother, wife, and educator. Mrs. Bernice Sanders, President, 7th District WMS, offered kind words and flowers to Mother Williams. Both Mrs. Cheryl Swinton, President, 7th District YPD, and Mrs. Felita Grady-Davis, President, 7th District DMC, presented flowers and gifts to Bishop and Mother Williams, and offered thanks on behalf of the youth of South Carolina. Mrs. Odessa Graves, President, Presiding Elders’ Spouses, and Mrs. Anna Keith, President, 7th District MSWWO, offered flowers, gifts and well-wishes. The Rev. Sandy Drayton, Presiding Elder of the Columbia District, and Mrs. Anita Olden, Director of the Reid Foundation, presented Bishop and Mother Williams with a plaque honoring their success in achieving 50 years in ministry and applauding their leadership in the creation of the newly established Reid Foundation, an A.M.E. and state of S.C. partnership whose aim is to improve the quality of life for thousands of South Carolinians statewide.
After all of the accolades were complete, Mother Williams took her turn to say thank you to all of the guests who had come to pay tribute to her and her husband. In her soft and thoughtful way she reflected on the goodness of God and His grace which has carried her family this far. Bishop Williams followed with a final note of thanks to all who had come. He stated, “There is no place I would rather be at this time in my life, than here serving the great people of the 7th Episcopal District. You are some of the kindest, most open-hearted people I have ever met in this life.”
When asked about his perspective of the past 50 years which he has spent ministering to the people of God, Bishop Williams replied, “I was born in the tiny town of Willacoochee, Georgia, and God has directed each step of my life’s journey. I have walked through tremendous joy and bitter pain, climbing life’s ladder as high as I am able. Yet, in the end only one truth remains – God is my rock, upon whom for all I rely.”
*Mr. Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director the 7th Episcopal District
6. SUNDAY PILGRIMAGE – MOTHER BETHEL MEMBERS TRAVEL TO NY FOR A MEMORABLE AFTERNOON:
Leslie Tyler
The journey from Philadelphia to New York City was a joyful occasion. Mother Bethel AME Church made a Pilgrimage to New York City to hear Kathleen Battle sing Spirituals in concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert was at 2 o’clock in the afternoon - not much time to travel from Philadelphia to New York on a first Sunday, so, before communion, more than 70 members grabbed a box lunch and boarded a chartered bus immediately after Pastor Tyler’s sermon.
The concert was a glorious occasion. Miss Battle, who grew up singing in the church choir at Allen Chapel AME Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, wore a full length, t-strap velvet black dress with a sensational fuchsia shawl scarf that gently swept the floor when she walked. She performed a cappella, and was accompanied by pianists Joseph Joubert and Cyrus Chestnut; and harpist Nancy Allen. There were original renditions of all songs including: “Roll Jordan Roll,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Wade In the Water,” and “Over My Head (I Hear Music in the Air).” Mother Bethel’s Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler, was quoted in the souvenir program at the Carnegie Hall recital. He explained the historic significance of the Negro Spiritual. “Given birth in the pain and struggle for liberty, justice, and equality, Spirituals have always been songs of hope, faith and resistance in the face of great oppression and opposition,” said Pastor Tyler. “Well documented as tools for attaining freedom during the days of the Underground Railroad, Spirituals were often used as coded messages. “Swing Low, sweet Chariot” was more than a reference to life after death. This song pointed would-be runaways to a new home in the North beyond the lash and the master.” Ms. Battle ended the evening with a four encore performances topped off by a resounding rendition of “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord).”
After the concert Mother Bethel members got back on the bus and headed to St. Luke AME Church in Harlem. Rev. Melvin Wilson and the members of St. Luke were in place for a special communion service. He was assisted by Rev. Mark Tyler and Rev. Henry Belin from Bethel AME Church Harlem. After communion, Pastor Wilson encouraged the members of Mother Bethel to “…take all the palms you can carry,” and they did.
After feeding their souls, Mother Bethel members fed physically. The fellowship hall was decorated beautifully and the members of St. Luke prepared a delicious soul food dinner. The concert, fellowship and fun demonstrated the strength of the connectional church and how when you’re out of town you’ll always find ‘family’ at your local AME church. The trip was coordinated by “Just Friends” of Mother Bethel.
7. UPLIFT CATHEDRAL, INDIANAPOLIS OPENING WORSHIP SERVICE JUNE 7TH:
Pastor Rodric K. Reid and First Lady Tisha Reid would like to invite you to the Inaugural Opening Worship Service of UPLIFT CATHEDRAL on June 7th at 5 pm. Uplift Cathedral, in affiliation with the African Methodist Episcopal Church is located at 2606 N. LaSalle Street in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Pastor and First Lady Reid invite you to join them on June 7th at 5 p.m. for this momentous powerful worship experience – “Where God is Lifted and the People Rise Up.”
Regular Sunday morning worship services will be held at 9:30 a.m. beginning on June 14, 2009.
For more information call Uplift Cathedral at (317) 490-4171.
8. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICES:
- The Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, was given the Honorary Degree of Doctor Of Humane Letters on May 8, 2009 by The Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce Ohio. The Eighth Episcopal District is proud of her accomplishments and this Honor, and we wish to share this information and congratulate her.
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to:
GirlBishop122@aol.com
- Vashti-Jasmine Murphy McKenzie graduated today, May 15, 2009, from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. She received her Master of Divinity Degree. Vashti-Jasmine Murphy McKenzie is the daughter of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie (13th Episcopal District).
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to the proud parents:
kergyma00@aol.com (Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie)
stanmckenzie44@aol.com (Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie)
- Ms. Nicole Allyson Chapman received the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Music with Honors from Georgia State University on Saturday, May 9, 2009. Commencement Exercises were held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Nicole Allyson Chapman is the daughter of the Reverend Leo and Mattie Chapman, pastor and First Lady of Bethel AME Church in Dillon, South Carolina. They are pleased to announce that their daughter, Nicole will be entering the Graduate program at Georgia State in June 2009 and will apply to Medical School in the fall of 2010, on her way to becoming a pediatrician.
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to the proud parents: LMNC3@aol.com
9. 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
10. 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.
