The Old Black Church

I never heard of The Washington Wizard's Jason Collins, before yesterday.   But, from my research, reading and understanding, he's the first active professional team sport athlete to come out and admit he's gay.  I'm thinking, it's got to be very hard  living your life in secret and hiding, the life that only "YOU and I " can/will have to give an account for on that great day of judgment.  I'm praying the move by Mr. Collins was not done in vain.  I hope the move in itself could possibly help someone else who might have been thinking about throwing the towel in on life. I just read that Jason Collins is overwhelmed by the enormous amount of support.

Todays post is in response to a question that was asked of me (Ann Brock) in a well written essay that caught my attention. The essay is written by Xavier Brandon the young man in the middle of the above pic.  It's a great question in which I really really wish I had an  answer for, but I don't. I will agree that most young adult ministries are dying instead of thriving with-in the Black Church.  It's really hard at this point to say   what's working and what's not. Everyone has an opinion on what it would take to keep our young folks from leaving the church. Some churches are developing ministries that cater to young people in an effort to keep them from leaving.  Some churches are bringing in celebrities during the preach hour in an attempt to appear relevant to the younger generation. So in honesty I just don't know what needs to be done. Transcript Here!

"Pastor turns 70 on December 11. Our goal is to give him $70,000 for his 70th birthday."    The above pic is one of the latest things to go viral on the internet. The debate and comments on Facebook is out of this world.  My question is this even legit? Does the IRS approve of doing things like this? Why cash only? Is it so that he doesn't have to report it as income?  In my research I found out the pastor in question, Pastor Anthony James Herrin is a disciple of Dr. Frederick K.C. Price, of Crenshaw Christian Center.

According to " The Christian Post " televangelist Benny Hinn has asked supporters of his ministry for $2.5 million in donations, which he says a “long-time and beloved” friend anonymous donor will match dollar by dollar to help him get out of debt. Anonymous: “God wants your ministry to be completely out of debt, and I want to plant an anointed seed that will help you take a giant step toward becoming totally debt-free!”     "God has laid it on my heart to plant a seed of $2.5 million into your ministry, but God only wants me to make this gift if the ministry partners match the amount within 90 days!  I feel so strongly that He wants them to be part of the supernatural wealth transfer that is coming to every believer who will obey God’s Word.” Now that's a good one!

According to " Courthouse News " the family members of a woman and two children killed by a former bodyguard for Joyce Meyers want to revive their wrongful death suit against the televangelist.

Internationally known evangelist and founder of Christ for All Nations, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke will host crusades throughout the United States for the first time in his 35-year ministry history .

 According to "New Birth Missionary Baptist  Church" Facebook page they are asking the community to offer prayers for Bishop Eddie L. Long and his family. His 91 year old mother, Ms. Hattie Long transition from this life Friday, April 26, 2013, in Charlotte, N.C.  Bishop Long has issued the following statement to the media:  “Our family recognizes how truly blessed we have been to have her live such a long and fruitful life. Although this is a very difficult time for our family, we rejoice in knowing that she is ‘fully’ present with our Heavenly Father.”  My acknowledgement, to the Long family!

A profanity-laced video showing a prominent Georgia pastor is spreading across the internet like wild fire.   Pastor & Overseer  Kenneth Adkins can be heard screaming the n-word on what appears to be a cell phone recording. On it, he also disparages members of the Brunswick community. The comment posted below come from the church Facebook page: Rev. Kenneth Adkins is by far, the Most Thought Provoking Pastor in Southeast Georgia. Stop believing his many Haters and come hear for yourself. 5900 Altama Ave, every Sunday morning at 11 am! Every member of his Church who needed a job; he got them one. When his former Church members calls and needs his help; he goes! When people in this community need his influence and his help, he offers it! He calls it like he sees it, he is not going to sugar coat it and he does not care what his many haters think! It's all good over here!!  According to the article after watching the video Wednesday night  Mr. Adkins says  he's embarrasse

Grammy award winner Lecrae is on the cover of the May "Christianity Today Magazine" cover  with the above controversy title and question:    "How do you think Christian hip-hop could call the American church back to the gospel—and hip-hop back to its roots?"  Some of Lecrae fans and followers are calling foul, and suggesting that Lecrae should apologize to the public for his mocking of the gospel and the ridiculous title. Do you agree? Read the comments here!

According to BET Facebook page , this Sunday, Bishop J Drew Sheard will be answering questions on family, faith, and more. If you have a question you want answered just leave it in the comment section.

“Thank you for your prayers and support.”   “I would like to begin my response by offering a sincere apology for my delay of response, due to the process for completing my consultation with my attorney. “Please allow me the opportunity to address the unfortunate event that I was subjected to on Thursday, April 18, in Dallas, Texas. You can read the rest of the  Article Here!

BET Sunday Best finalist, Alexis Spight is in the process of making a brand name for herself in the gospel music industry and the secular world. The young singer has been tapped as the featured artist for BET’s 106th and Park – “New Joint of the Day” for her hit single, “Steady.   Alexis Spight is currently prepping for a nationwide tour and dedicating herself to being a role model for young women. Alexis says she noticed a couple of months ago,  how powerful her influence was on her young peers and how it had a huge impact on them. Article Here!  

Lord have mercy, to make a doll of yourself is pretty egotistical. A Harlem church is suing a Connecticut toy maker it hired to make action figure versions of its leader because the dolls that were made are not black enough and don’t look like him. According to court papers filed by the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ, the action figures that Vicale Corporation produced had “pointed noses and faces” and half of them “were light brown” instead of “dark brown.” The church’s leader goes by “Chief High Priest Tazadaqyah,” but his real name is Jermaine Grant. Article Here!

I saw this online and thought it was a great idea. Ella Fitzgerald is the inspiration behind Thursday's Google doodle. The popular singer also known as The Queen of Jazz, The First Lady of Song and Lady Ella would have been 96 today.

Lord have mercy, on the next, 'The Sheards', J. Drew and the boys get together to hang out over drinks. The question that is asked do you a "Christian" hang out with your friends over drinks? The debate on Facebook is very interesting and somewhat of an eye opener.  Did I tell y'all I love this show? I do!

Let me say this up front: stripping or dancing itself may not be a sin, but the activity that surrounds it sure is.  "LUST IS A SIN". Todays society has been for ever lowering the morality bar lower and lower every year. The things in society that we once frowned upon are now becoming more and more acceptable by society.  Man's enemy from the beginning of time has used these same three things to entice and destroy mankind.  1). The lust of the flesh  2). The lust of the eyes.  3). And the pride of life.  Scripture shows us this process at work in both the Garden of Eden and on the Mount of Temptation.  A stripper has posted an image of the money she makes in a single evening after people repeatedly asked her why she worked in the profession. The photograph shows around $3,345 in mixed bills, which calculates to around $120,000 a year in tips alone. And that means that she is only working three shifts a month too.  The trap has been set!

Last night was Fantasia release party for her new album "The Side Effects Of You" in a New York City nightclub.  And according to the many reports that are out today it was a huge success. There was an incredible amount of support and love in the building for Fantasia and her work.  Some are saying that Fantasia is following in the footsteps of gospel/r&b great Aretha Franklin..... that could be true.   Anyhow, my reason for mentioning the party is to bring attention to the Gospel tribute by "Yummy Bingham" at the 4:00 mark. "Savior Do Not Pass Me By!" This reminds me of a generation who have said and shown on many occasions they are not willing to put Jesus in a box only to be open on Sunday morning. WOW! Great tribute!  

The honor of your presence is requested at a banquet of celebration honoring the ascension of Bishop John Drew Sheard to the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ Monday, April 29, 2013, 6:00 p.m.  Keynote Speaker: Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Presiding Bishop Church of God in Christ

I grew up believing that a preacher's primary job was to preach a sermon that stirred up and feed the souls with-in his congregation for the work of the kingdom of "GOD".   In the last past couple of decades, the responsibility of the preacher/teacher/pastor has changed enormously, hugely and tremendously. They are multi-talented, multi-skilled and multi-gifted.   In our wonderful world of today we have a slew of great preachers/teachers and Pastors among us. I have compiled a list of the 20 greatest preachers who "I believe" have/had the gift to "stir the soul".   I've heard some of these great men and women in person, some by podcast and some by television. Some of these pastors have huge audiences around  the world and others don't. 1 . Dr. E.V. Hill   2. Pastor E. Dewey Smith   3. Bishop T.D. Jakes   4. Pastor Hart Ramsey    5. Pastor William H. Walker Sr. 6. Dr. Mack King Carter   7. Pastor Ji

Father God, who in the "HELL" left the gate open to this foolishness right here? And how in the world  did we get here? According to the article, children as young as four are becoming so addicted to Smartphones and iPads that they are requiring psychological treatment. This is pure nonsense, there's no way a four year old should be in therapy over a iPad.

I love the fact that there's  a whole lot of saints praying and standing in the gap right now for Prophetess Juanita Bynum. I've always been one of her biggest supporters and fans.  I have been reading a lot of comments from supports and followers of Prophetess Bynum asking  the  question,  will her recent arrest destroy her reputation and ministry?  For some reason or another this particular question has caused me to raise my eyebrows in an "AWE" of confusion.  Just how in the world can the cuffing and arrest of the woman of God, for failing to pay a debt  destroy her reputation and ministry, but her admitting to other things like sleeping with women didn't even cause a ripple among the people of God.  Heck, if that particular news didn't destroy her ministry how in the heavens can her  being  arrested for failing to pay a debt destroy her ministry and brand? I don't understand kingdom folks some time. I remember the mind blowing interview (for

One of Detroit own super star CeCe Winans is a Motown Gospel label first signee . Read about it here!

Lord have mercy, Prophetess Bynum spent the night in the Lew Sterrett Justice Center after authorities arrested her on a warrant for her failure to appear in a Dallas civil proceeding against her, according to public records. You can read about it here!  All I'm going to say about this incident is Ms. Bynum was wrong. She   agreed to and did sign a contract to appear in a play and was paid a lot of money (100,000)  to do so. She reneged on her contractual obligation and did not appear in the play that she received  money to appear in. Then she decided to keep the (100,000) money.  Wrong!  She had six years to fix this mess and she chose not to, now she must answer for it.

A Maryland high school is in the news and under fire for allowing Muslim students with parental permission and good grades to leave class each day for prayer.  I'm not aware of any other religion that requires its followers to pray five times a day except  Islam.   I don't understand what the problem is here . Some Christians are upset because they aren't allowed to do the same as the Muslin students.  The Christians can pray with eyes wide open, heads up or down , while looking folks in the eyes, staring at a wall, or looking out a window. We have free and unrestricted access to the Throne of Mercy anytime we desire to go there. "We don't have to steal away to Jesus". I believe as a Christian we clearly have prayer advantages over other religious beliefs in public schools and  anywhere else for that matter. The Christian is not restricted to prayer at prescribed times each day. Christians may pray as Paul taught on three different occasions, “without

 Pastor Jamal Bryant Ministries will be celebrating  "Thirteen Years in the Ministry" on Sunday April 21st.  According to the  Facebook page , in appreciation for his hard work.... . Pastor Bryant Ministries and the Empowerment Temple Church, have came up with a wonderful collection of Pastor Bryant's most powerful sermons ever preached by the pastor. Congratulation Pastor Bryant for not giving up!   

Positively Gospel will feature news reviews and other topics relevant to gospel music lovers   Congratulation Sarah Hearn , according to press release, the popular gospel music journalist will launch her new website, Positively Gospel later in the month. The site will provide readers with up to the minute news from the gospel music industry. Press Release Here!

Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz says he created "Jesus the Homeless" to remind Christians that Jesus is with everyone, especially those who are marginalized in society – the poor and the homeless. This is a powerful image that speaks volume to the day and time we are in right now.  There's an awesome message being displayed in a controversial new sculpture in downtown Toronto, Jesus is shown as homeless — an outcast sleeping on a bench.  Jesus has been depicted in art as triumphant, gentle or suffering.  Now, It takes a moment to see that the slight figure shrouded by a blanket, hauntingly similar to the real homeless who lie on grates and in doorways, is Jesus. It’s the gaping wounds in the feet that reveal the subject, whose face is draped and barely visible, as Jesus the Homeless. Despite message of the sculpture — Jesus identifies with the poorest among us — it was rejected by two prominent Catholic churches, St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto and St. Patr