The Old Black Church

Tim Wise "SPEAKS TRUTH" : The police have no shame, no decency, no honor or integrity. Trying to suggest that Freddie Gray broke his own spine in three places, damn near severing his spinal cord at the base of his neck -- the new claim in case you hadn't heard -- is the most outrageous, pathetic excuse of a cover-up I've ever heard. The BPD is a criminal gang. Period. And they clearly think we are living in a time when the people will believe whatever they say. But it's a new day, and their propaganda gun is shooting blanks.

Lord have mercy, would Jesus stone the "Gay Community"?   People can fall in love with rules and law to the point where rules and law are more important than the people the rules and law are supposed to serve. Some bible readers forget that The Pharisees were champion rules and lawmakers.  They invented rules and law about almost every conceivable situation you can think of.  Is this controversial church sign in front of the Ten Commandments Church in a small Georgia town advocating the killing of gay people? If so then who among us is without sin and is qualified to pass out the judgment?  Thoughts? Georgia pastor defends church sign calling homosexuality a ‘death worthy crime’

Social media questions: Should a married couple be unified in religious beliefs? Do Scientologists believe in the same Jesus? If so what do they believe about Jesus? Are they Christian? What do Scientologist believe? Does Scientology conflict with Christianity? Can one practice Scientology and Christianity at the same time?  Lord have mercy, the internet was ablaze a couple of weeks ago with the good news and beautiful pictures of  Beyonce mom Tina Knowles marriage to her new husband Richard Lawson.  Fast forward today and the whole conversation has kind of shifted from one of happiness to one of sadness.  If today's rumor is true, with all the controversy surrounding Scientology these days, why in the world would any person choose this one? It's alleged that Scientology is a false religion!  Scientology originated by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, inventor of Dianetics, a self-help system who created Scientology as a religion so this religion does not have as it

Church Building Fund: Lord have mercy the internet is going in on "Bishop" Donald Hilliard of Cathedral International for wanting 3,000 of the church members to give $1,000 each ON TOP OF their "tithe" (10% of their income) to pay off a $3 million dollar building. Wouldn't it make more sense to help the members get out of debt first? Or is the building more important than the people? Are any of the members in debt? If so, why would they fork over $1,000 PLUS 10% of their income to pay off the debt on a building instead paying off their own debts? Isn't that financially irresponsible? If the members are in debt, then how are they creating a "debt free legacy for the next generation"? So the building will be paid off, but they'll still be in debt and pass on a legacy of financial brokenness to their children. Think people. THINK Check it out here and here!

On the eve of the second national meeting of The Reconciled Church (TRC)–a historic multi-racial, multi-denominational and apolitical gathering of church leaders in Orlando, a growing response to Ferguson, Staten Island, Cleveland, North Charleston, and now Baltimore–TRC founders Bishop Harry Jackson, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and James Robinson have this statement: “What news cameras were to Civil Rights, cell phone cameras and real-time recordings are to this generation. They help ordinary Americans see the madness. Our hearts bleed for the suffering families, and not just for them. We grieve for every person who encounters injustice and brutality with no camera to show the underbelly of anger that turns standard situations into a travesty of ‘protection.’ And though we can’t give all Americans a recording device, we can give the voiceless a voice. “Now from Ferguson, North Charleston, Baltimore and the lengthening roll call of wounded cities, we cry for justice–the lasting just

By now most folks have heard Erica Campbell’s “trap gospel” song “I Luh God” from her Help 2.0 solo album. The song has conjured up strong feelings on both sides of the fence. Your boy  Kirk Franklin  recently weighed in on this situation with  Arun Rath  of NPR. Check out his thoughts here.   Source:1800Gospel!

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams took too his Facebook page yesterday to wish best wishes and congratulations to his spiritual daughter, Paula White & son, Jonathan on their new marriage. Facebook:   

Readers lets keep Pastor Bryant, the family of Freddie Gray and the city of Baltimore  in our prayers as Pastor Bryant prepares to eulogize ‎Freddie Gray at New Shiloh Baptist Church.

I agree! No truer statement has ever been spoken. In my humble opinion we should not govern based on only christian principles. On last Tuesday, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews rattle a few cages when he suggested that Christians, specifically conservative evangelical Christians, have no place in the American political system. Source:

Bruce Jenner been trending all weekend and the church community have not been asleep. Transgender is a term for people whose gender identity — their internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman — differs from what’s typically associated with their sex at birth. Some transgender people alter their bodies through hormones and or surgery, although many don’t. Anyhow, Southern Baptist Convention’s Russell Moore offers a solution to alienation from identities that transgender people struggle with. The problem is, he explained, that the old Gnostic heresy combined with contemporary expressive individualism gives rise to “the idea that I must be true to whomever I perceive my ‘real me’ to be on the inside in order to be ‘authentic.'” “ They feel alienated from their identities as men or women and are seeking a solution to that in self-display or in surgery or in pumping their bodies with the other sex’s hormones. In a fallen universe, all of us are alienated, in some way, fro

Get ready Chicago, here come a tribute that's gonna break, shattered and rattle the atmosphere. Facebook: 

A Christian couple in Oregon says they will be bankrupted by a judge’s decision Friday to fine them $135,000 for refusing to bake a wedding cake for lesbians. Aaron and Melissa Klein ran a small bakery called “Sweet Cakes by Melissa” for seven years in Gresham, Oregon, but had to shut down their store in 2013 after Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman filed a civil rights complaint against them. Administrative judge Alan McCullough ruled Friday that the funds will go to Cryer and Bowman for “emotional, mental, and physical suffering.” Personal, I find it hard for anyone to support the actions of this bakery couple. I don't understand the concept of refusing to serve someone based on their lifestyle. Did they ask all their customers about their lifestyle before doing business with them?  Apparently not, because if they did they wouldn't be able to serve anyone. GoFundMe Shuts Down Fundraiser for Christian Bakers, Claims Money Was for ‘Illegal Purpose

Friday night was the season finale of Preachers of Detroit, and folks are still wondering why in the world would Bishop Charles Ellis lll put the PAW organization under such a negative light by appearing on a reality show?  Once again, folks are questioning Bishop Charles H. Ellis III representation of  PAW and ALL the members actively involved in PAW. Check out a comment that was posted in one of my many Facebook groups:  When Charles H. Ellis III speaks he does so with the full power of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He represents ALL that PAW is and does in the communities throughout the United States of America and in other countries. His words and actions represent the core of PAW and what PAW stands for, the mission and the vision of PAW. The representative of PAW Not being truthful means, PAW is not a truthful organization. That means ALL who represent PAW cannot be trusted to tell the whole truth Which means PAW is a lie! It also shows PAW is misleading and mis

Interesting article, I find myself not understanding having Ben Carson not speak. Is it because of some beliefs of Seventh Day Adventist?  However the simple fact that if he was the candidate of the republican party the majority of southern baptists would vote for him. I'm just saying, my goodness most of them voted for a Mormon the last time. Likely Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference have “mutually agreed” that Carson will not address the Pastors’ Conference in Columbus, Ohio, as previously scheduled. Some Southern Baptists raised theological and political concerns in late March and April, with Texas pastor Bart Barber and Baptist21, a network of younger Southern Baptist leaders, posting blog articles objecting to Carson’s scheduled appearance at the conference June 14, as Carson identifies himself as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “We didn't want this to become a distraction for

Pastor John Piper answers the question: “Can Christians watch any kind of nudity on TV, specifically Game of Thrones?”   We are either of this world or not of this world. The Word of God tells us not to conform to this world. Doesn’t matter if everyone else is doing it, we are called to be holy for He is holy. As Pastor John said it before, Jeremiah 13:22 shows that public nudity (like in some movies/shows) is God’s punishment. So to encourage or enjoy it is a form of hate towards God.

Lord have mercy, the Chinese Government is asking citizens to stop hiring strippers for funerals. In death, as in life, there's more than one way to throw a party. Some mourn the passing of a loved one with church hymns and prayer; others choose to celebrate their death with booze and disco balls. In rural China, some funeral parties are hiring strippers—and the Chinese government is not pleased.  In my opinion, this idea is not too far off for most Americans.  The funeral industry in America overall is moving towards a life celebration and those that adapt and work to honor the deceased last requests will continue to succeed. In the United States, in the last couple of years there has been a growing trend towards personalized funerals and while they are often interesting I have yet to see a request of this kind. But I am sure in the coming future if that is a person's last wish someone will be willing to honor them.

According to internet rumors, BET has reported that the upcoming 35th season of Bobby Jones Gospel will be its last. The flagship gospel program is the longest running original show in cable TV history and is hosted by its namesake, Dr. Bobby Jones. No More Bobby Jones Gospel? Get Ready for the 35th + Final Season

Lord have mercy we love our pets—whether dogs, cats, birds etc—and often consider them to be members of the family. The topic of animals and pets getting into heaven received some extra attention this week from Bishop Ron Gibson of the reality show Preachers of LA. Bishop Ron opened up a can of internet worms with his comment concerning pets. The Bishop was asked when animals die do they go to heaven too? The Bishop says no and explains why. Watch the clip below:

Lord have mercy what kind of "Sam Hill Foolishness" is this? This guy wants to make,money off a sick action against children. The problem with the dolls in my opinion is that pedophiles are not attracted to just the image of a child but the actual child. It seems the doll will intensify the desire to be with a child.  Readers what do you think?

Pastor Donnie McClurkin posted the following comment to his Facebook page today:  I’ve arrived in France…requesting your prayers as I minister! Share this and rally those who will pray! Just heard on BBC after taping my video that Global unrest is growing! Plans in place to shoot Christian church’s in Paris on Sunday morning (where i am preaching on Sunday) …I will preach, regardless…calling on those who will hold this up before God! Share this around the world!

Y' all can say what you want to about Dr.Creflo Dollar, but one thing for sure Dr. Dollar believes in what he preach. Pastor Dollar took time out from his message Sunday to address the haters.  "We are in the midst of a great fight! The enemy doesn't want you to know that when you focus on Jesus, you can walk on water!   You think $ 65m dollar plane was too much, if they discover life on Mars, I'm gonna believe God for a billion dollar space shuttle, you can't stop a dreamer from dreaming because birds fly, fish swim a haters gone hate!!" Video Clip Here!

"The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." Psalms 24:1. God, in the highest possible sense, has a right to the earth, and to all which it produces, as being all of it the creation of His hands, and the fruit of His culture and skill. He has a right to dispose of it as He pleases; by fire, or flood, or tempest; and He has an equal right to direct man in what way He shall employ that portion of the productions of the earth which may be entrusted to Him.  All the right which any person has to any portion of the earth's surface, or to what is treasured up in the earth, or to what it is made to produce, is subordinate to the claims of God, and all should be yielded up at His bidding, whether He comes and claims it to be employed in His service, or whether He comes and sweeps it away by fire or flood; by the locust, or by the palmer-worm.   Happy Earth Day!

April 2015 marks the 32nd  Anniversary of  Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, preaching the gospel and being a servant for the Lord our God. The church and congregation of  Friendship West have invited  all to Join them as they celebrate the gift that God has blessed them with in their beloved Pastor, the Reverend Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III. Congratulations on 32 years of service in the ministry!!!

Bishop T.D. Jake's is once again proving that he can wear many hats! The Potter’s House pastor has signed the group ‘Grace’ to his Dexterity Sounds label. The all female group consists of Candy West, DeeDee, April Nevels, Ruby Cavazos and Shana Saint. The ladies all come from diverse cultural and social backgrounds and are all members of Potter’s House church choir. ‘Grace’ has already released their first single, ““This Time” which is currently available in iTunes. Source:

Join Bishop Elect Marvin L. Winans and the Perfecting Fellowship International family for Holy Convocation 2015 "One Voice" May 18th-May 23rd in Arlington, TX. This promises to be a time in the Lord full of powerful worship services, dynamic speakers and musical guest!

What is "The Issachar Anointing" ? Conductor, pianist, producer and recording artist Damien L. Sneed presents The Levites’Gathering Possessing The Issachar Anointing.  Taking place June 10-13 in Washington, DC. With a host of dynamic speakers and singers.

Just when the mainstream academy and public intellectual space has tossed Cornel West aside as useless, evangelicals are inviting him to more and more conferences. Then along comes Michael Eric Dyson  with this blistering essay on Cornel West's rise and fall. Some folks are happy that Dyson had the bravery to  called out Cornel West and to hold him accountable for his irrational hatred of Barack Obama.   The Ghost Of Cornel West. 

Funeral services for Rodney Todd Sr. and his seven children were Saturday in Princess Anne at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Todd, 36, was found dead with his children in their home on April 6 from carbon monoxide poisoning. The children ranged in age 6 to 16. Source:

Oh my a cruise???? Really? A cruise? It's official welfare recipients here have been banned from using government funds on cruises, horse racing facilities, spas, and alcohol. And that's not all, you can read the rest here .   I agree there are fraud and misuse and some restrictions must be in place. But a cruise?

Some folks disagree with the idea of trying to evangelize at a funeral. And think  the message should be more about the celebration of life while having space for mourning and grieving, and talk about the afterlife. Asking people to respond in ANY way is the wrong time and place. Do you agree? The Bible says that there is value in suffering and sorrow and we learn more from difficult times than happy times. If we view death with the eyes of faith, we see that death is the best of all possible events. For the saved person the day we depart from this earth is better than the day we arrived on this earth. In my opinion, funerals are the best way to drive this point home.  Very interesting read:  If You Must Preach at a Funeral, Include These 3 Elements .

Pastor Riva Tims took to her Facebook page today with the following message: We honor his accomplishments and pioneering spirit. We will never forget the good and positive endeavors Dr. Zachery did in this community and abroad. We the family are 3 years into establishing the Dr. Zachery Tims, Jr Enrichment Center - a place where leaders that may be struggling with burnout, depression, addictions can come and be Healed and Delivered. Please keep us in your prayers.

Lord have mercy Paul said "I become all things to all men that I might win some." I just hope somebody was won on Resurrection Sunday.  The above flyer is making it rounds on social media and causing quite a bit of online buzz. According to the noise, online Bishop Tavis L. Grant, ll preached a message on Resurrection Sunday entitle Empire the next season. Thoughts?

When I taught Sunday School a couple of years ago, to young adults and teens the book of Ecclesiastes was one of my favorite books of the Bible to teach from. The "Preacher" (Solomon) examined wisdom, riches, and pleasure. He shared the fruits of his search as what he saw as vanity, and what was good. Solomon the writer of Ecclesiastes exhorts the youth to think about God while they are young. The challenge is to really consider and remember God now before the days come when health fails. Here is how the New Living Translation puts it. Ecclesiastes 12 New Living Translation (NLT) .

Bishop and 1st Lady Jake's will host the TBN program Praise the Lord, tonight on TBN.  Bishop Jake's will give a sneak preview of what's to come at Megafest 2015 in Dallas, TX.

Lord have mercy Christians  are trying to oust Mark Driscoll from appearing at a Hillsong conference in July.   In my humble opinion,  Hillsong should be 100% free to invite whomever they want to their conferences. It’s still a free world with free press.  I have read many articles and blogs and websites that have called Mark Driscoll and his controlling and manipulative style of  ministry out in the past. But I would still never ever sign a petition banning the man from speaking at Hillsong or any other conference for that matter.  If people really  want to protest Mark Driscoll appearance,  just simply boycott the conference. That is far more effective and to the point, than signing a petition. Source:

There're hope and Victory in Jesus. Former lesbian Jackie Hill-Perry, a spoken-word/hip-hop artist signed to Humble Beast Recordings, recently participated in a panel discussion about homosexuality and the church. Hill-Perry is a professing Christian and former lesbian who, in 2014, married fellow poet Preston Perry and gave birth to their first child. She also released her Humble Beast debut album The Art of Joy. The video is LONG but if you start listening at about 20:40... it's Powerful!

Readers, Dr. Joel Wallach of Youngevity joins Pastor Jamal Bryant to talk about why Diabetes and High Blood Pressure are not genetic for black Americans like the MD have been telling us. Dr. Wallach provides a proven all natural solution using the very minerals God intended for the nourishment of our bodies.  

It's becoming easier for Christians today to make a conscious decision to leave the church behind.  Readers did you know that there are a number of committed Christians these days who for various reasons, no longer attend weekly worship services or participate in a community church establishment? Once upon a time any logical questioning of the church 'status quo' would get you filed under "church hurt". I'm so relieved that there are so many others who have removed the veil and are bold enough to speak their truth in Christ. Read more here and check out this powerful comment below: I don't know about anyone else -- but I will say this of myself -- I will no longer help build ANY man's empire in the name of Christ. I say this as a person who has been there and doesn't want to go there anymore. My credentials you say: I was born and raised a Baptist but left for a non-denominational church in the late 70's when I became truly saved and fill

Readers do you think that Billy Graham would want a statue of himself erected in North Carolina National Statuary Hall? Now in my opinion, Billy Graham deserves the honor but wouldn't want that. This seems totally out of character for a Christian leader especially one as humble as Mr.Graham to be memorialized in such a fashion. Anyhow, North Carolina legislators  are pushing to erect a statue of Rev. Billy Graham in the U.S. Capitol building’s National Statuary Hall. The hall includes statues of two significant people from each state. North Carolina currently features former governor Charles Aycock and former senator Zebulon Vance, according to Christian Today.

Pentecostal Temple Church Of God In Christ presents Monday night an inaugural celebratory gala honoring Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Patterson, SR. Lord have mercy the general seating for this gig stared at $125.00.

Lord have mercy, there will never be another Rance Allen. I tell you what  he worked that song and the stage like the pro that he is. Bishop Rance Allen wife Ellen Allen posted a video to her Facebook page  of her husband Bishop Rance Allen's historic performance at the White House for President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.  Video Clip Here.

Prayers for the families of this young couple. God told them that their work here was done. This just goes to show that we don't know when our last breath will be and in an instant we will be in God's presence. We need to be ready! A Washington state couple who died when a large concrete slab fell from a highway overpass onto their pickup truck were youth ministers in their 20s and parents to a 6-month-old baby also killed in the freak accident. Josh and Vanessa Ellis and their baby, Hudson, died Monday when a chunk of concrete weighing thousands of pounds fell onto the cab of their truck as they drove underneath the span, said James Ludlow, their pastor at EastPointe Foursquare Church.   Source:

Powerful must watch!This two-minute clip comes from a new message from John Piper, “Make War: The Pastor and His People in the Battle Against Sin.” The full message and all the audio and video from the 2015 Desiring God Conference for Pastors are available free of charge. Church Leaders :

Readers the below video was uploaded to YouTube in 2010 and still today causing folks to ask the question why? Some folks are saying we don't have to be eloquent in our speaking we have to be pure in our hearts. After watching the video tell me if you agree? I think this young man has a pure heart for God and shows his eagerness to evangelize God's word. But- for one reason or another most don't see that.

Gospel Events: The We Are One Foundation is kicking off the summer this year with the biggest gospel show to hit Hampton Roads by honoring mothers with the We Are One Mother’s Day Celebration. Come out and celebrate on Saturday, May 9 at Hampton Coliseum. Last year’s show sold out and this year it promises to be even bigger. The star studded line-up for the celebration features Shirley Caesar, Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann and Deitrick Haddon. Gospel Events:

A legend passes, prayers for Mr. Sledge's Family and Friends.  This man was one of my mother's favorite singers. His music became a part of the fabric of our daily lives back in the day.   It is impossible to think of it, and him, otherwise. Case in point: everyone who had this song played in their homes growing up raise your hands. Any how, Percy Sledge, the soul singer who took "When a Man Loves a Woman" to the top of the charts in 1966, died this morning at his Baton Rouge home. He was 73. According to East Baton Rouge Parish coroner Dr. William "Beau" Clark, Sledge died of natural causes while under hospice care.

Much respect to this "Redneck" gentleman who is challenging white people to take responsibility for understanding how they participate in and benefit from systematic racism, both institutional and structural. Apparently his "selfie rant" has gone viral. The Dixon White video is very interesting on a number of levels I respect and appreciate his speech.  Good job opening up dialogue Dixon!