The Old Black Church

Online congregation good Thursday morning, there's a boycott going on at The Word Network.....Bishop Greg Davis had the nerve to bring in a bunch of young black preachers for a discussion but he doesn’t want to discuss the main thing that’s going on right now, which is a boycott. The fact that Bishop Greg Davis said what Kevin Adell did is not racist has me scratching my head.  News outlets across the nation have covered the boycott of The Word Network. The text messages have been made public by Larry Reid on his Patron and there is more to come. To say what Kevin Adell did wasn't racist is crazy....and for the other young preachers to seemly to side with him in his attack against the young man who spoke up is pitful.  Check out the clip below. 

Online congregation this is horrible, 81% of the members voted to affirm Marcus Hayes as the new Senior Pastor while only 19% voted no. Nowhere else in America, even in our own Government, can a supermajority of 81% be overruled. The church's constitution was changed in 2016 by old leadership that to affirm a Senior Pastor it requires 85%. so what happened this past Sunday? The church’s membership consists of least 95% white republicans. Anyhow, Sunday, October 27, 2019, Marcus Hayes went with his wife Mandy and their three precious children "in-view-of-a-call" at First Baptist Church, Naples, Florida. Marcus Hayes, the pastoral candidate presented to FBC by the church's Pastor Search Committee was rejected as the church's next pastor. For the uninformed about Southern Baptist policies and practices, a "view-of-a-call" Sunday is when a visiting pastor preaches to the congregation, and afterward, the congregation votes on whether or not to hire t

Online congregation good Wednesday morning, the former NBA star Lamar Odom took to social media to share he “got saved” over the weekend at The Word Church, with Dr. R.A.Vernon.  In a post on his Instagram page, Odom wrote: Nowadays I’m doing the best I can in walking with the Lord. Thanks to Pastor Vernon I got saved at The Word Church this weekend. I had to show Jesus my appreciation for keeping me alive.

Online congregation I appreciate that someone in the industry that’s not only a pastor but produces both secular and gospel music is there for Kanye in this way. I hope he also has someone with more education on Black History and the Black Experience to help him with his talking points. What yall think about what Warryn Campbell said? “If he doesn’t know something or has a question on something, I try to give him "my wisdom" on it,” says Warryn Campbell, a veteran producer, and pastor.

Online congregation good Tuesday morning, is Fred Hammond trying to stay relevant or what? Fred Hammond says he will work with Kanye West despite Trump's support come as you are, even if “as you are” is wearing a MAGA hat. Let gospel legend Fred Hammond tell it, that is his philosophy when it comes to working with the ostracized and obtuse Kanye West. Hammond is featured on Kanye’s new album Jesus Is King and tells TMZ that the two never talked politics while in the studio, but even so, he’s not into cutting people off just because they support the idiot in the white house.

Online congregation Kirk Franklin has gotten an apology from the GMA and Dove Awards.”We would like to publicly acknowledge that we are deeply apologetic for the missteps that happened relating to the editing of Kirk Franklin's Dove Awards acceptance speech."- The GMA Dove Awards and President Jackie Patillo issue an apology to Kirk Franklin.

Online congregation Kirk Franklin announces a boycott of Gospel Music Association and Dove Awards after the 2nd time they silenced Black voices by editing out his call for justice in the murder of Atatiana Jefferson during the 2019 Dove Awards. They did the same thing in 2016 when he called for justice for  Philando Castile and  Walter Scott. So they want us to just "shut up & dribble, (LeBron) and "shut up & throw the ball" (Kaepernick) now it's "shut up and just sing gospel music". But Kirk Franklin isn't having it:

Online congregation good Monday morning, congratulations Rev Dr. LaKeesha Walrond on your appointment as the 1st Black woman and the 1st female President of the New York Theological Seminary.  This is huge I thank God for this phenomenal accomplishment. May the blessings of the Lord be with you continuously. Doors are opening for the Women of Faith. We praise our Lord.

Online congregation this is COMPLETELY out of order!! 😱😡 In a church? At a funeral?? How is this appropriate?!? Folks were visibly uncomfortable and walking out! One sister who got up left because she was pissed. You could see her face just before she got up. He’s trash, he knows it, and he needs his old butt beat.

Online congregation a Delaware County pastor, his wife, and her sister are accused of stealing from more than 100 people after they were appointed by the court to act as guardians. The threesome are accused of using a shell company and their local church to steal over $1 million from more than 100 incapacitated people they were appointed by a court to take care of. Gloria Byars, 58, of Aldan, Pennsylvania, as well as 70-year-old Carolyn Collins and 59-year-old Keith Collins, both of Ridley Park, are charged with multiple counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and conspiracy.

Online congregation when you know Jesus and the comfort he brings, you can praise Him in the midst of your darkest storm. This brought me to tears. This is how I know my God is real. Through all the pain Mich and Heidi Stampley are feeling they still can find the strength to praise the Lord. Bless him and his family.

Online congregation on the16th Anniversary of Lighthouse Full Life Center, was marked with two momentous announcements. Bishop Marvin L. Sapp has appointed Rory Marshall as the new Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center. Additionally, Bishop Sapp was in Grand Rapids to lead the church in the burning of its mortgage, leaving Marshall with a debt-free ministry that will allow him to focus on preaching, teaching, and outreach in true Lighthouse tradition. Marshall will relocate from Chicago, where he was Staff Pastor at The Powerhouse Chicago under the leadership of Archbishop William Hudson III. Marshall is also an award-winning educator who, for the past two years, taught English at North Lawndale College Prep in Chicago. This appointment comes after a detailed review of potential leaders that was undertaken by a search committee along with the executive board of Lighthouse, which Sapp chairs. Marshall assumes this role by a unanimous vote. The appointment is somewhat

Online congregation good Sunday morning, according to All Nations Worship Assembly Baltimore Senior Pastor Yolanda Stith,  Apostle Matthew Stevenson has created a new men's suit line. 😕😕

Online congregation how about this news? Racist Jerry Falwell Jr. said in a recent interview that Kanye West called him “out of the blue” in mid-September to ask if he could hold a large church service at Liberty University. Racist Falwell is one of the idiot in the white house most prominent evangelical supporters, and Liberty University is a prominent stage for (primarily) conservative speakers and entertainers. Sounds like Kanye is changing his performance genre and touring Trump-loving white evangelicals. Kanye is struggling with mental illness, and it's a shame he has found a spiritual home in white evangelical circles, given the rampant misogyny and spiritual abuse, not even counting the crazy evangelical demons that have crawled into the light during this man administration. I pity Kanye and hope he finds better spiritual counsel.

Online congregation TMZ has reported that Pastor Joel Osteen has invited Kanye West to Lakewood Church. I sure hope Kanye West presents the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the folks at Lakewood Church. If he does, it will be the first time they've heard it. In my opinion Pastor Joel does NOT preach about sin because he's afraid of offending those who are having their best life now supporting his ministry. The controversial rapper turned gospel music singer has been making waves for his profession of faith in Christ recently and has been making a number of appearances to publicize his new profanity-containing album titled "Jesus is King."

Online congregation Apostle Matthew Stevenson is truly a World Changer! Watch out COGIC...Watch out PAW.....Watch out Full Gospel etc.... There’s a new movement rising up and it's being led by a World Changer. Dr. Stevenson is the Global Senior Pastor of 1 Church in 20 locations.  His pastoral assignments will be to All Nations Worship Assembly of Chicago and All Nations Worship Assembly of NYC.

Online congregation Wednesday CSPAN viewers saw something rarely televised. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland conducted a Masonic funeral service for their fallen brother, the late Elijah E. Cummings, Congressman for Maryland's 7th Congressional District. Brother Cummings passed to the Celestial Lodge on October 17th at the age of 68. He was a member of Baltimore's Corinthian Lodge No. 62. Grand Lecturer Randolph S. Smith performed the solemn funeral ritual, followed by a tribute by Grand Master Emmanuel J. Stanley. Cummings' body was lying in repose on Thursday at historically black Morgan State University in Baltimore. His casket was flanked by an honor guard of Prince Hall Masonic Knights Templar for the duration of the memorial service.

Online congregation I can’t possibly tell you how refreshing it was to see and hear the grace of a real president. With all the nonsense we hear from The idiot in the White House these days, President Obama’s voice was like an ice-cold glass of grape Kool-Aid in the middle of the desert. This is what presidents sound like.

Online congregation good Saturday morning, Tyscot Records celebrates the return of Gospel music’s “Praise and Worship Princess” Briana “Bri” Babineaux with the release of her brand-new single, “Baptize Us Again,” – after a three-year hiatus. The newlywed’s (now Briana Fontenot) new single is available at all major digital retailers now and features her signature Stellar Award-winning vocals. “Baptize Us Again” is sure to usher believers into the heavenly atmosphere at first listen. “Baptize Us Again” precedes a full-length album due in 2020. “It is my prayer that those who hear this song will ask God to fill them up and baptize them again. Our nation is experiencing an unusual time of social unrest and we all can use a refreshing of our spirit,” says Bri Babineaux. 

Online congregation United Church of Christ churches in Chicago have joined together to eliminate over $5.3 million in medical debt impacting nearly 6,000 Illinois families. Meanwhile, the UCC national church body has dedicated this year’s Giving Tuesday to the cause of erasing medical debt nationwide. Local church leaders affiliated with the 5,000-church mainline Protestant denomination announced Sunday that they had raised over $38,000 that was used to purchase medical debt plaguing 5,888 families.

Online congregation two popular Christian recording artists are on many prayer lists as they grieve the unexpected, untimely deaths of their children this week. Micah Stampley’s 15-year-old daughter Mary Stampley, and TobyMac’s 21-year-old son Truett Foster McKeehan, have both passed away, and the families are asking for prayers and respect for privacy at this time. Source Here:

Online congregation bobblehead Paula White-Cain is back in the news again, carrying that water for the idiot in the White House...........Paula White-Cain, who recently said she blessed the White House with “the superior blood of Jesus,” she told whacko televangelist Jim Bakker that Christians must back Trump in 2020 or else the Bible will be banned as hate speech.........Even if they personally dislike Trump, she warned, “you’re going to have a make a decision that won’t be just held accountable here for how things turn out for you, your children, your grandchildren, but you’re going to have to stand accountable before God one day.” “If we can change the Supreme Court,” White said, “you don’t think all Hell is trembling right now?” Last time I checked, God was neither republican nor a democrat, I'm sick and tired of people tying Christianity to a Political Party ............ Especially when it's a fake pastor who has been married THREE TIMES and preaches a false gospel (

Online congregation good Friday morning, this sweet lady was at one of Pastor G. Craig Lewis EX ministries video shoots when Pastor Lewis open a Q & A. She asked a question that I don't think the answer was what she was looking for. You can tell the lady wants the truth but she also wants hope. The scriptures have both. I think what she was trying to say is that she wants pastors like G Craig Lewis to dial back on the message and put a little more sugar on it. Preach against some evil but then do a Joel Olsteen motivational speech at the end...Don't change Pastor Lewis. Preach it the way the Lord gives it to you to preach it.

Online congregation there's a transition taking place but this one is not unto death. Archbishop J.Delano Ellis ll has announced he's retiring and his wife Dr. Sabrina Ellis will be taking the position of full control and authority in the church. An old army saying that a true general will step off the battlefield when they know they’re not able to effectively lead their troops any longer. Archbishop J. Delano Ellis is planning to do just that at the end of the month. Salute to Archbishop Ellis who selflessly has served the Pentecostal Church of Christ for 30 years.  Congratulations to Dr. Sabrina Ellis as she continues the work as Senior Pastor of the National Cathedral.

Online congregation the video clip posted below is from a sermon COGIC Bishop Talbert Swan preach title "Positioned By the Pool" which is somewhat controversial for some, however, if you LISTEN to the sermon in its entirety you can get what he is saying.  Bishop Swan says far too many of us have disconnected our bodies from our souls on the basis of wrong theology. So, we go to church and try to take care of our souls so we can make it into Heaven, yet fail to take care of our bodies and spend much of our time on this Earth in poor health. We are the most religious people on the planet, yet the sickest. We are at the top of every negative status indicator regarding AIDS, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and most other diseases. It's time to move away from a warped theology where it's acceptable for us to experience an existential hell during life as long as we get to spend eternity in the presence of Jesus.

Online congregation good Thursday morning, the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn NY, held on yesterday a groundbreaking worship service that uses the music and life of Beyoncé as a tool to cultivate an empowering conversation about Black women—their lives, their bodies, and their voices. Beyoncé Mass creates a space of story, scripture, and song that calls for the liberation of all people. Curated by Rev. Yolanda Norton, the H. Eugene Farlough Chair of Black Church Studies and Assistant Professor of Old Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary, the Beyoncé Mass has gathered thousands of people from Southern California to Portugal with even more worship services coming in 2020. “The Mass says to young black girls, You are part of what God had in mind when, during creation, God said, ‘It is good.’”

Online congregation kudos to Snoop Dogg's mother Beverly Broadus Green who is a DV survivor who serves as a minister. She helps victims of domestic violence and focuses on the spirit of never giving up. Some may know her as Snoop Dogg’s mother, but around Charity Mission Church in Los Angeles she's known as 'Mama Green.' Charity Mission Church is one of Beverly Broadus Green’s main stops as she spreads a message of hope to the next generation. Over the years, she and her family have faced numerous public controversies, but that hasn’t stopped her from paving her own path of empowerment.

Online congregation good Wednesday morning, Morris Brown students, alumni, and faculty celebrated the news that the school has been approved as an institute of higher learning from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commissions. The announcement came on Friday, Oct. 12 during Morris Brown College’s homecoming activities. “This is a gigantic first step in our road to full accreditation,” said Dr. Kevin James, interim president of Morris Brown College said in a statement.

Online congregation good Tuesday morning, last week Magic Johnson told the Associated Press that he wanted to get more involved with his church and with working with Bishop Blake.  “When you think about his spiritual vision and plan, as well as what he had in mind in terms of his business plan for the Crenshaw corridor, it’s in line with what I’ve been doing in my business. I share his vision and want to just work with him and for him to see how we can improve the community.”  Johnson recently consulted with his pastor, COGIC’s Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake, Sr., on plans to help secure the construction of the West Angeles Family Life Center on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. The center will provide much-needed programs and development for inner-city families. In a recent Associated Press interview, Johnson stated, “It’s a tremendous accomplishment itself that an African-American pastor, a Bishop, can say to us as a community and congregation that, ‘we own our church.’

Online congregation good Monday morning, John MacArthur USED to be one of my favorite Bible teachers & authors but not anymore. Many are shocked by John MacArthur’s comments on Beth Moore.  Folks, John MacArthur has long been “my way or the highway” on all issues (even secondary ones) related to Christianity. He and his bunch are theological bullies. MacArthur is sexist and racist. I read part of one of MacArthur’s old sermons where he viciously criticized the black church. He basically said the black church has offered no contribution to the body of Christ. He said the same about the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement. His views on social justice really sealed the deal for me. Check out this Twitter thread. 

Online congregation New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant took to social media minutes ago to warn his church to stay on alert EVEN in Church. TODAY doing services two men released pepper spray on the congregation and left 28 people in need of medical care. Leaders everywhere BE MINDFUL, BE CAREFUL, BE READY. WOW!!!

Online congregation do not come for me over the above quote, it is not mine, it belongs to online Christian influencer Saiko Woods. Mr. Woods has caught a bit of pushback from other online Christians for his comment. Mr. Woods made the comment on social media after hearing that Kanye has declared that he’s a born again Christian and that he no longer likes seeing his wife wear outfits that are too sexy, especially out in public. The debate between West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, started over a revealing custom designer dress that ensued the night before the Met Gala in May was featured during last Sunday night’s episode of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” In that episode, West expressed how his wife’s decision to wear sexy clothes in public negatively affects him. To which she replied that she’s not on the same path as him, referring to his newfound faith in Christ. West started hosting Sunday Service events at the top of the year that features gospel music and, more recen

Online congregation first thing first, happy belated birthday to Pastor Shirley Caesar, I love and respect her and her huge Gospel Music catalog. But I have a problem with the way her handlers are showcasing her in this season of her life. In a natural sense, we know that seasons change. There’s winter, spring, summer, and fall. Just like the natural season's change, so do the seasons in our lives. For me when we operate out of season it shows. I've gotten a little pushback on Facebook for my post, oh well. Anyhow on last Sunday, Oct 13,2019 "The First Lady of Gospel Music" turned 81 years young. (you can't tell that by looking at the above picture) Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She is one of 13 children and recorded her first song in 1951. Caesar has been in 3 broadway musicals including, "Mama I Want to Sing." She's truly a trailblazer in the gospel industry! She has released over 40 albums and ha

Online congregation the great lie going around in our generation today is that Christianity is "the white man's" religion. Ever heard that one before? Those in the WOKE community say that Christianity is a white, Western religion forcibly exported to other cultures while leaving a trail of cultural destruction in its wake. I can understand how people could view Christianity as a white man's religion because of white American Christians who have the white superiority attitude that springs from the attitude that has been taught throughout American society. The attitude of the white Christians is that they are the leaders of Christianity with all others needing to be taught by them and they never feel if any other people have anything to offer them. It is this superior attitude that is so obvious from all those who encounter them.

Online congregation good Sunday morning, several leaders in the white evangelical community took heat last week for endorsing a new book by Paula White, a Christian author, and preacher who has been criticized as a proponent of the “prosperity gospel.” White’s most recent book, titled Something Greater: Finding Triumph Over Trials, is billed as an “honest and stirring” account of White’s journey to Christianity. It was praised by such leaders as Franklin Graham, Greg Laurie, Jack Graham, and Robert Jeffress. Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. suggested his followers purchase the book, as well.

Online congregation, right on cue, this confusion when high profile black die has happened so many times over the years and has happened again Thursday morning.  Some Americans are confusing the late legendary Congressman Elijah Cummings with the venerated Georgia Rep. John Lewis. That's why John Lewis was trending No. 1 on Twitter Thursday morning, Oct. 17, 2019, instead of Elijah Cummings. Cummings, D-Maryland, suddenly passed away Thursday at age 68 from an undisclosed illness at Johns Hopkins University. NBC was alleged the first to post the wrong picture. The gentleman on the left is Elijah Cummings. John Lewis is on the right. Congressman Cummings has served Maryland in the state legislature and in Congress. Congressman Lewis was a Freedom Rider, an organizer of the March on Washington and marches in Selma. This photo was taken of them before they went to South Africa for Mandela's funeral. They have always been good-humored about people getting them confused. And the

Online congregation my internet church "The House Of Hope" Atlanta will be celebrating its 143rd Church Anniversary November 17, 2019. Each church anniversary, they highlight each generation by playing a song that represents their generation. One song is their before Christ days (songs cannot contain vulgarity, sexually suggestive content or profanity) and they play a song that represents their A.D. (after deliverance) life. In the end all the generations come together for a dance. we love seeing 5 generations dancing together and having fun.  I love my internet church family!

Online congregation the Clark Sisters announced that they will be releasing new music soon. Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard are all daughters of Mattie Moss Clark. The legendary group has been in the gospel industry since 1966 and recorded their first album in the 1970s. The Clark Sisters are rightfully considered as pioneers in the industry. They've released 20 albums over the years and now number 21 is in the works! Check out the big announcement below!

Online congregation the fancy platform picture above has offended some online Christians, tell me what yall think about the picture and the following post: This is the type of foolishness that has invaded most black churches. This is not cute and lowers the importance of the pulpit. Jesus wasn’t concerned about making his platform glitzy and glamorous. Why? The pulpit is a literal frontline in spiritual warfare. It is a place where deliverance and healing happens. When one preaches especially in truth, demons come at you. This is not someplace for glitz, glamour, personalities, and cuteness. Thoughts??

Online congregation good Saturday morning, members of the religious and secular community in Grenada are outright airing their disappointment with the news of the cancellation of the “Break Every Chain Gospel Concert” at the National Cricket Stadium scheduled for Saturday, October 26th. The outcry came after veteran music concert promoter and businessman Steve Duncan, organizer of the Grenada Music Festival and the “Break Every Chain” Gospel Concert, issued a release on October 18th informing that he is suing Tasha Cobbs Leonard, for the abrupt cancellation of the highly anticipated gospel event. The promoters company, Q west inc. is suing the popular American gospel artiste for an undisclosed sum of money, for breach of contract, huge financial losses and damage to his reputation.

Online congregation there’s a feeling of anxiety and dismay in the Kingdom over the contents and styling of Creflo Dollar’s sermon close making its rounds on social media. (scroll down you can see the post) According to some, the original sermon closing credit belongs to Pastor S.M. Lockridge of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego CA and the close is verbatim from Lockridge, a now-deceased pastor, and denominational leader. Word is that Creflo preached verbatim, and without citation as if it was his own words that which were penned by another, raises the question: does plagiarism apply to preaching? Clip Here:

Online congregation good Friday morning, this Jude 3 Project, was one of the best conversations I've heard in a while. Courageous Conversations is Jude 3 Project’s annual gathering that pairs black voices trained in conservative and progressive spaces to discuss topics that are relevant for the church and culture. A lot of good wisdom in all of this. Very helpful for those who have navigated between the white and black space, academy and the church, seasoned and novice, etc. Back in the day, some local churches would license you after a “trial” sermon with limited training and development while neglecting the character of the person who just got licensed.  Dr. Frank Thomas, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Dr. Walter McCray, and Bryan Loritts.

Online congregation there's a viral video clip circulating on social media of Pastor Creflo Dollar's preaching the Gospel. Pastor Dollar went back home and not only showed us he is a teacher, but he can also close. I'm surprised, I've heard Dollar teach but this is the first time I've ever heard him preach.  Preaching is proclaiming the Good News of Who God is and what He has done for us through Christ Jesus and teaching is giving understanding. One member said that Pastor Dollar does whatever the Holy Spirit has him to do and say for the people he is ministering to. Apparently, this congregation needed to be reminded and stirred up in their spirits just Who our Heavenly Father is to us individually and collectively.

The Rev. O’Neal Dozier, the outspoken leader of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano, Florida, who voted enthusiastically for the idiot in the White House in 2016, says he's now begging God to remove him from office through impeachment.  “God has heard my prayers, the prayers of the righteous and the true patriotic Americans who love America and who want to maintain our republic and democracy. I have asked and begged God in my prayer closet to remove Donald Trump from the office of the Presidency of the United States of America, because of his unfitness to lead this nation that God loves so dearly,” Dozier, a Republican, began in an op-ed for the South Florida Times. “The righteous and the true patriotic Americans are pleased to see that the House of Representatives has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s attempts to strong-arm Ukraine into digging up dirt on presidential candidate Joe Biden,” added the former NFL player and law professor.

Online congregation good Thursday morning, Peter Popoff, the controversial televangelist who amassed millions from a "prophetic anointing" that was later revealed to have come, at least in part, from information fed to him over a radio by his wife, Elizabeth, has been hawking baggies of "miracle spring water" that promises to rid its drinkers from debt and illness. The U.K.'s Office of Communications, also known as Ofcom, has slapped a satellite television service provider with a fine of over $32,000 for airing the religious program featuring the controversial televangelist. During an episode of Peter Popoff Ministries, a programme that airs televangelist Peter Popoff’s religious services, viewers were regularly shown an advertisement for the water, which Ofcom allege included a number of testimonies that implied the water had cured their illnesses. ‘We concluded that the claims made in the programme had the potential to cause harm to members of the audienc

Online congregation Dwyane Wade is an extremely proud and supportive father of all of his children. The former Miami Heat legend recently took to Instagram and posted a photo that showed his son, Zion Wade, along with his wife Gabrielle Union and daughter Kaavia Wade. “My girls,” the celebrity father captioned of the Instagram story post. A bunch of people did not appreciate Dwyane Wade’s reference to Zion as a girl.

Online congregation clap along if you feel like a room without a roof clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth. The Bible asks the question of how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man first? Then he can plunder his house. (Matthew 12:29) Pharrell Williams is the latest star to cover GQ Magazine’s “The new Masculinity” issue, an exploration of identity, culture, and style in 2019. Pharrell magazine cover has sparked a lot of online conversations surrounding masculinity. I’ve seen a few posts here on FB and many on Twitter that this is problematic for a lot of black folks, maybe others too. Some are saying that he’s turning away from what it means to be a man, no way this can be a real man. Pharrell talks about masculinity, working through thorny ideas about the patriarchy, about the politics of gender and sexual identity in 2019 and beyond, about past missteps and his personal evolution. My question,