The Old Black Church

‪ ‬ ‪ R eader congratulations to Dr. E. Dewey Smith on the launch of his new record label "PEBBLE STREET RECORDS".  

R eader the following argument by Oprah resonates with almost ALL Americans. The GOP used it almost verbatim. It mobilized the GOP base they wanted. It also made a lot of folks stay home, well many of us stay at home rather than choose "the lesser of two evils".

R eader two parents have been charged with involuntary manslaughter after their newborn baby died from jaundice. Michigan police say Rachel Piland didn’t take her newborn daughter to the hospital despite the baby coughing blood and not eating, instead going to “listen to sermons,” the Lansing State Journal reports.

R eader one of the newest claim that's being pushed in some circles is the church should embrace polyamory (having multiple committed sexual partners) as an acceptable Christian alternative, just as (progressive) Christians have affirmed LGBT lifestyles. An (alleged) Southern Baptist preacher even goes so far to say that God is a polyamorous Trinity!

R eader for me this is not surprise at all. White Christians are less likely to believe and value the experiences of black Americans than non-Christian whites, according to a recent Public Religion Research Institute survey. White people go to church and pray and sing about Jesus and will even suggest that we are all God's children. Yet when God's children who happen to be Black or Latino are shot down by racist police, imprisoned unjustly, and robbed of basic human rights, our white Christians are silent. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/01/report-black-lives-dont-matter-to-white-christians/#disqus_thread

R eader Megachurch Pastor T.D. Jakes tweeted the following doing last Sunday morning service at the Potterhouse in Dallas TX: 'If You Obey God, You Will Never Be Broke.' Critics denounce the tweet as being false. This is the lie people believe then fall away when it doesn't come true......my Bible says God will supply your needs not your bank account. Thoughts??

R eader Hugh Hefner has died, he indeed was a “revolutionary and a champion for civil rights, but his empire was built on what God condemns.  ”The pornographic plague he helped create has damaged millions of lives and families. And yet Hefner will be praised today for his “contributions” to our culture. He did not believe in the God, but rather believed that "Morality is what is perceived as good for people."  http://www.tmz.com/2017/09/27/hugh-hefner-dead/ Years ago Mr. Hefner had gone on record as saying he did not believe in God. Problem is even if he didn't believe in God doesn't mean he didn't have to stand before Him yesterday and be judged. "And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27‭-‬2

R eader mental illness in the body of Christ is real. This is a doggone shame before GOD, people laughing and poking fun at this young man but he's doing what most will/won't do.....for over 10 years he has had a street ministry with little to no fan fare at all.  But, now all of a sudden he has become the laughing stock of the internet.  This is not an attack against person's with mental illness and just because you have an illness does not mean that you are not intelligent and God can't use you. Our culture and society tells us that showing flaws like this will turn people away. Anyhow, Colby D Mitchell is a young mentally challenge man who has become a Facebook sensation. The question I have is what's the purpose and why are people wasting valuable time making fun of him? It's quite clear somebody is exploiting this young man who's challenged with a very bad speech impediment.  https://www.facebook.com/colby.d.mitchell

R eader great news for Le'Andria Johnson and Greenleaf fans....the powerful gospel artist will be featured on the shows finale tonight  singing one of my favorites, Better Days. 

R eader so Pastor Ron Carpenter wife Hope Carpenter on Sunday had the nerve to put up a controversial post that she now has been force to take down.....but not before it was screen shot. The post is below and it sends a mix messages to a mix congregation. Mine you, Redemption Church is a multi-cultural church that some described as "65 percent black." 

R eader Pentecostal Explosion 2017 will convene in Detroit, Michigan on tonight September 26, 2017 - September 29, 2017. All services will be held at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, Inc. located at 19190 Schaefer Hwy. which is pastored by General Board Member Bishop J. Drew Sheard. This years theme is called "Reigniting the Fire." The nightly speakers are as follows; Tuesday night Conference Host Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Wednesday Sept 27, Bishop Lambert W. Gates, Sr, Thursday, Bishop Jack C. Vaughn, Friday Dr. Carolyn Showell  Late night with Dr. Todd Hall, Sr. 

R eader with September here, harvest time has set in and the proliferation of songs to stream, cherish and replay are finally falling like manna from Heaven. Travis Greene, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Anthony Brown have all bestowed the believers with music to last a lifetime, or at least the next 30 days. Still, there are some notable gems that have emerged like Mount Everest. The list is actually longer than what appears here…but here are 7 rock solid new gems to enjoy until the cows come home. Check out the list here:

R eader what a good timing for a re-post. Pastor John Piper posted this article on January 20, 2017 and got a lot of backlash....but it's even more comforting today. Let us continue to pray for love to reign in our country - the love of God and our neighbor, not the love of power, pride, money or anything else. They will know we are Christians by our love. “Donald Trump treats language — the medium of truth — as a wax nose to be bent and molded to create a desired outcome, whether it corresponds to the truth or not.”

R eader coming this October, Pastor E Dewey Smith will be hosting one of the most powerful PASTORS & LEADERS sessions ever. The Maximizing Your Ministry Conference. You'll be blessed by Pastor Reginald W. Sharpe, Jr., Pastor Jennifer Carner & Pastor Moses B. Herring of Chicago & MORE!! Go to edeweysmith.org & REGISTER NOW!!!!!!!!!

R eader ex Word of Faith Fellowship Church members are coming forward with more allegations. Several say Word of Faith Fellowship leaders encouraged them to file fraudulent unemployment claims. One man said he was told it was “God’s plan.”

R eader, I'm so angry right now at how the media is trying to flip this thing around by putting the focus on the flag....its, not about the flag or the anthem. Take TWO WEEKS, ago a St. Louis cop was acquitted of murder -- even though he was recorded on dashcam video saying, "I'm gonna kill this MF." Even though he PLANTED a gun in the car that he said belonged to the victim (although the victim's DNA was also NOT on the gun -- but the cop's DNA was). THAT'S  the reason why Kaepernick kneeled last season. And that's why we should keep calling out these racists white evangelicals (the silent enablers) until they wanna talk about the injustice that is going on. WE THE PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THIS because we elect many of these judges OR serve on the juries that continue to allow cops to go free. I blame the "PEOPLE" way more than the cops. Thanks, Cedric Scott!

R eader at least seven people were shot during Sunday morning when a gunman opened fire inside a Tennessee Church, Nashville police said. Nashville police received calls about a shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch just after 11 a.m., officials told Fox News. The church is about 30 minutes southeast of Nashville. "This is a mass casualty situation. All of the wounded have been transported to area hospitals. http://www.projectrepublictoday.com/2017/09/24/tennessee-church-shooting-leaves-multiple-people-hurt-officials-say/?utm_content=buffer1cb31&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

R eader can a Christian truly embrace hip-hop culture? The disparity between faith and rap music has sparked an ongoing debate in hip-hop over the years, and at the intersection of this debate is Lecrae, the faith-based rapper who unabashedly wears Christianity on his sleeve all while delivering uplifting messages over booming, trap-style beats.

Reader 17-time Grammy nominee Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. aka Snoop Dogg' s career appears to be taking an interesting turn. The Impact Network, a Christian tv channel have announced they will be airing a new reality TV show featuring the rapper. The network is popular with shows from the likes of Bishop TD Jakes, Pastor Joyce Meyer, Pastor Rod Parsley and Pastor Creflo Dollar.

R eader the sin of pride crept in to the church from the beginning. According to social media the 7000 Club Ministries held it first annual Holy Convocation during the week of August 23 - 25 in beautiful Ft. Lauderdale, FL. with little to no fanfare. I found the following Facebook comment interesting: A bold dynamic teacher who won't sugar coat or compromise. COGIC lost a great orator teacher and preacher in Dr. Carter thanks to Bishop Blake caving in to Obama, magic Johnson & his son CNN and the homosexual community. Do church folks really believe that???

R eader what a testimony!! Costi Hinn (nephew of Benny Hinn) was raised under his uncle's prosperity/prophecy/healing ministry, participating on stage as the one who catches bodies after Pastor Benny released the anointing on them. But Costi realized that his uncle's ministry was in error, and was saved through the true gospel! He wept when he realized that he had been part of a deception over thousands of people. Now he is speaking out against fake "healers" and the terrible doctrines which ruin lives and condemn souls. He says it was by reading a John MacArthur commentary that his eyes were opened to the deception in which he was entrenched. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/october/benny-hinn-costi-uncle-prosperity-preaching-testimony.html?visit_source=twitter "Before going to college, I took a year off and joined Benny’s ministry as a “catcher” (someone who catches the people who are “slain in the spirit”) and personal assistant . . This w

R eader should Christian women wear makeup? What are your thoughts? Back in the day TRUE HOLINESS was always strict!! No makeup, jewelry, pants, shorts dresses or anything tight. It's amazing at one time all our holiness Pentecostal churches had standards of dress at one time, whether if we believe it now or not. Our salvation is not based on clothes..but as a church their should be a difference. Many churches has evolved and moved away from certain standards. But let's not forget were we come from and believed at one time in the Pentecostal holiness church..we all came from the same stem and it shouldn't be taken lightly.  I agree with following the leadership. But just cause you wear long dresses and no makeup does not solidify your place in heaven. Holiness is not about what you do or do not wear. How are you living your life? Is your heart pure? Do you live to please God? I mean no harm when I say this, but yes holiness is still right, but just because you wear makeu

Reader this is why we should not listen to people. When God speaks that should be it. With that being said, Dr. Kevin Bond will be celebrating 20 years in ministry Monday September, 25,2017.  Dr. Bond took to his social media to recall, recollect, and reminisce about the many years in ministry and how some wanted him to leave, vacate, exit, quit because they thought he was too young: Congratulation on 20 sir!

R eader what if your pastor won't wrestle with matters of race? When pastors refuse to preach or talk about racial injustice, many Christians, especially African Americans, wonder if their church family cares about them. Listen as WYNC reporter, Karen Rouse, interviews black Christians on the topic. The host explores what it's like to be a black Christian whose white evangelical minister remains silent after Charlottesville... and Freddie Gray... and Trayvon Martin... and Eric Garner...White America are the only ones who can fix racism.   http://www.wnyc.org/story/black-christians-white-pastors-seek-reckoning-race/

R eader does your church need a fix, like roof repairs, paint, a new lobby, new pews/windows? No problem. If it's broken, let's FIX IT!Gospel great James Fortune has a new show coming soon to The Impact Network called FIX IT 😬🙌🏽. Your church could be on the new show they are going to get your house of worship back in order. 

R eader the Church of God In Christ organization has announced the anointed men and women who will deliver the dynamic, life-changing messages at this year’s Holy Convocation.....by way of their newly launched web site.  http://www.cogic.org/hc2017/

R eader is 'accepting Jesus in your heart' superstitious and unbiblical? Pastor David Platt thinks it's not just dangerous, but damning. David Platt is one of the most gifted communicators of the Gospel of the day. His writings (Radical, in particular) have inspired a lot of people.  Now I can see how this short clip could confuse people. It's a 2 minute excerpt from what could have been an hour long message. Romans 10:9 does say confess with your mouth and believe (not accept) in your heart but if that's all that is shared with someone it's not enough. New Christians need to know that they are required to lay their life down, study to show thyself approved, love your neighbor as yourself, etc.... Christianity is about having a personal relationship with God, not just saying a prayer then living like hell Monday - Saturday and going to church on Sunday to hear the Word from the pastor. IJS! https://www.charismamag.com/video/33985-david-platt-accepting-je

R eader this is a interesting read. It looks like the LGBT community are now seeking to promote homosexuality in the Black Muslim Community by giving self professed gay 'Muslims' a platform. Your thoughts? http://www.teenvogue.com/story/blair-imani-queer-muslim-woman

R eader Robert Jeffress who happens to be one of 45 top evangelical advisers who is also a Southern Baptist pastor and leader of the megachurch First Baptist Dallas. On Wednesday, he appeared on “Fox & Friends” to discuss how white evangelical Christians should approach the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program DACA. While Christian compassion is important, it’s not the only factor at play here, according to Jeffress. "God is not necessarily an open borders guy, as a lot of people would think that he is.  This is the kind of stuff that makes me furious. They just keep on hitting that Bible until what they want falls out. Doggone shame.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/robert-jeffress-trump-god-open-borders_us_59bac8b1e4b02da0e1402fda?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004

R eader if I invite someone of a different ethic or socioeconomic background to have conversation concerning their perspective on something I have no clue about (their feelings about being in their skin on a predominately white campus), my job is to listen and absorb. This was more insensitive than ignorant to me. Anyhow, according to Facebook Randy Lowry the president of Libscomb Church of Christ school, invited African American students to dinner at his house to chat about their experience at the university. They were served Mac&Cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. Each table had a centerpiece of cotton stalks. On Friday the university president issued an apology to the college community for the centerpieces in his home that were deemed offensive by students. (You can read about it here)

R eader I know this collaboration has made some hearts sink and eyes water, but I digress.  In my thinking Marvin Sapp is more than an artist, he's a bishop/pastor/teacher/preacher and I most definitely would've expected more/better from him. And he can't give that old tired cliche only God can judge excuse because where there is smoke there is assuredly fire and the smoke around R. Kelly right now is so thick, it can choke the life outta you. Can somebody say bad timing!! https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/marvin-sapp-teams-with-r-kelly-for-song-on-upcoming-al-1818488798

"We can go to any church and you'll see an altar with a candle on it and Jesus's photo and no one says a word. But when Africans do it—it's witchcraft, it's devil worship, it's evil," says Spence-Adofo. R eader I tell you coming from the deep south of Alabama this is a powerful read. I still remember not wanting to learn about African religions in a positive light, if at all... only learning that the religions of my ancestors were "dark" and "scary" and filled with "savagery."  I've often thought about how my Christian roots are the byproduct of my ancestors enslavement, wondered what religious practices they might have had and then shied away from exploring them for fear of being called a "backslider" or "pagan" or "witch."  (You can read it here) According to the article Christianity still exerts a powerful force in many black communities, but some young women are turning their bac

R eader this is unbelievable. Bishop George Bloomer made the above statement on Rod Parsley's television program last night, and now he's being racked over the coals for it. Absolutely unbelievable.  Who in the world made George Bloomer a bishop? These blasphemous statements seem to be getting bolder and further detached from the Word of God. Twitter :

R eader this is one of the many reason I love America. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all. It's been rumored for years that Will and Jada Smith was apart of Scientologist. Now, in my opinion it is one thing for Jada Pinkett Smith to publicly reveal her beliefs, it is another for the media to disclose her beliefs because they have been used for some type of harm and have become a matter of public record. But, for anyone else to 'out' her beliefs simply because they run counter to theirs -- that's incredibly inappropriate and a gross invasion of privacy. As well, to stand in judgement of someone after their beliefs have been outed is prejudicial -- draping your image of all of those who share the beliefs on the person, rather than seeing the person as she is: a wonderful actor, an engaged spouse, an involved mother. (Facebook comment) (You can

R eader earlier in the week, ESPN talk show host Jemele Hill posted a series of Tweets calling 45 a white supremacist who has surrounded himself with other white supremacists, and the other white supremacists got mad. So, now the White House want to use Sarah Huckabee Sanders who's a spokesperson for 45 to put pressure on ESPN to fire Ms. Hill.  Anyhow, Pastor John Pavlovitz ( who writing I love ) took to his blog Thursday night to say quite plainly that Jemele Hill was correct in her assessment of Donald Trump as a white supremacist – and the reasons are plain as day: This is the heart of the hypocrisy on display here, and the reason Hill isn’t wrong, even if you disagree with her conclusions or her methods. You don’t get to hire Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller, Sebastian Gorka, and Jeff Sessions—and simultaneously mount a high horse of righteous indignation at the suggestion that you’re probably a bigot. You don’t get to spend a lifetime exemplifying the absolute insul

R eader in late August, Pastor Vanessa Brown, and Pastor Twanna Gause celebrated their union at the New Vision Full Gospel Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey. Bishops Levi Richards and Eugene Gathers both walked Twanna down the aisle — a role she’d initially hoped would be accepted by her father, a Pentecostal minister who lives in Atlanta. But he refused his daughter’s invitation. “My father would not come here because he does not believe in same-sex marriage,” Ms. Gause said. “He told me the devil tricked me into this, and that if we had been married in biblical times, we would have been stoned to death.”  (You can read about it here) Thoughts?  

R eader I'm glad Pastor Jamal Bryant has been given the opportunity to clear up the false rumors surrounding his name. Pastor Bryant told The Root in an exclusive interview that a Bronx, N.Y., judge dismissed a case Thursday in which a New York City woman accused him of online stalking. Media outlet Rolling Out reported this summer that Jennifer Wright filed a restraining order against Bryant after alleging that he stalked her online. Wright claimed that he wiretapped her phone and sent people to stalk her, according to a court document obtained by the Christian Post. Under a gag order, Bryant said that he was unable to speak about the charges until now and wants to set the record straight on the allegations and how they impacted his life. In the above video, he also updates us on his girlfriend Tweet’s health (she’s out of the hospital and will be performing in Washington, D.C., next week), and what redemption means for him and the rest of us. (You can hear the video here)

R eader a former church pastor convicted of 29 felonies relating to fleecing several members of his flock of more than $1 million was sentenced Thursday to 23 years and eight months in prison. Luther Feltus-Curry, 69, former pastor with the Revival Center Ministries in Vallejo, was found guilty in January of multiple charges of grand theft and scheming to defraud others by using false information to pedal promissory notes in their investment companies. A partner in the scheme, Alma L. Perez, 56, was found guilty of 11 felonies. She was sentenced in May to 10 years in prison.  (You can read about it here) Feltus-Curry between 2008 and 2010 promised several of his church members big annual returns if they would entrust him with their money in his businesses. Some church members invested their entire life savings, in one case more than $300,000. Altogether, at least nine church members entrusted Feltus-Curry with more than $1 million, according to prosecutors in a month long jury

R eader Dr. E. Dewey Smith Senior Pastor of The House Of Hope Atlanta has caused some confusion among the members with the appointment of Pastor Jennifer Carner as the ministry's new lead pastor. Now, I'm wondering why this slightly misleading title "Lead Pastor" was used as opposed to "Executive Pastor", which better captures the job description that they have provided. I think seeing as how a Senior Pastor and a Lead Pastor are usually understood to be the same thing. Just my thoughts! (You can read about it here) Anyhow this appointment by Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., marks the first time in the church’s 141-year history that a woman has been tapped to serve as the Lead Pastor – overseeing all day to day operations. Prior to Pastor Carner being named Lead Pastor, both Dr. Smith and his predecessor, Rev. H. F. Shepherd, selected women to serve in key positions such as Director of Ministry Operations, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Christian Edu

R eader who would've ever thought, that it would take a Trump presidency to jumpstart the removal of Confederate statues? Racism has it's ironies. Just to think the Memphis Police Department has spent $55,031 in overtime pay since last month to guard the Confederate monuments in the two city parks. That's in addition to $8,795 for officers detailed to the park on days when events are not occurring.   Anyhow Bishop Brandon B. Porter, Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ was among a group of 150 Memphis pastors uniting against Confederate statues in Memphis. The Nathan Bedford Forrest Monument has stood in Health Sciences Park since 1905. Now, a diverse group of local clergy said it's finally time to remove it.  You can read the letter here: