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September 22, 2008
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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
CHRISTIAN
VOL. 157, NO. 26
AFRICAN METHODIST
ib
AM
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
~ Riconnin
GOD OUR FATHER » CHRIST OUR REDEEMER « MAN OUR BROTHER SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
BISHOP DAVID DANIELS LEADS MINNEAPOLIS REVIVAL
By Charles Hallman, St. Paul-Minneapolis District Reporter
The church sometimes needs “a Holy Ghost preacher” to
remind them that they are children of God.
This is what the Right Reverend David R. Daniels, Jr., the
14th Episcopal District’s Presiding Prelate, did as he led a
three-day revival at Wayman, Minneapolis August 11-13.
He is “a Holy Ghost preacher,” says St. Paul-Minneapolis
District Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Alphonse Reff of Bishop
Daniels. “The world needs interpreters who can interpret the
Word of God,” the presiding elder and pastor of Wayman
explains. “We need them to (tell) people that God has some-
thing better for them.”
With temperatures reaching 80-plus throughout the three
days, Daniels’ nightly sermons brought Holy Ghost heat inside
the sanctuary, as he implored the congregation and visitors “to
get ready for your breakthrough.”
“Tt is difficult to sing and shout when you are down and out,”
said the Bishop. “That’s why we need God.”
Isaiah 54:1-3 was his first night’s text as Daniels reminded
everyone that they are God’s creation: “If we are going to get our
breakthrough, we need to change what we are. God didn’t make
a mistake when He made you. If you ...Continued on p4
Bishop David R. Daniels and Presiding Elder, Rev. Alphonse Reff
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST NEWS FROM THE THE REVISED A.M.E. CHURCH MOTTO
——FRON-A.M.E_INDIA~————— -ADOPTED BY THE 48TH ~~
There has been widespread attack on Chris- By Brother Kelvin J. Antoni QUADRENNIAL SESSION OF THE 2008
tians in the state of Orissa and stray attacks on The book, “Calling & ICRA eraNarinee oe GENERAL CONFERENCE
Christian missionaries in other parts of the the Ordained Life,” written by Bishop :
country. These attacks are initiated by the right : — English:
William H. Willimon, Presiding Prelate of
the North Alabama Conference of the United
Methodist Church, describes the call of a
minister and the character of a minister. He
describes that the call and character of a min-
ister is that of a servant.
On July 28 — 31, 2008, in Mobile, Alabama,
wing Hindu fanatics who have a lot of political
clout in the states ruled by their people. Unfor-
tunately due to the Christian theology of Love
and Forgiveness, the Christians have never
retaliated to such brute and ruthless attacks
ever in the history of Indian Christianity.
“GOD OUR FATHER, CHRIST OUR
REDEEMER, THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR
COMFORTER, HUMANKIND OUR
FAMILY”
As per the news reports a large number of
houses and churches were torched by an irate
mob in several areas including Nuagaon,
Raikia, Udaygiri, Phiringia and Baliguda.
Churches were attacked in Khurda, Bargarh,
Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Boudh,
Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal
districts as also in :
...Continued on p5
God sent a servant to the state of Alabama to serve
the many congregations of the 9th Episcopal Dis-
trict. On July 28th, 2008, the Christian Education
Congress opened with a Consecration Service at
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Mobile, Alabama. Bishop
James L. Davis, our new Bishop, preached a
superb homiletical message entitled, “I Am Tired
of Being Pitiful” Continued on p5
THE 141ST SESSION OF THE
KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
*The Reverend William R. T. Hale
Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church - Harrodsburg, Kentucky
The Rt. Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District
Brother Stan McKenzie, Supervisor of Missions
The Reverend Kenneth Jerome Golphin, Presiding Elder of the Lexington District
The Reverend Ralph Boyd Smith, Host Pastor
Preceding the 48th Session of the General Conference, darkness had come over the land..
and suppositions attacked our worst fears: “Would our Bishop return?”.
. but, then..
the minds of some: “Surely she won’t return!”.
. rumors
_a faithless dread had gripped
. a voice ned out into the darkness! The
light of day arose over the land! And sho’ nuff, the “baddest bishop on the bench” — The * “Visionary”
Vashti, “Magnificent” Murphy,
“Super” Supervisor Stan McKenzie, stepped out from the light..
“Moving-Forward” McKenzie, our Chief Pastor, together with our
_and so began the 141st Session of the
Kentucky Annual Conference at Historic Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church!
The direction of the Annual Conference was set by our pre-conference
...Continued on p7
— Spanish:
EL LEMA DE LA IGLESIA DE A.M.E.
“DIOS NUESTRO PADRE, CRISTO
NUESTRO REDENTOR,
EL ESPIRITU SANTO NUESTRO
CONSOLADOR, HUMANIDAD NUESTRA
FAMILIA”
SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL
“Im a world where celebrity equals talent
and where make-believe is called reality, it is
most important to have real love, truth, and
stability in your life.”
- - - Bernie Brillstein Film and TV producer
“To know nothing, is bad........ To learn
nothing, is worse.” - - - African Proverb
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere
with what you can do.” - - - John Wooden
“Education can’t make us all leaders ---
but it can teach us which leader to follow.”
- - - Anonymous
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2 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, Ill
The culture of any
church needs a reordering
and a radical change when “raising money”
becomes the primary focus of ministry.
It is important for pastors and local church
officers to reflect upon ministry and the mis-
sion of their local churches as well as the Mis-
sion and Purpose of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. Often pastors seem to feel
that the focus of their ministry is raising the
budget and keeping the local church afloat.
And, of course they are concerned about their
salaries, about keeping the lights on, the utili-
ties paid, the presiding elder assessments, the
annual conference budget, and repairs to the
local church. In fact, oftentimes, raising
money becomes the focal point of ministry, so
much so that programs are planned, not
around evangelism or spiritual growth, but
how much money can be raised.
Revivals should be a spiritual event, but for
many churches, revivals have become a fund-
raising event. A guest preacher is invited
based upon the size of his or her congregation,
how many folks they can bring with them, and
how much money they can raise. In many
churches, Men’s Day and Women’s Day are
competitive fund-raising events as are Home-
coming, Friends and Family Day, Usher Day,
Choir Day, Youth Day, Pastor’s Appreciation
Day and a whole lot of other days.
I suspect that the focus upon money impedes
church growth. The focus upon money can
make it appear that pastors and officers are
hustling the membership. I have heard pastors
give an appeal for people to tithe with the
caveat that if they didn’t tithe, God was “going
to get them” and something bad might happen
to them if they did not tithe, or that they would
The Christian Recorder was established in 1852
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BISHOP RICHARD FRANKLIN NORRIS, (
DR. JOHNNY BARBOUR, JR., Publisher
DR. CALVIN H. SYDNOR, Ill, The 20” Editor
Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203-4181
not be returned
Som
MINISTRY HAS TO BE MORE THAN RAISING MONEY
The Christian Recorder
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miss a blessing if they did not tithe.
This past Founder’s Day, I had the privilege
to preach at Mount Herman A.M.E. Church in
Fort Lauderdale where the now Bishop John
F. White was the pastor. I was impressed with
an announcement in the church’s bulletin enti-
tled, “The Bible teaches us how to give.”
The announcement clarified what the Bible
says about giving. The first of the three points in
the announcement said that Christians are respon-
sible for giving on a regular basis — weekly,
monthly, or whenever a person receives income.
The second point emphasised that the Bible says
a lot about priorities and that loving and thanking
God with our financial offerings should come first
and that giving first, is a sign of trust that is much
more important than the amount we give.
I found the third point interesting because
so often pastors and stewards think everyone
is at the same spiritual level; they are not.
The third point in the announcement was
powerful and “cuts to the soul” of stewardship.
The third point asked the question, “How
much should a person give - 5%, 10%, 20%
50%?” A statement in the announcement said
that the biblical guideline is tithing (giving 10%),
but went on to say that the specific percentage
was not as important as making a commitment.
The announcement encouraged members to start
the commitment process by committing any per
centage of their income with which they were
comfortable and then to gradually grow towards
and beyond a tithe. The announcement closed by
encouraging members to follow through on their
commitment by setting aside whatever their
decided percentage every time they received
income and were encouraged to offer their
pledge to God with joy and thanksgiving. The
focus was not on the amount or the percentage,
$36.00 Per Year
Send Check or
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Name
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but on the commitment.
In the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25),
the master commended the servant who took
the two talents and doubled the talents, and he
also commended the servant who had five tal-
ents and increased them to ten talents with the
words to both servants, “Well done good and
faithful servant, you have been faithful with a
few things; I will put you in charge of many
things.” The master commended servants for
their faithfulness. They were faithful in the use
of the talents that were committed to them.
When we focus upon the money that we raise
as the measure of our ministry, we take the focal
point of ministry off God; and the center of min-
istry becomes focused on how much money was
raised or how much money was not raised.
When churches focus upon ministry that
meets the needs of people, the community and
worldwide missions, studies show that the
money will follow.
Understanding how money works is probably
a “science” because some pastors and congrega-
tions know how to fund their ministries with
little effort; but it appears that other pastors and
congregations don’t have a clue on how to effec-
tively fund their programs.
There is a method that results in successful
stewardship that results in vibrant ministry pro-
grams. Vibrant ministry programs can be found
in small churches, in large churches, in inner city
churches, in rural churches and in suburban
churches. Pastoral leadership, follower-ship and
following biblical and sound administrative prin-
ciples make the difference. Effective ministry is
not achieved without hard word, extensive plan-
ning and more planning, and strong leadership.
Most of us are uncomfortable with beggars,
even though we help Continued on p9
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
www Annual Conference Schedules +:
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME. CHURCH
BISHOP ADAM JEFFERSON
RICHARDSON, JR.
OCTOBER 3-4, 2008
SECOND DISTRICT SONS OF ALLEN
MEN'S RETREAT
Third Street Bethe! A.M.E. Church,
Richmond, VA
The Rev. Daryl K. Kearney, Host Pastor
The Rev. Andre Pierre Jefferson,
Coordinator
OCTOBER 17-18, 2008
SECOND DISTRICT MIDYEAR
MEETING
St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Raleigh, NC
The Rev. Gregory L. Edmond, Host Pastor
The Rev. Jasper Bernard Wilder,
Host Presiding Elder
THIRD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP CORNAL GARNETT
HENNING, SR.
SEPTEMBER 24-28, 2008
OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 20, 2008
LAY ANNUAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
WMS CONVENTION
St. Jahn AMEC (Worthington)
7700 Crosswoods Drive
Columbus, OH 43235
Phone: (614) 888-0894
The Rev. Jermaine Covington, Pastor
OCTOBER 8-12, 2008
NORTH OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 4, 2008
LAY ANNUAL MEETING
OCTOBER 7, 2008
WMS CONVENTION
St. John AMEC
2261 East 40th Street
Cleveland, OH 44103
Phone: (216) 431-2560
The Rey. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, Pastor
OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1, 2008
THIRD DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
Renaissance Hotel
Columbus, OH
The Rev. Dr. William Wheatley, Host
Pastor
FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP JOHN RICHARD
BRYANT
SEPTEMBER 21-28, 2008
INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Site to be determined
Vv. O<
OCTOBER 5-12, 2008
CHICAGO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Wyndham Hote
Lisle, Il
Room Rate: $115 flat plus tax
Reservation Deadline: 9/3/08
Free parking
Host: Coppin AMEC, Chicago, IL
Rev. Walter Bauldrick, Pastor
OCTOBER 23-25, 2008
PLANNING MEETING
Crowne Plaza O'Hare
Rosemont, IL
Room Rate is $99 flat plus tax
Reservation Deadline: 10/08/08
Parking $5 per day with in/out
privileges for hotel guests only
SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP PRESTON WARREN
WILLIAMS II
SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 3, 2008
PIEDMONT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2008
YOUTH SUMMIT
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Promise
Land (Abbeville), Host Church
The Rev. James Speed, Host Pastor
The Rev. Oscar Klugh,
Greenwood/Abbeville District, Host PE.
The Rev. Jonathan Baker, Greenville
District, Co-Host PE.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2008
CENTRAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 3-5, 2008
YOUTH SUMMIT
Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church, Host Church
The Rev. Melvin Capers, Host Pastor
The Rey. Malachi Duncan, Host PE.
The Rev. Dr. Juenarrl Keith, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Co-Host PE.
NOVEMBER 6-8, 2008
POST CONFERENCE CONVOCATION
Columbia, SC
*Dates subject to change based on
hotel availability.
EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER
GUIDRY
SEPTEMBER 24-27, 2008
CENTRAL NORTH MISSISSIPPI
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Bethel A.M.E. Church
305 Edward Street
Mound Bayou, Mississippi
The Rev. Timothy Stallworth, Sr.,
Host Pastor
The Rev. James D. Holmes, Host PE.
OCTOBER 1-4, 2008
NORTH LOUISIANA ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
Mary Springhill A.M.E. Church
4426 Linwood Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana
The Rev. Demetrese Phillips, Host Pastor
The Rev. David J. Campbell, Co-Host PE.
OCTOBER 8-11, 2008
CENTRAL LOUISIANA ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Churet
1106 LeGrarde Street
Thibodaux, Louisiana
The Rev. Nelson Taylor, Host Pastor
The Rev. Otis S. Lewis, Sr, Host PE
OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 1, 2008
LOUISIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Mount Olive A.M.E. Chureh
2457 Second Street
Slidell, Louisiana
The Rev. Sherman Berry, Host Pastor
The Rev. Malvin Black, Co-Host PE
The Rev. Joseph H. Cyprian, Jr.,Co-Host PE
The Rev. John K. Holiday, Co-Host PE.
NOVEMBER 13-15, 2008
EIGHTH DISTRICT
PLANNING MEETING
Bonner-Campbell College
Edwards, Mississippi
NINTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP JAMES L. DAVIS
OCTOBER 1-5, 2008
NORTH ALABAMA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 1, 2008
WMS CONFERENCE BRANCH
ANNUAL MEETING
Saint Luke A.M.E. Church
2801 21st Avenue, North
Birmingham, AL 35234
(205) 252-3717
The Rev. Horace J. Fitchard, Jr., Host
Pastor
The Rev. Dwight E. Dillard, Host PE.
The Rev. Albert L. Hyche, Assoc. PE.
OCTOBER 8-12, 2008
CENTRAL ALABAMA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 8, 2008
WMS CONFERENCE BRANCH
ANNUAL MEETING
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
410 Martin Luther King Street
Selma, AL 36702
(334) 874-7897
The Rev. James Jackson, Host Pastor
The Rev. W. T. Lesueur, Host PE.
The Rev. E. A. Rouse, Assoc. PE.
OCTOBER 15-19, 2008
WEST ALABAMA CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 15, 2008
WMS CONFERENCE BRANCH
ANNUAL MEETING
Bethel A.M.E. Church
1524 Avenue D., Ensley
Birmingham, AL 35218
(205) 780-4393
The Rev. Gloria Hall, Host Pastor
The Rev. Myers Hawkins, Jr, Host PE.
The Rev. Truman A. Reynolds, Assoc. PE.
TENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP GREGORY G. M. INGRAM
SEPTEMBER 22-27, 2008
NORTH TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
bene
PLANNING MEETING
Milton, ocated in b
Phone: (407) 827-3873
Fax: (407) 560-2108
Reservation Deadline
September 5, 2008
Cost per night: $99.00
TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
OCTOBER 6-11, 2008
SOUTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Host Church
The Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi, Host
Pastor
Crowne Plaza Hotel
6121 NIH 35
Austin, Texas 78752
Reservations: (512) 323-5466
Reservation Deadline:
September 15, 2008
BISHOP SAMUEL LAWRENCE GREEN,
Cost per night: $104.00 a
OCTOBER 8-12, 2008
OCTOBER 20-25, 2008 EAST NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Pie pg le
AME
Jones E. Church, Host Church OCTOBER 7, 2008
The Rev. Robert Green, Host Pastor
Sheraton North Houston
15700 John F. Kennedy Blvd
Houston, Texas 77032
Reservations: (281) 442-5100
Reservation Deadline: October 1, 2008
Cost per night: $99.00
EAST NORTHEAST ARKANSAS WMS
New Bethel A.M.E. Church,
Stuttgart, AR
The Rev. Tom W. Scott, Host Pastor
The Rev. Johnny Kelley, Host PE.
OCTOBER 22-26, 2008
NOVEMBER 12-15, 2008 CENTRAL ARKANSAS ANNUAL
PLANNING MEETING CONFERENCE
Greater Allen Temple, Host Church OCTOBER 21, 2008
The Rev. Samuel Baker, Host Pastor CENTRAL ARKANSAS WMS
St. James A.M.E. Church, Camden, AR
The Rev. Clarence Reynolds, Host Pastor/PE.
Hyatt Regency North Dallas
(formerly The Richardson Hotel)
701 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, Texas NOVEMBER 5-9, 2008
Reservations: (972) 231-9600 SOUTH ARKANSAS
Reservation Deadline: October 29, 2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Cost per night: $125.00 NOVEMBER 4, 2008
ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT Fok: eer re age
A.M.E. CHURCH Crossett. AR
The Rev. Gregory Nettles, Host Pastor
The Rev. James R. Hooper, Host PE.
NOVEMBER 12-16, 2008
WEST ARKANSAS ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 11, 2008
WEST ARKANSAS WMS
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Malvern, AR
The Rev. Richard Sutton, Host Pastor
The Rev. Clarence V. Boyd, Sr, Host PE.
BISHOP MCKINLEY YOUNG
SEPTEMBER 20-26, 2008 NOVEMBER 19-23, 2008
SOUTH CONFERENCE ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Mt. Hermon A.M.E. Church NOVEMBER 18, 2008
17800 NW 25th Ave. ARKANSAS CONFERENCE WMS
Miami Garden, FL 33056
(305) 621-5067
The Rev. Henry E. Green, Jr, Host Pastor
The Rev. Jimmy J. Thompson, Host PE.
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, AR
The Rev. James Thomas, Host Pastor
The Rev. Thomas G. Allen, Host PE.
DECEMBER 11-13, 2008
OCTOHER S28 EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
WEST COAST CONFERENCE PLANNING MEETING
New Bethel A.M.E. Church Place: TBA
2122 MLL. King Ave
Lakeland, Fl 33805
(863) 687-1994
The Rev. Pearce Ewing, Host Pastor
The Rev. F Bernard Lemon, Host PE.
THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
OCTOBER 18-24, 2008
EAST CONFERENCE
Greater Grant Memorial
A.M.E. Church
5533 Gilchrist Rad.
Jacksonville, FL 32219
(904) 764-5992
The Rev. Tony D. Hansberry, Host Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Mitchell, Host PE.
BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE
NOVEMBER 5-9, 2008 SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2008
BAHAMAS CONFERENCE EAST TENNESSEE ANNUAL
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church CONFERENCE
Savannah Sound, Eleuthera Bethel A.M.E. Church
The Rev. George Clark, Host Pastor 2460 Parkview
The Rev. Howard Williamson, Knoxville, TN 37914
Presiding Elder (865) 522-6396
The Rev. Johnny Watson, Sr, Host Pastor
NOVEMBER 20-22, 2008 The Rev. Kenneth Hill, Host PE.
POST CONFERENCE
..Continued on p11
===== DSC03966.JPG =====
4 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
.fomp!.. BISHOP DAVID DANIELS LEADS MINNEAPOLIS REVIVAL
want everything to be possible, you want to get with God. He is more than enough.”
. Xe ur best is to your future and not in your past, continues Daniels. “Don’t miss out on what God’s best has for your life.” he preached, “God can’t
lift you out until you know who you are. With God, there is no limit.”
Daniels closed his opening sermon, “I don’t care what you are going through, God will be with you. He is able.”
The Bishop spoke the second night from Genesis 40:14, explaining that Joseph is one of his favorite biblical characters, “He was a big dreamer.”
Daniels points out. As with Joseph’s brothers, w rew ir br § i oe
a ‘ AS Jos 1ers, Who grew to hate their brother, “When you dream big, people ar i i i
g é : é , people are no ) ce 2 adde
However, Joseph “went from prison to prime minister,” says Daniels. “Like hace you are pie oe _ Po oe fe a
God but we don’t always accept that. If God i i [ aide tetera ( ae,
. always accept that. 10d is going to use you, number one — you must be faithful, fruitful and focused. God is setting you up for a
major blessing.” é
Daniels presented a life plan as he preached from Jeremiah 29:10- > third < i AG. c if
p ; plan | d from Jeremiah 29:10-11 on the third and final night. “God has some fantastic plans for your life,” he
pointed out. “Your future is brighter than your past.”
aegty
He suggested that we “raise your level of expectation now. If you raise
it, people will meet you where you place yourself.”; “God has more in
store for you than you ever imagined: Break your barriers of your past,
you've got to break away from your past.”; and “Become what you
believe.”
After each sermon,
Daniels extended his
hand to all those who
wished to change their
life, whether they already
are saved or not. As a
result, the altar over-
flowed each night with
individuals of all ages:
many sought prayer; many
others sought anointing,
as the Bishop insistently
touched each person who
stepped forward.
“Bishops are busy,
but he is not too busy to
come this way,” Reff
says of Daniels. The
two have been friends for years and he has preached several
times at Wayman.
“Presiding Elder Reff and I go way back, even before |
became Bishop (in 2004),” admits Daniels. “We talk and fel
lowship and his family are very special to me He is a guy who
goes out and makes relationships, and never forgets those rela
tionships.”
Daniels also spoke at Wayman’s annual African Day service
August 10.
The A.M.E. Church’s 124th elected Continued on p12
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
..From News From on p1... from John 5:1-9
After the sermon, Bishop Frank C, Cummings led us into
the Holy Eucharist. After the benediction, we went back to
our hotels and homes to awaken to a Holy Ghost week of
the Christian Education Congress.
The Christian Education Congress officially started on
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Renaissance Riverview Mar-
riott Hotel, Mobile, Alabama. The Congress began with
devotion led by the Dean of Studies, the Rev. Dr. Homer
McCall; he asked Dr. James C. Burkes, the Pastor of Sad-
dlers Chapel A.M.E. Church, Bessemer to give the Morning
Manna Meditation. Dr. James C. Burkes centered his
morning meditation on putting your hands in the hands of
the Father which came from Luke 23:44-47.
During the General Assembly, we were given instruc-
tions to go our respected workshops. As I went to the Min-
ister's Workshop, I was blessed to go into some rich
workshops led by Dr. Roger Richardson who spoke about
the New Kirkland Institute. Dr. James Rumph lectured and
..From URGENT PRAYER on pl...
the state capital. 40 houses were set
ablaze in Phulbani town, a Christian
populated town in the area.
Another report states that 50 village
churches and six convents and other
Christian institutions were destroyed or
damaged in the violence. Minority com-
munities are increasingly being targeted
by the so-called protectors of Indian cul-
ture and identity. VHP (Vishwa Hindu
Parishad) activists have been blamed for
at least three deaths and the burning of 60
churches in Orissa alone.
A Christian nun was murdered,
another Christian woman was burnt to
death and an orphanage run by Chris-
tians was set on fire in which two people
were burnt to death, All the twenty chil-
dren escaped unhurt.
A.M.E,-India has two churches in this
state in the troubled area, We have not
been able to contact with them in this sit-
uation. They are Pastor Saurabha Beborta
and Pastor Dibya Jothi Limma. Kindly
remember them, their families and their
congregation in your valuable prayers,
God's peace and protection needs to
be established in the troubled areas and
let us join together in prayer for the
people affected,
With much grievance and prayer,
The Rev. Sarah Peddiny and the Rey.
Abraham Peddiny
Presiding Elders - A.M.E.-India
taught us about, “The Means of Grace for Church Growth.”
After the two workshops, the Ecclesiastical Father of the 9th Episcopal
District, Bishop James Davis, met with the clergy of the district.
After the meeting with the clergy, the Keynote Worship Service started and
God moved in a mighty manifestation. As the spirit of God moved, the word of
God was brought forth by Dr. Albert Tyson III. He preached a powerful, empow-
ering, electrifying message entitled, “Your Assignment Is Not Transferable,”
which came from Exodus 4:10-13. He said, “When God calls, it’s personal, the
call is never convenient and God equips you.”
After the Keynote Service, the Bishop called for a “Time with the Bishop”
and he talked about how he was excited about being the Bishop. He gave com-
mittee assignments, and he talked about some great things that the A.M.E.
Church is doing in the state of Alabama.
At 7:30 P.M., the missionaries took charge of the worship service. Dr.
George Flowers, Executive Director of the Department of Global Witness
and Ministry preached a very challenging message to the Missionaries,
ministers, young people and laity. He reminded us to, “Stay in the boat
with Jesus!” which came from the Mark 4:35-41.
At 10:00 p.m., we were blessed with the Youth Explosion Concert with
choirs, and the Gospel Rappers - Paper Boy and Breakthrough Boyz.
On July 30th, 2008, the Congress went into Day 2. God moved in a pow-
erful way during the Morning Manna Meditation Hour, the Reverend Char-
lotte Green preached a powerful meditation, after which, we went to our
respected workshops (Ministers, Laity, W.M.S., Youth, and Under-twelve-
ers). Twelve noon was the Lay Hour of Worship and the challenger of the
afternoon was Brother Robert Turner and he gave an excellent message.
The W.M.S. Luncheon was held at 4:00 p.m. After the workshop, the
Youth Explosion “In Praise” began at 7:00 p.m., and God moved in a pow-
erful way at the last night of the congress as ..Continued on pil
FRANK CURTIS CUMMINGS
THIS LIFE-CHRONICLING BOOK IS PACKED WITH EXPERIENCES THAT
OFFER LESSONS FOR EVERY READER WALKING AFTER CHRIST.
HIN (UielD)
A | DIE [ON ESTING IOUT Aleinks
In doing God's work, we should all | It is important for all leaders to | And never forget, through every valley
strive to be truly committed to the | know that we are called to serve | low and mountain high, through every
roles which we have been entrusted, ion, | trial and triumph, and through every
and we should not accept positions leave | struggle and succe wh
just for the sake of holding an office. .
BISHOP FRANK
alist CUMMINGS
As childrenf God, we are in
His service. We are God's
servants no matter who we
are or what title we may
have. From the highest
ranking bishop to the newest
member, we are all called to
the ministry of servanthood.
" RESERV,
YOURSTICDAY!
Ale cM
Call AMEC Sunday School Union
(615) 256-5882 or (800) 648-8724
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a model of a servant bishop
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ite blessing of being in
: pastoral ministry...”
— Lee P Washington
‘At the heart of it,
Pastoral Ministry
BISHOP VINTON R, ANDERSON must start with
episcopacy...”
— Louis Charles Harvey
“to be challenged
—_ DANY DBrcrpIprS A to ‘think about
thinking’...”
— Barbara ¥. Glenn
Call AMEC Sunday School Union
(615) 256-5882 or (800) 648-8724
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===== DSC03968.JPG =====
6 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
PRESIDING ELDER ROGER A. SAWTELLE A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS AND A SEASONED EDUCATOR
The Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle recently com
pleted his 22nd year as Church School Super-
intendent of the New England Conference of
the A.M.E. Church.
Looking back on this still incomplete caree!
the veteran Christian educator can see where
he has left his mark on many aspects of the
church. He is most pleased to be part of a push
for excellence in the understanding of the
Christian faith and the teaching of our faith.
After serving six years as pastor of Bethel
A.M.E. Church in historic Lowell, Massachu-
setts, Rev. Sawtelle was first appointed a Con-
ference Church School Superintendent by
Bishop Frank C. Cummings. He immediately
began to modernize the position by estab-
lishing a budget and yearly schedule of visits.
In New England the Conference Superinten-
dent makes the visits to the 27 churches and
missions, scattered over the states of Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to
teach, preach, and supervise.
After organizing the Church Schools in
New England he noted that the AMEC Sunday
School literature needed to be upgraded. To
this end in 1992, the Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle
ran for the office of the Editor of Religious
Literature. This was the General Officer that
was responsible for the preparation and
editing of the A.M.E. church school lessons.
He enjoyed the opportunity to visit
churches outside the First Episcopal District
and promised that if he were elected, the
A.MLE. lessons would be “second to none.”
He was not elected in Orlando, because that
was the year that the position was abolished
with its duties given to the Secretary of the
Christian Education Department Still he
endeavored to do what he could to keep his
promise that our literature would be “second
to none.”
In this regard the Rev. Sawtelle was a
founding AMEC Writers’
Guild in 1992 and wrote Sunday school quar
member of the
terlies usually for the junior class on a regular
basis until 2006, For 14 years he was very
active as an A.M.E, member of the Committee
for Uniform Series, which is the ecumenical
group that plans the church school curriculum
and provides the outline for the church school
lessons for our denomination and
Sunday schools worldwide.
In this manner Rey. Sawtelle had the unique
position of being directly involved in the plan-
ning of the church school lessons, the writing
of the Sunday school lessons, the supervision
of church school classes, and the teaching of
the lessons whenever he had the opportunity.
Almost every week fall, summer, and spring,
he was making a church school visit in his
own conference or wherever he might be
attending church.
Another area that needed upgrading was the
First Episcopal Church School, which at that
time was not recognized, was not organized,
and was not meeting. Through the initiative of
Rev. Sawtelle and the other conference super-
intendents they initiated the First Episcopal
District Annual Church School Seminar and
Annual Day in 1993, which provides a full
day of inspiration, training, encouragement,
and fellowship for teachers and superinten-
dents throughout the northeast.
Rev. Sawtelle was blessed with an excellent
education, and sought to share the insights
gathered though this education with all who
care to listen and read. He was the product of
a fine public school system of Wyoming,
Ohio. He chose to attend college at Indiana U.
in Bloomington, IN, which had the benefits of
a fine large state university and the atmos-
phere of a small college town. He made full
most
advantage of all the cultural and scholarly
opportunities at Il
He also spent two years at graduate school
there studying Russian language, culture, and
history in order to understand the conflict
between the US and the USSR. Part of this
education was a cultural exchange trip to the
Soviet Union, Hungary, and Poland during the
summer of 1961, the summer of the building
of the Berlin Wall.
Rey,
excellent
Sawtelle was also blessed with an
education at Harvard Divinity
School, With the conflict over civil rights in
full swing and the war in Vietnam on the
horizon, he answered the call to the ministry
and entered seminary. During the summers he
worked in the South doing civil rights work
and working with Rev. James M. Lawson at
Centenary UM Church in Memphis.
Upon graduation from Harvard Divinity,
Rev. Sawtelle served as pastor of North
Kingstown UM Church, the Wareham and
Marion, MA UM Parish, and the Brayton and
Quarry St. UM Parish in Fall River, MA. He
made the decision to leave the United
Methodist Ministry and found employment
working as a social worker for the Department
of Public Welfare in New Bedford, MA, and
later as a training officer and supervisor.
In 1977 Rev. Sawtelle attended Bethel
A.M.E. Church in Fall River one Sunday
morning and never returned to the United
Methodist Church. Soon he heard a renewed
call to the ministry and was admitted to the
New England Annual Conference in 1978. He
was ordained deacon in 1979 and itinerant
elder in 1981. He is the son and grandson of
Sunday school teachers and superintendents.
In 1999 he married the lovely Ann B. Jasper at
Bethel A.M.E. Church in Bloomfield, CT.
We all know that ...Continued on p10
nn rscen es cen
BISHOP H. H. BROOKINS WILL BE THE
FOCUS OF AN UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY
/ MOVIE ENTITLED, “THE KING MAKER”
Bishop H. H. Brookins will be featured in
a full length movie documentary. David
Henry, an Emmy Award Winner, and Tonette
Hayes (producers) are very proud to produce
this film. Auditions for actors and other posi-
tions will be advertised.
Bishop Brookins has been a pioneer for
many people, both clergy and lay throughout
the United States where Bishop Brookins has
served; and he has been an inspiration to
politicians and civil rights leaders. We want
the world to know the major achievements
and the exciting lifestyle Bishop Brookins
lived over the years. He is a living legend.
Go to www.inkktnet.com to view the pilot.
A casting call for actors and children is forth-
coming. We will be looking for young actors
to play Bishop Brookins as a child, teen and
young adult. Interested persons should con-
tact us through the web: www.inkktnet.com.
We will also have job interviews posted on
the Website in the next few weeks for pro-
duction managers, assistants, and for other
positions. We would like to hire from within
the A.M.E. Church.
Should you have any questions or concerns
please contact us at www.inkktnet.com.
Tonette Hayes and David Henry
A.M.E. OLYMPIAN WINS SILVER MEDAL
Hyleas Fountain, a member of Central
Chapel A.M.E. Church in Yellow Springs, Ohio
won a silver-medal in the heptathlon in the
2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with a total of
6,619 points. She became the only American
woman other than Jackie Joyner-Kersee to ever
win an Olympic medal in the heptathlon. She
has won numerous athletic events beginning in
2000 when she was the USA junior high-jump
champion; she has won national and interna-
tional athletic events each year since that time
with the culmination of the silver medal in the
2008 Olympics. Fountain narrowly missed
qualifying for Athens in 2004, when she fin-
ished fourth at U.S. Olympic Trials.
She attended Barton Community College
where she won 5 National Junior College Ath-
letic Association titles and was runner-up three
times, and at the University of Georgia she
won the NCAA heptathlon title in 2003 and
the outdoor long jump championship in 2004.
Her coach, Mr. Lynn Smith, is also a member of
Central Chapel A.M.E. Church in Yellow Springs.
Coach Lynn Smith’s mother is also an active
member of Central Chapel. Coach Lynn is a survivor
of the bombing at the 2000 Olympics in Atlanta.
The Rev. Dr. Betty Holley is the Pastor of Cen-
tral Chapel A.M.E. Church.
*Submitted by Mrs. Leanora Brown and Mr.
Orlando Brown, the sister and brother-in-law of
Bishop William P. DeVeaux and Chaplain (Colonel-
Retired) John DeVeaux
ST. PHILIP MONUMENTAL A.M.E.
CHURCH HELD “ALLEN AND TURNER
DAY CELEBRATION”
By *Mrs. Diane K. Coleman
Pastor George A. Moore, Jr. and the St.
Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church family in
Savannah, Georgia celebrated Allen and
Turner Day. The service was held on Sunday,
September 14, 2008. There was only one wor-
ship service at 10:15 a.m. for this day of spe-
cial celebration.
The Allen and Turner Day Celebration
allowed us to look back at the lives of two of
the “Giants” of African Methodism; Richard
Allen and Henry McNeal Turner.
We invited another spiritual “Giant” in ser-
vice to the Lord, the Rev. Matthew Southall
Brown, Sr. to deliver the message to help us
to pay homage to the outstanding giants of
African Methodism.
Our theme for this years’ celebration was,
“God’s Grace Is Supreme.”
Sister Sheren Ervin and Brother Charles
Nelson served as Co-Chairpersons of this
event. We cordially invited our families,
friends and the community to join us on this
momentous occasion. The Rev. George A.
Moore, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of St. Philip
Monumental A.M.E. Church.
*Mrs. Diane K. Coleman is the Church Reporter
for St. Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church
===== DSC03969.JPG =====
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 7
..From The 141st SESSION on pi...
activities, beginning with a won-
derful welcome by our hosts at Saint
Peter, as the leadership of Harrods-
burg and Mercer county were com-
pelled to come and make us feel
“right at home”; leading us into an
invigorating day of learning, wor-
shipping and Kingdom business,
beginning with the Women’s Mis-
sionary Society Prayer Breakfast
where the Reverend Sherry Green
laid down the kindling for the fire
with the message, “God Is The Real
Deal!”; then our own Sister Renee
Scott-Smith continued that same
theme, adding more fuel for the fire,
utilizing Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the
LORD with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding. In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy paths.” And then at
the WMS ‘Night In White’ the Rev-
erend Maxine Thomas ignited the
spark that lit the church on fire,
preaching, “Help Me, Somebody!”
Along with the Minister’s Insti-
tute, where our own General
Officer, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor, III, Editor of The Christian
Recorder, ministered to the clergy
on the: “Role of the Pastor in the
Public Square” and our own Pre-
siding Elder, the Reverend Kenneth
Jerome Golphin, reviewed, suc-
cinctly, the new legislation from
the 2008 General Conference; the
expectations for a “Climactic
Time” at this Annual Conference
"were set, and we were ready to be
taken to a Higher Level!
The 141st Session of the Ken-
tucky Annual Conference was
called to order by our Presiding
Prelate, and the roll was called.
Our Chief Pastor kept us on a
prayerful and spiritual path, setting
the tone by introducing the new
Quadrennial Theme of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church: “A
Great Past, A Greater Future, An
Incredible Call To Serve: Influ-
ence, Inheritance, Integrity and
Innovation’!!! This years Connec-
tional Theme “influence” became
our focal-point during the Confer-
ence Institute as our own Sister
Renee Scott-Smith taught, “Grant
Writing 101: Funding Your Min-
istry” introducing the application,
processes and issues pertaining to
applying for a Believe Grant, so
that our local churches can influ-
ence their communities through
funded ministries; and the Rev-
erend Dr. Clement W. Fugh, our
General Secretary & Chief Infor-
mation Officer, taught the Confer-
ence Institute, introducing the
online system where the Annual
Conference Pastors’ Reports are
submitted and managed so we can
better utilize technology to influ-
ence our record keeping. The
Pastor’s Reports gave us a positive
testimony into what God is doing
throughout the Kentucky Annual
Conference: in spite of hard times,
struggling memberships and the
enemy on every side, the pastor
and people stood to declare “We
still believe!” The Committees’
Reports charged us to continue
doing what the church is supposed
to be doing: Going into Prisons,
Being Persistent in Prayer, Taking
Action to Win Souls, Being a Ser-
vant like Christ, and Striving for
Excellence in ALL we do!
The Gates of Heaven opened up,
and the Most High God poured Him-
self out upon the Kentucky Annual
Conference when the preachers of
the Gospel led us before God’s
Throne... first through the Reverend
Troy Irvine Thomas who preached
the Annual Sermon, "You Have What
It Takes!"; then through our Sons of
Allen/Nehemiah Nation preacher the
Reverend MacArthur Pendleton, who
asked 3 questions, “Where Art
Thou?”, “Can These Bones Live?”
and “Who Do They Say I Am?”; and
at the Hour of Power, the Reverend
Sherry Miller set us ablaze with, “It’s
Time To Celebrate!” and at the Lay
Witness Night, Sister Doretha
Sanders (of Bethel A.M.E. Church,
Campbellsville, Kentucky), minis-
tered the hallelujah message, “God’s
Delay Is Not God’s Denial!” And
didn’t you feel the stirring of the
Holy Ghost as our Young People
shared with us their gifts of Praise
and Thanksgiving?!! ... And didn’t
our own Kentucky Annual Confer-
ence “Whosoever Will” Choir bless
us as they blessed the Lord with their
Majestic, Magnanimous and Magnif-
icent praise!
A hero of the faith has been called
home this Conference year, namely
Brother Johnny Bonds, a member of
Quinn Chapel, Lexington and a stu-
dent of the Board of Examiners:
Struck with cancer, which he fought
with all his might, but consumed by
a voice calling him to tell “the old,
old story,’ he exemplified Paul’s
faith, “To Live Is Christ,” and he left
this world with the certainty of faith,
“To Die is Gain!”... He is troubled
by the pain of this world no more,
heaven is his home!
The Reverend Eugene Fuller, the
Reverend Romiltia W. Shelton and
the Reverend Cecil J. Napier, ser-
vants of God and pastors of God’s
People in African Methodism,
requested that they might retire from
the itinerancy. And though their
request for Superannuation status has
been “reluctantly” approved by this
Annual Conference, let us not forget
their contribution to Christ’s Church
and the positive influence that their
pastoral and teaching ministry will
have for generations to come, such as
the Reverend Cecil Napier’s retire-
ment message to this Annual Confer-
ence, “Take a Bucket of Honey with
You Wherever You Go!”
The Conference was blessed to
elect and :
..Continued on p10
READER RESPONSE
TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES
To the Editor
Let me first congratulate you on your re-election. You are doing an excel-
lent job and I pray that God will continue to enable and empower you,
I thank you for all of the coverage that you provided on the 48th Ses-
sion of our General Conference. I was in St. Louis from 7/1 thru 7/12
and still not able to witness everything. Your coverage provided all of the
missing links and provided information that I shared with my congrega-
tion and others via email.
The coverage provided by The Afro-American was excellent. Thank
you for sharing and I will be doing likewise.
The Rey. Tim Timmons
Finance Administrator
Tenth Episcopal District
4347 South Hampton Road
Suite 245
Dallas, Texas
To the Editor
Thank you once again my brother for your accurate reporting of the
activities of the General Conference. It reminds me of the many years
that I had been either a delegate or an alternate.
When you have been a part of the policy-making of the A.M.E.
Church, a feeling of loneliness creeps in when you realize, in time, that
you are an “outsider looking in.” I did not have the finances to travel to
St. Louis, but thanks to you I have the blessed opportunity to know what
is going on daily with your excellent reporting of events. Should I be
alive when the next General Conference convenes I may be both physi-
cally and financially able to be in attendance, and from an observant seat
somewhere in the auditorium reminisce of the by-gone days when I was
a true part of the policy-making of the Church of Allen, the Church of
Jesus Christ, and yes.... the Church of my Choice for forty-two years of
Services for God, Country and whatever community my Bishop
assigned at the Annual Conference.
God bless you my brother, please keep on being the eyes and witness
of what the next progressive advancement and/or landmark this General
Conference will bring.
The Rev. Dr. Harry D. Pierson
To the Editor
Thanks a million:
Yours e-mail coverage of the General Conference was greatly appre-
ciated. I waited in anticipation to get the daily reports. Your reports
made me feel like I was there at the conference. Thanks for a job well
done. Your report of the assignment really made me happy because
Alabama received our son home; Bishop James L. Davis. Because
of your daily reports and receiving a son to come home, it was a
blessing to me. Keep up the good work and may God bless and keep
you is my prayer.
Edna J. Hatcher, Birmingham, Ala
To the Editor
RE: Editorial — Two Books - A Must Read for Pastors:
Bob Briner's book on the Management techniques of Jesus is available
on www.amazon.com.
Judge Ted R. Newman
Metropolitan AME Church
Washington, DC
To the Editor
RE: Editorial — Two Books - A Must Read for Pastors:
God bless you for the work you do with the Christian Recorder. As an
FYI.... copies of the abovementioned book (Briner) may be found at abe-
books.com. It is an excellent site for locating hard-to-find books. I
bought the complete 13-volume set of the old Interpreter's Bible at this
site for $98 (incl. s/h). It was in mint condition. This site was extremely
useful to me as I progressed through the seminary and the Board of
Examiners. I hope it may bless you and others similarly.
The Rev. Andra D'Etta Hoxie
First AME Church, Manassas
To the Editor
RE: Editorial - The Inwardness and the Outwardness of Worship
I am always very proud any time one refer- Continued on p9
SSS eaeeerereornr
===== DSC03970.JPG =====
8 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
A CALL TO ACTION: more arrican AMERICAN MISSIONARIES NEEDED
By Richard Coleman, Director of Mobilization and Candidacy, The Mission Society
The Mission Society, an Atlanta-based, non-denominational missionary sending agency, has one of the highest percentages of African Amer-
ican long-term missionaries of any traditional missionary sending agency in the United States. With three African American missionaries out of
225 full-time missionaries in 32 countries, The Mission Society has an African American missionary population of 1.33 percent. As much as we'd
like to feel proud about it, that small percentage is really nothing to boast about.
Many American missionary sending agencies and ethnic groups around the world are asking the question: “Where are the African American
missionaries, and where is the African American Church?” The Mission Society, founded in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, is using its resources
and personnel to address this dilemma.
While The Mission Society is a predominantly Caucasian sending agency, it invests a great deal of personnel and resources in mobilizing non-
Caucasian individuals and churches. From Brazilians to Kenyans, The Mission Society works globally to mobilize the whole Church to take the
whole Gospel to the whole world. In addition, The Mission Society sends representatives to a number of historically black colleges and universi-
ties to recruit and mentor students, and to several churches to equip their members for local and international mission. The primary motivation
for raising up a more diverse missionary sending force is not for diversity’s sake. Rather the motivation is to encourage the entire Church to play
its role in advancing God’s Kingdom.
At The Mission Society, we’ve begun to reframe the issue of missions and mobilization this way: It’s not a matter of if you’re called, but how.
If you’re ready to help answer that question and want to learn more about The Mission Society, becoming a missionary or hosting a missions
workshop at your church, please call 1.800.478.8963 or visit us online at www.themissionsociety.org.
SENDING MISSIONARIES TO AFRICA AND BEYOND KNIGHTS MONUMENTAL A.M.E. CHURCH
By Richard Coleman, Director of Mobilization and Candidacy, The Mission Society CELEBRATES 2008 LAY DAY
On Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 3:30 p.m., Knights Monumental,
Stockbridge, Georgia celebrated their Annual Lay Day with Annette
S. Curry, President of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference Lay
Organization, as the keynote speaker.
The theme for the program was “Unity in the Body of Christ” with
Ephesians 4:1-6 as the referenced scripture. She gave a phenomenal
speech encouraging the laity and pastor to work together by serving God,
church, community and each other. Annette Curry is a member of St.
Phillips A.M.E. Church and has been elected to various offices including
president and vice president in several organizations at St. Phillips.
Annette received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish/English from
Morris Brown College and her “Mrs.” degree from Alonzo. They have
one son, A. Chevez, and two granddaughters, Breyonna and Arianna.
Also included on the program was Alice Watson, President, South
Atlanta District. She did an excellent job introducing Annette Curry
with grace and humor.
Samuel Humphrey, President of Knights Monumental Lay Organi-
zation, presented the “Lay Person of the Year” award to Mildred E.
Reed. “The presentation was a total shock,” stated Mildred Reed. She
was very humbled and ecstatically pleased to receive the award.
Sister Mildred Reed
% INCREDIBLY INFORMATIVE
| MASTERFULLY WR eos
anerrective | | §$P]RITUALLY EQUIPPING
SERVANT LEADER
IN THE CHURCH? RIGHT ON -PASBSGtEe
Grecory G. M. INGRAM
Gregory G. M. Ingram is the 118th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. For more than three decades, he has provided outstanding leadership as a preacher, teacher,
and lecturer, with a particular expertise in stewardship.
Founded in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, The Mission Society recruits,
trains, and sends Christian missionaries to minister around the world. At pre-
sent, The Mission Society has more than 225 missionaries in 32 countries.
The Mission Society works to understand the cultures of the countries
served, so Mission Society teams can communicate in culturally appro-
priate ways. We help train personnel in effectively communicating the
Gospel cross-culturally. Our global focus has a deep presence in African
countries including Ghana, where we have been serving for more than
20 years in areas such as children’s ministry and nutrition programs for
malnourished children, church planting and medical ministries. We’ ve
been serving in Kenya for four years in similar areas, as well as the
AIDS orphans ministry and housing program.
We connect those called to cross-cultural ministry to areas around the
world where the Lord has opened doors for us to minister to people’s phys-
ical and spiritual needs. Our passion is helping individuals and churches
realize their God-given vision.
The Mission Society emphasizes entrepreneurship in ministry, providing ser-
vices that help our missionaries become effective in ministry. We provide
extensive training and preparation, counseling, prayer support, and centralized
services to simplify missionary life. Our accountants track ministry funds, pro-
vide health insurance, offer pension plans, and ...Continued on p9
Church leadership must
surmount and undo emerging
ideologies and ideas of
leadership that are currently
practiced and are in vogue
today. Few topics have been
__People Are Saying... _
Bishop Gregory Ingram has written an incredibly
SAT MANUZ
more studied and written informative, insightful, and inspiring book for new g
i - a
about than the transformation members and others who want to understand the
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===== DSC03971.JPG =====
> 2 22,2 i :
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 9
ene nn ANS
...From Editorial on p2...
able with preachers and stewards who beg Sunday after Sunday. Preachers
and stewards who have to beg may not have developed an effective stew
ardship strategy for their ministry. And as an aside, we need to stop com
them; and church members are uncomfort
plaining about what we don’t have; complaining does not inspire people,
it discourages people.
It may be that additional training is needed. If a church finds itself
stuck in financial paralysis, it might be time for the pastor, along with
the church leadership to ask the presiding elder or the presiding bishop
to provide training for the local church or even for the presiding elder
district. There should be no shame in asking for help. Too often, many
pastors feel that they have to “run the race alone”; and they shouldn’t
have to do so. Every community has resources and being “educated”
is knowing where to find help.
There are bigger ministry issues in which we should be involving
our churches, such as HIV/AIDS, family issues, crime, youth and chil-
dren issues, issues around foreclosures, joblessness and unemploy-
ment, high fuel costs, excessive high school dropout rates, especially
of black Americans; excessive numbers of incarcerated black Ameri-
cans; global issues such as violence in Rwanda; ending genocide in
Darfur; and the pandemic of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Sahara Africa. Local
churches in the United States should be concerned and commit them-
selves in helping the Connectional Church in providing educational
and religious materials in the indigenous languages of our members in
Episcopal Districts 14-20; that might be a great project for some of
your youth groups.
Ministry is huge and expansive and it should be more than “getting
our praise on” or “getting a whoop” at the end of a sermon. Ministry
is larger than, “Didn’t Reverend really preach!”
Ministry is bigger than the choir and choir practices, bigger than the
usher board or what colors we are going to wear.
All of us need to re-read the Mission and Purpose of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and commit ourselves to it. Bishops, gen-
eral officers, connectional officers, chaplains, presiding elders, pastors,
stewards, trustees, Sunday School teachers, members both young and old
need to read it and understand it and collectively live it.
If we, with commitment and faithfulness, even in these austere times,
fulfilled the Mission and Purpose of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, the money would come and we probably wouldn’t have to beg
for it because ministry is more than raising money.
_.From Sending Missionaries to Africa and Beyond on pé...
transfer funds internationally. Our membership in the Evangelical Council for
Financial Accountability gives donors the assurance of financial integrity and
accountability. The Mission Society doesn’t seek to micro-manage mission-
aries, but provides the logistical and decision support to help them thrive as
they follow God’s call.
The Mission Society receives no denominational funding and is not asso-
ciated with any one denomination. Its church ministry department provides
seminars, workshops, and mentoring for congregations in the United States
and overseas, helping equip churches for strategic outreach in their own
communities and throughout the world. For more information about The
Mission Society, call 1.800.478.8963 or visit www.themissionsociety.org.
THE A.M.E. GENERAL CONFERENCE HAS PASSED INTO
HISTORY, BUT THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE
By “Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams
The historic 48th session of the A.M.E. General Conference has
passed into history. Three new bishops have been elected, and all
bishops have been assigned. The WMS is preparing for its Execu-
tive Meeting, as is the Connectional Lay Organization. In
December the General Board will soon bring us together again. In
other words, the Church is “back to business as usual” as it begins
a new quadrennium.
While we are about our activities as a Church, while the internal
problems and issues command our attention, I would gravely remind
us that the external world--the one that ought to greatly concern us--
does demand our attention as well. The mission of our Church--and
more importantly the Great Commission--requires us to be con-
cerned about the least of these. The condition of our country at this
juncture in history makes it evident that we cannot be concerned only
about our problems as individuals, as organizations, and as the
Church. My passion at this moment is the upcoming Presidential
election. At this historic time all of us -- Democrats, Independents,
and Republicans -- should realize the importance of casting our vote
in the November election. I, therefore, call upon our leaders to vig-
orously utilize the genius of our system--from the bishop to the pre-
...From Reader Responses on p7...
ences Dr. Howard Thurman as he is my uncle by marriage. I never met
him but I was fortunate to meet his wife "Aunt Sue” in her later years,
I've come to Know so much about him and his ministry in the last ten
years or so, I'll be sure to forward this to his daughter, Olive Wong.
Be blessed,
Janice Brown
To the Editor
This comes to say thank you for how you are keeping us informed in
everything that is happening in our church and in world today.
The General Conference coverage was outstanding, I was in St Louis
and you didn't miss a beat.
Peace and Joy,
Edna Martin
To the Editor
RE: Mentors Are Essential to Successful Ministry:
As I read and reflected on the many ministers and chaplains and their wives
who had a powerful impact on your life and ministry, I think of my own.
While I have been in the ministry a short 17 years, I remember pas-
tors and laymen in my home church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in
Panama City, Florida. Persons like the Rev. Dr. F.C. Griffin, Jr. who
baptized me and my 11 siblings. He was the only pastor I knew for 18
years; a strong preacher, pastor, and teacher. I remember my Sunday
school teachers, Iona Davis, Sharon Shivers, Alverna Smith who taught
me all the way thru school, from the Catechism of Faith, to lessons on
life in senior class, as well as on YPD events. I remember Stewards
like Elton Byrd who taught me how to pray, read scripture, and line
hymns during prayer meeting. As a young licentiate being under the
leadership of Bishops Vinton R. Anderson, Vernon B. Byrd, and John
R. Bryant, my father inaministry; Presiding Elder Finney, Si.; Presiding.
Elder George (Tookie) Reed; Presiding Elder Booker Guyton; Chap-
lain Carroll Chambliss; my first year instructor, Chaplain (Colonel)
John DeVeaux; my dean of ministers, Dr. Kelvin Calloway and all of
the pastors of the then Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
It was experiences like these that caused me to follow God's will and
minister in the church I love; serve in churches during seminary,
rebuilding Christian education programs in Greater Allen A.M.E. and
Trinity A.M.E., energizing persons in the work of evangelism.
Presently, I pastor the Gospel Service at Eglin AFB. There are 17 lay
ministers, 14 ordained under my leadership. I have poured every ounce of
my soul in mentoring and teaching them the importance of servant leader-
ship in ministry. While this is not an A.M.E. congregation, they are God's
people, and they are sometimes peculiar people. Yes, they at times become
rattlesnakes when asked to move in a new direction. I still love them.
Your story has inspired me to continue the work of God in my Air
Force ministry and when I retire I will resume my pastoral ministry in
the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Church that I love.
You are a true mentor, inspiration, and an even better Editor.
*Chaplain Shawn Menchion is assigned at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
siding elder, to the pastor, to the class leader, to the individual
member--and engage us in voter education, voter registration, and
“set out the vote.”
There are enough members of the Church to make a real differ-
ence. We will, however, have to wholeheartedly exercise the power
of our leadership. No half-hearted, by-the-way announcements with
no follow-up will suffice. We need at this time to make a concerted
effort to reach all unregistered voters in our community. We need to
urge them to register--even escorting them. We need to make a uni-
fied effort to see that all registered voters go to the polls on
November 4--even providing transportation, if necessary.
Let’s all pull together and make a difference in this 2008 election!
*Dr, Jamye Coleman Williams ts a retired General Officer of the A.M.E. Church
===== DSC03972.JPG =====
10 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
NEW FACILITY TO ADDRESS MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STUDENT HEALTH
Prominent Paul Quinn women participate in jail fundraiser to support new counseling center
DALLAS — Women for Paul Quinn members will become “partners in crime” to raise money
for Paul Quinn College’s new mental health counseling center.
Family, friends and corporate partners “bailed out” community and church leaders, authors
and other well-known women who will voluntarily surrendered their freedom to raise $20,000.
Volunteers walked on the wrong side of the law from 11 a.m. to | p.m. at the Plano-based Mil-
lennium Jaguar dealership, 4422 W. Plano Parkway.
“The real crime would be not supporting the new Paul Quinn College counseling center,
‘Healing for the Journey,” said Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell. Students placed a high
priority on bringing mental health services to campus in a college survey conducted last spring.
“For Paul Quinn to produce well-rounded and strong servant leaders, we must ensure we
address not only the students’ academic and spiritual needs but their mental health requirements
as well,” he said.
Paul Quinn received a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association, in con-
junction with the Morehouse School of Medicine, to fund the center. The school is looking to
raise funds to cover operating costs, which are expected to run roughly $20,000 annually.
Some of the women who participated include: the Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram of Dallas,
10th Episcopal District Supervisor; Dr. Jacqueline Cobbin of Houston, a past Miss Bishop Col-
lege; Dr. Monica A. Coleman of San Francisco, the author of Mental Health Advocate and an
African Methodist Episcopal Church Itinerate Elder; Tawnicia Ferguson Rowan of Miami,
author and editor of several books and daughter of the late Honorable Wilkie Ferguson, and
Julia Simon of Dallas, an attorney for Mary Kay Cosmetics.
“I want every student to feel they have a safe space on campus where they can go and not be
judged and experience beauty, serenity and guidance,” said event organizer and Paul Quinn
Trustee Christal Jackson, who also needed to rustle up some bail money.
The center’s doors opened August 25 to coincide with the start of the school year, with an
official opening ceremony taking place Sept. 18.
“Women for Paul Quinn” is composed of past graduates and college supporters. The non-
profit group regularly adopts special interest projects, although the group plans to make this
fundraiser an annual event.
For more information, call Paul Quinn College at 214.302.3515 or visit http://www.pgc.edu.
Donations will be accepted.
About Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College is a four-year private, liberal arts institution. Founded in Austin, Texas in
1872 by a small group of African Methodist Episcopal Church ministers, the College became the
oldest historically black college west of the Mississippi River. Paul Quinn is fully accredited by
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and
is one of the thirty-nine member institutions of The United Negro College Fund (UNCF). It was
recently selected as the Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month for April 2007.
Our mission statement
The mission of the College is to provide a quality, faith-based education that addresses the
academic, social, and Christian development of students and prepares them to be servant leaders
and agents of change in their communities. 909
From Presiding Elder on p6... education is the way forward in today’s world. Secular educa-
tion needs to be linked with Christian education so our faith keeps pace with our mind. There
is nothing wrong with the A.M.E. Church. Yes, she has weaknesses as do all churches, but her
strengths and possibilities far outweigh the problems. We need to trust in the Holy Spirit to lead
us to doing our part to strengthen our faith, our church, and the universal Christian community.
The A.M.LE. Church has a special calling and mission to the African American community in
the United States and around the world. That is true and incontrovertible. However, she cannot
serve the Black community without addressing the needs of the greater community. Both Black
and White communities need to understand and address this real situation. Rev. Sawtelle has
served as president of the Merrimack Valley Branch NAACP.
The greater community is facing three vital challenges. The first is intellectual issues in the
Christian faith and the Western tradition caused by recent scientific and philosophical develop-
ments. The second is the spiritual attack on our faith by Islam. And the third is the intellectual
attack on our faith by scientism and materialism.
Rey. Sawtelle as part of his education ministry has written two ground-breaking books
addressing these crucial issues: The GOD Who Relates: African-American Trinitarian The-
ology; The Complex One and The Simple One; Relational Christianity and Absolute Islam in
Today’s World. He is currently working on a third book: Beyond Evolution; Christianity, Sci-
ence, and Philosophy Today. These ground-breaking books step into the vacuum created by the
sterile debate between fundamentalism, liberalism, and materialism to demonstrate the real
power of relational Christianity to meet the needs of today’s world. They can be purchased
through Amazon.com or his website, http://www.rightrelates.org.
WE DEFINE OURSELVES
BY HOW WE HANDLE OUR NEEDS AND OUR WANTS
By *The Rev. N.T. Pitts
It is reasonable for us to assume that most of our frustrations, most of our financial problems,
most of our physical health problems such as high blood pressure, and nervous breakdowns are
all the result of our pursuit to fulfill our wants and not our needs.
: ings *t need to :
We spend money we haven't got, to buy things we don’t n Continued on p11
..From The 141" Session on p7...
ordain three new Itinerant Deacons in the persons
of the Reverend Revonda Bright,.. the Reverend
Sharon Johnson... and the Reverend Stephanie
May Raglin; and one new Local Deacon in the
person of the Reverend Etolia Carolyn White; and
to set the moment in time, the Reverend Dr.
Clement W. Fugh, the General Secretary/Chief
Information Officer of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, preached with power the Ordi-
nation Sermon, “A Series of Unfortunate Events!”
One of our own, a son of the Kentucky
Annual Conference, with a proven track record
and a leader in his own right, the Reverend Dr.
Robert A. Strode, announced his intention to
seek “the highest office in the land!” He has
set his sights on the Episcopacy and with the
support of this 141st Session of the Kentucky
Annual Conference his campaign is in full
thrust toward the Bishopric! May the Lord
God Almighty bless his endeavor and have
favor on his servant in 2012!
We’ve been given our Marching Orders...
the way has been made clear... our Bishop
has been to the mountain top and brought us
the Word from above... a message for every
pastor, parishioner and community...: “You
Can Do it... God Can Help!” Asking, “What
Kind of Church Do You Want,’ but recog-
nizing that the real question is, “What Kind
of Church Does God Want?”
Host Pastor Ralph Boyd Smith, Sister
Yvonne Smith and the congregation and com-
munity of Historic Saint Peter African
Methodist Episcopal Church of Harrodsburg,
Kentucky are to be given the Highest Com-
mendations, for they hosted this 141st Session
in the finest fashion, making us feel Highly
Favored... like we was “some’n special!” In.
2007 we all wondered, “Who would host in
2008?” And look who stepped up!!! With a
whole lot of faith and a spiritually positive
attitude, Saint Peter Harrodsburg stepped up
to the plate... and when the first pitch was
thrown ... they hit it out of the park!!! They
went above and beyond, making Bishop and
Supervisor McKenzie, Presiding Elder and
First Lady Golphin, and every pastor, min-
ister, delegate, honored guest, and visitor who
walked through their doors feel welcome and
at home. May God continue to bless their
community and their ministry! And the
Church shouted, “Home-Run!”
The new Presiding Elder has truly been “tried
by fire”... but the vision, wisdom and tenacity
of the Reverend Kenneth Jerome Golphin has
truly proven to be the kind of leadership the
Kentucky Annual Conference needed! He,
together with the first lady of the Lexington Dis-
trict, Sister Dianna Golphin, has prepared for
and hosted his first Annual Conference as Pre-
siding Elder with style and finesse! Our hope
and prayer is for their swift return, sO we can
continue the work they’ve begun!!!
The Kentucky Annual Conference is Tray-
eling Forward, and Moving Upward!!!
Because We Know that Every Round Goes...
“Higher, and Higher!” We’ve been charged
up for the work and are ready to be the Dis-
ciples whom God has called us to BE! Our
Leadership has taken the lead! The issuance
of Believe Grants to the Reverend Stephanie
May Raglin for theological education, the
Reverend Sharon Johnson for theological
education, and Saint Matthew, Midway, for
General Support, are evidence that the
Church is giving back Continued on p11
ae
===== DSC03973.JPG =====
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 11
..From p93...
«wwe Annual Conference Schedules
OCTOBER 7-11, 2008 Clarksville, TN 3704(
WEST TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE (931) 647-4703
Saint James A.M.E. Church The Rev. De $ U. Lawsoi
600 4th St
Memphis, TN 38107
(901) 525-6017
The Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr, Host Pastor
The Rev. Robert C. Finch, Host PE
The Rev. Linda Martin, Assoc. PE
pastors, host pastors
Host PE
Assoc. PE
ee ee :
ihe nev. hobert Kees
The Rev. Troy Merritt
NOVEMBER 6-8, 2008
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
OCTOBER 21-25, 2008
TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. Peter A.M.E. Church and
Clarksville Area Churches
519 Franklin St
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
251 N. Upper St
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 255-7945
The Rev. Troy Thomas, Host Pastor
The Rev. Kenneth Golphin, Host PE
the online edition is free.
...From The 141° on p10...
and providing resources to help our local churches and congregations
to do ministry. So let the Kentucky Annual Conference declare,
“We’re ready!” Ready to influence our church, ready to influence our
communities, and ready to influence our world! In the Kentucky
Annual Conference, we’re ready!!!
And so, when all was said and done, when the appointments were
read and all were hopefully satisfied, definitely edified and certainly,
spiritually electrified; and when we have adjourned “Sine Die,” that our
prayer is, “Lord, help us to be agents of influence!” and “Lord, help us
to run on and see what the end will be!”; and that the Kentucky Annual
Conference has made up it’s mind to “Build The Kind Of Church That
God Wants His Church To Be!” ... “With God’s help, we can do it!”
*Pastor William R. T. Hale is the Pastor of Saint Paul A.M.E.
Church in Richmond, Kentucky and serves as the Chief Secretary of
the Kentucky Annual Conference and Chairperson of the Resolutions
Committee _
The appointments at the 141st Session of the Kentucky Annual
Conference:
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie made the following Pastoral Appoint-
ments, with the Supply Appointments given by the Presiding Elder:
The Reverend Kenneth J. Golphin — Presiding Elder of the Lexington District
eThe Reverend Troy |. Thomas — Saint Paul, Lexington
The Reverend Everett Hobson — Quinn Chapel, Lexington
eThe Reverend Robert A. Strode — Saint John, Frankfort
The Reverend William C. Jenkins — Saint James, Danville
The Reverend James E. Smith — Saint Paul, Versailles
The Reverend William R. T. Hale — Saint Paul, Richmond
The Reverend Antonio Q. Stuckey — Saint James, Cynthiana
eThe Reverend Wink Sweat — Saint James, Covington
eThe Reverend Terrance J. Cato — Shorter Chapel, Paris (supply)
eThe Reverend Joshua C. Hale — Davis Chapel, Somerset
The Reverend Sherry Miller — Saint Matthew, Midway
eThe Reverend Ralph Boyd Smith — Saint Peter, Harrodsburg
eThe Reverend Fred Harris — Bethel, Stanford
eThe Reverend MacArthur Pendleton — Bethel, Campbellsville
eThe Reverend A.D. Reed — Barnes Temple, Elsmere
The Reverend Kelvin Robinson — Saint John, Monticello
eThe Reverend Richard Watts — Saint James, Ashland
eThe Reverend Wanda Ryan — Saint Andrew, Winchester
eThe Reverend Robert Taylor — Saint John, Greenup (supply)
The Reverend Kelvin Robinson — Mount Zion, Frazier
¢The Reverend Avis Thompson — Saint Paul, Manchester (supply)
eThe Reverend Everhart Walker — Allen Chapel, Moreland
The Reverend Revonda Bright - Wayman Chapel, Barbourville (supply)
eThe Reverend James H. Stowe — Wayman Chapel, Georgetown
eThe Reverend Stephanie M. Raglin — Craig Chapel, Salvisa (supply)
eThe Reverend Linda Murray — Perkins Chapel, Wilmore (supply)
eThe Reverend Sharon W. Johnson — Wilson Chapel, Parksville (supply)
eBrother Jeffery G. Washington — Jacobs Chapel, Turnersville (supply)
The Reverend Kenneth J. Golphin moved that the Conference be
closed sine die. The Reverend Troy I. Thomas seconded the motion. The
motion carried and so rested the 141st Session of the Kentucky Annual
Conference. 0 0 O
-ANNOUNCEMENT=
4 You can access The Christian Recorder online by going to www.the-christian-recorder.org or you may subscribe to The Christian Recorder. The subscription to
The advantage of subscribing to The Christian Recorder online is that you will receive Breaking News of the Church and also detailed “news forwards.”
FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
OCTOBER 2-5, 2008
CAPE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 1, 2008
WMS CONVENTION
Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Piketberg
The Rey. Adonis Booyse, Host Pastor
The Rev. Shane M. Appollis, Host PE
DECEMBER 12-14, 2008
FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
PLANNING MEETING
CPUT Bellville South Campus
BISHOP WILFRED JACOBUS MESSIAH
...From News From on p65...
the 9th Episcopal District Youth Choir sung with praises and adoration to
almighty God. The young people expressed the various talents of their
gifts through music, dance and acting. The preacher of the evening was
the Reverend Kendra Jacobs, the Pastor of Salem Chapel A.M.E. Church,
Salem, Alabama; she preached from the subject, “Still I Stand No Matter
What, Here I Am!” Her text came from | Corinthians 10:13.
After her sermon, a total of 57 young people gave there lives to Christ
and then after the choir sung, the people shouted, danced and clapped
their hands out of their seats into the aisles of the sanctuary.
Bishop and Mother Davis gave their final remarks and the benediction
was given. After the service, the Stellar Award Artist, “Like Paul” gave a
concert for all of the young people and the whole church and it was crunk.
In the end, you can say that the 9th Episcopal District was “Crunk 4
Christ.” We are crunk to have a new bishop. We are Crunk 4 Jesus and
what he is going to do. The Congress ended with a charge and that
charge is to stick with God and let him lead you and guide you in every
direction.
* Brother Kelvin J. Anthony, a teenager, is the Associate Minister of
Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bessemer,
Alabama. 400
...From We Define on p10...
impress people we can’t stand. And when trouble comes we pray and
expect God to bail us out.
How much space would you need if you got rid of all of the things in
your house you really didn’t need? Paul wrote to the Philippians, “God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus” (4:19). Paul was writing to church folk.
How many suits, pairs of shoes, hats, shirts and trousers do you really
need? Do you need the expensive jewelry, diamonds, etc? How many
automobiles do you need? You can only prove your superiority if you
could drive more than one at a time. Many of us believe that we must
“make a statement” and cars and things help us to make statements.
Some of us believe that our “wants” are needed to define who we are.
Our closets are crammed with clothes and shoes we will never wear;
some still have tags on them.
Some of us are like the foolish farmer.
People are murdering their whole families and committing suicide; all
because they cannot get or maintain their wants.
Politicians and CEO’s destroy their careers because of their unethical
shrewdness in trying to acquire wealth. Some people, and including
some church folk, have brought disgrace on their families by their greed
which resulted in failure; and they have to live with that for the rest of
their lives.
Yes, it is without a doubt; greed will grind you into grits. But we must
let grace, not greed rule our lives. We come into this world with nothing
and we will leave the same way that we came into the world. Paul also
stated, “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in what-
soever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11).
This does not infer nor does it approve laziness. But we must not
allow our wants to overshadow our need. So don’t let your greed make
you gritty.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retried A.M.E. pastor who lives in Eatonville,
Florida (11th Episcopal district) OOO
—SSS
===== DSC03974.JPG =====
12 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
THE 46TH ANNUAL
JAMES A.M.E
MEN'’S
CHURCH IN
DAY AT. ST.
DENTON,
A legacy of firsts was celebrated and continued when the second oldest church in Denton
County and only African Methodist Episcopal Church in Denton, Texas: 133 year old St.
James A.M.E. Church, where the Rev. Dr, Sherryl A. Matlock is pastor, observed its 46th
Annual Men’s Day with precedent setting speakers highlighting the Sunday, August 17,
2008, Morning and Afternoon Worship Services.
Bringing with him a family and 19 years of experience, Denton’s first African American
Fire Department Official, Captain Quentin Brown, a native of the Katrina-ravaged New
Orleans, Louisiana area, spoke during the Morning Worship Service emphasizing the impor-
tance of having and prioritizing and enduring relationships and allegiance, first to God, next
to family and friends, and then to the workplace. He charged us to know who we are and to
not forget where we came from; but rather to always return to our beginnings and give some-
thing back to the community.
Chief Roy Minter, Jr., Denton’s first African American Chief of Police, a native of Detroit,
Michigan and a dedicated father with 25 years of prior police work in the Houston, Texas and
Aurora, Colorado Police Departments gave the afternoon Keynote Address. He focused on
the need for every community in Denton to work together to help toward ending the down-
ward spiraling of our youth, particularly our young African American men who tend to grav-
itate toward such infamous choices as drugs, street crimes, and other acts of violence which
often result in dismal features, incarceration, or death.
Because of such men of valor who by their accomplishments serve as role models to show
by example how setting goals, putting forth effort, and being determined can bring about sat-
isfying rewards; St. James A.M.E. Church and its men continue its legacy of recognizing
precedence and perpetuating the faith through service to God and to man. Indeed, our church
TEXAS
motto: God our Father, Man our Brother, and Christ our Redeemer was exemplified.
Sister Cassandra J. Jones-Reporting
St. James A.M.E. Church Public Relations Chairperson
_ THE MARION DISTRICT OF THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AT WORK -
RECLAIMING, | REAFFIRMING, REVISITING:
THE VISION
‘The Nation District Christian Education
Conference was held May 30-31, 2008, under
the dynamic leadership of Presiding Elder Dr.
William Smith, Jr. The Conference convened
at Bethel AMEC, Bethel Britton Neck, Britton
Neck, South Carolina, where Rev. R. L. Brown
serves as Pastor, Bro. Charles R. Graves (host,
Christian Education Director) and Sister
Miranda Davis, Assistant Director, Christian
Education Director. The Conference theme:
“Reclaiming, Reaffirming, Revisiting: The
Vision,” background scripture Habakkuk 2:2-4.
The Conference was well planned and orga-
nized by the Marion District Christian Educa-
tion Board (Dean-Reyv. Matthew Furness,
Assistant Dean-Rev. Jonathan Greene, Assis-
tant Christian Education Director-Brother
Ricardo Washington, Members-Rev. R.L.
Brown, Rev. Donnie McBride, Sis. Pamela
Williams and Sis. Shirley Jones, Christian
Education Director Sis. Phyllis Reaves and
Presiding Elder William Smith, Jr. The Con-
ference proved to be an extraordinary experi-
ence, involving youth and adults of all ages.
The Marion District has taken a pivotal role in
educating and equipping members to become
stronger, more knowledgeable disciples by
providing informative training sessions.
The Conference opened on Friday evening
with the worship experience. The hour of
power proved to be electrifying and soul stir-
ring, as Rev. Dr. Charles Young, President of
Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina
delivered the message in accordance with the
conference theme, “Reclaiming, Reaffirming,
Revisiting: The Vision.” Dr. Young’s chal-
lenging subject was, “People of Vision,” sup-
ported by Isaiah 6:1-6.
Dr. Young emphasized, “You either manage
change or become a victim of change. People
with a vision are able to manage change, and
nquer adversity. Recognition of that ability
coupled with resources creates ABSA A
powerful, yet thought provoking message. The
William Smith, Jr. Voices of Praise echoed the
goodness of Jesus through the ministry of music.
On Saturday, participants were encouraged -
to expand their leadership ability, and properly
organize effective functional ministries / orga-
nizations. Nine informative training sessions
were offered for the clergy, christian education
directors/church school superintendent, lay
Organization, Missionaries/YPD, DMC, Sons
of Allen, Health Ministry, and Youth Ministry
(Mime and Step), and RAYAC.
At the conclusion of the training sessions, all
attendees reassembled for a powerful plenary
session led by Sister Kabrina Bass, the 7th
Episcopal District Christian Education
Director, entitled: “There is Strength in Unity.”
Sister Bass emphasized the importance of one-
ness and unity within the A.M.E. church. The
Conference concluded with a panel discussion,
with Rev. Dr. William Smith, Jr, along with
workshop presenters. The panel discussion
entitled, “Where Do We Go from Here?” The
discussion offered departing direction and
instruction for the District, endowing attendees
with the necessary tools of empowerment to go
back to the local church with a new “Vision.”
The Marion District is an inclusive District of
dedicated pastors and laity, working together
for the cause of Christ, under the dynamic
leadership of Rev. Dr. William Smith, Jr. and
Mrs. Angela Hawthorne Smith.
To God be the Glory for an educational,
fruitful, and spirit-filled Conference.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ms. Phyllis Reaves, Christian Education
Director
The Rev. Matthew Furness, Dean of Chris-
tian Education
The Rev. Jonathan Greene, Assistant Dean
of Christian Education
..From BISHOP DAVID DANIELS
FOLLOW-UP ON EPISCOPAL PRAYER
REQUEST: CHRISTOPHER BYRD,
SON OF BISHOP AND MRS. BYRD
Bishop and Mrs. Vernon R. Byrd extends
gratitude to the bishops of the Church and all
of African Methodism for the many prayers
of petition issued on behalf of their son
Christopher; for the many telephone calls
received; cards of encouragement received;
and for other acts of compassion and caring.
Christopher’s condition is improving.
However, Bishop and Mrs. Byrd request your
continued prayers for their son, Christopher.
THANK YOU
FROM THE STAN MCKENZIE FAMILY
I (we) would like to thank Bishop and
Supervisor David (Irene) Daniels, P-E. Allen
Parrott, the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Brailsford, the
Rey. Cryor, and the host of other A.M.E. pas-
tors, ministers, and laypersons in South Car-
olina who surprised us by attending the
funeral of my big brother. We are thankful for
all of the courtesies we received... the care
and concerns of the Connectional family.
You didn't have to do it, but you did.
Thanks again.
Stan McKenzie and Bishop Vashti Murphy
McKenzie
and consecrated bishop, Daniels plans i.
open a new school in Liberia, West Africa in
January. “It will be a model school,” he
points out. “It will be a community hall and
a church on Sunday mornings.”
It is part of Daniels’ “full ministry” there:
“We are doing evangelism by providing clean
-water (by building new wells in the villages),
providing a school for their children, a com-
munity hall where we can meet and talk, and
a church on Sunday mornings where they can
worship their God and souls can be saved,”
he concludes. 900
MONUMENTAL A.M.E.
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA
CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The members of Knights Monumental
A.M.E. Church, 224 Red Oak Road,
Stockbridge, GA 30281 will be celebrating
our 50th Church Anniversary on Sunday,
September 28, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. The
preacher for the hour will be Rev. Kenneth
E. Marcus, Senior Pastor of Turner Chapel
A.M.E., Marietta, GA 30060. Everyone is
invited to help us celebrate this most
important year in our church history.
For further information, you may con-
tact E. Monique Johnson, Chairperson,
Church Anniversary Committee at 404-
216-3435 or Mildred E. Reed, Committee
member at 678-289-1775.
oe ne eee Oo swnwewsaesrs_—o
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Date
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2008-9-22
