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 –NEEDED SKILLS FOR MINISTRY TODAY:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
There are a lot of things going on around the world. The war and escalating military deaths in Afghanistan, the war or the drawdown in Iraq, the drought in parts of Kenya, the alleged genocide in Darfur, the tensions on the Korean peninsula, and concerns about the nuclear intentions of Iran are among the many worries of Americans and people abroad.
The United States is the most powerful nation in the world, but not only are U.S. citizens concerned about what’s going on around the world, but there are anxieties about what’s going on in America. High unemployment, the sagging economy, increasing crime, the spirited debated about healthcare, the issue of what to do about undocumented residents, the increased presence of illegal drugs, deficiencies in the education system, home foreclosures, and a host of other issues.
And, in the United States, there are issues that African American and other minority groups, and especially the African Methodist Episcopal Church need to address. The issues include the elevated African American high school dropout rates, HIV/AIDS, the high unemployment rates among black Americans, the higher incidence of unwed mothers; recent figures cite, most African American babies born today, are born out of wedlock.
The issues of drugs and violent crime; how to motivate black youth; and even the problem of the absence of supermarkets in some black communities are daily concerns. Try finding a drug store in some black areas; if there are any, they are few and far between.
The global African Methodist Episcopal Church is concerned about the issues that affect the international community.
When I think about the issues that all Americans, in general face; and in particular that black Americans face; and issues that confront people in local geographical areas all over the world, I am reminded of the awesome responsibilities of our AME pastors, local congregations, and the Connectional Church.
Pastors and local churches must look beyond the walls and the property of their local edifices. A worship service is not a Sunday morning-only event. Sermons are more than retelling a Bible story. The focus of worship has to be more than “getting our praise on” and making worshippers feel good. Ministry is more than, in the words of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, “a whoop and a collar.”
A pastor today, probably more than at any time in the last two decades, has the responsibility to a pastor to the “whole person.”
There is more to the world, than what is in the Bible; the Bible is very important and every pastor needs to be knowledgeable about the Bible, but, pastors have to be knowledgeable, not only about things religious, but about global and local issues.
I am afraid that some of us in ministry allow ourselves to be so parochial that we limit our scope of ministry to preaching. Oftentimes, we measure pastoral success in terms of positive comments people make in response to our preaching and how successful we are in maintaining a relative peace in the local church; and added to those, our success in raising the budget and paying the bills. Ministry is broader; ministry is about the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and our relationship with God and the world around us.
What are the needed skills for ministry today?
The list is probably too exhaustive for this space, but let me list a few.
A successful pastor must be a man or woman of prayer. A successful pastor should have a love for the Bible and be knowledgeable about the Bible; must love Jesus Christ, and have a burden for saving souls.
Studying the Bible and mastering the scriptures is a lifetime endeavor; it’s not a onetime event. Pastors need to be immersed in the Word of God and has to be committed to a lifetime of learning; learning never ends.
A pastor should take sermon preparation and sermon delivery seriously.
A pastor should be a competent counselor, but having said that, the pastor should know his or her counseling limitations and when it’s appropriate to refer persons to a more competent therapist.
A pastor should have competent leadership skills and know that leadership, like learning, is a lifetime endeavor. A pastor must have a genuine love for people; both those he or she likes, and those he or she doesn’t like. A pastor should possess strong pastoral skills and a love and commitment to do the pastoral duties of visiting the sick and shut-in, visit those incarcerated, even those who are guilty; care for the dying and those who are bereaved; and taking care of the sacraments.
In addition to the ministry skills listed above, there are other skills that a pastor needs in today’s volatile environment.
Successful pastors need to possess social skills that help them to relate to the larger community. Pastors should be engaged in the affairs of the state and local government. Effective pastors attend meetings and develop relationships with state and local government leaders; develop relationships with corporate leaders, and other area clergy leaders. Those churches near military installations should develop strong relationships with military leaders. Pastors can get more done for their churches and members when they are on a first-name relationship with the community “movers and shakers.” It’s hard to say, “No” to a friend and developing close relationships beyond the local church enhances ministry. I am amazed at the numbers of pastors who have not developed community relationships.
Pastors should be well-read; I am equally amazed at pastors who do not subscribe to their local newspapers or national news magazines. Newspapers and news magazines allow one to intelligently ingest the facts without the facts being skewed by news commentators. There is a different perspective on a news story delivered by FOX and CNN. Reading different newspapers and op-ed columns written from different perspectives give readers an opportunity do draw their own conclusions and make analyses independent of news commentators or what they heard someone say in a barbershop.
The people sitting in the pews are intelligent, well-read, and want their pastors to provide intelligent comments and in-depth analyses when commenting on social and global issues. Pastors should be able to make intelligent comments and share their solutions and conclusions about the Afghanistan War, the economy, healthcare, crime, child-rearing, and other relevant issues with which church members are grappling.
Pastors should be able to call social agencies and say, “I am sending ‘so and so’ there for some assistance that I know you can provide.” If a relationship has been established, the response would be, “Pastor send them down right away and we will take care of the problem.”
If a relationship has not been established, a response might be, “Now, who is this? Pastor of which church? Has the person been here before? No, you can’t just send them down, you will need to make an appointment; call …”
When pastoral relationships have been established, a telephone will almost always take of the problem when pastors call social agencies, governmental agencies, employers, the court system, the jail, the school board, the mayor’s office, the governor’s office, the unemployment office, or whatever office.
When a pastor calls, and the person on the other end asks, “Now, who is this?” the pastoral relationship has not been established.
Remember, “It’s hard to say ‘No’ to a friend or to someone you know.”
An effective pastor needs a wide array of skills to be an outstanding pastor; not just things religious, but must be skilled in what’s happening in world affairs. The Apostle Paul said we “must be all things to all people” and Jesus tells us to “Go to all the Word…”
Developing pastoral skills is a lifetime of pastoral and professional learning.
Editor’s Note: The Editor will be preaching this Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the 11 a.m. service at St. Philip Monumental AME in Savannah, Georgia. The Rev. George Moore is the pastor.
Dr. Johnny Barbour, the Secretary-Treasurer and Publisher of the AMEC Sunday School Union will be preaching at Payne Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – What’s The Answer
I'm a life long AME and have been concerned about our issues. I must confess that I don't know what the answers are, but it seems to me that some of our pastors don't listen. They don't listen to the leaders they have appointed or the leaders that that are elected by the congregation; those they have placed on ballots.
I have heard it said that the AME Church is not a democracy; if that is so, why do you appoint individuals to the steward board or place his or her name in nomination to take care of the church's temporal concerns. Pastors say the AME Church is a tithing church but some pastors don't tithe. This is what members see when pastors appoint members to the finance committee. Many of our churches are old and in need of repair, but come what may, we have to send thousands of dollars to pay annual conference assessments and a pastors success is based on raising his or her assessments.
I think it's time to put egos aside and some pastors, presiding elders and bishops should realize that they do not have a corner of the market on education or common sense. Laypersons have a stake in this AME Church too!
In closing, I don't know what the answer is, but I do know the answer is not, “to cut and run.”
I think a true AME should fight to make our Church a better Church.
John Hall III
- To the Editor
RE: TCR Online BREAKING NEWS sent on 9/4/09: The Department of Christian Education will launch a new Church School lesson series for Young Adults
This is great news!!! Over the last decade or so I have lamented about the lack of attention and low priority we as a church place on Church School development. I have served as a Church School teacher, Assistant District Church School Superintendent and local Superintendent in my 30 years of teaching Church School to youth and adults. As I travel across the US I see first hand the woefully low Church School attendance in our AME churches. Our Episcopal leaders (Bishops and General Officers), Presiding Elders, Pastors, Stewards, Trustees and most importantly parents need to commit to correcting the Church School "drop-out" rate. Hopefully the creation of this new product will serve a two-fold goal of diversifying our educational product mix and recruiting/retaining our young adult population. Dr. Ingram and his and staff are to be commended for this new initiative.
Bill Dickens
Allen AME Church
Tacoma, WA
3. "RECLAIMING THE DREAM;" RECLAIMING OUR POWER:
*By Jahbrielle Henning-Rayford
Boycotts and sit-ins, water hoses and dogs. Struggle and triumph, pride and beauty. Socially conscious, "real" music and moral television shows. This was our America, Black America. The 60’s were a time of struggle, we fought for our rights. Afros and dashikis fists raised high in the air, symbolizing us. In the 70's we were bold. We were bold because we were Black and beautiful. Bold because we were Black and proud, Black and POWERFUL, and nobody could tell us anything different. We were conscious about our power as a people. We knew who we were.
I watch "Good Times", listen to the Jackson 5, and I see messages of family value and unity, and I wonder where we have gone wrong. Thinking about my generation I wonder when it all changed. How did we go from afros and raised fists to European weaves and raised middle fingers? Times have truly changed and I'm searching for the power within our people again.
I observe my peers. I watch them, pants sagging, using the n-word, ignorant of what it truly means, or worst of all not caring. I hear them using the b-word, disrespecting themselves, and degrading their sisters. What's really bad about it all is that they don't realize the level of disrespect and push it away as "just words". Many of them don't know our history, and sadly some aren't interested in it. How did we arrive here?
We have changed as a people. Our music has changed; the lyrics degrade women and portray our people negatively. Too many of our authors write about sex, drugs, and violence; which doesn't expand the intellectual mind. Some television stations exploit our people with "Reality" TV that shows Black women fighting over men, or fighting about something else (destroying Black unity). Is this truly our reality? What kind of message is this sending to the young men and women of our community? Gang violence has escalated at an alarming rate, our brothers and sisters are dying on the streets everyday. Our sense of community is almost non-existent. What happened to the days when we looked out for each other?
I've come to the conclusion that today's Black America feels as though the struggle is over. We no longer have anything to fight for, therefore there's no reason to unite. Racism and discrimination aren't as direct as in the past; there are no signs telling us that we aren't welcome. There's nothing that really make's us believe racism is still alive. We've been told that we live in a "post racial" society, and some of us have believed it.
I look at the first family of this country. I look at people like Soledad O'Brien, Roland Martin, Dr. Cornell West, Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Michael Eric Dyson, and of course Oprah, I still have hope in a better America. It's up to my generation to keep the ideals of these people alive. Watching my peers, and watching the issues of our community grow, I know it's time for a change. Knowing this motivates me to educate, motivates me to create consciousness. I want to help in reclaiming the dream that our people before us envisioned. For too long we've sat back and claimed this society as just being "the way it is", for too long we've claimed that "nothing will ever change...these kids just don't understand". We can do something about these negative changes, and help to bring positive change. Adults have to once again take charge of our community. If our people had sat back and claimed that life was just the way it was, we wouldn't have the opportunity to even discuss issues such as this. I want my generation to realize and believe in the power of our people. We are beautiful, we are powerful, and BLACK IS BACK! It's time to reclaim the dream; it's time to reclaim our power.
Jahbrielle Henning-Rayford is the 15 year old granddaughter of Bishop and Mrs. Henning, Presiding prelate and Episcopal supervisor of the 3rd Episcopal District and the niece of the Rev. E. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Elder, South District, Indiana Annual Conference.
3. REPORT OF THE 55TH SESSION OF THE NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
*The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
The 55th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference was held at St. Mark AME Church, Gibeon from 3-6 September 2009. Bishop Wilfred J Messiah is the Presiding Prelate.
Close to 700 descended on the low-laying village of Gibeon and it was clear on the first day of conference that service delivery by the local authorities will be stretched by the influx of Gibeon. The worshippers sung “And are we yet alive”, the most popular Conference Hymn of African Methodism and filled the spacious St. Mark AME Church, Gibeon on Thursday, 3 September 2009. Reverend Albert E Biwa and his spouse Margaret and the people of St. Mark AME Church left no stone unattended to make the Episcopal family, presiding elders, pastors, delegates and visitors comfortable during these first days of the dry Spring season.
The Reverend Annetha Hangue, Dean of the Namibian Board of Examiners, delivered the powerful Annual Sermon from Revelations 3:1-6 on the theme, “Let’s do it God’s way.” The preacher encouraged the worshippers that we must always depend on God, because we may not understand today, but God will and God ways are the best, and that people must stay focused on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. By this belief the elders got a good report and we too are destined for a better future if we stay connected and focused on Jesus Christ doing things His in all circumstances.
Bishop Wilfred J Messiah, the 120th Bishop of the AME Church called the 55th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference to order at 14h30.
The bishop introduced the theme for this year’s annual conference series, “Restoring the house of God … Reclaiming our Heritage and Inheritance” and spoke at length about his vision and mission for the 15th Episcopal District and encouraged clergy and all leaders to refocus on how to meet the varying needs of our diverse constituency.
The bishop also alerted the conference that after travelling 3250 kilometers by road visiting fifteen villages in rural Namibia; the Episcopal team and those who traveled with them have a better appreciation of the pastors who travel these gravel roads week in and out and pray God’s blessings on the people of Namibia for keeping the AME banner high at all times.
Those accompanying bishop and mother Messiah (including this writer and later all presiding elders and the Finance Committee) witnessed financial donations made to rural local churches to either assist with local issues or with conference claims and even with conference travels and sustentation.
This is the first time that the Episcopal Leadership opened their purse to local ordinary folks. During these travels, bishop was also able to dedicate to the glory of God and inaugurate a brand new sanctuary of Robinson Chapel AME Church, Tses. In conclusion, the bishop also alerted that he will return to Namibia with the Supervisor in March 2010 to evangelize nationwide and to conclude the campaign in Windhoek with an open-air Revival Reclamation.
The Conference was marked with inspirational preaching. Rev. Angelica B Sauerwein, pastor of St Thomas AME Church, Grunau delivered the Emmaus Walk Sermon, lifting our spirits that we are destined to seat at the table with the Lord. Rev. Leslie Leukes, pastor of St. Nicholas AME Church, Kronlein preached the Memorial Sermon from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 on the theme “Do you really believe in Jesus Christ?” encouraging us that death is not final, but a temporary separation from our loved ones we will see one day in the Kingdom of God. He concluded by asserting Jesus is the way, truth and life, and has the key in His hands. The Lay Commitment Sermon was preached with conviction by the Bro. Charles Pieter, Conference Lay President, from Genesis 50:20 on the theme, “God can recycle Evil” proclaiming that no one is too bad to become good and that God can open up new opportunities if we stay focused and loyal to Him.
The spiritual revival was put in top gear when one itinerant deacon, the Rev. Cicili Christa Biwa and two local elders, the Rev. Johannes Isaack and the Rev. Jonas Tâseb were ordained.
The Rev. Paul J Messiah, visiting pastor from Zion AME Church, Worcester in the Cape Conference delivered a moving and emotional Ordination Sermon with conviction from Exodus 13:22 on the theme, “The ever present pillar of fire and cloud,” reassuring us of God’s present on our pilgrim’s journey.
The Retirement Service was honoured by the presence of His Excellency, the Honourable Sam Nujoma, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation and who addressed the worshippers and paid tribute to the retiree, the Honourable, the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, former Deputy Prime Minister and Captain of the /Khowese people during the Namibian liberation struggle and highlighted the important national role played by the retiree. Presiding Elder Willem Burger was the other visiting pastor from the Cape Annual Conference. Bishop Zephania Kameeta from the Lutheran Church (ELCRN) and Superintendent Schenk from the Circuit of Gladbach (German partners of Namibia Annual Conference) also participated in the ordination and retirement ceremonies.
The Closing Commissioning Service was marked with traditional pomp and pageantry. The procession was inspirational and the music was from the proverbial seventh heaven. When it was preaching time, Bishop Messiah did not disappointed but rocked the house as usual with the word, “Faces in the Vapour” encouraging us to re-dig the old wells to take charge of our inheritance, because we have witnesses in the clouds and the Holy Spirit telling us to hold on till the end. The marching orders were very clear, and from the powerful preaching, it was obvious that our prelate had indeed received a revelation and vision from God. The adjustments in Presiding Elder and Pastoral appointments at first hearing sounded unrealistic, but as the Bishop moved on and made further adjustments it was clear that church growth was the clear motivational rationale in order to restore the House of God.
*The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse is the Presiding Elder: Windhoek District and is a Candidate for Episcopal Office 2012
4. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL AND THE AME CHURCH: THE FLAG DILEMMA:
John Thomas III
Over the past few years, I have been allowed the privilege to contribute to this newspaper and share thoughts and insights with the Connection. In this article, I wish to share one of my personal struggles with the AME Church with the hopes and goal of helping us live up to the global mission and legacy which we African Methodists have inherited.
As a denomination, we are present in some thirty-nine (39) countries or self-governing dependencies on five continents. One of the key features at any Connectional meeting is the colorful array of flags on the dais symbolizing the international nature of the AME Church. Upon closer examination, however, one finds a haphazard jumble of banners instead of a well-organized display honoring the various nationalities of the AME Church. The standard procedure for the display of international flags in the United States is alphabetical order by English name. Flags of the states of the United States come after flags of sovereign nations...if they are even displayed at all. At AME meetings, however, flags assume an “itinerant” nature. The flag of the sovereign Republic of Liberia could be placed next to the flag of the state of Louisiana at one meeting only to be located next to the flag of the Kingdom of Swaziland at the next. And depending on the size of the stage, some flags might not get displayed at all.
This egregious disregard for the national symbols of our brothers and sisters who are not from the United States has led to several incidents. At the 2000 General Conference, the delegation from Lesotho (18th District) lodged a protest after an out-of-date national flag was used to represent them. When the Ambassador to the United States from Zimbabwe (20th District) delivered the keynote address at the 2007 Investiture of then Council of Bishops President Wilfred J. Messiah, he noted the absence of his national flag on the dais and presented the AME Church with a Zimbabwean flag at the Lay Biennial. (Actually, the AME Church already had the flag, but it was not properly placed on the dais). At the 2008 General Conference, one of the flags immediately behind President Obama and visible through his entire speech was of an old, stained and out-of-date flag from Mozambique (18th District). (To put these errors in a United States context, imagine that at a major meeting the national flag was absent from the podium or that a 48 star flag from 1955 was used to represent the country).
When I became a member of the General Board in 2004, I was appalled at the disrespectful jumble of flags on the podium and resolved to do something about it. Little did I know how difficult it would be to get “something” done. I first went to the meeting planner who directed me to the person in charge of setting up the podium display. I learned that the flags are stored with other meeting supplies in a warehouse in North Carolina. As I tried to explain to the gentlemen how the flags were supposed to be set up, I was curtly told: “The AME Church has bigger problems than flags.” Feeling somewhat frustrated, I talked with one of the Bishops who was serving a District outside of the United States, alerting them to the fact that some of their District’s flags were missing. The Bishop confessed: “I never really noticed the display. I just thought everything was up there.” The Bishop suggested that I email the President of the General Board and the Treasurer. The Treasurer cheerfully responded and directed me back to the meeting planner…but after sending a few emails over the course of a year, no action was taken.
My quixotic quest to fix the flag display became a running joke at the AME Connectional meetings. I found solace at a Strategic Planning session in Nashville when Mr. Robert Nicholas, the Executive Director of AME-SADA, noticed the same problems I did. At the 2007 Lay Biennial, I walked up to the podium to make a note of the flags and was shocked to see that several duplications were on the podium. I made a list of the national flags which were absent and emailed them to the Treasurer and the meeting planner along with a guide on the proper display of international flags. At the 2008 General Conference, I sadly noticed again that the flags were once again in their usual haphazard array. At the General Board meeting in June 2009, I brought up the issue of flags again in the Global Development Commission to the applause of several delegates and Bishops from Districts 14-20. A recommendation was written and passed by the General Board instructing the meeting planner to ensure that the flags of countries with AME Churches are properly displayed at all Connectional meetings. A cursory glance of the podium at the July Lay Biennial, however, showed that the recommendation had not been acted upon.
My preoccupation with properly displaying international flags might appear to be little more than a quibble. As a denomination, we certainly have many important issues that we need to confront and resolve. The flag display at our meetings, however, is a tangible symbol of our international nature as a church. Our lack of attention to this seemingly small detail speaks volumes about how AMEs in the United States views our brothers and sisters from Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Asia. Due to United States visa restrictions, the only presence from some countries at a Connectional meeting might be their national flag. Additionally, the flags of other countries are as much a source of national pride as are the “Stars and Stripes” to citizens of the United States. I vividly remember delegations from Angola (15th) and the Dominican Republic (16th) going on stage at the 2007 WMS Quadrennial to proudly pose for pictures with their flags…after they had sifted through the jumble to find them.
I close this article by making a general appeal to the concerned AMEs across the Connection. Please write an email to Mr. Richard Lewis (CFO/Treasurer) and/or Mrs. Anita Rankin (Connectional Meeting Planner) and please tell them to fix the flags!
(And while they’re at it, we also need new District banners to reflect the 2008 Annual Conference consolidations.)
John Thomas III (13th) is the Young Adult Representative of the Connectional Lay Organization as well as a member of the General Board.
5. FROM CHILDHOOD TO DISCIPLESHIP:
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson
Senior Supervisor Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant’s Mentoring Rites of Passage Ceremony at the Fourth Episcopal District Christian Education Congress.”
“Teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. Proverbs 1:4 The Message version
“Who are these who come seeking the favor of the Lord? The answer is they are our sons of daughters influencing the earth, nature, and the church. Then let us celebrate.” A congregational statement led by Senior Bishop John Richard Bryant
“You are looking at one of the planet’s diminishing resources-the Black man in America.”
“The young ladies of the Fourth Episcopal District are not to be judged by their outward appearance but they have something on the inside that has shaped not only who they are but whose they are and where they are going in life.” - Senior Episcopal Supervisor the Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant.
A mentor is “a wise and trusted counselor and teacher. The term “mentor” is taken from the classical tradition. It was the name of a character in Homer’s Odyssey.
“Mentor” an old and trusted friend of Odysseus was left behind as the warriors embarked for Troy to keep an eye on Odysseus’ household while he was off fighting a war. Odysseus son Telemakhos was in need of training and shaping. Mentor proved to be a very wise counselor to a young man in need of direction. Mentor bridged the gap between the past and future.
It is imperative that our youth receive from the church such training and guidance whereby when they enter into adulthood they will be very knowledgeable of the Lord and of life.
A mentor enters into a relationship with their protégé in order to impart their wisdom, information, experience, confidence, insight, relationships, status, and love into them. This will help to ensure that their protégé will be empowered and ready to meet the world having a Christ centered foundation.
This will greatly help the young man and woman to truly be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (St. Matthew 10:16)
On July 10, 2009 The Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois served as the setting for a very moving and empowering Rights of Passage Worship Service “From Childhood to Discipleship.” This service was for the “Sons of Success” and the “Daughters of Destiny.”
The event was the Fourth Episcopal District’s Christian Education Congress with DuPage AME Church Lisle, Illinois hosting the meeting under the direction of DuPage AME Church pastor and Fourth Episcopal District Director of Christian Education, the Reverend Dr. James F. Miller.
The Reverend Dr. Bryant coordinated the rite of passage ceremony “From Childhood to Discipleship” worship service and presided over it along with Bishop Bryant.
The young women to be “brought across” processed in on “Order My Steps.” The young men put on a “step show” chanting “All of my love, peace, and happiness is because of Jesus Christ!”
One among the many “pearls” that the keynote speaker for the evening the Reverend Terry Marks Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Phoenix, Arizona shared was “You beloved have a choice as you choose your passage. Beloved you can choose to live in the hype or you can choose to live in hope. You can choose to run the streets or you can choose to run the city.”
The Rev. Dr. Bryant called for the young men to come to the altar and then summoned the adult male clergy to come behind them to be anointed with oil. “When the oil is placed on you it’s just a kiss from God as God has a plan for your life. These young people not only need to hear a sermon they need to see a sermon. So let’s live up something before them. Amen.”
Bishop Bryant in praying for the young men lifted up, “O God these are our sons do with them what only you can do with them. Be their God!” O God let them know that there is nothing they cannot accomplish fill them with the power of the Holy Ghost let them know Jesus!”
Then the Reverend Dr. Bryant called for the young women to come to the altar and for the adult female clergy to stand behind them to anoint the young women.
She shared: “Pray for them that virginity will not be a source of shame. Pray for them that old men will keep away from them and that young men will respect them.”
The rites of passage worship service was very moving and deeply engaging for all that were present!
Can you remember when someone took the time to spend quality time with you explaining some very significant facet of life to you? Then “go do likewise!”
Mentoring is something everyone that loves the Lord and loves God’s young people should do. In fact we have a command to pour into our young people the good that has been poured into us. The Apostle Paul shared with Timothy “Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 CEV)
Peace with justice, be blessed real good, attend worship, and families matter.
For more information about the “Sons of Success” and the “Daughters of Destiny” Program please contact Administrator Jo Ann Hawkins White at (773) 955-9825.
Dr. Carson can be reached at carsonvision@acd.net . He teaches on mentoring and conducts mentoring training and workshops.
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson is the Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations and the pastor of Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan
6. CLAIMING YOUR VICTORY - CELEBRATE AND SHARE THE GOD IN YOU:
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson
Christians must always be willing to “say a word” on behalf of God. We were saved to testify, disciple, and compel men and women, boys and girls to “drink” from the living waters of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness, love, consolation, and atonement.
Paul desired to preach the gospel at Rome even though Jesus the Christ was not looked upon highly by a great number of the Romans.
The main message of the gospel of Christ was and still is very simple: "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
In the midst of great opposition Paul was not ashamed, nor afraid to share the gospel of Christ.
We come into contact with people every day who need the Savior. It’s our responsibility to witness by word and deed to the fact that there is a wonderful life in Jesus Christ for whoever will choose to receive it.
Always be ready and willing to share your witness concerning what God can do for others because God has already done it for you.
The gospel music group “Mary, Mary” has a song entitled “It’s the God in me.” 1 John 4:4b shares, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” “It’s the God-in-me” what a profound statement of faith! As Christians we must shout out through our words and much louder by our actions “It’s the God in me.”
Be willing to share, “When you see me trying to live my life as an example for others to imitate and follow-it’s the God in me. When you see me striving to be faithful to God-it’s the God in me. When you see me trying to genuinely care for my neighbor-it’s the God in me.” Whenever I share “the four basic laws of salvation” with others, “It’s the God in me.” When you see me trying to be compassionate, “It’s the God in me.”
Never be ashamed or afraid to share what God has done and is doing for you. And always share with others that the good you do is because-it’s the God in you!
Peace with justice, be blessed real good, attend worship, and families matter.
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson is the Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations and the pastor of Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan
7. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
Fellow AME, Amos Saint-Jean out of the 2nd District has been nominated by major Gospel Network, Gospel Music Channel for Best Soul Gospel Music Video for their upcoming Gospel Music Video Awards.
You may remember Amos Saint Jean from the 2008 General Conference where he served as the Musical Director for our Sunday Night Gospel Concert that featured Marvin Sapp, Jonathan Nelson, L'Tanya Moore and Jermaine Sellers.
You can help him become a finalist by logging on to their website and voting daily.
Show your support by logging onto www.gospelmusicchannel.com/gmcva/soul
Click "Tell the World" by Amos Saint Jean.
You can also watch the video on You Tube by searching "Amos Saint Jean Tell the World"
The Rev. Vashti-Jasmine McKenzie Bureau Chief/ Christian Entertainment & Lifestyle www.thefabempire.com/gospelfab www.twitter.com/gospelfab
8. THE 2009 9TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND PLENARY SCHEDULE:
The Right Rev. James Levert Davis, Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Arelis Beevers Davis, Episcopal Supervisor
Alabama Conference
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
WMS Conference & One Day Minister’s Retreat
Wednesday – Saturday, September 9 – 12, 2009
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. Paul AME Church
706 East Patton Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36111
South Conference
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WMS Conference & One Day Minister’s Retreat
Wednesday – Saturday, September 16 – 19, 2009
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. John AME Church
901 Dale Road
Eufaula, AL 36027
East Conference
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
WMS Conference & One Day Minister’s Retreat
Wednesday – Saturday, September 23 – 26, 2009
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Gaines Chapel AME Church
921 10th Avenue
Phenix City, AL
Central Conference
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WMS Conference & One Day Minister’s Retreat
Wednesday – Saturday, October 14 – 17, 2009
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. John AME Church
6070 St. John Chapel Road
Kushia, AL 36613
North & West Conference
Monday, November 2, 2009
WMS Conference & One Day Minister’s Retreat
Tuesday – Saturday, November 3 – 7, 2009
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Sheraton – Birmingham Hotel
2101 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd., North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Plenary Meeting
Friday – Saturday, November 13 – 14, 2009
Fairfield Civic Center
Fairfield, AL
9. KINDNESS NEVER KILLS:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Many of us make the grave mistake of taking kindness as a sign of weakness. Some of us think that people who are kind are soft, timid, lacking “guts” and afraid.
How far from the truth?
Kindness can, and does, defuse the most volatile situations. I once saw a ferocious dog humbled through an act of kindness.
One can never lose by being kind. Some of us believe that being kind somewhat diminishes our manhood/womanhood. Some people feel that being kind, questions their ability to lead, but kindness is a powerful “tool.” Kindness is a powerful disposition.
Personally, I like being kind to folks, even to my foes.
When we show kindness toward our foes, we show our strength and not our weakness. Our foes expect us to respond in a negative manner. But when we are kind to them they become confused and suspicious of our kindness. They become cautious and wonder what to make of us. Some of us think that when a person is kind to us that they want something or up to something. That is how naïve some of us can be.
Some years ago I had a member of my church who always opposed whatever I tried to do, no matter what it was; but I treated her with kindness. One day she said to me, “Pastor, why are you being nice to me?” I responded to her that I was nice to her because it is nice to be nice. Believe it or not she became one my staunch supporters.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, admonished them to be kind one to another. Ephesians 4:32
Paul was addressing “church folk.” He was not speaking to people on the street. Some of us, church folk, are mean-spirited and unkind; and probably should be called anything but Christian.
Some of us let our excessive pride, academic and economic achievements deprive us of the opportunity show kindness. Some of us are not even kind to our own family members.
Let me hasten to say that being kind does not mean letting people run roughshod over you or take advantage of you. It is like, advancing by retreating. It is like, a quarterback setting up a screen play.
Kindness heals, it does not hurt. Kindness mends, it does not mutilate. Kindness lifts, it does not put down. Kindness leads, it does not drive. Kindness listens it does not ignore. Kindness helps, it does not hinder. Kindness makes provisions, it does not make excuses.
Kindness and compassion are synonymous. If you are kind you are also compassionate. Jesus pointed this out in the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Read Matthew 18: 21-35
Some of us are afraid to show kindness. We are afraid that it may be misinterpreted, so we put up a “hard front.”
Kindness does not have to sleep with one eye open. We don’t have to apologize for being kind. We can be firm and still be kind.
Being kind is a conscious act. Showing kindness is not guided by logic, but by love.
I admonish you to try kindness, instead of meanness. Try kindness, even with authority. Try kindness when you have to deal with obnoxious people.
Always keep in mind, kindness never kills. When you are kind, you travel the Jericho Road. See Luke 10:30-35
My advice for this week: Keep your eyes open and your ears peeled; the offers you hear may not be as good as they sound.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, Pastor is a retired AME Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida. He is the author of several books; for more information email: Ptaegar@AOL.Com
10. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES:
- Dr. and Mrs. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. Pastor and First Lady of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on Saturday, September 5, 2009.
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District will lead the ceremony at Bethel. Pray for the Kelly family as they celebrate this special occasion.
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: hokellyj@yahoo.com
- Mrs. Esther A. Nolen-Baldwin, the eldest daughter of the Late Editor of the A.M.E. Church Christian Recorder, Rev. Dr. B. J. Nolen, and her husband, Samuel L. Baldwin celebrated their 60TH wedding Anniversary, August 21, 2009.
A celebration was held at the home of their youngest daughter, Estrilla, and son-in-law, Jonathan McKinley, and family in Corona, California, along with their other six children, relatives, church members, and friends.
Also, their Pastor, the Reverend Michael Barta and First Lady, Linda, shared in celebrating Samuel and Esther Baldwin's 60TH Wedding Anniversary with the members of Johnson Chapel AME Church in Santa Ana, California.
It was, and is, God's grace, and the "agape love" they have for each other that has kept them together thus far. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: esthsam@pacbell.net
- Alicia Dixon, daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Newton G. A. Dixon, of the Sixteenth Episcopal District, is now enrolled at The University of the West Indies Law School in Barbados, where she will study for her law degree.
Congratulatory responses can be emailed to her proud father, the Rev. Newton G. A. Dixon: newgadix@yahoo.com
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Ivernell Sytira Holman-Bailey. She was the youngest daughter of the late Elder Barnie Abraham & Winnie Elizabeth Sanders Holman. She was the mother of Robert Lee Holman and the youngest aunt of the Reverend A. J. Holman, Sr., pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Pulaski, Tennessee.
There will be a memorial service in her honor on Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 7 PM at 222 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119.
Pastor Alan Jay Holman, Sr., a nephew in Tennessee, will be officiating.
Condolences can be sent to:
Robert Lee Holman
222 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19119.
(215) 758-0085
www.blackfrostsounds@yahoo.com
Or
The Rev. A. J. Holman, Sr.
P. O. Box 178
Pulaski, TN 38478
(270) 366-1505
www.onthespotshots@yahoo.com
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep regrets, that we announce the passing of the Reverend William Scott, Jr., pastor of Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Manning District in the Central Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District, Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Prelate.
Service arrangements for Reverend William Scott, Jr:
Wake Service:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
6:00 PM -7:00 PM
Chapel AME Church
Paxville, South Carolina
Mailing address:
Post Office Box 5078
Manning, South Carolina 29102
Phone: (803) 452-6776
Funeral Services:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
11:00 AM
New Mt. Carmel AME Church
797 Tupperware Road
Hemingway, South Carolina 29554
Services are entrusted to:
Bartelles Funeral Home
Hwy. 261
West of Hemingway
Hemingway, South Carolina 29554
Phone: (843) 558-3216 (843) 558-5700
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Ipanna Scott
773 Rachel Road
Hemingway, South Carolina 29554
Phone: (843) 558-5653
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be emailed to:
willscottrose@hotmail.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce with regret, news of the passing of Mr. Jasun Bryun Wayman Dixon, son of the Rev. Dr. Waymon Dixon, pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Delray Beach, Florida.
Jasun Bryun Wayman Dixon, age 28, passed suddenly on Sunday evening, August 30, 2009 in New York City, New York.
Service arrangements for Mr. Jasun Bryun Wayman Dixon:
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Wake: 5-7:00 PM
The Funeral Service: 7:00 PM
Robeson & Brown Funeral Home Inc.
396 Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11216
Phone: 718/622-4452
Interment: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Rose Mount Cemetery in New Jersey
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Mr. Jasun Bryun Wayman Dixon
C/O Robeson & Brown Funeral Home Inc.
396 Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11216-1403
Phone: 718/622-4452
Fax: 718/622-6545
Or to:
The Rev. Waymon Dixon
119 N.W. 5th Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Email: wtdixon@bellsouth.net
Phone: 561/7893594
14. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of the Reverend Leeland N. Jones, Jr., a Local Deacon at Bethel AMEC in Buffalo, New York (Western New York Conference). He was an outstanding civic leader, the first black member of the Buffalo Common Council, and the uncle of Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie.
The funeral has been held.
Rev. Richard A. Stenhouse, Pastor
Eulogist - Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie
Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District AME Church
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Eulogist
Presiding Prelate Thirteenth Episcopal District AME Church
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Reverend Leeland Newton Jones, Jr.
C/O Bethel A.M.E. Church
1525 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
Or to:
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie
1012 Beech Tree Lane
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie
500 8th Avenue, South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
615-242-6814 - Phone
615-242-2496 - FAX
Email: kergyma00@aol.com (Bishop McKenzie)
Interment:
Forest Lawn Cemetery
1411 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, BY 14209
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we announce the passing of Mrs. Naomi West, wife of retired pastor Reverend Wendell West, who served in both the Canadian and the Michigan Annual Conferences. Mrs. West made her transition on Saturday after a lengthy illness.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Wendell West
Baptist Manor
30245 W. 13 Mile Rd
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
16. 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
17. 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
