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 – WHAT’S THE ANSWER?:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
On a recent trip, I happened to tell a fellow traveler that I was clergy and immediately he began a long conversation about the worship experiences at his church. It was a long conversation and all I could say, was, “Uhmmm, I understand, really, wow…” There was nothing for me to say, I just listened because that was not the first time that I found myself listening to someone pour out his or her frustration about their church experience. There was so much I wanted to say, but I listened.
One thought that came to my mind was, his pastor, and probably many others would benefit from having a “town hall meeting.” I am sure that some pastors could not handle a town hall meeting and if a pastor cannot appropriately handle a town hall meeting, it’s better not to hold one. Sometimes it might be good to have an honest non-attribution conversation.
Let me share what my fellow traveler told me.
He began the conversation, which turned out to be a one-sided conversation; he did the talking while I listened.
He said, “I love my church, but sometimes I get so frustrated and I get so hungry for the Word. I am thinking about changing churches.”
I quickly got in a question, because I could tell that this was going to be his conversation and I wanted to get my question in early, so I asked, “Why do you want to change churches?”
The flood gate opened. He responded, “Our church has changed so much. I don’t think our pastor understands us. We are a family and a neighborhood church. Our pastor wants to run our church like a mega-church. Listen; if I wanted to attend a mega-church, there are a several meg-churches I could attend, not far from our church. Our pastor has routinely changed the order of worship – changes just occur, without planning without consensus, without acceptance, and seemingly without evidence of the Holy Spirit. Changes occur without rhyme or reason; they just ‘happen’ and then we are, somehow, stuck with them. Sometimes our Sunday worship just goes on and on and becomes way too long and repetitive without real spiritual meaning, and it detracts from the true focus of the service. The pastor and the choir seems to have a great time, but it wears out those of us sitting in the pew who are not interested in hearing the same song or chorus sung 42 times in succession. We wonder if the pastor is in charge or if the organist is in charge. It seems as if the organist is in charge. At other times, it seem like the assistant pastor is in charge. The service seems so disjointed and without focus and by the time we finally get around to the sermon, which, I think, should be the focal point of worship; our brains have been overloaded and exhausted. We have a lot of singing and we get a mini-sermon or a personal testimony every time someone gets up to pray, read the scriptures, give the announcements, and the welcome of visitors. And, everybody has to say, “Good morning saints” or “Good Morning church!” Two and half hours into the worship service, people are looking at their watches and looking at the clock. By the time the pastor gets up to preach, the rustling in the congregation communicates that many sitting in the pew probably are not in the Spirit or mood to concentrate on what the preacher has to say. The children are restless; senior citizens are shuffling in and out of the sanctuary, one by one, apparently going to the bathroom. The worship seems so disjointed and I wonder why the pastor does not realize how distracted the worship service has become. I guess he doesn’t, because he is having a good time and he’s getting paid to have a good time. I just don’t know what’s going on in our church.”
I was getting ready to give some advice, but he interrupted me. He continued talking, “The pastors we had before emphasized the Word and their messages were more biblical and they addressed everyday issues. Sometimes their sermons made me feel guilty because it almost seemed as if the pastor knew the bad things I had thought or had done. The pastors we had before explained the Bible and church seemed real. Worship had a focus, but now, I don’t know what’s coming next and sometimes we get so much praise and shouting that the pastor decides not to preach. Sometimes we go two or three Sundays without a real sermon. Sometimes, it looks to me as if the pastor is jotting down his sermon notes while he is sitting in the pulpit. A couple of weeks ago, my family visited a non-denominational church and they had a service! Those folks could sing and the preacher preached the Word. I love my church, but I think it might be time to move on. Just last Sunday, my preacher didn’t get up to preach until 1:45 and we had been in church since 11 a.m. And, then he got up and started singing. And guess what? We didn’t have a Call to Worship, didn’t do the Decalogue, the opening hymn was a praise song. It turned out that the cavalier poor reading of the scripture had nothing to do with the sermon. And, besides, the scripture was so far removed from the sermon that most people probably forgot what was read. The only reason I remembered the scripture was because it was read so poorly by a person who couldn’t read and she read the word, ‘Selah’ out loud. Frankly, we could do our worship service without the Bible because our worship, of late, seems to be ‘God is good, all the time’ and ‘All the time God is good’ as well as, ‘God picked me up and turned me around and planted my feet on solid ground.’ My family is at the point of needing to hear the Word. I like good music, but I love to hear the Word; I am missing that at my church. What has happened in my church? I haven’t always felt this way. We are missing something. What’s going on in churches today? Why has my church changed? We don’t have any programs for our youth. Maybe my church is the only church experiencing these problems.”
I was ready to respond; so much was going on in my mind. I suspect that unscripted change happens more often, than not, in some of our worship services…
Next Week, PART II
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Your sensitive editorial "If We Don't, the Village Idiots Will" reflects the emotions and concern I feel about our young men. Somehow thoughtful concerned Christians must try to find a solution to this problem.
Jamye Coleman Williams
3. CONNECTIONAL LAY PRESIDENT WILLIE C. GLOVER’S MESSAGE:
“In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him And He Shall Direct Thy Paths.” Prov. 3:6
To the Bishops of the Church, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr., Lay Commissioner, General Officers, Connectional Officers, Lay Executive Board, Clergy and fellow Laypersons; it is in the joy of Jesus, the Christ, I greet you.
We are rejoicing and thanking God for the overwhelming investment of trust given by you to a voice declaring “A change you can trust.” I stand on the shoulders of all the trailblazers who paved the way for our great organization from Professor Charles H. Johnson and Rueben J. Gardner to the present day. We have a noble history and heritage which we embellish and by which we are motivated.
Clearly in this day and time the clarion call for transparency, accountability and integrity must be the hallmarks as we continue the journey of serving our Church and humankind.
In my ten point platform during the campaign held high are three salient points in particular:
- A caring and loving God-centered spirit while serving others
- Accountability and Transparency
- Teaching and Training.
Implicit in these three points is that as laypersons, we become even more informed resulting in greater empowerment to bring about change for the betterment of the Church and the communities in which we live.
We must have an intergenerational approach valuing the tolerance for differences. The Joshua generation must have a greater presence in stimulating growth and change in this process. As a whole, the Lay Organization must continue to serve as a catalyst for positive change through positive law, innovative training strategies and enlightened discussions about current issues confronting the Christian community. It is my firm belief that we are equipped, energized and empowered to serve.
Again, I thank you for your trust and expressions of support in electing me as President. I also thank the previous administration for their years of unselfish service and look forward to their wisdom in the future.
We expect to continue a strong collaboration and partnership with the General Church and components.
“To God be the glory, Great things He has done” and with His help we expect even greater accomplishments!
May God continue to bless the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Connectional Lay Organization!
Willie C. Glover, Ph. D.
President of the Connectional Lay Organization
Save the Date: The Connectional Lay Organization's Executive Board meeting will be held in Columbus, Ohio on October 22nd – 24th. Please mark your calendars as additional information is forthcoming!
4. ACCEPTANCE OF AN INVITATION TO DO MINISTRY IN THE 15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Rev. Sidney Williams
My family and I are preparing to move to the Republic of South Africa and we are looking forward to ministry in a faraway land. My wife and children are excited and I am excited. I am asking the Church to pray for us as we embark upon this exciting challenge of ministry in the 15th Episcopal District.
My grandfather, Samuel Bowman, transferred his membership from South Carolina to Mother Bethel in Philadelphia, where he served as an usher and local deacon until he passed in 1978. Because of my early memories of him, I studied the great history of the AME Church and vowed that I would follow in his footsteps.
After my grandfather’s passing I remember my mother feeling that Mother Bethel was not kid-friendly and we eventually transferred to a United Methodist Church, where I preached my first sermon at the age of 15.
Many years later, after completing college at Howard University and graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, I returned to the AME Church under the leadership of the Rev. Fred Lucas, pastor of Bridge Street AME Church. I remember the day, January 5, 1997; I recommitted my life to Christ and decided to fully embrace my call to ministry.
It was a high time at Bridge Street because Rev. Lucas was campaigning for bishop. I didn’t understand it all then, but I did understand that winning for him, I was loosing a pastor.
Much to my surprise, he didn’t win and I still lost my pastor.
In the days and months that followed, I met my wife to be, Teresa Williams, and relocated to New Jersey, where the Reverend Donald Luster officiated my wedding.
While living in New Jersey, we learned of the marriage retreats at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. It wasn’t long before we moved to Fort Washington and joined Ebenezer, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Grainger Browning.
After seeing so much diversity in the church, I made up my mind that God was calling me to the itinerant ministry.
I enrolled in seminary and at the end of my first semester I transferred to Union Bethel, Brandywine under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright. I am sure that no one knew that the “church on the side of the road” in obscure Brandywine, Maryland would become the base camp of an episcopal campaign for a country preacher from Swansea, South Carolina. There is something about South Carolina!
Well, I have shared this random journey to share with the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, that five years after transferring to Union Bethel, my wife and four children have accepted an invitation to minister in the 15th Episcopal District under the episcopal leadership team of Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah and Episcopal Supervisor Carol I. Messiah.
We have agreed to a minimum of three years and “standing” on Genesis 12:1-3, we believe the best is yet to come.
It is my testimony that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is alive and well and that the itinerant ministry is still valid.
I hope to keep in touch with you about our immersion experience and hope that our experience will encourage other clergy and their families to move out of their comfort zones and go where the church needs them.
While on my missionary journey, I will look forward to reading The Christian Recorder often so that I can keep abreast of the awesome things our Zion is doing.
The Rev. Sidney Williams
5. THE SECOND DISTRICT CONTINUES TO MAKE HISTORY:
By: The Rev. Glenda P. Murray-Kelly
On Monday, July 13, 2009, the Executive Board and members of the Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc. (R.E.D.), which is comprised of a membership of clergy and laypersons of the Second Episcopal District met to collaborate on the mission and progress of the project. The Second District serves approximately 360 churches, 114,000 members and over 1,000 clergy and the community-at-large in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. The net value of the real estate property is valued at over $170 million.
Kittrell, NC is the place where the smallest horse in the world lives. The horse is recorded in the Guinness world book of records.
In that same town, with a population of less than 60 people, the oldest African-American church owns 238 acres of land nearest the community of Kittrell, North Carolina in Vance County, North Carolina. The location is where the historic Kittrell College once operated. The college closed in 1975 and now houses a center for the Job Corps.
The property is currently under the direct supervision and management of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, Inc. and the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The two organizations have partnered together in a cooperative effort to design and to bring economic development and activity to the rural area. For the past two years, Bishop Adam J. Richardson, and the Second Episcopal District have worked diligently to form "The Second District Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc." The business is an independent initiative and a free-standing 501 (c) 3 organization under the banner of the Second Episcopal District.
"We have large churches within the body of the AME Church, but, in reality we don't have a cathedral. A cathedral is not a large building; it is a place where the Bishop speaks. The Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc. project will be what we as those who occupy the office of the Bishop will refer to as the Second Episcopal District Cathedral. The word cathedral comes from the Greek word "cathedra," which simply means, "a place to sit.” It is the Bishop's throne in the Orthodox tradition. We need a place where the Bishop sits. I believe this is our opportunity to help the Church and the community. We anticipate building the Anderson's Village that will be a tribute to the former Bishop of Second Episcopal District, Bishop Vinton R. Anderson," said Bishop Richardson.
According to North Carolina Community Development Initiative website, HUD’s allocation of funding is that the state of North Carolina receives slightly more than $63 million in HUD and other funds.
The proposed implementation of the master plan includes a variety of development opportunities that will be beneficial to the Church, the community and to the Kittrell College Alumni. These are: (1) A Conference Center/Retreat Location; (2) Mixed-use Housing; (3) A training site for churches and corporations; (4) A youth development site; (5) A senior housing complex; and (5) A ministry and church leaders’ counseling center.
It is anticipated that a temporary facility is forthcoming and the first stages of construction will be completed by the year 2012” said Dr. Cassandra Sparrow, Executive Director of Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc.
It is amazing that for years the African-American community has always asked, "Where are our 40 acres and a mule?"
We have 238 acres of land and we can build our own “AME Neverland.” Can you imagine the twenty flags representing the Episcopal Districts and 5 flags representing the Annual Conferences of the Second Episcopal District surrounding the entrance way of the 238 acre estate?
Some are reluctant to dream of an AME City and there are others who believe that God is able to bring vision and hope to a land that he has appointed to the Church.
The history and the life of this project rest in the hands of all the clergy, missionary, and laypersons of the Second Episcopal District. Bishop Richard Allen had a global vision. He instilled in us a legacy of hope, a future and the determination that has lasted for over 200 years. In the 21st Century, the Church must take the initiative to believe in the impossible. We must continue to hold on to the legacy of our forefathers’ and to the promises of God.
Every Bishop assigned to the Second Episcopal District has had dreams of doing work at the Kittrell College property. The mandate and mantle of any bishop requires them to see beyond the natural while introducing change and development within the community-at-large. But the question is, can we afford this project?" said the Rev. Sidney Williams, former board member of the Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc.
The vision of Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc. has been written and the board members are confident as to the mission and the purpose of the organization. They solicit your prayer and words of encouragement as the vision to build unfold.
“We must continue to make history,” said Bishop Richardson.
If the smallest horse in the world made history in Kittrell, North Carolina, so can the oldest African American church.
For further information on Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc., please contact Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate, 2nd Episcopal District or the Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sparrow, Executive Director, Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc. at (919) 521-1763 or visit.
6. THE VILLAGE IDIOTS’ WILL:
Eric Stradford
I got caught up into a soul-piercing observation by the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder. I got so deep into the Black Male issue, “if we don’t, the village idiot will”, that I found myself sinking into the same pit of despair and disappointment as that of my distinguished mentor. I think military folks refer to it as bunker mentality if you stay there too long. Anyway, the insightful chaplain got me to thinking about why these problems continue to resurface. It’s like a family of cockroaches after a hurricane—they don’t die, they multiply!
The village idiot is like the cockroach. He seizes an opportunity. The only value he brings to the economy is a will to survive. He endows his offspring with his own values and perpetuates a legacy of negative worth. Wealth provides an important mechanism of the intergenerational transmission of inequality. Approximately half of the wealthiest people in America inherited family fortunes. Then there are those of us who have not because we don’t know that we have.
One of the least treasured assets endowed to men in the historic black church is a system of values upon which the church has evolved since 1787. Today, grown “churched” men look at a young brother and never really see him. We tend to evangelize society’s demands on the young mans’ physical appearance, and fail at ministering to his basic human needs.
Most of us who read The Christian Recorder have heard of Richard Allen. Yet, few discussions if any perpetuate value in the Temporal Economy of Free Africans. Perhaps we lose young men because we fail to endow them with a vision of their own future.
Sons of Allen is a ministry in the life of the church formed to address observations such as those presented by our editor with strategic planning around the survival of the African American male. The Sons of Allen Ministry seeks to galvanize the latent power of men for the worship of God and service to God's people equipping them through the vital, vibrant, spiritual, and social message of God and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
A chief goal is to lead men, especially black men in the 21st century, into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Their relationship with God is nurtured through learning about the power of prayer, experiencing the wonder of worship and sensing the sacrifice of service to others. Their salvation in Christ makes men priests for their family and community.
Perhaps the family of village idiots—humanity’s cockroaches can offer some insight for turning this thing around. At some point, someone will need to talk about The Temporal Economy of Free Africans referenced in the 1816 edition of the Book of Discipline. Getting the Sons from social to economic sustainability will require a shift in how we value the Richard Allen legacy and methods we employ to offer life more abundantly to a soul in need of saving.
7. FROM PLANNING MEETING TO CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONGRESS IN THE FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson
The Senior Bishop and Fourth Episcopal Presiding Prelate John Richard Bryant along with Senior Episcopal Supervisor, the Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant have had a very busy year of overseeing the work of the Fourth Episcopal District.
This column is by no means an exhaustive record of all that has been accomplished in the entirety of the Fourth. But it will serve as a great representation of what took place from the Planning Meeting to the Christian Education Congress.
The Planning meeting was held October 23-25, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. The meeting was awesome! Organizational “Stakeholder’s” took time to meet. The preaching was “electrifying!”
The Reverend Dr. H. Michael Lemmons Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Detroit, Michigan, The Reverend Charlene B. Mills Pastor of Wayman AME Church in Racine, Wisconsin, The Reverend Dr. Walter Malone Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, and The Reverend Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant Pastor of The Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland blessed the meeting in an inspiring manner through the preached word!
Bishop Bryant appointed the Rev. Dr. Lemmons as Presiding Elder of the Michigan North District in the Michigan Annual Conference and also appointed the Reverend Dr. Walter Bauldrick Presiding Elder of the Milwaukee District of the Chicago Annual Conference.
On March 12-14, 2009 Indianapolis, Indiana served as the host city for a major outpouring of the Holy Spirit in African Methodism!
The Mid-Year Convocation convened at the Adam’s Mark Hotel-Airport. The worship services were very inspiring! The AME Church Central Indiana Ministerial Alliance did a masterful job of hosting this event!
The prolific preaching for the convocation included Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the 12th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church; the Reverend Dr. Robert Brumfield Pastor of Oak Grove AME Church in Detroit, Michigan; the Reverend Dr. Terence Gray, Pastor of St. Mark AME Church in Orlando, Florida; the Reverend Arlene Glover, pastor of St. Mary AME Church in Chicago; and the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, pastor of Eastern Star Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana.
On May 11-14, 2009 The Minister’s Retreat took place at beautiful “Five-Star” Camp Baber, located in Cassopolis, Michigan. The Retreat Director, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Greenbar, pastor of Trinity AME Church in Detroit, Michigan left no stone unturned for this landmark meeting!
There was a Golf Tournament along with other recreational activities. Massage Therapy was also offered. There was an incredible evening of stand-up Christian Comedy with Comedian Lena Green followed by a clergy “Kat Walk” fashion show.
During the retreat there was time for silent walks, morning prayers, morning, evening worship, and evening stretches. The Reverend Myra Billups Pastor of Shiloh AME Church Galveston, Texas shared her preaching ministry with outstanding and spirit-filled sermons.
The Reverend Dr. Marvin McMickle Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and Professor at Ashland Theological Seminary blessed the retreat with powerful lecturing and masterful preaching!
Finally the Fourth Episcopal District Christian Education Convocation took place at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois with DuPage AME Church Lisle, Illinois hosting the meeting. The Fourth Episcopal District Director of Christian Education, the Reverend Dr. James F. Miller and his staff made very sure that this meeting would be a blessing to all in attendance.
The preaching ministry at this meeting was accomplished by the prelate of the Fourteenth Episcopal District, the Right Reverend David Daniels; the Reverend Terry Marks pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Phoenix, Arizona; the Reverend Galda McCants pastor of Saint Paul AME Church in Springfield, Illinois; the Reverend Otis Moss, III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago; and the Reverend Dr. Thelma Bryant-Davis founder and co-leader of the Soul Sisters Women Ministry of First AME Church in Los Angeles, California.
The Reverend Sean Henderson McMillan pastor of Giant Steps Church in Chicago did a masterful job of integrating moral philosophy and theology in his lecture to the convocation. The St. Paul AME Church, Lexington, Kentucky’s Trinity Mime Ministry of ministered to the convocation through liturgical dance. There was also a “word” from Jonathan McKay of the Empowerment Temple AME Church of Baltimore, Maryland.
Episcopal Supervisor, the Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant coordinated and presided with Bishop Bryant in a moving and empowering Rights of Passage Worship Service “From Childhood to Discipleship.”
Music was an integral part of worship. The Fourth Episcopal District Director of Music, the Reverend Anthony Vinson Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Chicago, Illinois did a matchless job of coordinating the music for this past year.
Space will not allow us to adequately permit share the work of all the local churches and various ministries in the Fourth Episcopal District!
The Fourth Episcopal District has now entered into her series of Annual Conferences and this will allow local churches and various ministries the opportunity to give a full account of their labors for the 2008-2009 conference year.
Regarding the major work accomplished in the entirety of the Fourth Episcopal District from the Planning Meeting to the Christian Education Congress this year, if I might do some “redacting” to John 21:25; “There are also many other things that have been accomplished. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”
Special thanks to Fourth Episcopal District Secretary and pastor of First AME Church in Gary Indiana, the Reverend Emmanuel J. Vaughn.
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations and Pastor Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church Benton Harbor, Michigan
8. MERIT VERSUS MONEY:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
I wonder if all of the things I was taught by my parents, my teachers, my pastors and my coaches have become obsolete.
I make this inquiry because what we are now experiencing in our society has somewhat negated or made obsolete, some of the teaching I received throughout my life. I am not naïve, but I was taught that whatever your job you have to do, do it well so that you may be worthy of higher and better things. It is called the “merit” system. The merit system is a process of promoting, hiring and electing personnel based on their ability to perform a job rather than their political and financial status.
Even the bible expresses the value of the “merit” system. “Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter thou unto the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23
Today it seems as if the “merit” system has become obsolete or shall I say outdated. What matters most today is money. There is no doubt that you can buy most anything if you have the money. Great sums of money are raised in the quest of seeking to attain a position or an elected office. It is without a doubt that money and merit are not compatible. And in many cases good people are left out not because they are not qualified, but all because they cannot compete financially.
There are people who are well qualified, sincere, dedicated, honest and willing to be servants rather than to be served, but they are ignored and passed over and left out. It is a pity we don’t always elect the most qualified and dedicated people. There are those who pay much so that they may be in a position to get much. And as soon as they are elected they begin working on plans how to keep their position rather than serving the people who elected them.
Take it from me, if you buy you will also sell.
I am not quite sure where the “merit” system fits in our Zion.
There are some among our ministerial ranks who have lost all hope and ambition to work harder and do more because they have come to the conclusion it really doesn’t matter. They feel locked in and held down. And when this happen, spiritual stagnation kicks in, and with this “stagnation” there comes a “power outage” and the Pastors just “mark” time. They go to meetings, answer roll call, make their report and even “pad” their report just to get points in hope of “moving upward”.
We all must realize that in the preparation of the heart there must also be preparation of the head. In these times the pulpit must be “equipped” to deal with the present complex problems we are not facing. It requires much more than quoting scriptures.
With the “merit” system there must be aspiration, preparation and perspiration. It is unfortunate that some of the pastors cannot afford to go back to school. So they have to remain and even passed over. But it may well serve them to say as Paul: “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
We must also be reminded that being contented does not mean doing nothing.
The Boy Scout earns his ‘merit’ badge. The employee earns his/her “merit” pay. But where exactly does the “merit” system fit in our Zion?
Simon offered money to the Apostles to sell him the power of the Holy Ghost. He wanted to “buy” the Holy Ghost power. (Acts, 8:18) So I am never surprised when I see and hear politicians and other “power and position seekers” jostling, begging and buying. It seams to me that if you do your work well, and you have prepared yourself both heart and head and if the people and the “powers that be,” are honest in their choice/selection, you shouldn’t have any problem in being considered for a promotion or being elected. But it is a very difficult thing to get people to see beyond the green.
A mother brought her two sons to Jesus and asked that he grant her two sons to sit one on the right and the other on the left in the kingdom. Jesus answer to her request embraces the “merit” system when he asked the sons, are you able to go through what I am going through. Matthew 20:20-23 In other words they had to “merit” those positions. They had to undergo the trials and tribulations and whatever confronted them.
Oh by the way, there is another “M” word I should include and that word is “Morals.” Merit versus Money and Morals.
The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida
A bit of humor
While sitting in the lobby of my physician an elderly gentleman was checking in at the desk. The receptionist asked him what is your last four?
The man said: My last four ah Juanita, Elizabeth, Janice and Margaret. The receptionist said I don’t mean your last four wives. I want your last four SS number. The man said Oh.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We sadly announce the sudden homegoing of Jamyll Efiom, son of Mr. Prince Patrick Efiom, and his wife, the Rev. Patricia A. Efiom. The Rev. Patricia Efiom is the pastor of Bethel AME Church, Bloomington, Indiana. Jamyll is the father of Rashan Efiom and brother to Iesha, Gregory, Theo and Brandi.
The funeral will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2009, which would have been Jamyll Efiom’s 28th birthday.
The family hour will be on Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Day Funeral Home. The service of worship is at Bethel AME Church, Bloomington, 6 pm. Send any condolences to one of the following.
Day Funeral Home
4150 East Third Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47401
Voice: (812) 336-6331
FAX: (812) 333-7290
Bethel AME Church
302 North Rogers
Bloomington, Indiana 47404
(812) 334-3216
revefiom@sbcglobal.net
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rashan Ameer Efiom's Educational Fund c/o Day Funeral Home.
10. 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
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
11. 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
