I just got back from the Bahamas on 8/29/2008 and yes I was on the beach (in complete Apostolic Standard of course). It was a wonderful overnight. Thanks to my job, I get to enjoy beautiful places like the picture above AND make some money too.
Below is a picture of Grenada. I’ll be traveling there this weekend once I leave NYC. Again. GOD IS GOOD!
Oh God I cant take it. This is too much. If you listen to this clip at work, you are guaranteed to get fired because you’ll be shouting and spitting up all over the place. This Praise Music is BEAST!
Bishop William L. Bonner to preach at Love Fellowship Tabernacle
Friday, August 29th 2008 7:00pm (get there early)
The Pope Of Pentecost is flying all the way from Dallas TX to Brooklyn, NYC MY HOME TOWN to witness this APOSTOLIC CHURCH SERVICE! Get ready to dance yourself into a coma!
Love Fellowship Tabernacle The Kingdom Church (of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith)
464 Liberty Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11207
(718) 235-2266
Get your prayer veils pinned on tight because its going to be “coo coo for coco puffs” church!
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This week I’d like to talk about being free in Christ our Lord. I had been praying to the Lord asking Him to reveal unto me what topic I should discuss concerning His people. I guess all you clergyman can agree, I litterally had nothing to say. I could not hear nor see what God wanted me to share with His people this week. Normally topics just pop up all over the place but for some reason this week I heard nothing. God has shown Himself to be a very on time God and provides an on time Word in the time of distress. I thank and I praise God for that.
This Sunday, I decided to creep on over to see what my trinitarian Brothers and Sisters were doing at Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ here in Dallas Texas. I had heard the Pastor on the radio (Corby Bush) and the Hammond organ that was screeching behind him as he preached. Well, curiosity did not kill this cat. I visited Sunday and the Lord spoke to me through the preached Word of God to write on Articles of My Liberation.
Catch these words. Now that you are saved and sanctified you no longer need to walk around feeling condemned about your past or even your present. Romans 8:1 clearly says that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”. Time and time again, you hear of Pastors preaching fire and brimstone sermons condemning a “saved” congregation to hell for sins that they have committed. We should never walk into the House of God with guilt and shame. Why? Because you are free! John 8:36 says that “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Child of God, you have an advocate with the Father, someone who never looses. As a believer, refuse to live in guilt and shame. Its because of the works of the cross you no longer have to be condemned. The purpose of going to church is not to be condemned to go to hell. Do you go to a doctor to hear bad news with no hopes of living? (Granted some doctors practice that…I don’t know why but they do). NO! You go to a doctor so that you can get healed. There is something that that doctor has for you (what we call medicine) that is going to make you whole again. Its the same thing when we go to church, we should not go to church felling guilty, depressed, lonely and without hope. We go to church to get DELIVERANCE! Tell me how NOT to do those sins again so I can continue on with this Christian race.
Remember, all your sins have been forgiven. Romans 6:1-7 says “ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. ” So now that we know for sure that we are dead to sin (guilt, condemnation and shame) we can begin to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and try again. Oh glory to God!
Some people will never step foot in the church because of condemnation that is thrown constantly at them. Instead, we the leaders of the church need to embrace all and LOVE THE HELL out of them. That’s right, LOVE THE HELL OUT OF THEM so that they don’t have to go to hell. Offer deliverance. Offer freedom (from our pulpits). Offer the complete works of the cross so that more souls will come to Christ. Victory is not just a one time deal. Victory is a daily thing. When you accomplish one victory, you have yet another victory to overcome the next day.
Keep these articles in mind:
I pray that this weeks short and simple message will allow you to progress in your Christian walk knowing that whom the Son has set free is free indeed. Not free to sin, but free to SIN NO MORE!
Each Sunday you stand in the $50 dollar offering line. You give your tithe on top of that. Money upon money is collected in Black Churches nationwide yet when tragedy hits it appears as if the church is in a bankrupt state. Now, I neither agree nor disagree with the $50 offering lines that a lot of black churches practice however, where is the money going? How about this one. We see the pastor is living in a wonderful house. Drives a very nice car, has new clothing for him and the first lady each week yet when major calamities occur, there is no money to cover expenses. Clergymen, God does not want you to keep running revivals and collecting all this money and have no insurance. You need a good Life, Auto, Home and Business insurance that will keep you afloat in the times of trouble. Read the below quote to find out how serious of an issue not having adequate medical insurance (or any insurance for that matter) will put you.
Grammy Award-nominated pastor was moved to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange on Thursday, but his veterans insurance doesn’t cover the $4,033-a-day treatment he needs. His family, joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton, are asking for donations to continue Wright’s rehabilitation.
Pastors, the $50 offering lines are not enough. You need to invest that money wisely when you receive money from your parishioners and preaching engagements. I’ve done some quick research on the Internet and the links below should be of help to all clergy who do not have adequate insurance.
For a Church Insurance Quote call 800-537-7843
http://www.fordinsurance.com/churchinsurance.html
Unlike insurance companies that mass market their products, GuideOne Insurance specializes in meeting the unique needs of churches, churchgoers, private schools and colleges, and not-for-profit senior living communities.
After more than 60 years of proven performance, GuideOne has developed the expertise and customized coverages to provide customers with superior protection, the most knowledgeable advice, and unparalleled service. Here are a few of the strengths that set GuideOne apart:
To see why so many organizations “Place Their Faith in the Expert” with GuideOne, we invite you to explore our site, and contact a local GuideOne agent.
Now Pastors, there are so many different insurance companies out there, I could not list them all and by no means am I an insurance agent. Its not enough to “Dance Dance Dance all night” and “Speak In Tongues” all the time. Before its too late while you still have your eyes to see with and your hands to write with, how about taking some classes on the business aspect of the church. Learn all you can. I don’t want to see another article on “Pastor So and So cannot pay his hospital bills”. Or “Pastor So and So died and left the church with no money to move on after his death”. Its too much money being passed through the hands of a clerics lifetime for you not to have adequate insurance for your church and your family (and the staff members of your church).
Now granted, many major denominations worldwide do have policies out for their clergyman. This article was really not ment for them as the physical churches are governed by the higher authorities of the denomination. However, there are many independant churches out there with no one to turn to but themselves. RESEARCH, STUDY, TAKE SOME CLASSES and get some adequate insurance.
This is what you call being HEAVENLY MINDED while being of EARTHLY GOOD USE!
SING DADDY AND SON!
This was hott!
(CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, according to his official Web site and a text message the campaign sent to supporters early Saturday.
“Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee,” the text message, sent at about 3 a.m. ET, said.
Word that Biden’s was Obama’s choice first came earlier Saturday morning when Democratic sources confirmed the decision to CNN.
Obama was expected to appear with Biden at a Saturday afternoon rally in Springfield, Illinois.
Biden was long considered a likely choice for vice president, but the buzz surrounding him intensified after he returned earlier this week from a two-day trip to the Republic of Georgia after Russian troops invaded.
Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, brings years of experience that could help counter GOP arguments that an Obama administration would be inexperienced on foreign policy.
Sen. John McCain’s campaign quickly reacted to word that Biden would be Obama’s running mate with a dig at Obama’s foreign policy credentials.
“There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama’s lack of experience than Joe Biden,” McCain campaign spokesman Ben Porritt said in a written statement.
“Biden has denounced Barack Obama’s poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing — that Barack Obama is not ready to be president.”
In a debate during the Democratic primary contest, Biden raised questions about Obama’s foreign policy experience.
“Who among us is going to be able on day one to step in an end the war? Who among us understands what to do about Pakistan? Who among us is going to pick up the phone and immediately interface with Putin and tell him to lay off Georgia because Saakashvili is in real trouble. Who among us knows what they’re doing? I have 35 years of experience,” Biden said.
During another debate, moderator George Stephanopoulos referred to some of Biden’s comments on Obama.
“You were asked, ‘Is he ready?’ You said, ‘I think he can be ready, but right now, I don’t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training,’” Stephanopoulos said.
“I think I stand by that statement,” Biden replied.
Biden, in a July interview, said he would choose Obama’s judgment over John McCain’s war record and foreign policy experience.
“But 20 years of experience that has not been very solid in terms of projecting what was going to happen just doesn’t make you a better commander-in-chief,” Biden said. “We don’t need as a commander-in-chief a war hero. John’s a war hero. We need someone with some wisdom.”
Biden abandoned his own White House run after a poor showing in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. He also ran for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination but dropped out after charges of plagiarism in a stump speech.
The 65-year-old was first elected to the Senate in 1972. Shortly afterwards, his first wife and daughter were killed in a car accident. He considered resigning, but decided to continue with his political career.
Biden is currently serving out his sixth term, making him Delaware’s longest-serving senator.
Biden is married and has three children. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and got a law degree from Syracuse.
In 1988, Biden suffered an aneurysm and nearly died but has recovered fully.
One of Biden’s grandfathers was a Pennsylvania state senator, according to the Almanac of American Politics.
News of Biden’s selection came after word that three Democrats who had been considered contenders, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, had been ruled out. The two Democratic sources who told CNN that Obama had chosen Biden spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Biden will make his first big speech as the vice-presidential candidate on Wednesday, August 27 — the third night of the Democratic convention.
All AboutJoseph Biden
In June, Gospel Music Channel joined with Senators, Congress, The Gospel Music Association (GMA), and The Recording Academy® to launch Gospel Music Heritage Month. The dual legislation passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate designates September 2008 as “Gospel Music Heritage Month,” honoring a true American art form for its vast contributions to our culture, bringing a message of hope and inspiration to people of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Gospel Music Channel, The Recording Academy and the entire Gospel/Christian music industry will celebrate the inaugural Gospel Music Heritage Month across multiple media platforms, concerts and events this September. The greatest names in Gospel Music will be featured on-air, online and on-demand through network premieres, documentaries, original specials and series, short-form and interstitial pieces, music videos and more.
Gospel Music Channel invites you to celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month by attending concerts, events, watching and listening to gospel music, learning and reading about gospel music and more.
Your child could be next! Are you ready to wage war against the “real” enemy?
School shootings are hitting closer to home every single day and this has got to stop. I refuse to keep saying “we are living in the last days so this is just how its suppose to be”. Saints, its time to wage war on the enemy!
Turning to Proverbs 22:6 in the Word of God says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”. Saints (and sinners alike) we must learn to train our children up in the ways and admonition of the Lord. I have a personal testimony. When I was being raised in New York City by my grandmother who has gone on to be with the Lord now, there was not a time that she did not pray with me before I went to school. She instilled in me the ways of Christ from a baby up and until her dieing day. Back then, I was Seventh Day Adventist. She would teach me the “sabbath” school lesson (which today we all know it as your Sunday School lesson) and we would then have “teach the teacher” time. I would have to teach her right back what she taught me using scriptures. She watched me and any time I did something that was contrary to scripture, she would always pull me aside and say these words “Now, do Christians do those things? Do Christians watch those kind of tv programs? I didn’t know Christians could talk like that.” She made being a Christian fun, never just about do’s and don’ts but always living for and anticipating the rapture of the Church of Our Lord. After I became Apostolic, I witnessed to her about the baptism in Jesus Name and the Gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues. She did not understand but she then studied the Word of God for herself and was obedient to the Word. (All glory goes to God). We would spend hours just sitting with one another as she trained me and groomed me to be the man that you see today. When I told her I was dealing with certain sins (as an young adult) she would take me to the Word and show me how to be delivered. It really pays to train your children in the ways of the Lord because I was never able to go too far without knowing that I needed to do a U-Turn and come back home to Christ.
I say all of that to say this, according to newspaper articles all over the USA now, there has been yet another school shooting. This time in Knoxville TN. Well, my great grandmother was from Knoxville TN and I have spent more than a few summers there growing up (and Lord knows I’ve been to enough funerals in Knoxville TN as well). This hurts me to see that a child could come to school and purposely take someone’s life. Lets look at a sample newspaper article on exactly what happened.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: A student was fatally shot in a dispute at a Knoxville high school. The police identified the victim as Ryan McDonald, 15, a sophomore. The shooting happened shortly after 8 a.m. in the Central High School cafeteria, Chief Deputy Bill Roehl said. A 15-year-old classmate was taken into custody minutes later. The classmate was charged with one count of first-degree murder and was being held in a juvenile-court facility. “This wasn’t a shooting that was a random act,” Deputy Roehl said. “It was an individual directing his aggression toward another individual, not the school or the students inside the school.”
Saints, we must cover our children with the Blood of Christ which saves, heals, delivers and sets free everyday. Don’t let your children go out the house without prayer in the morning. Our children today are raising themselves and when they get angry, they seemingly are taking matters into their own hands. This should not be. Today, let us all make a commitment to take back our children from the hands of the enemy and raise them the correct way so when they grow old, they will not depart from it. Yeah, its easier said then done, but this battle that we are fighting is not a flesh a blood battle that we can use oozes and machetes and guns and knives with. The Word says in Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is no joke. Death has no age maximum or limit. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That means YOU and YOUR CHILDREN. Oh, but do I have good news for you.
John 10:10 says “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Did I just read that correct. Jesus comes that we might have LIFE and that we might have it more abundantly. Take the time to pray with your kids, seek God’s face WITH your kids, run the devil out of your house and tell the devil to GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE because “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17) TODAY (not tomorrow) lets all make a conscience decision to run the devil out of our homes, out of our churches and out of our schools. We can only do this by fasting, prayer and living the Word of God. I promise you, if you can start to do these things, we truly will see change. Remember, demons “tremble” at the name of Jesus! Use that power God has given you to DRIVE OLE SATAN AWAY!ITS TIME TO GO INTO THE ENEMIES CAMP AND TAKE BACK OUR CHILDREN! BEELZEBUB, You ole slew foot you, its time for you to go BACK TO HELL!
This week, its my goal to discuss the 5 fold ministry AND other forms of ministries one might be called so that everyone can be educated in cyberspace concerning certain callings. As always, I don’t want to assume everyone knows what each title/office means, so I’m going to break down for everyone what each office within the Body of Christ represents. Our focal point will be the scripture from Ephesians 4:11-12 which states “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Below you will find a chart that I have researched concerning each of the offices God has called for these last and evil days:
Ministry Gifts in Ephesians 4:11
| Responsibility | Natural Manifestation | |
| Apostle | Doctrine and Discipline | Enjoys building things: projects, businesses, etc. |
| Prophet | Discern and Proclaim God’s Word. | Has a keen (sometimes problematic) sense of Justice. |
| Evangelist | Present the Gospel of Christ to the lost. | Enjoys direct contact with people. Most are successful salesmen. |
| Pastor | To care for the everyday needs of the church family | Enjoys serving. Loves to have people come to their home. |
| Teacher | Instruct the Church in the practical application of God’s Word. | Is able to explain complex issues in a way that even a child can understand. |
So now we have a basic understanding of what each office is all about. Now, when we turn on TBN and The Word Network and all these other Christian channels out there, we see that numerous individuals both male and female are now proclaiming these titles yet the large majority of them are finding themselves in the midst of public scandal, ridicule and are making the Christian Church the laughing stock of the world.
Lets go back in time for a minute. Do you remember when you were in gym class in elementary school and high school? They use to make everyone dress in scantly clad attire and do things in immodest apparel. Back in the day, you could go to your pastor and ask him to write you a letter to get you out of gym because of your strong convictions and beliefs that a child of God should not be participating in some of the things they had you doing in gym class. Your pastor would write that letter on church letterhead, stamp it and you would take it to your gym teacher or school principal and the school would find something else for you to do out of respect for your pastor and religious views. Fast forwarding to the “new age church” we have so many individuals (Pastors and Ministers) involved with the law (and not law enforcement) that if a pastor even wrote a letter on behalf of your child, the school would laugh at you and basically tell you “HA! You think this is going to get you out of gym? I just saw your Pastor on TV for embezzling money. I just saw your Pastor on the news molesting the very kids he is to protect, I’m not going to follow this piece of paper!” What shame and reproach we have brought on Gods House and His People. Yet you claim you’re called to me a pastor? Yet you claim you can see the future but beg everyone for money to support your ministry (which we find out through the media its really to support your drug habit).
I personally am sick and tired hearing these allegations about all these people who are not called into the ministry. Literally prostituting the people of God and causing more hurt than good. Please understand, it’s not everybody. There are some good men and women of God out there who are genuinely called into the ministry to edify and build up the Body of Christ. But I think its time for us to get a clear understanding of what being “called” is all about.
How do I know if I am truly called?
The following is taken into consideration (the order does not reflect the order of importance):
How do I know what God wants me to do?
* Pray for discernment. If God has a specific (or more general) task for you, he’ll lay it on your heart. Spend time in prayer asking, and if God has something special in mind, he may just be waiting for you to ask. Ask.
Some deny that God communicates in this way, and I can only say that I’m sorry they’ve never experienced it. Maybe if they were to ask in faith they’d learn otherwise.
* Ask yourself what you’re good at.
You may be like Gideon or Moses and not feel up to what God wants out of you–and so it’s good to ask Godly people what they see in you, too. Many churches do gifts assessments, and part of a good program is to have others in the class tell you what they think you’re good at. Many people are surprised at what they’re told!
* You may have to train for the task given you. You may be gifted to teach but need training in Bible study or lesson preparation. Don’t confuse lack of preparation with the absence of a gift.
* It’s easy to fool yourself. I know people who feel they are called to teach, but they have NO gift of teaching. God gifts those he calls.
Seek outside advice to be sure you haven’t turned a personal wish into a mission from God.
Gifted people generally enjoy using their gifts. But some few people enjoy things they are very poor at. Ask an honest person.
* You may need help from others (Moses needed Aaron). Don’t be afraid to recruit others to help–God doesn’t necessarily call you to go it alone. Jesus sent his missionaries out two by two. He gave Gideon a small army. Paul traveled with a group of missionaries.
* Don’t be afraid of pushing for things outside your or the church’s comfort zone. Sometimes God wants a change.
* On the other hand, never, ever despise the ordinary.
(Luke 9:4 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.”
Simply caring for a child can be the Lord’s calling. My wife oversees our cradle roll class on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. She recruits and trains the teachers. She prepares the lessons. She buys the toys she uses as props. It’s a gift, an obsession–and it’s a calling.
* Pray a lot. If you feel God has something in mind for you, then you aren’t through praying. Rather, like Jesus, it’s time to get serious about your prayer life.
* Expect to have a hard time at times. Paul got beaten, shipwrecked, rejected … . Pharaoh didn’t listen to Moses. David was nearly killed by Saul and spent years in the wilderness before he took the throne. Be patient. Persevere.
* Study hard to be sure what you’re doing is true to the word. God never calls you to violate his word.
* Some among us will never accept the idea that God is alive and active today by any means other than his word. It’s tragic that some think this way, as they miss out on so many blessings. Don’t worry about it. Just do what you’re supposed to do.
* And if at times you feel a little driven–even obsessed–even when you can’t figure out your next step or things are going badly. Well, that’s very likely the Spirit pushing. Let him push.
(Gal. 5:25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
* Oh, and did I mention that it’s important to pray? That’s really important.
Common Misconceptions:
God wants pre-conceived ideas about His ministry – to come to a halt! For example, to show an extreme teaching of the gift of a prophet, it is taught that the role of the prophet is like certain Old Testament prophets who “tell it like it is”. In other words a prophet becomes unpopular and even offensive but will declare judgment in truth. The teaching will even give permission to be rude and contentious for the sake of truth. It is never the wisdom of God to categorize what a prophet will say or how he may say it. The gift of a prophet is very simple; he is simply a forerunner of standing in the counsel of God concerning certain truth and is then equipped and responsible to speak forth this counsel. Soon as you say that it has to be spoken a certain way or it has to be a certain truth – you are missing it. The true prophet will only tell what he hears in the counsel of God that is revealed IN SCRIPTURE.
The true prophet fears God and trembles every time he handles the scriptures and yet speaks as an oracle of God with authority. Since there is NO OFFICE OF PROPHET, only a gift of prophet, there is no office authority. There is not church government concerning a prophet. However there is authority for prophets concerning the authority of the message being presented. A prophet in itself is a gift with no authority but when you speak what God has said then all of heaven stands behind that word. That is why a prophet speaks with authority when God commissions him. The false prophet will be cocky and that is the perversion of authority. The false prophet speaks what he hasn’t heard and exerts authority not given to him. Paul had authority because of the apostolic word that was with him not because of a position of authority. Scripturally examine how Paul talked with churches that he fathered in the faith such as the Corinthian Church. He did not come to correct them as a boss, he corrected them with pleadings of the truth. This truth can make one tremble because it contains Jesus’ authority but for those that do not accept truth it has no authority to change. Examine how Paul exercised the authority of the gift and yet he possessed no church government office. Church government in the early church yielded to the authority of the gift by producing fruit of repentance.
A mature prophet will rarely tell you of their supernatural experiences. For example, if they went to heaven, you will know little of it. Why? The fear of God in them cannot afford to bring attention to anyone other than Jesus. The prophet knows the revelation of Jesus and His words are the subject matter. The prophet knows that telling the people of their great visitation can manipulate. The mature prophet simply fears God in these areas. Many of today’s prophets know little of this type of fear and humility. They are not forerunners until they do.
True Church Government
Wisdom dictates that in this subject we must not put God in a box and say “this is a pastor” and “this is a prophet” and if one does not match up with the described way of what a prophet is and does, then he must not be a prophet. This type of thinking will keep you in the dark about what God is doing concerning His 5-fold ministry gifts of ministry. To cause you to break out of the mentality that the 5-fold ministry gifts of Ephesians are church government positions – consider this. You can have a gift of a shepherd (pastor) and yet never be called to church government as a superintendent or deacon of a church. In other words you can have this gift and never be what we call in today’s English a pastor/bishop or deacon of a church. If you were to have a shepherd (pastor) gift you could function in that gift through writing, traveling ministry, or any other way of expressing that gift that God calls you to. However, we do have scriptures that say that superintendents (bishops) have a gift of shepherding. Jesus is called in 1 Peter the superintendent (bishop) AND shepherd (pastor) of our heart – thereby linking the two together; BUT THIS IS NOT EXCLUSIVE. The role of feeding the flock and being overseers is given to elders in 1Peter. The elders are church government and I see them as not separate in the scriptures from superintendents and deacons but instead elders are comprised of both superintendents (bishops) and deacons. The church has a lot to learn about true church government and I see things returning to the order that is witnessed in the days when Peter was an elder.
Our terminology has been confusing concerning church government and ministry. I use the word superintendent instead of the word bishop for good reason. The KJV uses the word “bishop” to describe the church government position that in most churches is called pastor (but pastor is simply a gift not an office). The Greek word for bishop is more closely related to our English word “superintendent”. What is important is what the word means to the general public, the un-churched that we are trying to reach. What does the word bishop mean to them? It is defined by years of what the Catholic Church has showed by example. When they hear the word they think of religious garments and rituals of the organization. Therefore this becomes the current definition instead of the activity of superintending the house of God. What does the word pastor mean to the public? Much of the time it is defined as the head of a church that stands behind a pulpit as though he is the CEO or president of that organization. In reality the word “pastor” is translated shepherd every time except in Ephesians. Pastoring is a gifting and not an office, position, activity or a head of a church. We confuse the world with our titles and terminology. I am not saying to abandon all titles and the terminology of pastor and bishop, though God may require this of you at some time; I am saying we must demonstrate to the world true church government by not intermingling gifts with positions
What about those who do not have 5-fold ministry gifts?
Keep in mind; there are those who have an exclusive calling to the five-fold “gift ministry” and God calls them to fulfill a constant role in the context of the gift. However, there is no one in the body that is excluded from being a minister. If you become mature in Jesus Christ – you will be a minister, period. When you open your mouth at work, at home, or school, you are ministering something. Proverbs has much to say about that which we speak, it produces life or death; it produces gold or wood. To see what we are talking about, observe how Paul teaches in Timothy and Titus about the qualifications of bishops (Greek – superintendents) and deacons (ministry servants); in a strict sense these two offices belong to these specific callings and they refer to church government only, however in God’s application we should all receive and walk in these sayings.
This weeks lesson was pretty wordy and I apologize however I know without a shadow of a doubt, someone is going to stumble on my blog and realize what callings they truly possess within the body of Christ. I hope and pray that my words this week have not fallen on death ears, but will be received with gladness as we all strive to please Jesus and His Church.
By Frederick N. Rasmussen
August 12, 2008
Bishop Monroe Randolph Saunders Sr., who was founder and senior pastor of the First United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic, now Transformation Church of Jesus Christ, died Friday of cancer at his Ashburton home. He was 89.
After the death of his eldest brother, he left college and moved to Baltimore to help his sister-in-law raise their four children.
“When he had come to Baltimore upon the death of his brother, he found a church that a lot of his family were attending at the time,” said Esther K. Faulkner, a daughter who lives in Woodstock and is an administrator at the church.
“That’s when he came to know the Lord as his personal savior. He got the calling at a very young age and from that point, he’d given his life to serve God,” she said. “He worked very hard in the ministry and touched a lot of lives.”
During World War II, he enlisted in the Army, where he attained the rank of sergeant, and was assigned as a chaplain to troops at Camp Barkeley, Texas.
After the war, Mr. Saunders attended Howard University on the G.I. Bill, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and later in divinity. He also earned a doctorate of ministry degree, also from Howard.
He was ordained a bishop in 1957, and pastored the Rehoboth Church of God in Washington, before coming to Ashburton in 1965, when he established the First United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic on Copley Road.
In 1978, Mr. Saunders purchased a 22-acre site and relocated his church to what had been the campus of the old Samuel Ready School on Baltimore National Pike.
“He inspired by example and was a great role model for me and my ministry,” said Bishop Monroe R. Saunders Jr., of Ellicott City, who succeeded his father in 1993. “He believed in the holistic approach to the mind, body and spirit.”
Mr. Saunders created numerous ministries within the church, some of which included several radio ministries, a home and hospital visitation ministry, a prison ministry, the First United Apostolic Federal Credit Union, and bookstore and library ministry.
He also established the Mariners, an organization for young married couples, a prayer clinic, and a social services department, among others.
“He also was active in outreach ministries to the poor and the elderly,” his son said.
Mr. Saunders led the way in getting the Center for More Abundant Life Towers, a 99-unit senior citizen complex for the elderly, built on Calloway Avenue, and Abundant Life Towers II, a similar 60-unit seniors’ complex on the church’s campus.
He also established the Center for Creative Learning, a state accredited day care center more than 30 years ago.
In 2000, the church’s name was changed to Transformation Church of Jesus Christ.
“His work speaks for himself. He had great wisdom and cared for people,” Mrs. Faulkner said. “He was a visionary and an awesome leader.”
She added: “He was very humorous. Oh my goodness, he just knew how to get you to smile and laugh. He made people feel good about themselves.”
Lois M. McMillan has been a member of the church for 43 years church and serves as its historian.
“Bishop Saunders served the church on so many fronts and never developed a super ego. He was not one of those. He was a kind and loving man who brought intelligent leadership to the church and he was a lover of people,” said Mrs. McMillan, a professor of English at Morgan State University.
“He loved young people and urged them to pursue their education and not let color be a barrier to achievement,” Mrs. McMillan said. “Race was never an excuse. If you loved Jesus, then God was on your side. That was his message.”
Mr. Saunders had lived in the same North Hilton Street home overlooking Lake Ashburton for the last 50 years.
“You could call his home at any hour and he’d answer the phone,” Mrs. McMillan said.
In 2004, Mr. Saunders he was appointed chief apostle of the United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic.
Mr. Saunders enjoyed traveling and reading.
Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at his church, 5150 Baltimore National Pike.
Also surviving are his wife of 61 years, the former Alberta Brockington; another son, A. Jason Saunders of Baltimore; three other daughters, Jacqueline F. Johnson of Randallstown, Rachel A. Rawlins and Judith I. Jones, both of Baltimore; two sisters, Margaret Burroughs and Saphronia Harris, both of Florence; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Sun reporter Jennifer McMenamin contributed to this article.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
Today will start a new series of post concerning the Body of Christ. There are a number of vocal and silent issues that the Church needs to deal with (particularly the African American Church) and it is my intention to pick your brains so that we the Body of Christ can be of use while here on earth. At times, it seems as though we are so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. This should not be for an Apostolic Christian (one who follows the teachings of the Apostles with Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief cornerstone). Its time that we begin to deal with certain issues before its too late. I’ve decided to start discussing real issues that are plaguing the African American Church and its community. One of those issues is HIV/AIDS!
So lets start with the basics. We are destroyed because of lack of knowledge and its high time that we get some knowledge about certain subjects. Growing up Holiness back in the early 90’s I can remember numerous homegoings of both male and females that had passed away. Being young, I really did not know what was going on. All I knew was that it was time for yet another “hand clapping foot stomping funeral”. At 30, i realise that some of these people died of AIDS. Huh? What? No way! YES WAY! The early 90’s plagued our congregations with numerous individuals that were living with and eventually died of AIDS. So what is HIV/AIDS? Well first off, its not the same thing (although HIV eventually causes AIDS) you cant have both at the same time nor should the terms be used interchangeably.
HIV 101
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
AIDS 101
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome:
Acquired means you can get infected with it;
Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases. Praise The Lord! So we all now have a simple understanding of what HIV is and what AIDS is RIGHT? RIGHT! Now lets get into some statics concerning the HIV/AIDS epidemic that we face in 2008. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 to 1.2 million U.S. residents are living with HIV infection or AIDS; about a quarter of them do not know they have it. About 75 percent of the 40,000 new infections each year are in men, and about 25 percent in women. About half of the new infections are in Blacks, even though they make up only 12 percent of the US population.
OH JESUS! So this is really serious. So you mean to tell me I’ve been dancing and shouting and speaking in tongues and swimming in the baptismal pools of the Jesus Only Doctrine and in all honesty there are people in my church that are dealing with this? YES! YOU ARE CORRECT!
The African American Church needs to step up and deal with this issue at hand. Sure we can preach the hells fire and brimstone sermons to those that deal with homosexuality, adultery, fornication, lesbianism and all the other “taboo” sins that we have labeled in the Black Church and granted, I personally am all for “crying loud and sparing not” yet is all of these “theatrics” we hurl from the pulpit helping our congregations? Hmmmmm??????????? I don’t think so.
Twenty-year-old Easha Roney spends most days at home, keeping house for her uncle. Like many young women in the Mississippi Delta, she never finished high school and can’t find a job.
Sadly, Easha is like a growing number of her peers in another way. Last year, she tested positive for HIV.
EASHA RONEY: I just burst out crying. That was my first time hearing it. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it. I was scared. I mean, I didn’t understand how I could get it at a young age. How could somebody not tell me what was going on with them?
Is Sister Easha Roney a member of your church? YES she is. So whats the bottom line?
Worldly Advice: HIV does not spread easily from person to person. To get infected with HIV, infected blood, sexual fluid, or mother’s milk has to get into your body. HIV-infected pregnant women can pass the infection to their new babies.
To decrease the risk of spreading HIV:
If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, get tested and ask your health care provider about taking ARVs.
Spiritual Advise: If you currently are participating in sex outside of the walls of marriage, God offers you freedom from sexual sins. If you have a drug habit that causes you to use “dirty” needles, God offers you deliverance from your drug addiction. If your feeling like you’ve lost all hope, GOD STILL LOVES YOU and cares for you and wants nothing but the best for you in this season (and the seasons to come) in your life. Why not try it God’s way. For the longest you’ve tried it your way. Give God a chance. I am willing to put money on it (and I am not a betting man) that once you try JESUS, HE WILL SET YOU FREE from whatever bondage your experiencing. It all starts with being born again. John 3:1-7 declares “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Find a local apostolic church where you can be baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remissions of your sins according to Acts 2:38. Then God promises you that you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterance. Get Born Again the BIBLEWAY, and you will be on the road to complete deliverance. It might not be an overnight wonder (however for some it does happen overnight) but trust me, with God’s promise, you too can live a Born Again life in Christ our Lord.
To Pastors and Laymen: Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” To all laymen and women that labor in vineyard for the Lord Jesus Christ, we must educate ourselves concerning the epidemic that we currently are facing. KNOWLEDGE truly is POWER! Do not shy away from your parishioners that might have been exposed to the HIV virus. You can start by referring them to their local health department which will be able to get them on the treatment that they need. I am a firm believe that God has allowed man to discover some great medicines while here on earth, while feeding them spiritually is your ultimate goal, you must learn to deal with the natural aspects of HIV. Jeremiah 31:3 says“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” LOVE DRAWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember, everyone that is HIV positive did not get it because of illicit sex. Some people were born HIV positive! Others have gotten it through a bad blood transfusion. Stop thinking that SEX and HIV always go hand in hand. IT DOES NOT! These people need to be ministered to and have no other place to go. YOU are their last hope. If you don’t love them, they may go out into the world and never have a chance to come to Christ because of your “lack of knowledge”. It starts with you. Make up in your mind that its time to stop making HIV a taboo subject. Finally, restore and preach healing to them. Trust me, you know as I know that if God can heal sugar diabetes, dry up cancer and open blinded eyes, he surely can heal a person physically with HIV.
I hope that this blog has educated and blessed someone today and if one would catch hold to the point that I am trying to make, all heaven will rejoice.
WOW! I am in awe. Literally speechless! After coming from the Holy Convocation of the Church of Our Lord, I cant believe how many saints read the “Pope Of Pentecost Blog”! I mean, I really am floored by the responses (both good and bad) that I am getting from people.
First and foremost, I do not boast in myself but in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am just a young 30 year old African American Man that loves the Lord, His people and have a love for the Apostolic Faith. I was on the phone last night with a spiritual baby brother of mine from NYC and he himself was telling me that saints were pulling him aside sharing with him some of the things that they had read on the “Pope Of Pentecost Blog”. This blog originally started out as just something for me to get my ideas out of my head and onto paper (or for that matter online). Some ask why I don’t have a myspace page or a face book page. Well, I don’t want to be like everyone else. Those sites you cannot control what type of friends or material goes on your page. Some things on myspace and facebook do not glorify God at all and in all honesty, I’ve learned that God wants us to be a LEADER and not a follower! Granted, if you choose to socialize on myspace, by all means, continue, but I feel as an Apostolic Leader those particular sites have no place in a Baptized believers computer screen. That’s just my opinion.
I however want to thank the numerous Bishops, Apostles, Pastors and lay members for continuing to read my blog on a daily basis. As a flight attendant, a lot of you live your lives vicariously through me. The things that I see on a daily basis you may never get to see in a life time. I mean come on, who else do you know that lives in multiple states and goes to multiple homegoings and church services. Not many. For this reason, all of you my readers have caused me to want to step my game up just a little bit higher.
The sole purpose of this blog is to get as many souls saved for the Kingdom of God. We must learn that as ambassadors of the truth we are compelled to take this gospel to the whole world by any means. I have a love for the Apostolic Doctrine (not just the Church Of Our Lord as an organization) and refuse to compromise! The baptism in Jesus Name is right. Always has been. The Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is right! Always has been. This is the foundation in which we all should never leave! It is this truth that will make you free indeed.
Moving on, as Saints of God, let us go on to perfecting holiness by asking God to give us all each of the Fruit of the Spirit. I can talk in tongues till I am blue in the face, but if I don’t have the fruit of the SpiritIt is with Jesus Joy that I shall continue to do as our great Bishop R.C. Lawson has commissioned us all to do, ADD THOU TO IT! I may not know while on earth how many people were saved because of this site, but you better believe when I get to heaven my REWARDS are going to show forth all of my labor here on earth.
Let us all continue steadfast in the apostles doctrine (not the denomination or organization) with Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone. I look forward in the years to come as the Lord should say the same to continue to spread forth these mighty truths!
REV. WRIGHT WANTS TO RETURN TO PULPIT A MONTH AFTER CRASH KILLED WIFE, GRANDSON
Photographs: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/galleries/rev_wright/rev_wright.html
By Rich Schapiro
The first picture of the Rev. Timothy Wright taken after he was critically injured in a car accident shows the famed Brooklyn pastor’s resolve during a rehab session.
The “Godfather of Gospel” still cannot breathe, eat or walk on his own, more than a month after the horrific crash that killed his wife and grandson.
Still, in the most dire period of his life, Wright, 61, wants nothing more than to get back in the pulpit, preaching to his loving congregation.
“Can I go to church?” Wright asked his son Tuesday inside his hospital room at a New Jersey rehabilitation center.
“He says that all the time,” David Wright, 30, told the Daily News as he stroked his father’s shoulder.
Wright has been incapacitated since the July 4 accident that took the life of Betty Wright and his 14-year-old grandson, D.J.
Wright, the founder of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in Crown Heights, suffered a severe spinal cord injury, a broken jaw, broken ribs and multiple fractures in his legs.
The Grammy Award-nominated pastor was moved to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange on Thursday, but his veterans insurance doesn’t cover the $4,033-a-day treatment he needs.
His family, joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton, are asking for donations to continue Wright’s rehabilitation.
“He was always the one to help everybody else,” Sharpton, a decades-long friend of the Wrights, said during a visit yesterday. “Now, it’s time for everybody to help the Godfather.”
Sharpton said his goal is to raise at least $100,000 by week’s end, noting that Wright’s care at Kessler is likely to end up costing about half a million dollars.
“The insurance that he had covered him as far is it could,” Sharpton said. “Now, he must depend on the insurance of his friends and his supporters.”
The Wrights were returning to the city from a church conference in Detroit when a drunken driver heading the wrong way on a Pennsylvania highway hit their car head-on.
The driver, John Pick, 44, was killed in the crash.
Rev. Timothy Wright wants nothing less than to return to the pulpit after being injured in a July 4 car accident. <javascript:LoadGallery(nextImage,%20false)> <javascript:LoadGallery(nextImage,%20false)> Rev. Wright, 61, is joined in his room at the Kessler Institute by Sharpton and son David. At left is Carl Redding, Sharpton’s assistant.
(First Photo) Rev. Timothy Wright wants nothing less than to return to the pulpit after being injured in a July 4 car accident.
(Second Photo) Rev. Wright, 61, is joined in his room at the Kessler Institute by Sharpton,
Wright’s son David and in suit, Carl Redding, Sharpton’s assistant.
Wright has recently regained feeling in his shoulders and is expected to be taken off of a respirator in six weeks, family friend Laurie Schneider said.
Schneider said she has been stunned by Wright’s strength and devotion to his church despite his heartbreaking ordeal.
“He was asking to put a tent on the parking lot, so he can hold his services outside here,” Schneider added. “That’s all he’s praying for – to give a service.”
Give Today
If you would like to contribute to Rev. Wright’s medical expenses, checks in the amount of $500 or more should be made out to The Kessler Institute. In the memo line please write: FOR TIMOTHY WRIGHT. Checks under $500 should be made out to Timothy Wright.
ALL checks should be mailed to this address:
Timothy Wright Trust
c/o Timothy Wright
3399 Lawson Blvd.
Oceanside, NY 11572
If you have any questions about donating, about the medical expenses, or about the reverend’s condition, visit the Reverend’s MySpace page <http://www.myspace.com/reverendtimothywright> for updated and official information and to learn how you can help.
LORD I THANK YOU!
ACTS 2:38 FOR LIFE!
Here it is I just got off the plane from the Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Holy Convocation in Atlanta GA all to return home to Dallas Texas and go to the PAW convention. This will make the 3rd convention I have attended this summer and I am pooped ya hear me. I’ll give you some highlights of tonight’s service.
As I drove down the highway I had already done some research that parking would be $7 dollars so I decided to park in a neighboring hotel’s parking lot and walk across the street to the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Very very nice hotel I might add. I could see the saints in their convention attire all walking towards the main ballroom that service would be held at.
What I did not like was that the ballroom is literally a rectangle. They had the stage going the Long way andattempted to wrap the chairs around the stage which made it very awkward if you sat too far on the left or right side of the ballroom. Basically you would be looking at a screen all service. I attempted to sit in the back facing directly in front of the podium but some sister opted to block off 3 chairs so that no one could sit there. I was upset to say the least (saints, stop saving seats in church….the visitors are forced to sit in
“no mans land” when you save seats).
I did not let that kill my joy. Instead, I found an aisle seat that was good enough for me to glace both at the stage as well as the screen. They had way too many rows blocked off for TD Jakes Church (as if all 25,000 members were going to come tonight…..they probably don’t even know what PAW is……..probably thinking to themselves its some cat or dog convention).
Worship was second to none. I really enjoyed Praise and Worship and I did quicken every so often (however unlike the Church Of Our Lord, PAW saints do not quicken as much nor were there any prayer veils or that many hats…I guess…..I then started to miss home).
The Potters House Mass Choir sang us into a Sunday morning frenzy with full Sunday Morning band accompanying them. I was very happy to see that the church travels with their pastor when they can. And now, its time for Bishop Jakes (whom I am still angry at about that whole earring thing) to mount the podium.
Lord you could have fooled me but that man sure can preach. He preached on how we all come to these National Conventions yet when we get back home we have to deal with Regional Demons! Demons that are assigned to specific territories to terrorize that particular part of the world. For instance, he talked about Simon the Sorcerer and how he had the whole town on lock down with his demonic magic. He proceeded to talk about Legion, the “many” demons that possessed the man that was cutting himself and screaming and crying day and night in the tombs and how when Jesus came to caste the demons out, they begged Him to allow them to stay in the region (instead the demons were sent into the herd of swine, the swine go crazy and kill themselves by jumping over the cliff and drowning). As Jakes always does, he began to give statistics on STD’s in communities, how prisons are a billion dollar industry with the hopes of the investors incarcerating as many of “us” as possible. He talked about the divorce rates for 1st, 2nd and 3rd marriages and how the rate gets higher and higher after each marriage….yet we and our denominations are doing nothing to solve these problems in our community. The antidote was to snatch people out of the fires of drug addiction, teenage pregnancies, alternative lifestyles and bring them all to Christ. Don’t even ask them if they want to come, just snatch a soul and show them a more excellent way as we don’t have enough time to do things like the way we use to back in the olden church days.
A massive Praise break happened and everyone hit the floor and had church dancing and running the aisles. I clapped, spoke in unknown tongues and did a little 3 step shuffle with my feet. All in all, I enjoyed having church with the PAW and the 6,000+ souls that were in service tonight.
The Pope Of Pentecost would like to congratulate his former pastor Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Kingdom Church’s (Of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Inc.) on your elevation to the Bishopric by my current Pastor Bishop W.L. Bonner on Sunday August 3, 2008! Thank you to all the members of Love Fellowship Tabernacle for coming to our convention in complete “Apostolic Standard”, (prayer veils and all). As I told some of the members of LFT during the convention, WE ARE ALL FAMILY NOW!
Many of you that I personally know ask me “How in the world do you just pick up and move to a city almost every other year?” Well, the answer is I guess just not being satisfied. Sure people would say that I am unstable, but you know what, I love doing what I do. Trying new cities out and seeing whats the perfect match for me. I wanted to post this article by blackenterprises.com to let you know how I’ve chosen most of my cities that I live in. I have been in and conducted business in every city that you will see mentioned but out of 10 I’ve thus far lived in 4 cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville and Dallas.
For most, living the good life includes high-paying jobs, affordable homes, a vibrant social life, and short commutes. How can you achieve such a first-rate lifestyle? Well, we identified 10 locales that promise a trove of business, professional, and personal opportunities: BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Top 10 Cities for African Americans.
Our 2007 ranking offers some major changes and repositioning in comparison to our 2001 and 2004 lists. Five cities found on both lists remain: Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Houston; and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Nashville, Tennessee, and Columbus, Ohio, represent returnees from our 2004 roster. Three cities failed to make the cut this time around: Birmingham, Alabama, which received a low response from its residents, and Baltimore and Memphis, Tennessee, which were knocked out of contention because of residents’ great dissatisfaction with several key living standards. Our newcomers to the list are Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Florida; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jacksonville, FL | 22.5 | 97.7 | 162,000 | 32,246 | 730.9 |
| Columbus, OH | 14.1 | 100.1 | 155,600 | 32,347 | 444.4 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 14.6 | 97.6 | 136,500 | 29,877 | 533.3 |
| Charlotte, NC | 23.4 | 92.7 | 150,900 | 30,781 | 763.3 |
| Dallas, TX | 14.2 | 91.8 | 133,900 | 34,388 | 554.9 |
| Nashville, TN | 15.3 | 90.9 | 148,500 | 27,153 | 872.4 |
| Houston, TX | 16.8 | 90.0 | 123,400 | 31,809 | 723.6 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 21.3 | 94.8 | 166,500 | 34,301 | 424.6 |
| Atlanta, GA | 30.8 | 95.6 | 177,200 | 39,516 | 521.9 |
| Washington, D.C. Metro | 26.6 | 138.8 | 404,900 | 53,686 | 446.5 |
| B.E. Cities Average | 20.0 | 99.0 | 175,940 | 34,610 | – |
| National Average | 100.0 | 167,500 | 30,939 | 456.0 | |
HOW THE CITIES WERE CHOSEN
In assessing the locations, we actually looked at metropolitan areas-the core cities and surrounding suburbs as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. This year’s survey showed respondents were satisfied overall with earnings potential, entrepreneurial opportunities, jobs, cost of living, affordable housing, higher education, access to technology, and medical care. In general, respondents were discontent with the quality of public schools, availability of daycare facilities, race relations, crime rates, and black political clout.
Our analysis did not stop there. Using a series of statistical data, the list was then narrowed to 13 metro areas. Heavier weighting was applied to seven of the 22 factors-”super factors”-that pertain specifically to African Americans:
By combining survey response scores with the quality of life scores, we arrived at a final ranking of the top 10 cities for African Americans.
Family and friends from around the country gathered at a Brooklyn church Monday to say goodbye to the wife and grandson of the Rev. Timothy Wright.
While the pastor remains in critical condition at a Pennsylvania hospital, a funeral was held for Betty Wright and grandson Daniel “D.J.” Wright at the Washington Temple Church of God in Christ in Bedford-Stuyvesant. During the service, a 120-strong choir performed Rev. Wright’s song, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton and bishops from across the U.S. were among the mourners in attendance, reports Newsday. “You won’t have to make excuses for Betty, you won’t have to make excuses for D.J.,” Sharpton told the applauding congregation. “We’re not at a crack funeral.”
Betty Wright and her grandson died after their car was hit head-on the night of July 4 by a vehicle going the wrong way on eastbound Interstate 80. That driver also died. Timothy Wright, founding pastor of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and who lives in Roosevelt, was critically injured in the crash.
Recent Comments