The Old Black Church

 What is secularism? Secularism is defined as an indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations. According to "The Gospel Guru"; gospel music maestro Deitrick Haddon has offer up to God as a form of worship, Usher's hit song Climax..  Oh well I guess the contemporary gospel sound is becoming less popular in the music industry so, gospel artists are now out right making secular records in order to survive... Check it out!

Tax The Church? On Sunday Oct 7 about 1,000 pastors will challenge the IRS by deliberately preaching politics a month before the presidential election. Now this is  in   spite   of;  a federal ban on endorsements from the pulpit. I'm sorry but every church who participates in this is rebelling  against the law of the land and should have their tax exempt status pull.

Thanks everyone!!

My Daddy the first strong black man to be part of my life; made his transition from time to endless time Friday.....I'am making my way home to say good bye.

John and Ann Brock. This is hubby and I on our 1st date back in 1986....On Sept 22 three years after that first date we became one. "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" Mr. Brock!

Trip Lee, Eric Mason and Lecrae. If you're reading this article most likely you're a "Black Christians" like my self, who grew up in a black church in a black community some where.  There's also a big ole chance you have either come from a "Black Pentecostal" background or you are still part of it. What ever the case might be you probable heard the lie the black church don't teach the gospel according to the Bible. You probable also heard this line that Martin Luther King Jr. was NO Christian and he sure was not a Baptist preacher because he didn't preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. But King instead preached  a social Gospel. Any way the  interview below is very enlightening and it mention  some of the challenges that exist between  historically black churches and the so call gospel-centered theology.

Harvard scholar says ancient text on papyrus refers to ‘my wife’     In my own personal belief, I say no.  I believe God is a God of purpose and there's no rhyme, reason or purpose for Jesus to have been married. If Jesus had been married, the Bible would have told us so, or there would be some unambiguous statement to that fact. Scripture would not be completely silent on such an important issue. The Bible mentions Jesus’ mother, adoptive father, half-brothers, and half-sisters. Why would it neglect to mention the fact that Jesus had a wife? Those who believe/teach that Jesus was married are doing so in an attempt to “humanize” Him, to make Him more ordinary, more like everyone else. People simply do not want to believe that Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; 10:30). So, they invent and believe myths about Jesus being married, having children, and being an ordinary human being.

                  Is it wrong to question God?  I feel so sorry for this South Carolina father. I can't even begin to imagine the pain this father must feel. My prayers go out to he and his family.We live in a world of suffering and loss, with death being a reality, and none of us get out of this life alive. Death is one of those things that will shake you to your core.    A South Carolina man, alerted to a fiery car crash near his home, was horrified to learn that his two-teenage daughters were in the car. Worse, WLTX reports, he could only save one of them. The crash occurred last Friday after 14-year-old Shayla Andrews, a trumpet player, and her 17-year-old sister, Joye, performed at halftime in the in the Saluda HIgh School band. The girls were driving to their home in Saluda, S.C., in their dad's car.

I won't some one to help me understand just what in the heck is going on in the Christian community with all these so call  reality TV shows?  I just read that BET is planning to produce its first reality show that will be centered around gospel artist and First lady Karen Clark-Sheard  family "The Sheards."The show is in production in Michigan is at heart a family drama:  "It's not about their faith, It's about them as a family of faith"  Get out of here, how in the world can a Christian sign a TV contract which could and might include a clause that they may humiliate them or put them in a death-defying situations? This whole reality TV thing  is beginning to sounds like a very bad idea to me especially after reading this post . I'm surprise at the drama that's already surrounding this family even before the camera begin to roll.

h/t:1800gospel. Before going on a sabbatical from church, I was a young adult Sunday School teacher  who had mad  love with a burning desire to teach young people about Jesus. When my hubby and I  return to the church world at the end of the year, I wish to resume teaching young adults. Anyway as a teacher of young adults I have found out "Illustrations"is  one of the greatest tools one can use in teaching young folks. I've learn that a well  Illustrated point is  not quickly forgotten by young people and  they love it. So when I read the comment Compton rapper "The Game" made in an interview last month in Vibe magazine it  caused me as a Christian to stop and ponder just how my generation have manged to drop the ball in teaching and leading this generation to know  Christ. Last year in August the game got baptized and started going to church, but still been kinda doing his own thing out in the world” the rapper told the radio personality. He explain wh

 When I read that DMX h ad been appointed to serve in his old church in the roll of a deacon I was kinda surprise. Especially when one consider the qualifications for serving as a deacon in the new testament church are spelled out very clear  in 1 Tim. 3:8-13.    To me  the number one qualifier for DMX and anyone else appointed to the roll of deacon in a Christian church should be "Their Spiritual Qualifications." Are they men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom"? I always wonder why some in the Christian church take positions within the church knowing they don't have the spiritual qualifications for the position. My pastor teaches that we the (those who are saved)  believers will be rewarded in heaven according to our works for the WORLD   Kingdom . And if that particular work does not pass the God test it will be burned up,which mean a lesser reward. But a teacher,pastor,deacon,leader will be judged more strictly because they have a grea

Denzel Washington  Denzel Washington, 57-year-old Christian who don't mind waiting on Jesus and don't mind sharing the love of Jesus with others. In an interview with GQ magazine, Washington opened up about his Christian values, telling the publication that he made sure to read his Bible every day. "I read from the Bible every day, and I read my Daily Word," Washington revealed. "I read something great yesterday. It said, 'Don't aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.'" Love it!

Le'Andria Johnson  Grammy-winning gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson seems to be a little upset at how church folks have shun and turn their backs on her while being pregnant outside of marriage:  “You get pregnant out of wedlock and the whole world turns against you"  The above quote is from an interview Ms.Johnson did with Essence Magazine in early September. Judging from the above quote,it's proof positive that many Christians( including my self) have a real hard time sometime dealing with church authority. Ms.Johnson seem to be a tad bit bitter at the response she have received from many in the Christian community and the church.   Also,judging from the above quote it seems as if Ms.Johnson is in a state of rebellion and defiance toward church authority. Ms. Johnson is  upset with the number of pastors and bishops who would not allow her to perform in their house of worship while being pregnant out of wedlock. I believe if any person who is an active participan

   Rev. Delman Coates, Senior Pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD This coming Friday September 21st at 11 a.m., a coalition of prominent African-American pastors and clergy from around the country will hold a press conference at the National Press Club to announce their support for marriage equality legislation, and in particular, the Civil Marriage Protection Act in Maryland. Article Here!  The group will urge Marylander s to vote "Yes" on Question 6 of the Maryland ballot referendum. According to the group's convener, the Rev. Delman Coates, Senior Pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD, "The group of pastors that will assemble have a range of personal religious views and church practices as it relates to same sex marriage. Some perform same sex marriages and others do not. And yet, we stand united in the conviction that the role of the state is to protect the equal rights of all its citizens and should not codify discrim

http://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2012/09/18/inside-the-126-billion-forbes-cover/    Very proud of Oprah!

Early in the wee hour of the morning,Tyler Perry had to take to his Facebook page and announce  due to circumstances that he could not control, he had to cancel part of Madea Gets A Job tour. Check it out!

Bishop Jakes and the Potter's House family showed  love and support to the family of slain teen Trayvon Martin's yesterday at the Dallas Church .Article Here!

Who would've believed one day the "Negro" man would stand in the pulpit of the church and encourage the black community not to vote? I don't care what any one say, It's pure evil and down right wicked for any NEGRO  to advised the pew sitters in his church  to stand against their own best interest. Who in their right mind would cut off the hand that feed them? No one!   This whole entire election is about choosing the right candidate for the benefit of ALL people, and not for just one segment. These Negros are claiming they don't see no good presidential choice between a Mormon candidate and one who supports gay marriage, so they are telling their flocks to stay home on Election Day. The devil is a lie and so is these silly Negros. Article here!

 Many churches have resorted to using "gimmicks" to get folks into church. This is not a new idea nor is this a new concept, this is an old gimmick that have been revised and updated with new tricks and ideas by a new generation. In "The Black Church"  I grew up in on every 5th Sunday we would have what we call "Friends and Family Day"  This was a set aside day for members to invite someone who had no church home to attend church with them on that special day. Today Sept 16, have been set aside as a day to invite, share and bring a friend to church day. This is the fourth year for the campaign and It's becoming one of the single largest annual community outreach in the nation, sharing the simple message and mission of inviting everyone in  America  Back To Church.The campaign empowers churches and church members with the  tools  they need to welcome their neighbors, friends and loved ones back to church, while providing the unchurched with an eas

EMT'S and Firefighters  I don't know how I feel about this particular idea to tell the truth. The idea in it self sound good and one  can understand where they are coming from, but what about the  bigger problem that this idea could/will  lead to for every one? Some  emergency medical services workers say they now routinely face more violent patients and dangerous situations. But the prospect of armed EMT'S worries critics who question whether it would improve their safety or lead to other problems. Tim Holman, chief of German Twp. Fire and EMS in Clark County, said he is weighing the pros and cons to allow his paramedics and emergency medical technicians to carry concealed handguns on the job, because they encounter belligerent and unpredictable people, and police are not always immediately available to subdue or arrest troublemakers.

 “Lest we forget.”    Rev.Joy Thornton a pastor in Indiana have pissed-off a few people when he put up a sign with a historical image of the 1930 lynching of two black teenagers in an effort to get black folks out to vote in November.  Rev. Thornton who's senior pastor of Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Said he is concerned that the black community is giving up and becoming unconcern about voting, and he wants to urge people to exercise the right he says was hard won.  But some in the surrounding area are not to happy about the sign and say it's race baiting.. NO! I think the sign like the pastor said is to make people stop and remember how hard those before us had worked to make voting possible. The lynching displayed in the picture above is a part of Marion Indianapolis history.

Troy Sneed have got to be one of my favorite gospel music artist of all time .His latest project is truly awesome. Every now and again, a wonderful artist will come along with a great captivating  voice that will sweep you completely away. And Troy Sneed  does just that with his latest single"LAY IT DOWN" from his new project "ALL IS WELL"  What an awesome voice. 

The number of new HIV/AIDS cases in Brunswick, Georgia has Pastor Kenneth Adkins   taking action. He's going door to door handing out condoms to adults and urging residents to come to his church later this month for what he is calling "Get Tested Sunday." The health department will be on hand offering free and confidential AIDS tests. Reverend Kenneth Adkins said,"As a pastor I understand . I preach from the pulpit please wait until you are married to have sex but if you look at the alarming numbers of new HIV cases especially in the African-American community obviously no one is listening." While residents in the McIntyre Court community were surprised to see a pastor handing out condoms most welcomed his visit. Article Here!

  Rick Warren For some one who have always claim not to endorse any particular person for  president, the statement below by Rick Warren seems mighty strange for me.With only a couple of months to go before the November election, Pastor Rick Warren have instructed his followers to get a back bone; gain courage and not apologize for voting in line with their worldview. "You don't need to apologize for voting for a Christian worldview which stands up for the sanctity of life, the sanctity of sex and the sanctity of marriage. You don't need to apologize for that because everybody votes what they believe," Warren told thousands of Saddle back Church attendees at the launch of a new sermon series. The Southern California pastor said those three issues (life, sex, marriage) are non-negotiable for Christians. While they may disagree on the economy or health care, what believers must be firm on is protecting the unborn, viewing sex as holy, and protecting traditional m

 Dr.Otis Moss III   Talks to a Chair Called Invisible Racism.  .    

Bishop and First Lady Jake's beautiful daughter Sarah D. Henson have released a message to the public regarding her marriage. Sarah D. Henson is  soliciting prayers from everyone during this time. She says”As much as I wanted my marriage to last, it cannot.  After professional counseling, and prayerful consideration I have decided to end my four-year marriage”. She was married to NFL Linebacker Robert Henson. I guess  being in the public eye can be a difficult thing when you are going through a divorce,however;she handled the situation which such grace and dignity. Letter Here!

In a recent meeting with the women's ministry of her church, Elder Vanessa Long spoke on the struggles she endured during husband Eddie Long's sexual misconduct allegations in 2010 and her subsequent filing for divorce in 2011, a petition which she ultimately chose to close and dismiss. Article Here!

The amazing speeches of women in the conventions makes the silence of women in the Church that much more deafening.    I can really appreciated Eugene Cho's perspective here.  Even if I'm not in complete support of women in leadership roles when it comes to the church.

Dr.Henry Lyons  New Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Tampa, 405 N. Oregon Ave., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July to fend off foreclosure by Fifth Third Bank. The bank says it loaned the church $1.1 million in 2007 but that New Salem missed payments and has defaulted. The bankruptcy filing appears to have stopped the bank from taking back any properties for now. Lyons had run the National Baptist Convention USA for five years in the 1990s but was forced out in disgrace amid ugly allegations that he had stolen from the convention and had a marital affair. He wrongly spent church money to finance a lavish lifestyle that included a $700,000 waterfront home and a Rolls-Royce. Article Here!

The NAACP has been an outspoken opponent of Voter ID laws like those in Georgia.  Proponents say the laws are necessary to prevent voter fraud. Opponents say they disproportionately affect poorer and minority citizens who are less likely to have government-issued photo identification documents. Article Here!  Satan's mission have not change over the years, it still remains the same: to KILL , STEAL and   DESTROY. There's no doubt in my mind that there are forces at work, who do not want some of us to vote and will do all most anything to keep people from the polls by making it difficult for them to vote.

Dr. Charles Blake.  Great article, love it! West Angeles Church of God in Christ (West Angeles) is one of the countries largest mega churches and boasts a membership of over 25,000. Its cathedral is a Sixty-Five Million Dollar ($65,000,000.00) architectural masterpiece with a 5,000 seat sanctuary. It's sometimes called "the church to the stars" because members Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Samuel and LaTanya Jackson, Magic Erving and Cookie Johnson, Courtney Vance & wife, Angela Bassett and Stevie Wonder, are just a few of the famous faces that regularly fill the pews. On Sundays, a Grammy Award winning choir, consisting of over 100 voices, uplifts the congregation with hymns, old popular Gospel songs and new contemporary spiritual hits. The worship is lively and energetic -- typical of a Pentecostal church West Angeles staffs more than 200 paid employees and operates a Community Development Corporation (CDC) that the University of Southern California "desi

"However, it’s amazing how God works. I was up in the wee hours in the morning, flipping the channels. To my surprise I seen Pastor Wooten on TV speaking about "his actions/beliefs." Prior to starting his Sunday sermon. He admitted that he had gotten ahead of himself and did "THE AD" without informing his congregation prior to doing so. Members of his church, including his brother was slapped with …caught off guard by people in the community about this ad. THEY HAD NO IDEA! You mean to tell me YOU(WOOTEN) was sooooo caught up and angry that you just forgot to inform your flock?? YEAH RIGHT! He didn’t care. Did you inform your wife?? Hmmm…     It look like the loud mouth Dr. Patrick Wooden, who helped lead the successful effort to pass the North Carolina Marriage Protection Amendment, has recorded a radio ad in which he denounces President Obama for "turning his back" on the African American community.The pastor also have  been encouraging  his p

I read that Michael Moore “Fahrenheit 9/11″ was number one at the box office in the summer of  2004, and it was up against some heavy hitting  movies in the middle of the summer. Some say that the theaters back then  were packed  and yet, Bush was still re-elected. So I'm just curious do films like this help or hurt a seating president?And another question, exactly what is the purpose of a films like this one any way, isn't the information been presented consider old news?

NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans    The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 34,000 African American churches have taken measures to protect their president Rev. Anthony Evans. The coalition which is compose of  15 denominations and represent over 15 million African Americans and its board of directors have ordered security for NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans because of the NBCI stance against same-sex marriage.     http://www.naltblackchurch.com/

 My prayers and condolence to Michael Clarke Duncan family! "RIP"

The life and works of Dr. I.V Hillard  were so honored and put on display  this past weekend   by his family and  congregation  with an all out gala event. The  New Light Christian Center is a mega-church comprising six campuses in three cities.    Pastor Hillard stated that in the beginning of his ministry he was to become a teacher instead of a high- emotional preacher, and one who had been on a personal search for a more relevant relationship with God and for the Bible to become more relevant to people's lives.      Irishea     As I was scanning and reading through the excellent well written article that you can read over  here  about the start up of the Hillard's  ministry. This little tab bit of info caught my eye, Dr. Hillard is in the process of grooming one of his  three daughters for his replacement:    Preashea  "Dr. Hilliard is near retirement age but not pondering retirement , even as he keeps grooming one of his three daughters as his rep

Pastor Corey Brooks: Is changing the hood one step at a time. I'm glad to see  Chicago pastor Corey Brooks grace the cover of "Gospel Today Magazine." This brother is serious about stopping violence in Chicago, which is quickly approaching a record number of homicides for the year. Brooks has already lived on the roof of an abandoned hotel across the street from his church in the violence-plagued Woodlawn neighborhood in order to raise funds to buy it to create a recreation center. With a $98,000 boost from Tyler Perry, he did, but he still needs funding to create a new space on the spot. Great read!

Should there be a child support audit team just for bishops, preachers,pastors,elders and teachers who refuse to pay their child support? I wonder how many of these so call men of God who do skip out on taking care of their responsibility?      Long time ago a question like that would have never ever ever cross my mind, but in today's real world that question is being ask, and being ask a lot. How in the world did we get here to this place, were we now have bishops,teachers,preachers,elders,and pastors who are baby daddies pasturing churches?  How To Collect Child Support From A Dead Beat Pastor?

  A billboard in Victoria, TX asks people to “Pray for Obama”, and then disingenuously cites Psalm 109:8, which reads, “May his days be few; may another take his office.” Here we go again, another billboard featuring President Obama and a Biblical reference is getting investigated by the Secret Service. I hope the president get re-elected so we can witness just how many are willing to move to another country. . Article Here!

 "I Might Look Black, But I Ain’t Like “Y’all”    You can find some great info in the comment section of  blogs.   I just found out that perhaps many Haitians like Mia parents relied  heavy on predominantly White religious institutions like the Mormon Church and  Protestant churches to sponsor them in visas to come to America or in higher education. There is VERY often a motive in their “conversions” and political allegiances. I found out also that this woman was featured on Current TV in a piece called Mitt The Mormon Cndidate. The Mormon Church would not let them interview any more Mormons. She’s married to a White Mormon and  was interesting that they put Only Her Out Front. The Mormon Church OWNS UTAH. “My parents immigrated to this country with $10 in their pockets and the hope that the America they heard about really did exist.”   Crap! What immigrant can walk into America, legally with $10.00? Were her parents refugees? If so they are given advantage in social h

The Intensified Glory Institute ® 3-Day ~ School Of Signs & Wonders ~ Level I October 11-13, 2012 on the Gold Coast, Australia    This is some dangerous teaching going on here. Scripture reveal to us in the book of Hebrew, that there is no need to seek after signs and wonders in order to know God. God has spoken to us through His son Jesus!  Level scams got to be the worst type and the most costly scams out there.   “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:1-3a ESV ).