The Old Black Church

R eader, do you believe Jesus went to Hell? There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. This concept comes primarily from the Apostles' Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” Many preachers/pastors/teachers have taught down through the years that Jesus’ spirit descended into hell after His death on the cross. Basing this idea on Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20, most of those who have taught that Jesus’spirit went to hell after His death has said that He went there to proclaim judgment to sinners and/or rescue the saints of the Old Testament.  Today, many in the Word of Faith movement teach that the crucifixion was insufficient to atone for our sins and that Jesus also had to suffer three days of torment in hell. I know what I believe but what do you all believe, did he go to hell?

R eader, do you take the Holy Communion at home with your family and loved ones? Or is it something you expect to be done only in your local church. Jesus said this do OFTEN. 

R eader what a sad day, CNN's Erin Burnett spoke to prominent evangelical Christian and president of Liberty University Jerry Falwell Jr. about the sexual misconduct allegations made against Donald Trump. Falwell said he believes 45 is now a different person, has had a change of heart, etc. since 2005 & the Access Hollywood tape.  ( You Can Read It Here )

R eader the number one Gospel album on the Billboard charts right now belongs to Snoop Dogg. With that being said, Snoop Dogg has some strong words for people who throw shade at his recent foray into Gospel music. The gangsta rap legend released the 32-track opus called Bible of Love that featured gospel heavyweights like Tye Tribbett, Fred Hammond, and B. Slade (formerly known as Tonex).  I agree Snoop, the church should always welcome sinners, but to put any new convert like yourself on a platform before seeing the transformation of leaving the old life behind is what has gotten the western church in America into so much trouble.  Check out what Snoop had to say below the break:

R eader praying for pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell and family. Someone said that this is the same thing Bishop Eddie Long and Pastor Wiley Jackson got in trouble for.  According to court documents, ( You Can Read It Here ) Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell and 55-year-old Gregory Alan Smith raised nearly $3.4 million through a Chinese bond scheme to defraud approximately 29 investors from April 2013 to August 2014. The two allegedly promised high rates of return -- sometimes up to 15 times the value. 

R eader, how much would you pay for a good gospel concert? For me, it all really depends on the lineup. With that being said, the two flyers posted above and below, are for the upcoming annual McDonald’s Gospelfest. The event is being billed the P raise and w orship event of the year at Newark Symphony Hall. The original lineup was starring Hezekiah Walker, Jekalyn Carr, Vashawn Mitchell, Le’Andria Johnson, Wes Morgan, Cissy Houston, Melba Moore, and Keith ‘Wonderboy’Johnson. For reason unknown that lineup got scratched with the remover of Le'Andria Johnson, and Wess Morgan with John P Kee being added for Friday night only.   Which brings me to my original question which lineup would you most likely to support? For me, it would be the original lineup featuring:  Hezekiah Walker, Jekalyn Carr, Vashawn Mitchell, Le’Andria Johnson, Wes Morgan, Cissy Houston, Melba Moore, and Keith ‘Wonderboy’Johnson.     

R eader who would have ever thought that this could even be possible?  Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. looked ahead and boldly declared that God’s desire for racial harmony was possible. This is both an encouraging and convicting read. ( You Can Read it Here)  

R eader did Tasha Cobbs-Leonard Rock The Look? Last weekend at the 2018 Annual Stellar Awards Grammy Winner, Tasha Cobb Leonard, the multi-award winning gospel star looked effortlessly graceful in this beautiful two piece paired with a red purse. Did she rock the look?

R eader "THE BISHOP" himself has spoken. This means that someone has got his attention for real for real, for him to actually issue a reply to the incident. I don't know if an APOLOGY will fix this, what do you all think? I don't know if money will help either.  I think those people need to be terminated and she needs to be brought on to the stage/pulpit and apologized to PUBLICLY the same way she's been publicly humiliated. Even if she is the one who put the video up, the fact that she has a video of being violated is bad in itself. Money won't make them recognize the severity of what happened here. I mean sure she can buy some stuff but not her good name or her dignity.  (you can read it here)

How did we get here, and who really representing the Gospel Music Industry?

R eader some folks are saying that this sister needs to contact an attorney ASAP. She was assaulted and held against her will. And that these church officials are drunk with power and need to be humbled. A nice lawsuit and some charges pressed against these individuals will go a long way to bringing them down a few pegs. This kind of thing happens in churches more often than you think. Be strong young sister.What happened to her should not have happened they shouldn’t have pinned her to the ground that was too much she was trying to leave they should have let her leave.  The church response is below:

R eader there's a scandal brewing at the New Creation Church in Dallas Texas - after a woman leaked alleged text messages that's she claims were sent by the married pastor to her. The pastor Aaron L Finley claims that he does NOT know the woman in question - but many in his congregation DO NOT BELIEVE HIM. The woman first posted on the Church's FACEBOOK PAGE the text messages she claims were sent by Pastor Finley - then as you can imagine all HECK broke loose.... I don't know what to think.

R eader am I wrong for listening to Pastor Thaddeus Matthews? I've mentioned the pastor in this space before  (You Can Read It Here) .  I usual listen to him nightly at work with my earbuds in. Sometimes he intrigues me with his outspokenness and other times I hang my head in shame. I have nothing to say bad about him because to me he's doing a great job within the Memphis TN, community area, plus I try not to be a judgmental person.  Some on liners, has dubbed him the cussing pastor with a vulgar mouth and leading people to hell in a hand basket. The on liners  folk say the pew sitters only like his mess because it allows them to be justified lukewarm, and double minded. Others on liners say he's not a call pastor...but to his credit he does have a church full of members. Some say he wasn't called by God....but how do we know that? Personal I don't want him as my pastor but I LOVE THAT HE DOESN'T SUGAR COAT NOTHING. WARNING GRAPHIC LANGUAGE BELOW:

R eader it was Palm Sunday in the rest of the Christian world, but at The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, it was ‘Redemption Sunday’ for former prison inmates who have turned their lives around through faith in Jesus Christ. The mega church, pastored by Bishop T.D. Jakes, celebrated the special day by praising the Lord and honoring the graduates of its Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative   ( You Can Read It Here )

R eader watch the 'TODAY SHOW' tomorrow, March 26th at 9: AM CST/10: AM ET. Bishop Carlton Pearson will be interviewed by talk show host Megyn Kelly about the upcoming Netflix movie 'Come Sunday.'

R eader the brilliance of these Parkland kids with this march have merged the movements against gun violence, black lives matter, dreamers matter, income inequality matters into one united, beautiful quilt that represents the best of our democracy as an ideal. It is both pragmatic and unstoppable. They have restored hope and we all owe them our deepest gratitude. They just may have saved us. "If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it." ~Toni Morrison I am so incredibly moved by the power of these outstanding young people advocating for change.

R eader, Happy Palm Sunday, this day always reminds me of how easy people will switch up on you. ... They worshiped Jesus, threw palm leaves down, yelling “Hosannah, Hosannah!” ....and just a few days later, the SAME PEOPLE were yelling “crucify him!”...they spit on Him....they did everything unimaginable to Him. I said all that to say, watch your back folks, in the kingdom or outside the kingdom.  Some people will use you all the way up and then throw you aside... they'll turn on you for no reason...it’s the way of the world.... everybody is NOT your friend, I found that out the hard way.....I don’t care how much they smile in your face...call you Sis, Boo, Bruh, etc....be smart, be diligent and watch your back.  Happy Palm Sunday

Reader, I'm not a fan of Joyce Meyer's teaching, what some fail to realize is just because she’s a “celebrity” pastor that her context is correct. The issue I have with this particular message is she’s twisting scripture to appeal to the modern society of tattooed Christians. Nowhere does it say that tattoos are okay.

Y'all know Evangelist Jekalyn Carr is one of my favorites in the Gospel Entertainment world.  This Is My Winning Season is my go-to anthem. Jekalyn Carr is not your typical teenaged girl. At the tender age of 20, she is a highly anointed Evangelist, minister and national recording artist that is taking the gospel music industry by storm. Her current CD My Winning Season made its debut at the top of Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums. 

R eader the above question is not my question, it's one that I found on social media. I don't think anyone has the right or the big picture for that matter to question anyone's else salvation.  

Reader I ( You Can Read It Here ) read this piece and have been turning it over in my head ever since. A bunch of c hurch elders and church leaders have released a confession of Faith for a time of crisis by speaking out to fight for the integrity of the Christian faith and soul of our nation. This multiracial group of church leaders with representation from evangelical, mainline Protestant, African-American, and Catholic churches, released a declaration to remind Christians—including the ninety-one percent of members of Congress who self-identify as Christian—that when politics undermines theology, we must examine those politics.

R eader even if Willow Creek Pastor Bill Hybel's did nothing wrong this does tarnish his name somewhat. By default, it questions the integrity of his messages. Sad if true.  (You Can Read It Here)

R eader are our lives predestined for us from birth to death? Some say yes. This is the argument surrounding the decision made by this Pennsylvania couple in not seeking medical help for their dying baby. The  couple is on trial for the death of their 2-year-old daughter after resorting to faith healing in lieu of taking her to a doctor.  ( You Can Read It Here) When Ella Grace Foster came down with pneumonia in late 2016, her parents, Jonathan and Grace Anne Foster, chose not to seek traditional medical care because it's not supported by their religion. Instead, they opted for a treatment plan of prayer and anointing oils. They asked Ella’s grandfather, a pastor, to come pray for her in the hopes that God would heal the illness. Ella died in her father’s arms the next day after hours spent struggling to breathe. When asked why the child wasn’t taken to a hospital, Grace Anne appeared to believe that her daughter’s death was preordained: “I think God just wanted her ba

R eader Pastor H.B. Charles testifies about his beginning pastoral journey after the passing of his father in 1989. This sermon was preached live at the Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. What a powerful testimony.

R eader what would you do if you witness your pastor suddenly run away from the pulpit during a church service? With all the church shootings in the last couple of years, this, in my opinion, was very insensitive of this pastor. If something like this happens for real his pew sitters may not move and be harmed because of lack of wisdom in this regard. Don't play games inside the church, what a distraction. I wonder did he considered the health implications of some people who might have had health issues?

Reader, there's nothing like being able to telling your own story in your owns words while being willing to stand up in your own mess. I believe Le'Andria will get some backlash for this episode. Le'Andria gets to tell her story in the edgy new docu-series uncensored which airs on TV One on Sunday nights.

R eader the Bible does not instruct Christians to set aside a day to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. At the same time, the resurrection is most assuredly worth celebrating (1 Corinthians chapter 15). Celebration of Christ’s resurrection, then, is a matter of Christian freedom. Christians are free to celebrate the day of Christ’s resurrection and are free to refrain from celebrating. Since it is a matter of Christian freedom and not a biblical command, it would seem that there is also freedom as to precisely when the celebration of Christ’s resurrection is observed.

R eader,  according to some, this is history in the making. Friday, March 30, 2018, at Burning Bush International Ministries, you have Seven, COGIC Bishops, Seven, different jurisdictions, Seven last sayings.  Bishop Don Shelby  Bishop Dwight W. Walls Sr  Bishop Rance Allen Bishop James L. Whitehead   Bishop Samuel Duncan. Bishop James Atterberry  Bishop Roger L. Jones, Sr  Musical guest Shelby 5, Rose Marie Rimson-Brown, Labarbara Whitehead. 

R eader Pastor Dwight McKissic, Sr., pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, TX, is releasing a new book titled, Controversial Conversations: Kingdom Reflections On Biblical & Contemporary Issues . Monday, March 26th. The street date is Monday, April 2nd. It will be available wherever fine books are sold including Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes&Noble.com, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Books-a-Million.com. In the book, he addresses a broad range of topics including: *The Baptist Church and the Holy Spirit *The Contributions of Africa and Africans in the Bible *The Southern Baptist Convention and Race Relations *The Church, Homosexuality, and Contemporary Society *A Letter to My Grandchildren Written in the midst of some of the most consequential times in the history of America and the Church, this collection of over 30 essays by Pastor Dwight McKissic, Sr., provides a biblical perspective on issues affecting the Church, the Black community, and American so

R eader a Twitter user by the name Achmat X, has accused Preacher/Pastor and Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Jr. of having ties to Exodus International, a homosexual conversion organization with a disturbing history of sexual abuse allegations. ( You Can Read It Here)

R eader this is.. interesting what yall think about it? ( You Can Read It Here) The Church of Scientology has just launched its own television channel this past Monday night.  The old saying no once can tell your story better than you come to mind here.  A Twitter handle, website and app for Scientology TV appeared this past Sunday posting updates to hype the network's availability on DIRECTV, AppleTV, Roku, fireTV, Chromecast, iTunes and Google Play. 

R eader, this is an interesting read about South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (You Can Read It Here) . No matter his achievements or aspirations, Tim Scott is sentenced to exist in America’s collective political subconscious as a black man first and everything else second. “Concerned about narrowing his brand, [Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)] long has tried to downplay his ethnic exceptionalism and avoid the role of race-relations ambassador for the GOP. And yet Scott, now more than ever, cannot seem to escape being perceived as such. He is not just a generic black Republican in a generic period of history; he is the most powerful and prominent black elected official in America, serving at a time of heightened racial tension and widespread accusations of xenophobia against his own party and the president who leads it. This ensures that Scott wears a target on his back regardless of the issue or crisis at hand.” It’s an insult to God when we don’t love who we are.

R eader so ( You Can Read It Here ) CNN has aired a six part series on the Pope. What makes him the most powerful man in history? What's interesting is that they say that the Pope is the most powerful man in history, but obviously they are not talking about just one man, they are pointing to the office of the papacy. And that is exactly what Revelation 13 is pointing to, the office of the papacy, which has been fulfilled by many Popes who proclaimed to come in Jesus' name, who are antichrist. In my opinion history as presented by TV & Hollywood is always incomplete. But we should not be afraid of the outrages committed in the name of the Church, or the corruption, abuses, & sins of the hierarchy & the members. Such things shouldn’t surprise or embarrass us, since folks like us make up the Church, such a company of sinners, yet called to be saints.

R eader sometimes I believe these folks in the music industrial be making this stuff up as they go. For instance this foolishness right here, Bishop Rance Allen make an appearance on Snoop Dogg's Gospel album, and all of a sudden he's named "Top Most Influential Male Quartet Artist of 2018. Crazy!!

R eader, who in the world cares about what racist Paula White thinks about the Black Christian community?  I for one sure don't. This woman built her brand and bank accounts on the backs of Black audiences.  She's a false prophet who supports a racist president, bottom line.  She can't tell me anything. If she said the building was on fire, I would have to feel the heat on my backside before I would evacuate. Paula White...NOPE!!  Anywayyyy, this Saturday at 6p to 8p she will be joining Cory Condrey live at 1190amWLIB to speak on how being a Spiritual Advisor to 45 has strained her relationship with African American Christians and many others. 

R eader great interview, I will be following his work. Pastor John Gray and his wife Aventer return to The Breakfast Club this morning to talk about leaving Lakewood Church, what they say to kids who don't believe in God, and much more.  Check out the interview below. 

R eader, while the world mourns the loss of such a brilliant mind, there is even more to mourn today, as a man passed into eternity without knowledge of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Well known scientist Stephen Hawking has passed at 76. He was known for a lot of discoveries & received various accolades. Hawking was also known to be an Atheist believing that there is no god.   (You Can Read It Here)

R eader, I saw a couple of posts yesterday saying someone named Craig Mack had died. Former Bad Boy artist, Craig Mack, who left the music industry in 2006, and moved his family to South Carolina, where he joined the controversial Overcomer Ministry in Walterboro has passed away according to reports, he was 46.  I looked him up. It's very sad. I don't know if any of you reading this knew him personally, but there are two things I'd like to say about this sad death... 1) Jesus doesn't want us to hide away in a compound, nor a church building waiting for Him to return. He has commissioned us to preach the gospel to the world and make disciples. (In other words, this young man had joined a cult.) 2) If you want to avoid the doctor, eat healthy. Without eating healthy, you WILL need to see a doctor, and you WILL die.  I'm glad he believed in God, but I wish he had known a better way so that he could have sought help for his diabetes and high blood pressure.. . ( Yo

R eader growing up in the deep south, National Geographic was a favorite magazine of mine. It's safe to say that it contributed to my curiosity about the world. However, as much as I enjoyed the magazine and it's beautiful photography, the images of people of color depicted as savages definitely had a psychological impact. Words, reinforced by images, are powerful instruments in the toolkit of institutionalized racism. The magazine decided it had better take a good hard look at its own history So the April issue is devoted to the subject of race, including asking a professor of African history and the history of photography to dive through the magazine's archive. They found a long tradition of racism: in text, choice of subjects and photography. Here's what it found. ( You Can Read It Here)

R eader as much as I hate to say it there's a lot of truth in this article, ( You Can Read It Here) about celebrity preachers and their followers. People today have lost sight of what a true Christian really is. Most of this is a result of false brethren brought in unawares. The above picture is so fitting for this article....read it and tell me what you think.

R eader, this doesn't look good. A North Carolina pastor who claims she’s suffering from a chronic pain condition is being sued by her insurer after she was spotted in photos playing Skee-Ball and gleefully going down an inflatable slide.  ( You Can Read It Here)

R eader, according to the ( You Can Read It Here) Pew Research Center, Black people are the most religious group in the U.S., believing in God, and saying religion is an important part of their lives more than whites and Latinos. African-Americans are the most religious group in the United States, but what are they getting in return? 

R eader, Las Vegas NV — Hezekiah Walker’s Choir Fest returns to Las Vegas, NV, next Friday night showcasing Community and Church Choirs from across the country. The Free concert will be held at Second Baptist Church were the special guests and hosts for the evening will include Jonathan Nelson, JJ Hairston, Kierra Sheard, and, Anthony Brown, of course, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and his featured guest performers. Govern yourself accordingly   

R eader evangelical community groups are pushing for child marriages between girls in their “middle teens” and men in the mid-twenties or older. ( You Can Read It Here)   According to these groups, younger girls make better spouses because they are blank slates and can be more easily “molded” to serve their future husbands better. What is even more troubling in these communities is that the predominant narrative is that it is the young girl who is pursuing the older man, which means that the pregnant 15-year-old is the one who “sinned” by overcoming the resistance of the adult man who had sex with her.”

R eader, I must say that I find the above picture kind of interesting, a picture can say a lot. It looks like some church folks are looking to and cheering for Pastor John Gray to do what his white counterparts have refused to do for many years and that is to take on systemic racism within the church. In my opinion, the megachurch phenom made big strides toward integrating "the most segregated hour in America" but it was always a superficial integration. Also in my opinion evangelicals never wanted to address systemic racism. They just wanted black faces in the church pews dropping green dollars. 

R eader, when I was a part of the church, I had a serious issue with pastors having people who were not Christians being part of the worship team. It is seen most in the band with musicians. I agree with this ( You Can Read It Here)   writer stance on not allowing non-Christians to play in a worship band. I have serious questions about whether or not a non-Christian can even worship Christ. Worship should consist of believers offering themselves up to Christ. Evangelism is extremely important, don’t get me wrong. But worship is for those that know Christ, to give back to Christ. What do you think? Do your church use none Christians to lead worship? 

R eader this is sick, Pastor Ronnie Gorton was arrested Tuesday and charged with 47 counts relating to the sexual abuse of minors.  (You Can Read It Here) Three accusers have come forward so far, one of whom is under the age of 13, but authorities believe it is possible there are more. From WREG Memphis: The allegations against Gorton first became public after deputies showed up at his home January 31 while responding to a report of a suicidal man. 

R eader  stuff like this irritates me. Where are these church leaders taking today's church? T his is the Rev. Michael Walrond, Jr., Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. This pastor got me scratching my head this morning in that he is claiming it's insane to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.     Woe to the shepherds who deceive the people of God. Woe to the people of God who heap up teachers that will scratch their ears and tell them what they want to hear. 

R eader, good Saturday morning to everyone.  I've mentioned before in this space about Sophia Ruffin who's one of Apostle John Eckhardt newest protégé.....who has a voice to be reckoned with in Christendom.  Sophia posted the above pic to her Facebook page as a testimony to the power of God in the believer's life, and all hell has broken loose on her page. Some are saying that one cannot be delivered from homosexuality, Sophia Ruffin says that's not true.