4/22/2016

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (04/22/16)


The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

-- Pentecost - Sunday, May 15, 2016
The 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference, July 6-13, 2016

-- Massacre of Emanuel 9, June 17

-- April 22nd is Earth Day!


1. TCR EDITORIAL TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS – CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG FOR THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

This past week I was engaged in a conversation about pastors who are "verbally" attacked by parishioners before and after worship.

Several pastors asked if I could address the issue of parishioners who pick the worst times to complain to them about some petty matter right before Sunday morning service or right afterwards. 

I have known pastors who, from the pulpit, explained to their parishioners that they did not want to engage in frivolous or distracting conversation before worship, but to little or no avail.

I recall when I was a young pastor, a parishioner approached me before worship and complained about a previous pastor who did something related to some gravestones at a cemetery that was located in a neighboring town.  I didn’t even know where the cemetery was located or my predecessor. The more I tried to dismiss her, the more agitated she got. By the time we were getting ready to process in for worship, as a young pastor, I was discombobulated and confused. And, to add insult to injury, she approached me after worship to continue the conversation. And, to this day, I have never seen the cemetery and still have no idea what she was talking about.

It was an early lesson for me to guard the sanctity of worship and the sermon.  After that experience, I learned to say firmly, “I am preparing my mind and spirit for worship; we can talk about this later.” I learned to discern the spirit of parishioners who wanted to engage in non-spiritual conversation before worship. My technique was to avoid them or gently say, “Let’s have a word of prayer.”

Sometimes pastors “open the door” for parishioner’s frivolous conversation by the pastor’s non-spiritual demeanor and behavior prior to worship.  Some pastors like to joke and engage in light conversation and it might appear to some parishioners that any conversation is appropriate.

I believe a pastor’s primary duty in worship is the delivery of the sermon. He or she should not allow any distraction to the delivery of the sermon. 

I heard a Baptist preacher years ago say that a pastor should not get distracted by Sunday School. It was his opinion that a pastor would be better served to recluse himself behind closed doors in his study and focus on the sermon and worship.  It sounded strange at the time, a pastor not attending Sunday School, but over the years it made sense.  
 
It seems a “no-brainer” to me that some conversations are not appropriately engaged in before a pastor is to lead worship and deliver a sermon.
Sermon delivery is serious business and parishioners have to be trained to respect the sanctity of worship and the pastor’s responsibility to proclaim God’s Word without any distraction.

Sad to say, but sometimes it is not just the parishioners, but oftentimes stewards and trustees, auxiliary presidents...in other words longstanding church members who should really know better than to engage the pastor in frivolous conversation before worship.

And, parishioners and church officers alike need to understand when preachers stand in that pulpit to preach the gospel, they can be battle-exhausted following the sermon and frivolous post-sermon conversation can also be distracting.

Unfortunately, distraction of preachers before and after worship is not the only problem faced by preachers and not the only problem that hinders local church growth.

Sometimes, I wonder if too many parishioners and church leaders are “playing church.”  I began to think of other distractions, which I have labeled, “The Sins of a Church Member.” Here are a few that pastors and local church officers have to deal with in ministry.

1) A church member who does not attend worship services and who does not participate in the life of the church; he or she is an absent, non-participating member; his or her name is on the roll and that’s his or her only presence.

2)  A church member who does not financially support the church and is financially absent.

3)  A church member who is inconsistent with his or her presence and inconsistent with his or her financial support; the operative word is, “inconsistent.”

4)  The cell phone church member who fails to turn off his or her cell phone, not to mention the church member who wears the Bluetooth earpiece throughout the entire service and cell phone member who answers the cell phone in worship or runs out to answer the cell phone during the worship service.  

5)  The complaining church member who complains about the pastor’s salary and the house the pastor lives in and who always thinks the pastor receives too much.

6)  The church member who does not like pastors. Some parishioners do not like any pastor; others have a model of a pastor in their minds and they dislike any pastor that does not fit their image of what they think a minister should be.

7)  The church member who balls up his or her offering; when a member balls up his or her money, you can be sure that it’s not much, usually a dollar or some change.

8)  A church member who only attends worship when he or she needs something, i.e., problems on the job, marital problems, financial difficulties, personal problems. When their problems are solved, they absent themselves from worship.

9)  A telephonic church member; their only participation is on the telephone. They call people about what’s going on at the church and members call them to complain about what’s going on at the church. 

10)  A "telephone-caller" church member won’t say anything in a local church meeting, but will call every member to complain about everything that happened at a church meeting or in worship services.

11) The late-comer church member who never comes to church on time; they are always late for worship service; and they come in boldly and sometimes disruptively. 

12)  A church member who looks at the clock or his or her watch throughout the service, sometimes after having arrived late. He or she comes to church ready to leave.

13)  The sleeper church member who apparently comes to church to take a nap.  Worship puts them to sleep and the sermon puts them in a deep sleep!

14) The chewing-gum church member.  They chew and chew and it looks as if he or she is trying to squeeze more sweetness out of, what has to be stale, chewing gum. 

15) The candy-popping or cough-drop popping church member. Candy-popping or cough-drop popping church members pop candy or cough drops one piece after the other in what seems to be their desire to mask whatever is on their breath, whether it be halitosis or something they ate before coming to church or something they drank the night before.

16) The disengaged church member. Disengaged church members have no interest in the sermon and even if they are engaged with the singing and some of the other parts of the worship service, they animatedly disengage when the pastor gets ready to preach his or her sermon. 

17) The church member who brings snacks to church and serves all of the kids and adults around them. 

18) The church member who leaves church before the benediction. Some of them arrived late and they leave before the end of the service.

19)  The boasting church member who consistently feels the need to stand up and announce from the pews an announcement about some personal family accomplishment or to correct the pastor for omitting an item of little importance or interest to the church body.

20) The church member who talks to others throughout the worship service.

2. TCR OP-ED - QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO RUN FOR OFFICE OF THE BISHOP:

*The Rev. Dimpho Alpheus Gaobepe, 19th Episcopal District (South Africa)

I have deemed it appropriate and orderly for me to write this article in order to attempt to share with members of the AME Church around the globe my own understanding of the requirements for pastors of Episcopal Districts 14 - 20 to run for office of a Bishop as enshrined in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2012. 

This article is motivated by recent developments that have arisen due to non-certification of candidates who were educated in seminaries and universities outside of the Continental United States and particular candidates coming from South Africa and Namibia.

I would wish to first place on record issues that I believe are common cause attendant to the foregoing subject:

In terms of page 116, Paragraph 4 of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, which provides that the candidates for the office of the bishop must register their credentials with the AMEC General Secretary/CIO at least 180 days prior to the opening day of the General Conference? It further provides that, they must possess an earned seminary degree from an Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accredited seminary or, if outside the United States, an accredited seminary as determined by the country in which he or she is educated.

Consistent with this part of the cited provision in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, candidates who acquired their seminary degree in the USA are required by law to have obtained a seminary degree from ATS accredited seminary. What does this mean? It means that the seminaries from which they obtained their theological degree would have complied with ATS requirements for accreditation.

It is my considered submission that, reference to “seminary degree” in the provision under view, cannot reasonably and rationally have a common definition in all the jurisdictions that affiliate to the church. This provision does not even require candidates from outside the United States to have an equivalent seminary degree. The provision simply states, “If outside the United States, an accredited seminary as determined by the country in which he or she is educated.”

Acknowledging and appreciating the fact that in terms of the internal arrangements in the USA reference of the seminary in the provision in question would be interpreted as making reference to a Master’s degree, commonly called Master of Divinity or any seminary master’s degree offered by an ATS accredited seminary, which would not, as a matter of fact, be consistent with the internal arrangements in other jurisdictions; South Africa is a classic example.

I feel inclined to indicate that, in the case of South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)’s determination of what would constitute the  seminary degree,  SAQA employ NQF credits as a barometer; which in this instance, 360 NQF credits would constitute NQF level 6 (degree), and on the other hand, 480 NQF credits would constitute NQF level 7 (degree). When obtained, these are considered seminary degrees in our context.

Accreditation does not begin at a Master’s degree, unlike in the USA, as it is determined by Association of Theological Schools in the U.S.A. and Canada.

In South Africa the following seminary degrees are approved and accredited in terms of a particular NQF Credits threshold:

Diploma in Theology (360 credits) NQF Level 6 (Degree)

Systematic Diploma in Theology (480 Credits) NQF Level 7 (BA or B.Th)
BA or B.Th with (honors) (120 Credits) NQF LEVEL 8

Masters Degree (120 Credits) NQF level 9

Doctoral Degree NQF Level 10

My point is that The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 states that candidates should have a seminary degree and in so far as I am concerned, all of the above are considered seminary degrees as determined by the country in which clergy members are educated.

Let me also bring to the attention of the readers in the U.S.A., the majority of certified candidates have Masters of Divinity, which is a three year program. The seminary degree (M.Div) in South Africa is only offered by three Universities: Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, University Of North West and University of Pretoria.

Note that though the degree is called a Master of Divinity in South Africa it is not at the Level of a professional Master’s degree which is (NQF Level 9); it is at NQF Level 8, which is BA with Honors

I invite the readers to visit all these prestigious universities online and confirm my facts. Furthermore note that the reason for the non-certification is based on the idea that such candidates do not possess a professional Master’s degree in terms of (ATS) USA Standards and requirements.

Using (ATS) USA approved requirements and (SAQA) South African standards on equal grounds, given the fact that The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 recognizes other agencies outside of the United States, then one is left without any choice except to conclude that the application of the law favours the United States standards and all others are mandated to follow the U.S.A. dictates.

This is the truth some of our leaders in the AME Church do not want to know or accept. The kairos moment requires church leaders to speak truth to power. Black life matters. Seminary degree obtained in AME institutions outside the U.S.A. matters.

The point I am trying to make is that when I employ the standards as set forth in my country against the ATS requirements I can only arrive at the conclusion that M Div is not a professional Master Degree as opposed to the popular understanding and application in the AME Church in the U.S.A.

It is for this reason that I continue argue that, given the fact that in the same text that is cited herein, the drafters acknowledged the reality that it would not have been rational to universalize the standing and standards of the ATS, hence a qualification in the provision appreciating the sovereignty and autonomy of domestic arrangements in the jurisdiction outside the USA.

Most importantly, in my considered view, the operative word that constitutes an overbearing prerequisite to the latter part of the provision, being reference to as “a degree,” which in my  view, had the drafters intended to qualify the level of such a degree; such a clarity would have been expressly provided in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 like they have done on Page 113 -114 on requirements  when running for Office of Connectional WMS and  including Page 84 and 85 of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 on appointment of members to the Board of Examiners. The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 is clear!

For example, page 125 Section III, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 as it relates to General Officers
States,” Persons elected General Officers by the General Conference shall be blameless in character and possess the necessary qualifications.”

Dealing only with this first part of the provision as enshrined in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, one wonders what is meant by “Necessary qualifications.” Are we going to be told the definition of this requirement at the time some of the potential candidates outside the USA declare interest to run for office?

To me, this requirement of “Necessary requirements” is the same as “Seminary Degree” because it is not specific as to what degree threshold is required. 

Reverting to my subject, acknowledging and appreciating the role that ATS plays in the context of USA and Canada, it is equally of paramount importance to proffer that, various accrediting agencies in respective jurisdictions outside the purview of ATS, based on the autonomous determination of their educational programmes may not accredit the degrees at the same levels as ATS. This competence is unambiguously given life and acknowledged in the scheme of the above cited provision, which affords those members outside the U.S.A. such a competency.

I want to reiterate that my understanding without giving interpretation of the language in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, candidates that went to seminaries in the U.S.A. and Canada would need a Seminary  degree at a Masters Level because of the ATS requirement, while candidates from the country in which I was educated would need to have a seminary degree at any threshold to  be certified as candidates so long as they possess a  seminary degree not a Master’s degree, but a seminary degree earned from an accredited seminary.

Why? Because it is common cause that the domestic arrangements in a particular member country, which are being acknowledged and given effect by the enabling provision in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, would not be bound by the autonomous arrangements in the ATS regulated jurisdictions in the form of U.S.A. and Canada on determination of a level of a degree concerned. It is thus compellingly evident that the interpretation and application of this provision by the AME Church is currently favorably lopsided towards the ATS standards, which paradoxically are not explicitly enshrined in any official document of the AME Church as such; let alone in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, as assuming such principal point of reference by other jurisdictions. 

Let us remember that while a Master of Divinity is a professional degree in the USA, in South Africa, a Master of Divinity Degree, in terms of our NQF level is at level 8, not NQF level 9, which is considered a professional Master’s degree.

Finally, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 does not mention the requirement as a professional Master’s degree but it says a seminary degree. Had it been the intention of the drafters of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to set the level of the  seminary degree at the professional master’s  degree level as per the argument tendered by some individuals in the USA, either a definition would have been included in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 to provide certainty on this, or the body of this provision would have explicitly made reference to “a  Professional Master’s Degree.”

Like all other AMEs around the world - I love my Church and I am proud to be an AME.

*The Rev. Dimpho Alpheus Gaobepe, M.A., International Relations, BSC Math and Political Science; Diploma Systematic Theology (NQF Level 7  Seminary Degree), Current  M.Th degree; Senior Pastor at HJ Bryant Temple, West Conference, 19th Episcopal District- South Africa

3. TCR OP-ED - WHERE ARE WE GOING /WHAT DOES THAT MEAN:      
                       
*The Reverend Willard Machiwenyika 

I am writing with tears running down my face because each time after every General Conference, we are always “blessed” by having a new bishop. After each bishop’s four year tenure, he or she goes back to the U.S.A.

A newly elected bishop comes in and the first year he is studying the character of the natives or Africans, and nothing developmental is done.

In the second year he or she is introducing his or her method of leadership and administration systems and nothing developmental is done in Africa and especially in my own conference and my own country.

In the third year, we are starting to catch up with the new teachings and new planning and the bishop is preparing to go back to the states.

In the fourth year the bishop focuses on elections and changing leaders to create a good platform for his or her successor; and if the bishop doesn't change leaders, he or she leaves chaos for the next bishop.

To tell the truth, we are always in grade one, after every four years. I am an A.M.E. Church member since I was born, but we are never promoted to the “fifth grade,” we seem to stay in the “first grade.” I have been in the “first grade” since 1964!

Where are we going and what does that mean?

If my memory tells me correctly, in my own country I last witnessed an African American bishop in 1972 who we can proudly say was a missionary.

During the liberation struggle of my country, the church was labeled a terrorist group for it advocated for African freedom and independence so from that time, no American bishop was allowed to operate in my then colonized country. The A.M.E. Church preachers, even the local ones, where barred from preaching and some were even imprisoned.

What pains me much is that, yes my country is free from the colonial bondages, but we are still living in Egyptian bondage, and moreso enslaved by our own “brothers” (exploitation of men and women by other men and women) for personal gains and interests and not for the benefit of the church. Where are we going and what does that mean?

Moses was kept as the Pharaoh's son, but when he grew up he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh. When he went back to Egypt he was on a mission to free his people.

Being underdeveloped is not a crime or a sin before God. People should not take advantages of the economic situation in the developing countries and exploit others.

Yes, during the colonial and slavery eras, it was exploitation of man by man, but this time around it is of “brother by brother.”  It seems the Bishops assigned to Africa make their personal gains at the expense of the Church.

Houses are built, companies are bought in the name of the church, but it seems that the property ends up not being the property of the church.

Where are we going and what does that mean?  

So I say who ever is to be assigned by the General Conference to come to Africa needs to have a missionary heart and mind, not a mercenary and not to make his or her own wealth at the expense of the church.

Missionaries build schools, hospitals, clinics and even teach people how to be business-minded and develop themselves after the missionary leaves - that is sustainable development.

A mercenary kills people, destroys the infrastructure and makes sure the people are frightened even to correctly spell their names in their own native language. A mercenary destroys history and leaves no mark on the ground. His good report is, “I have managed to divide them, confuse them and now they have no trust in each other.”

The General Conference is always fed with nice and well spelled documents, called reports from oversees where as there is nothing on the ground.

Where are we going and what does that mean?

For four years a Bishop is setting up his team to support his “program” in Africa and to take them to the General Conference as delegates representing the people “back home.” 

Many of those who go to the General Conference, serve the bishop’s interest and come back home to Africa after the General Conference. And instead of telling us about the great things about the AME Church oversees in the U.S.A. and how much love our fellow AME brothers have for us, they return home and talk about the hotels, money and food, but little or nothing about the business of the General Conference.

They seem to be there in order to please the outgoing bishop and being introduced to the newly elected and consecrated bishop so that the new bishop will join the program of the outgoing bishop and nothing changes.

Promises! Promises! Promises! A person in need is always comforted by promises, but once he or she realized that these are empty promises they lose respect. In my own country we have the proverb that says, “Baboons are the same’’ When asking for the implementation of the planned projects, we are always told, “I am not the one who planned it.”

A very good example is that in my Conference a bishop was asked to pay school fees for the pastors of which was a commitment by the previous bishop and his answer was that “I cannot pay for a step-father’s son.” 

The previous bishop’s idea of sending pastors to school was a noble one and an excellent strategy for developing church leadership, but the idea was turned down by the incoming bishop.

Where are we going? And what does that mean?

Do the bishops have a handover or takeover strategy for developmental projects in the overseas episcopal district or they just take over the district without reporting or briefing each other?

My plea, “Bishops coming and leaving Africa don’t be like politicians. When they are voted out of office, they go away with their plans. You are never voted out of office, because once you are a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Please hand over your developmental plans and projects to the one being assigned to replace you. Try to leave a school, a farm, a clinic or a hospital that will help people to remember you, long after you have left the district.”

Please, please Ladies and Gentleman don’t report things to the General Conference that do not exist. Tell what we have and what we don’t have. Don’t report hospitals, clinics, schools or farms we don’t have.

Let me be honest and open, some of us in Episcopal Districts 14 -20 are sick and tired of false reports and lies to the General Conference that “this or that” has been done in the episcopal district and we are tired of people who are only supporting their self interests. Let’s tell the truth.

Some who support non-existent programs in the district are sometimes given scholarships to study abroad with the aim being that they will not come back and talk about the wrongs done. We face serious problems that need to be addressed by the AME Church and truth must be our foundation. Untruths should not be rewarded.

Yes for four hundred years, the Israelites where under slavery, but when Moses came they were all told to leave Egypt. It was not a matter of leaving Egypt, but also to be free and leave the slavery way of life.

We need a Moses to come to Africa, not those Hebrews who asked Moses the question, “Who asked you to be the judge and that you want to repeat that what you did to the Egyptian yesterday!''

The General Conference of this coming year 2016 must produce for us missionaries not mercenaries. Please, don't send African American politicians or American spies. We need missionaries, not mercenaries.

We want schools, clinics and hospitals. We are tired of people who say, “The General conference does not support primary schools, only colleges.”  It is from a primary school that a person goes to college.

Or those who say, “The General Conference does not support clinics, but hospital.”  It is from a clinic that a person is transferred to a hospital.

Is it true that the General Conference does not support oversees primary health care centers? Is it true that the General Conference does not support mission primary schools in Africa?

The episcopal leaders who are not missionaries will leave no schools, clinics, and not even a farm, which are being given free of charge by my Government to churches.

The A.M.E Church was once given a farm to develop a mission hospital and the government repossessed it due to lack of development, simply because the bishop said I will not take over what someone else has started. The farm was there for church's benefit.

To the General Conference, please send us missionary servant leaders!

The bishops sent to oversee districts 14 – 20 should have followed-up, if possible, by the Council of Bishops and a committee should be set up and monitored dedicated to African developmental projects in Africa, such as schools, clinics, hospitals and farms, and even mines.

I foresee a very big A.M.E Church if we have missionaries rather than mercenaries. We should see A.M.E Church making use of investment opportunities in Africa, making use of its Africanist nature.

All other denominations have schools, clinics, hospitals, farms and even companies for manufacturing; but for AME Church – Zero, Nothing! - Especially in my own country and my own conference.

We see, read and hear about the oversees development budget from the General Conference, but nothing is developed, not even  a single squatter Blair Toilet constructed, especially in my own conference and my own country .

In conclusion, the bishop who is leaving my district has nothing, but a smile on his face. All the four years he was struggling to make ends meet. It appeared that he never enjoyed being in the district. It seems his only smile came when it is the YPD Night.

It’s not the bishop’s fault, the cultures are so vastly different and the economic constraints have to be discouraging. Perhaps a new leadership paradigm is needed for Districts 14 – 20.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church is my church and I belong to it and I am happy to see it progress and expand.

*The Rev. Machiwenhyika is the Presiding Elder of the Muare Presiding Elder District of the North East Zimbabwe Annual Conference of the 20th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

-- To the Editor:

Allow me to great you in the name of the triune God.

I have looked at the certified list of candidates for episcopacy. I have noted that none of the individuals from the 19th Episcopal District who had announced to the various annual conference for running for episcopacy are not in the list. I wanted to know why is it, they are not there. 

In one of the editorials (can't remember the title) I remember you highlighted the importance of the AME Church being a global church. In the 19th Episcopal District and various districts within the continent of Africa, ministry is a bit different from what is in the USA and other western countries and to elaborate further, evangelism is suppose to navigate the indigenous traditions and cultures. The manner in which a “simple” thing like a wedding we would have to plan carefully the wedding to accommodate the AME Church traditions and indigenous practices (non-religious). This is an example of the many differences that Africa has in comparison to the western world.

Even in the position of being a prelate a person who understands the African mindset will be very helpful. Some conundrums which the prelate is handling would be solved by getting a person who is familiar with South Africans and how they do things.

The last time the 19th Episcopal District appointed a native of the land, it was the late Rt. Rev. Harold Ben Senatle and in that position he managed to do a lot of things.

Since the General Conference in June won't have a person from the 19th Episcopal District running for the episcopacy I wish the best for the person who will be appointed to it. I am not doubting the powers and authority of the GC I know and trust they will appoint a proper person for the job. 

Yours in Christ.
KA Moloi  

-- To the Editor:

I want to commend you on your commitment to expanding the ministry of The Christian Recorder.

Your vision has provided information that allowed me to watch meetings online and read information as events unfolded at AME conferences and on local, national, and international platforms.

Truly God blessed you to ensure that our newspaper is cutting edge.

Again thank you for a job well done.

The Rev. Dr. Linda Mouzon

5. TO THE MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:

From: Bishop McKinley Young

-- Subject: Follow-up Notes to the Connectional Day of Prayer

Thank you for sharing and participating in the Connectional Day of Prayer on Wednesday, April 13th

We apologize and deeply regret the technical difficulties we experienced, which were beyond our control.  A corrected and edited transcript of the prayers, scriptures and readings will be shard in an official document which will be published later. 

Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate

6. JOBLESS CLAIMS HIT A 43-YEAR LOW
 
The number of Americans filing for first-time state unemployment benefits last week dropped to the lowest point on record since the Nixon administration. Labor Department data released Tuesday show claims for the week of April 16 fell 6,000 to an unexpectedly small 247,000—a level not matched since late November 1973. Analysts say the drop reflects an increasingly strong job market and a relative lack of layoffs, despite broader worries about the strength of the U.S. economy.

TCR Editor’s Comment:  I would like to know why the Republican Party and other segments or our country are not praising President Obama for the fine job he is doing for the economy.  Other presidents have gotten credit for good things that happened related to the economy.  It’s just a rhetorical question, I know the answer!

7. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:

--Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church

Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church holds a Cell Phone Fundraiser every Sunday from April 21 through May 28, at 1900 W. 48th St., in Los Angeles, said Pastor Mary S. Minor.   The Men’s Ministry sponsors the campaign.  Items accepted are old smartphones, cellphones X-box, Playstations, iPads, and iPods. 


-- Dr. Michael C. Carson to speak at revival at Turner Chapel

FORT WAYNE—Turner Chapel AME Church, 836 E. Jefferson Blvd., is scheduled to host a revival at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22…


-- Virginia's governor will restore voting rights to more than 200,000 convicted felons.

Friday, April 22, 2016 11:08 AM EDT

Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia will use his executive power to restore voting rights to more than 200,000 convicted felons, circumventing his Republican-run legislature. The action will overturn a Civil War-era provision in the state’s Constitution aimed, he said, at disenfranchising African-Americans.


NAACP Statement on Restoring Voting Rights for Ex-Offenders in Virginia:

BALTIMORE, MD – NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks today issued the following statement regarding Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe’s executive order restoring voting rights to ex-felons:

“Most former offenders want to be respected as present citizens. The price of citizenship is voting. Governor Terry McAuliffe’s executive order enables ex-offenders to pay the price of citizenship – and in so doing, both contribute to our democracy and redeem their dignity. The majority of people with criminal records would much rather be known for their record of voting.

"I applaud Governor McAuliffe’s courage in using his executive authority to give hundreds of thousands of Virginians an equal voice in the democratic process.  Throughout the country, an estimated 5.8 million American citizens are prevented from participating in the voting process. We firmly believe in second chances and that citizens who have completed their sentences be allowed to exercise the constitutional right to vote.

“History shows when people are denied the right to vote; the loss of representation weakens our neighborhoods and communities, and furthers systemic inequality.  As some states continue to erect barriers to voter registration, we hope more states follow Governor McAuliffe’s lead.  Restoring voting rights to incarcerated individuals who have served their time is imperative to a fair and just democracy, while punitive measures only serve to further disenfranchise and isolate ex-offenders.”

8. AME CLERGY ARRESTED:

AME Clergy arrested during the NAACP led Democracy Awakening sit in at the US Capitol to fight for the restoration of the Voting Rights Act.

The Rev. William Lamar, pastor of Metropolitan AME Washington, D.C.; the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryan, pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church Baltimore Maryland; the Rev. Stephen A. Green, National Director, NAACP Youth and College Division, and the Rev. Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO were arrested at the US Capitol.  They were there to support the restoration of the Voting Rights Act. They were later released.

9. HARRIET TUBMAN WILL BE ON THE FRONT OF THE $20:

The $10 bill will feature five women — on the back. Harriet Tubman will be on the front of the $20.

The Treasury Department will announce on Wednesday afternoon that Harriet Tubman, an African-American who ferried thousands of slaves to freedom, will replace the slaveholding Andrew Jackson on the center of a new $20 note, according to a Treasury official, while newly popular Alexander Hamilton will remain on the face of the $10 bill.

Other depictions of women and civil rights leaders will also be part of new currency designs.


10. AME MINISTERS CARRY WATER AND HOPE TO FLINT MICHIGAN:

On Saturday morning, April 2, the Reverend Bruce Butcher and Licentiate Ray Greene, representing various religious and cultural organizations, loaded a van with bottled water and began a journey to Flint Michigan in order to help brothers and sisters in need.  AVIMA (formerly the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance), the Concerned Clergy and Community Leaders of Akron and Vicinity, the Akron Organizing Collaborative, the W.O.M.B. (Way of Mind and Body), Faith Temple Church and St. Paul AME Church all contributed monies and water towards this venture.

The plight of the people of Flint is well known but still bears repeating.  Since April 2014, when Flint began drawing it’s water from the local river instead of buying Lake Huron water from Detroit, in order to save money.  Residents in this ailing industrial city began complaining of burning skin, hand tremors, hair loss, even seizures.  Children were being diagnosed with anemia.  Parents were finding strange red splotches on their hands and faces.

Yet for almost 19 months, as Flint River water corroded the city’s decades-old pipes and leached into the sinks and showers of a city of 100,000 people, officials repeatedly told residents the water was fine.  Flint’s mayor appeared in front of TV cameras and gulped some of it down.  When the city council voted to return to Detroit’s supply they were overruled by an unelected emergency manager appointed by Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder.  It wasn’t until late September 2015, when researchers at Hurley Medical Center in Flint reported that the incidence of lead contamination in the blood of children under 5 years of age had doubled since the switch that officials began to acknowledge the scope of the crisis.

The news was met with outrage by many in this nation while efforts to help the beleaguered people of Flint began almost immediately. 

The ministers took the water to Vernon Chapel AME Church, a designated water distribution site, where they were met by the Rev. Robert Blake and the members of the church.  It was like family meeting family.  You could feel the love of the people of the church as they greeted us.  We quickly unloaded the vehicle.  Rev. Blake then gave the group a tour of the neighborhood and of the church.   They had prepared a sumptuous dinner for us; chicken wings and homemade mashed potatoes, cabbage and corn, homemade cornbread, desserts and southern sweet tea or lemon aid.

Pastor Blake and the members thanked us profusely; not only for the water but also for hope.  Ms. Tammy Kellum, water coordinator for the church stated, “You just don’t know how it feels to be in this crisis and the people of God show up to help us.”  “It let us know that God has not forgotten about us” she said.  Pastor Blake shared this perspective, “imagine living out of a water bottle; bathing, brushing your teeth, washing your hair, cooking your meals, washing your clothes, everything people take for granted, even giving your pets a bath.” 

“We are living out of plastic bottles,” Pastor Blake said.  He also added the water needs of Flint would be long-term, and they will need long-term help. 

We asked what people could do if they wanted to help.  The Rev. Blake and Ms. Kellum said the best way to help is to send gift cards because water is expensive to ship. 

Arrangements have been made with the local Walmart for churches to buy water at cost.  

The gift cards requested included Walmart, Sams Club, Kroger and Target. 

Water, baby-wipes and hand sanitizers were the specific items requested. 

Vernon Chapel, 5802 Dupont, Flint Michigan, 48505 is one of the water distribution sites designated by the State of Michigan and the City of Flint and, are authorized to receive water and gift cards.  Ms. Tammy Kellum is the water coordinator for the site.  She can be reached at (810) 785-5721 or vernonwaterdonations@gmail.com

11. TRUSTING GOD’S TIMING:

In Chapter 8 of his book, Don’t Faint: Help for Hurting Pastors and Their Families, the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright discloses that he has “learned that God’s delay is The Rev. Seawright further states, “I am eternally grateful that I followed God’s plan for me. I accepted His challenge for me, and in accepting that, I was able to meet so many wonderful and kind people around the world.”

Reading this passage caused me to stop and think seriously about the times that I have failed to wait on God or seek the plan he has for my life. It is human nature to want things on our own terms and in our own time. Whether we are Baby-Boomers, or part of the Millennials or "X" or "Y" generations, we are accustomed to being online and connected to one another twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.  We are conditioned by technology and our own impatience to expect immediate solutions to our situations.  We are unaccustomed to waiting for anything – especially God – to work in our lives.  It is difficult for us to trust in God’s timing. 

However, sometimes waiting allows us to see that the solution we were seeking was not in God’s plan for us at that time. Throughout his book, Don’t Faint: Help for Hurting Pastors and Their Churches, Rev. Dr. Seawright reflects on how difficult his Christian journey has been, and the fact that no matter what the challenge, with prayer and faith he continued to follow God’s plan for his life. He clearly states the benefits of waiting on God.

The Rev. Dr. Seawright is a pastor who truly believes in Isaiah’s assurances that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah. 40:31-NIV).  Rev. Dr. Seawright simplifies these verses by explaining that “when we remain hopeful, despite our waiting, God rewards us with renewed strength.” The Rev. Dr. Seawright talks about "putting his pride on the sideline” in some occasions and asking God what was next for him.  He shows us through his journey that delayed success can be a part of a greater plan for us, which sometimes allows us to grow, strengthen ourselves, become more caring and cultivates humility. 

As we wait on God, we may become impatient.  In chapter 8, The Rev. Dr. Seawright refers to the poetry of Langston Hughes in “A Dream Deferred” to address the need for patience as we learn to trust God’s timing. In scripture, Habakkuk declares, “still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:3 –NIV).

The Rev. Dr. Seawright teaches us that we must learn to trust that God knows what is best for each of us. Trusting in God is not accepting idly that whatever will be will be, but having faith that God is sufficient to meet all our needs. Trusting in God takes strength, perseverance, and faith. We should anchor ourselves to God and wait because trusting in God makes us confident, releases our anxieties, and allows us to rely solely on God’s love, grace and mercy, which are more than sufficient.

Rosemarie Jackson
18 April 2016

12. UNITY RALLY FOR PEACE IN THE CITY RALLY IN ORANGE, NEW JERSEY:

-- #PeaceInTheCity! #StopTheViolenceRally #NoToGunViolence

Due to the recent violence in the city of Orange, New Jersey that has left two families and an entire city reeling from the effects of losing 17-year-old Davon Jones, and 23-year-old Jordan Bryan; the Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton, pastor of St. Matthew AME Church has made a clarion call to hold a Peace Rally in the city of Orange.

St. Matthew Church, as a show of unity and support to this community will disrupt their normal worship service on this Sunday April 24, 2016, and march from the church to the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Central Avenue where a Unity Rally for Peace will be held for the victim’s families and the city of Orange.

Those who wish to participate are invited to join the St. Matthew Church family for worship, 336 Oakwood Avenue at 11 a.m.

The service will last approximately one hour, before marching together to Central Avenue. We are asking the participating churches to follow suit and join us around 1 pm at the intersection. There will be designated persons who will speak followed by a prayer for unity and peace in the community!

Said the Rev. Guyton, “This tragic news of the death of these two young men have disrupted the lives, not only their families, but everyone in the city and elsewhere, who can identify with senseless gun violence taking place in their own communities. I have reached out to the Mayor of Orange, Council persons, fellow Clergy in Orange, East Orange and Newark, to join us in a Unity Rally for Peace in the city of Orange. Let us disrupt our normal Sunday services and take the ‘church to the street,’ in support of this rally for peace.”

If possible, wear black and white attire to show unity.

For more information, please call St. Matthew AME Church at (973) 678-1217.

13. KUDOS TO JOHN THOMAS III FOR ENLIGHTENING ARTICLE ABOUT ABSALOM JONES:

In the issue of February 29, 2016 of the Christian Recorder the front page carried an article “Remembering Absalom Jones.”     It was written by John Thomas III.  It was timely, appropriate and relevant for this moment in the history of our beloved “Bethel.” And what is more, John Thomas III keenly linked the installation only one year ago of the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, as the first African American Primate of the Episcopal Church. Thomas indicated a linkage between Absalom Jones, the first Black priest of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Curry.  And it is also known that Jones and Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, were close associates.
       
In fact, students of our sacred history never cease but to be inspired and energized as one reflects on the kinship between Absalom Jones and Richard Allen.  Both were victims of slavery.  Both were credibly emancipated.  Both were proverbially in the right place at the right time. And what together they did for the spiritual, physical and mental emancipation of their people in the 18th century is literally mind-boggling and heightens one belief in the redemptive providence of our Sovereign God.
       
On a personal note, I recall that during my years in Nashville, Tennessee, I was invited to share in the Absalom Jones Feast Day on two occasions observed by the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.  As the herald, my preparation for these memorable occasions heightened my interest in the ministries of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen.
       
John Thomas III ends his enervating but brief article with a prophet’s eye, thusly: “As we reflect upon the two hundred years since our first General Conference, may we also never forget Absalom Jones and his partnership with our founder. Bishop Michael Curry’s election may open a new chapter in the relationship between our denominations and a chance to build upon our shared heritage.”
       
Let me again thank John Thomas III for his historic article and may God’s blessing surround him.

14. TEN FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT JOHN WESLEY AND UNITED METHODISM:

By Jeremy Steele

1) John Wesley wrote one of the all-time bestselling medical texts.

2) John Wesley coined the term “agree to disagree.”

3) John Wesley rode far enough on horseback to circle the earth 10 times.

4) Wesley had serious doubts about his faith.

5) “Methodist” was originally a derogatory term.

6) Wesley counseled people to “eat a little less than you desire.”

7) Wesley never intended to split from the Church of England.

8) Wesley never said this famous quote attributed to him. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can.”

9) Wesley believed you could not be a Christian on your own.

10) Methodism grew from four to 132,000 members in Wesley’s lifetime.


*From United Methodist News Service; used with permission

15. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:

*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins

Based on Biblical Text: 1 John 3:18: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

God speaking through the “love” disciple John says to us, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue: but in deed and in truth.” Because John is so loving, his recorded words ring so sweet.

What John is trying to teach us is really quite simple. He admonishes us that if we say we have truly been transformed by the blood of Christ, the evidence of our transformation should manifest itself in the way we treat our brothers and sisters. In other words, our transformed life ought to be a clear demonstration of love and compassion.

God has challenged us from the very beginning to, “love one another”. However, the truth of the matter is many times we find the untransformed attitude still prevalent. We are quick to judge, quick to condemn and even quicker, it seems, sometimes not to forgive. It appears that in too many instances we exhibit, “I am not my brother’s keeper!” What should be a continuous and spontaneous love for each other sometimes appears not continuous and not so spontaneous. The love that identifies us as Christian needs to be pulled out of us as we have to be reminded constantly that we should be putting the feelings of others ahead of our own.

God loves us in spite of our faults. Knowing we are loved ought to make us more loving. What John is trying to get us to understand is the concept of agape love. In other words, the unconditional love that God has for us is the same love we ought to express toward each other. Yes, it is a love that goes against our carnal nature, which compels us to love only those who love us. In fact, it is the kind of love that says, “Love your enemies” and “pray for those who despitefully use you”.

We are called to express agape love in our most challenging and even most disagreeing moments. In these instances, we are encouraged to show an extra ounce of patience sometimes speaking less and listening and loving more. Agape love calls us to a point when we, in our sacrificial moments, might share more. Or in our vengeful moments, when we have the power to retaliate, agape love challenges us not to use it.

We will not know agape love unless we also know how to forgive. Agape love and forgiveness have to go together. The older saints remind us that it is near impossible to live in this world without getting bitten by one of Satan’s snakes. They warn us that “Hellhounds” are everywhere, riding the backs of the saved and the unsaved. The truth is if we are unable to return hate with love, we will soon find ourselves little more than a bitter wretch of a man or woman. I think we would rather be known for displaying the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. We would rather be like Christ!

In our text we find John masterfully unraveling the truth of our salvation. John reminds us that the magnificent God we serve expressed His love for us through the gift of Jesus Christ. He admonishes us that we are to respond to that love by loving others. Later on we find John expressing it in another way saying to us, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

We must come to understand that God is not happy when a person claims to be a Christian, but is un-loving. The text puts us on notice that salvation and hatred do not mix. We cannot love Christ and hate our brother.
In other words, if we make a claim we should back it up. God lets us know that it does no good just to tell Him we love Him; we should show Him. Truly, actions speak louder than words. Don’t try to tell God we are a Christian. Show Him! A Christian is validated by the quality of their character.

The questions for us to ponder are simple. How do we handle life’s abuses? Are we forgiving? Are we patient? Are we considerate of other’s feelings? Can the Lord depend on us to hold our tongue and express His love in deed and truth? Are we a true Christian?

If we say we have truly been transformed by the blood of Christ, the evidence of our transformation should manifest itself. Christ has forgiven us; we should surely forgive others. Christ has shown us mercy; we should in turn show it to others. God has been patient with us the evidence of our transformation is that we are patient with others. God has blessed us to be a blessing to others.

*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina

16. GETTING TO ZERO: VIEWS FROM THE TRENCHES – LOCAL NUMBERS

*Dr. Oveta Fuller and Payne Theological Seminary student co-authors

Below are excerpts from essays of participants in CM-243 “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS” at Payne Theological Seminary (PTS). This homework assignment asked each class member to explore impacts of HIV/AIDS in the county where they live or work in ministry using www.aidsvu as an interactive resource (1). These excerpts are used anonymously with permission.

Why anonymously? —

--- Glad that you asked. The essay contents are insightful and rich. Authors should be, and are, proud of their research and thinking. Understandably however, some who wholeheartedly support increased engagement of religious leaders in eliminating HIV/AIDS are concerned with possible consequences of a known advocacy role in increasing AMEC engagement with HIV/AIDS. Some are still in their Board of Examiners training. Others are newly or seasoned pastors who are aware that appointments are for one-year at a time. 

Thus, to minimize risk and to remain in compliance with conditions under which the class is run, they have graciously agreed to share thoughts as anonymous co-author contributors. I am grateful. We hope these views will provide a fresh realistic perspective about locations across the USA— like where you live.
 
View from the Trenches of Union County, New Jersey

My exact county could not be located on the aidsvu.org map, so I accessed the state information to get a more accurate read (2). Union County currently has a total case of 5,872 persons living with HIV/AIDS. Of these 4,412 (75%) have AIDS, while the remaining 25% are positive for HIV infection.  The heaviest concentration of HIV/AIDS is between the ages of 25-44. Unusual in Union County is that the majority of those infected with HIV are males compared to females (at a 2.5 to 1 ratio).

When looking at the statistics by race, 3,488 (59%) African Americans are living with HIV or AIDS. This is larger than the national average of 48% of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as African Americans. The disproportion is evidenced also in the prevalence among Hispanics. PLWHA who are Hispanic are equal in numbers to those who are white. I am surprised at the equal numbers since there is such a huge gap between the Hispanic and white population density.

We have a community development center in my city that literally offers nothing to the residents in the way of hosting health workshops or information sessions to include a biomedical understanding of HIV. I found that neighboring churches which are not AMEC more so tend to take on this responsibility.

For starters to address the impact, I would consider hosting each month an HIV/AIDS workshop to occur in different cities of the county. I would use the host city statistics as a highly relevant resource and starting point to generate a sense of ownership and urgency. I would use expertise in communications and the arts and include information and activities from many sources.  I would count on able and willing physicians, nurses, biologists and also non-tradition ministry approaches to get community members to a deeper understanding of the biology of HIV/AIDS. The goal would be to eliminate the stigma, shame, fear, and condemnation of HIV and see it as a virus infection. I would include access to HIV testing at these monthly events.

I would hold specific interactive workshops, similar to the ones that we participated in during this PTS class. To see HIV/AIDS, read about HIV/AIDS and hear about HIV/AIDS this week has removed my lack of knowing and truly impacted me emotionally as well as intellectually.

Understanding and helping to stop impacts of this fragile virus on communities of people that the AMEC serves can occur through a powerful combination of multiple approaches. People need to learn of the facts and factors involved rather than being left to their own devices or thoughts (or lack of thoughts) about HIV/AIDS and how to protect themselves from its spread. 

HIV/AIDS is a very present community disease, just like breast cancer or any other of the many diseases that move people to walk for the cause. We can do something, many things, to be effective. We have a responsibility, as community leaders, to do something to stop HIV/AIDS.

View from the Trenches of Cuyahoga County, Ohio

The incidence of HIV/AIDS in Ohio is shocking. The levels underscore the importance of and need for a concerted sustained effort to both inform the population and advocate routine testing for HIV infection. 

Even more shocking is how it has spread within Cuyahoga County, and more specifically the spread in the African American communities of Cuyahoga County. At the end of 2012 across the state of Ohio 196 persons out of every 100,000 are living with HIV.  But in Cuyahoga County, twice as many-- 368 out of every 100,000 people lived with HIV.

Further, 736 out of every 100,000 African Americans in Cuyahoga County were living with HIV (1).  The AIDSVu map shows that Cuyahoga County is not unique among urban Ohio counties, especially Franklin and Hamilton Counties.    

HIV/AIDS with African Americans in Cuyahoga County is comparable to the state-wide rate among African Americans (726 per 100,000). The prevalence within the African American community in Cuyahoga County is twice that of the general population of Cuyahoga. It is nearly four times that of the state-wide rate (3). 

The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS within the African American community in Cuyahoga County, when compared to the overall rate of incidence in the state of Ohio and of Cuyahoga County, is unacceptable! 

These HIV infection numbers might suggest that the African American community is more susceptible to HIV/AIDS than the general population.  Apparently, there is something going on to stop HIV/AIDS in the general population that is not happening in the African American community. 

Now is not the time necessarily to focus on why the infection levels are so disproportionate.  Now is the time to actually effectively deal with the issue.  As an African American community we must sound the alarm.  And, as an African American Christian community we must act with a sense of urgency.

The time is past due for our communities to put away old myths, ignorance, prejudices and stigmas associated with HIV. It is necessary to deal with HIV/AIDS for what it is:  a preventable chronic infectious disease.  We must treat this disease no differently than we treat cancer, diabetes or hypertension, which also are disproportionate in our communities. We must advocate for access to health care.

Cancer, diabetes and hypertension screening in our communities has become routine. Why not HIV/AIDS?
 
1 - All statistics contained in this writing were obtained from this source: http://aidsvu.org/.

2. Union County Residents at Diagnosis: HIV/AIDS Cases Reported as of December 31, 2014

3 - The highest rate of incidence in the State of Ohio for 2012 is Pickaway County with a rate of 841 per 100,000.  It is noteworthy that there is a penal institution located in Pickaway County.
*The Rev. Dr. Fuller is currently on Sabbatical leave from the University of Michigan and will submit her column as her schedule permits. 

17. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2016 - TESTED FAITH - DR. LUKE 15:11-24:

*Brother Bill Dickens

Introduction

Life's journey is often compared to a roller coaster ride.  We have our ups and we have our share of downs.  The experience brings great joy and excitement.  The thrill of positive feelings confirms the benefits of living.  As a legendary jazz singer once said -"Let the good times roll."  But life is a package deal.  The joy of the upside of living must be balanced with the downfalls.  Many times it feels like a target is on our back.  We experience one downfall after another.  Those outside of Jesus' safety net emphasize their "luck" has turned south as a cause of the downfall. 

The Adult AME Church Lesson for April 24, 2016 examines the application of tested faith.  The key takeaway: “We fall down, but we don't have to stay down.”

Bible Lesson (Lost and Found)

Our Bible lesson comes from one of Jesus' great parables - The Prodigal Son.  Jesus describes a not too uncommon situation where a young son, desiring to see the world, seeks to cash out his father's inheritance now and leave the estate.  His father obliges and the naïve son departs for life in the "big city."  Naivety brings about unwise choices.  The young man chooses not to properly invest for a "rainy day," but instead indulges in conspicuous consumption and ostentatious living of immoral vices.  Once his spending frenzy ended the young man realized he had no friends.  He was now broke, without friends and living the life of squalor.  He reached the lowest point of his life when he had to share food items with pigs.  At that moment he had his epiphany.  He realized the errors and bad choices and decided he would get up go back to his father, ask for forgiveness and seek life in his estate as a hired servant.  When his father saw him walking back to his home he was overcome with paternal love and joy.  No doubt the father is a theological representation of God the Father.  We are like the once-wayward son.  We pursue a life of sin thinking this will maximize our joy or being on the upside of the roller coaster.  When we hit rock bottom we suddenly realize "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".  We once were lost and now we are found!

Bible Application

A boxer was once considered all but defeated in his heavyweight fight with his opponent.  He had been knocked down several times.  The trainer tried to stop the flow of blood coming from several cuts on his face.  His arms felt like they weighed a ton and couldn't be raised due to the pounding from his opponent.  His manager was about to throw in the towel to signal to the referee that his boxer was finished; a defeated man.  At that point the fighter got a "second wind."  He informed his manager he not only wanted to finish the match, but he felt he could win.  The manager, skeptical about these claims, reluctantly let him continue the fight.  To the manager's surprise and chagrin the young boxer was a changed fighter.  He won the next four rounds and in remarkable fashion knocked his opponent out in the last round to win the bout.  When asked by a sports commentator about his turnaround from a defeated fighter to a champion the boxer replied, "I was down, but not out." 

Like the boxer, as Christians, we fall down but we get up.  Jesus is like that fan in the audience saying you can win if you stick with Me.  Satan and sin want to keep us down and deprive us the joy of eternal victory in Christ.  God gives us a second chance (second wind).  We can and we will get the victory! QED 

"Knowledge is an Asset, Ignorance is a Liability"

*Brother Bill Dickens is currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma, Washington.  He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Church Educators for the African Methodist Episcopal Church

18. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 27:

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

My assignment as a Presiding Elder requires me to visit each of the 32 churches in the Beaufort District at least four times a year.  I just returned from a visit to one of those churches - Greater Mount Olive AME Church in Smoaks, South Carolina.  It took me more than an hour and a half to get there, but only an hour to return to Charleston.

The time discrepancy resulted from Charleston’s “rush hour” traffic.  The region’s population has grown faster than the highway infrastructure, so peak traffic times mean massive traffic delays. I’ve grown accustomed to that, but I always marvel at the “fender bender” accidents that are common in that heavy traffic - I saw three of them today.

Those minor accidents were caused by those who were either in a hurry to reach their destinations and weave in and out of traffic or those who were so frustrated by the heavy traffic that they “tailgate” and roll into the vehicles in front of them. Those accidents wouldn’t happen if the drivers involved would accept the reality of the traffic, plan as best as they can to cope with it and appreciate the virtue of waiting and taking their time.

Waiting, planning and coping are virtues in today’s world that go beyond the aggravation of heavy traffic.  We live in a fast-paced world, where all of us face demanding situations that often require immediate action.

It’s easy, in this fast-paced world, to get frustrated and aggravated and to press for immediate solutions to demanding dilemmas. Our doing so, however, can often lead us to new roadblocks and new challenges that confound us and often lead to emotional injury when we can’t “fix” things on our timetable.

We’d do well - in this fast-paced world - to slow down and let God order our steps and guide our feet. When we do so, God will guide us to where we need to be when we need to be there and give us patience, well-being and peace of mind along the way.

Take the time, as one Psalmist said, to “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.”  When you do, God will bless you, provide for you, comfort you, keep you, bring you victory and help you to appreciate a song of my ancestors in the faith that says, “God may not come when you want Him, but He’s right on time.”

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder of the Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Third Episcopal District regretfully announces the passing of the Reverend Christopher M. Ferguson, on Sunday, April 17, 2016. The Reverend Ferguson most recently served as the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Middletown, Ohio. Please keep his wife, Mrs. Jill Ferguson; son, Mr. Christopher Ferguson, Jr.; daughter Ms. Ashley Ferguson and other family members and friends in prayer.

Celebration of Life arrangements are as follows:

Saturday, April, 23, 2016
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
1507 Yankee Road
Middletown, Ohio 45044

Telephone: (513) 423-8532
Fax: (513) 424-1848

The Reverend William C. Roberts II, pastor
Bishop McKinley Young, Eulogist

Visitation/Calling hour: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Funeral: 11:30 a.m.
Interment: Woodside Cemetery

Care is entrusted to:

Hall Jordan & Pretty Memorial Chapel
918 South Main Street
Middletown, Ohio 45044

Telephone: (513) 422-4641
Fax: (513) 422-5550

Expressions of Sympathy may be forwarded to:

Mrs. Jill Ferguson
1422 Young Street
Middletown, Ohio 45044

Or at the following online site:


20. CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Annie Mae McBride, mother of Sister LuCretia McBride, Financial Secretary of the East Conference of the of the Eleventh Episcopal District

Funeral Services will be held:

Saturday, April 23, 2016 - 11:00 a.m.
Saint Stephen AME Church
913 W. 5th Street
Jacksonville, Florida

Telephone: (904) 358-0099

Professional Services Entrusted to:

McKinney Family Funeral Home
6507 Beaver Street,
Jacksonville, Florida

Telephone: (904) 389-7790.

Cards & Condolences may be sent to:

LuCretia McBride
1509 West 28th Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32209

Telephone: (904) 768-3345

21. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net      
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/   
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751




22. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:

The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; 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.

Did someone you know pass this copy of The Christian Recorder to you? Get your own copy HERE: http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/


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