Church Has No Sanctity Anymore...

My goodness...the devil is getting bolder and bolder erryday! Folks can't even enjoy a doggone church festival w/out worryin about looney tunes trying to play target practice with their lives!

Three people were critically injured in Granada Hills, Ca at a church festival given by St. John Baptiste de la salle Catholic Church, when a man just decided to take his semi-auto rifle and shoot at them! How's that for something to do in sunny Cali? The beauty of this story? The idiot didn't have time to turn the gun on himself, bcuz the Cali citizens weren't having it! they tackled his raggedy behind until police arrived! I know that's right.

...I don't think y'all would've gotten in trouble with Jesus if you 'accidentally' hit the b butt of his gun against his cranium a couple of HARD times! Sorry, Jesus. Thoughts and prayers are with the vics and families.CNN

Come See What's Poppin'at Bria's Own Words, my OTHER blog!

It Doesn't Matter Where U R In Life...DON'T GIVE UP!

Thank you, Jesus...

Come See What's Poppin'at Bria's Own Words, my OTHER blog!

I'd Go To This Church! Church 4gives Confession of Murder

HOUSTON, Texas(AP) -- The youth minister who confessed to a 1994 killing is being widely forgiven by members of his former congregation, who say they admire his courage in finally surrendering to police.
Calvin Wayne Inman, 29, confessed to a slaying he committed nearly 14 years ago, police say.


Calvin Wayne Inman, 29, remains jailed without bail since he was charged Wednesday with capital murder in the stabbing death of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. He was 16 at the time.

During Sunday's service at the 800-member Elim Church, congregants praised the recently ordained Inman as a born-again role model taking responsibility for his sin.

"He's a hero, really," said Kelley Graham, 24. "I don't know how many people would do what he did. The Bible says you just need to confess to God. Calvin took an extra step."

Inman went to authorities on February 5 and admitted that he stabbed Iqbal Ahmed, 64, nearly 14 years ago in suburban Pasadena.

According to police, Inman said he and a 13-year-old friend planned to rob the convenience store. When Ahmed asked to see identification before giving them tobacco, Inman stabbed Ahmed in the chest with a kitchen knife, police said.

Inman resigned from the youth job in December.

"The debt he's paying to our society is teaching our young people to do the right thing," said Cheryl Ellis, a member of the church's youth staff. "To lock him away someplace and say he owes it to society is robbing the next generation of a mentor."

Robin Thac said her 17-year-old son was active in the youth group that Inman led.

"I am thrilled my son has a role model to accept responsibility the way Calvin has," Thac said. "There are way too many men who don't accept responsibility."

Police have said Inman's friend, now 28, has acknowledged being involved in the robbery but not the stabbing. Because of 1994 juvenile laws preventing prosecution of people 13 or younger, police said they could not charge the friend.source

***
I'm so used to hearing about churches being jacked up and committing crimes, that I forgot humbly forgiving people according to the Word of God still exists (in church)...seriously.
It was brave and honest of Inman to step forward and take responsibility.
Honestly, I'd try my doggonest to take it to the grave.
But the love I have for God reigns mightily, even with that, it would take a lot, like Jesus coming in the flesh and telling me to go and confess or,probably tossing and turning for a couple of years like the movie "The Machinist"-guilt would have to LITERALLY EAT AWAY AT ME...in order for me to confess a murder.
I'm just saying.
God bless Calvin Inman, and thank God for his repentance.



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UPDATE: God Don't Like Ugly

AJC
Earl Paulk
Archbishop Earl Paulk expected to turn himself in
(p.s. as of 10am today, he still had not turned himself in)

Archbishop Earl Paulk, one of Atlanta's preeminent religious figures through the 1980s and 1990s, was supposed to turn himself in to Cobb County today on a perjury charge, but had not as of this afternoon.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued the warrant Monday. Paulk is charged with lying during a deposition in a sexual misconduct lawsuit. Paulk said Mona Brewer, the woman suing him, was the only sexual partner he had outside of his marriage.

The deposition in the case was taken in Cobb County, which is why the warrant was issued there.

John Bankhead, a GBI spokesman, said at 1:45 p.m. that Paulk was supposed to turn himself in at 10 a.m., but he had not shown up.

Nancy Bodiford, a spokeswoman for the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, said Paulk had an agreement to turn himself in within 48 hours after the warrant was issued about noon Monday.

Paulk could walk in at any time of day or night, she said. "When he and his attorney are coming in, I don't know," she said.

Paulk's criminal attorney did not return calls.

The perjury investigation began last summer after a DNA test showed Paulk fathered a son with his sister-in-law.

That son, the Rev. D.E. Paulk, now pastors the Cathedral at Chapel Hill in Decatur, the church in which Archbishop Paulk built his reputation.

Brandi Paulk, D.E.'s wife and a minister at the church, said the family had no comment about the arrest.

"We were caught off guard," by the warrant, she said.

"The news knew about it before our attorneys did. We are still in the process of sorting it out."

Archbishop Paulk built an interracial mega-church and a TV ministry in Decatur that attracted national attention and more than 10,000 members.

He also started an association of independent charismatic churches that had member churches across the nation.

His career has been plagued with rumors and charges of sexual indiscretions.

Mona and Bobby Brewer, former staff members at the church, sued Paulk in 2005. They dropped the suit last year for legal strategic reasons, and each filed their own suit against him and the church weeks later.
source
**
This man is just nasty.
He had an affair with his bro's wife and sired a child with her.
The child thought Paulk was his uncle, but was later told-he was his father.
Ewwww gross.
Wherever Paulk goes, hotmessness has his back, like his favoritest homey.
Too bad he's 80.
I wish he could've been put under somebody's jail like 30 yrs ago.
He's too old to care now.



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Black Church Dictionary for Dummies...

(image courtesy of Old Black Church)

I could've saved myself a lot of embarrassment, had this handy dictionary been available, when I accepted Christ as my Lord & Savior! lol

Thanks, Ann!!
Black Church Dictionary!

(1) Anointing: Used to describe any non-regular emotion (crying in the middle of a song when you forget the words, telling the church off (particularly when its over tithes and offering), doing the Olympic shout around the church (first one that hits the wall gets a white hanky tied around their neck!)
2. Trick of the Enemy: Used to describe anything that happens because you didn't do what you were supposed to, like your car getting repossessed cause you didn't pay the note, lights getting shut off cause you quit work to go on tour with the pastors choir, or your child repeating the first grade cause he missed the whole second semester to go on a 90 day/90 night fast and consecration.
3. Rhema Word: Any message from an out-of-town pastor or evangelist.
4. Prophetic Word: Same message from that out-of-town pastor, delivered 5 decibels louder, while the congregation is standing. Quiet organ music optional, but works better with silence.
5. Carnal: Used to describe a saint who goes to the movies. This term doesn't apply if you rent the same movie from Blockbuster.
6. Didn't God Move?: What saints say after a long service where the pastor doesn't preach and they just shout the whole service.
7. Unlock Your Blessing: What preachers say after they've finished preaching, and they say you must give $50 to "unlock your blessing." For a more dramatic effect, this offering can be started at $1,000 and worked down to $25.
8. He'll Do It If You Let Him (followed by inaudible tongues): Round one of shouting; will begin in 5 minutes. Organist get ready.
9. We Got To Move On: What the preacher says when he wants shout time to start up again. Organist, turn up the volume on the Leslie.
10. We Have Time for One More Testimony: Not really, we're just waiting on the pastor to come into service. If you're called on during this one, when you hear clapping, just stop talking, cause the pastor has walked in and people are no longer interested in what God did for you.
11. We Can Never Pay for the Word: Get your checkbook out, the auction will begin momentarily! This phrase always comes before the offering is taken for the guest speaker.
12. God Has Been Dealing with Me on Some Issues: I'm still doing what I was doing before I got saved, only now I just put in an extra $5 in my offering when I do it.
13. Is He Worthy?: Of course He is; why ask a question like that.
14. Let Us Go To God in Our Own Way: This is what you say when they ask you to pray in church and you don't know what to say.
15. Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!!!: Don't really know what this one means, but if you're not careful, a shout could break out when you say it. It must be said three times to have real impact.
16. I Can't Get No Help: Preachers say this when no one says amen in the spot they thought would get a lot of amens.
17. I'm Blessed and Highly Favored: Said when a fellow saint asks "how are you?" Memo to saints: you CAN be saved and answer "fine" when someone asks how are you.
18. Where The Spirit of The Lord is, There is liberty: Whenever you want to disrupt service and holler out when it's quiet, use this statement to justify your behavior.
19. Get Ready To Go To The Next Level: This means the church will be hosting another revival in a few months.
20. Stand To Your Feet : This gives the illusion that the preacher is finished, but be prepared to stand up for at least 1/2 hour. May be cut to 15 minutes if the organist starts playing softly.
21. Give God a Shabach: Scream to the top of your lungs. Some church members may blow whistles and wave flags as well.
22. Every Head Bowed, Every Eye Closed: Quick! Everyone look around to see who's getting saved again this week.
23. Secular: Any person, place, object or event that's not in the church.
24. The "Yes Lord" Song: Signals the official end to shout time. Anyone still shouting when this song is over is considered to be "in self".
25. In Self: Used to describe someone who acts alone in church. For example, someone who is shouting alone. Add two more people to this display and its called...
26. In The Spirit: When three people are doing the same thing in a church service at the same time.
27. Prayer Partner: Phone buddy. 5 minutes of prayer, 1 hour of church gossiping.
source

Betcha didn't know these Interesting Money Facts!

I came across these facts at Ann's blog The Old Black Church by way of a website called Tomboutus

I found this list on Tomboutus a few hours ago and thought I would share it with you. Before you can ever start to increase your wealth or even save money for that matter you have to change the way you think about money. This list shows how Americans truly feel about the almighty dollar. How many of these psychological feelings about money do you agree with?

1. More of our fantasies are about money… than sex.
2. If we could have any luxury in the world (and money didn’t matter) more of us would choose to spend money on a butler and a maid than anything else.
3. 90% of Americans who own pets buy them Christmas gifts.
4. Money is the leading cause of disagreements in marriages.
5. 65% of Americans would live on a deserted island all by themselves for an entire year for $1,000,000.
6. For $10,000,000 most of us would do almost ANYTHING! Including abandoning our family and friends and our church. A very high percentage of us would, for that same amount of money, change our race or sex. And, 1 in every 14, would even murder someone for ten million bucks.What’s really strange about this is, the statistics remain the same whether it’s ten million dollars all the way down to three million. For three million bucks, most of us would do the same horrible things we would do for ten million. But, guess what? Few of us would do these things for a “measly” two million.
7. 92% of us would rather be rich than find the love of our lives.
8. Here’s a weighty one: Money (or the lack thereof) is the biggest stress inducer in the lives of Americans. We worry more about money than our marriages, our health, or even who’s going to win the Superbowl Game or come out on top in the latest Survivor TV show.
9. If you get your money out of a Hitachi ATM machine in Japan, it will be laundered. The way they do it is, they briefly press the bills between rollers at high enough temperatures to kill most bacteria.
10. Women have very fixed ideas on how much they are willing to spend on a bra. 38.3% of women won’t spend $30 for a bra. 28.4% won’t spend $50. 10% would pay as much as $75. And, only 3.5% would shell out $100. But, you know what? Almost 20% of women say they would pay almost anything for a bra. This is because they consider (and I guess so do a few men) that the contents of what those bras are encasing is of extremely high-value.
11. Nearly half of the people who sell their houses with furniture included will take all the light bulbs out of all the lamps when they vacate the premises.
12. Most people won’t bend over to pick up money lying on the sidewalk unless it’s at least a dollar.
13. Most Americans think pennies are a pain in the ass and the U.S. Mint should stop making them.
14. There is about 405 billion dollars in circulation. Only 32 million of that amount is counterfeit. That means, the percentage of counterfeit money in America is .0079%. And, $20 bills are more often counterfeited than $100 bills.
15. Do people care if their bills are crisp? Indeed, they do. Fresh, crisp, clean bills are considered much more valuable than those which are old, wrinkled and dirty.I once sent a ‘dollar bill thank you’ letter to a guy who sent a sincere letter back to me bitching the free $1 bill I sent him was wrinkled instead of crisp as I had described in the letter.
16. Let’s flip a coin and try to guess whether it will come up heads or tails. Three times as many people guess ‘heads’ than ‘tails’.
17. Here’s one I personally think really sucks: One out of every four Americans believe their best chance of getting rich is by playing the lottery.
18. How about this one for a shocking fact: 5% of lottery ticket buyers buy 51% of all tickets sold. (Trust me, none of these people belong to the “Einsteins of America Society”.)
19. A staggering 74% of us are influenced by how much we can win in a lottery as opposed to the odds of us winning.
20. That’s a good thing for the Government because the odds of winning a lottery jackpot are about 10 million to 1.
21. A person who drives 10 miles to buy a lottery ticket is 3 times more likely to be killed in a car accident while driving to buy the ticket… than… he is to win the jackpot.
22. Sunday newspaper coupon inserts are the second-most read section of the paper, after the front page.
23. Few people know it but, you can buy single-disease insurance.
24. Only 6% of people in America regularly buy clothes tailor made just for them.
25. Here’s one that’s really important: 63% of us decide NOT to buy a product advertised on the Internet… because… we think the shipping and handling charges add too much to the order.
26. Eight times as many Americans would rather use an ATM than deal with a real live teller.
27. This one’s going to blow your mind: 83% of Americans still pay with checks instead of credit cards!
28. Almost 30% of us say we would need 3 million smackaroos to feel rich. This ties in with the fact most of us would do anything for as little as $3 million… but… not nearly as many of us would do those identical things for a measly $2 million. (Hey, here’s your chance to take advantage of that situation. If you only want to pay $2 million to have something done, ask me if I’ll do it. The chances are, believe it or not, I WILL DO IT.)
29. Here’s another fact which is really, really important: 80% of Americans say giving personal information (especially their credit card information) over the Internet scares the living shit out of them.
30. Two-thirds of Americans say they wouldn’t let their spouse spend the night and have sex with another person for a million dollars. Many of these people are liars. There’s a big difference being asked if they would do it for a million dollars… as opposed to… handing them a paper sack containing the million fungolas and simply saying, “Here, you can have this if you’ll let me sleep with your sweetie tonight.”
31. The average wedding in America costs a staggering $20,000.00.
32. More than one-third of American women consider money more important than good sex to the success of a marriage.
33. According to Employee Benefits Research Institute 96% of all people who have jobs right now won’t be eligible for their full Social Security benefits when they reach age 65.
34. When it comes to houses, more than anything else, people want a state-of-the-art kitchen.
35. When people shop for a car, what they want more than anything else is reliability for the best possible price.
36. One of the best ways to raise money for a charity is to have a free dinner for a lot of people and have an empty envelope tucked under their plate… for the express purpose… of making whatever size donation they want.
37. People tip more on sunny days than they do on dreary days.
38. More than 80,000,000 people call the I.R.S. Information Hotline phone number every year. One-third of those calls go unanswered. And, according to the Treasury Department itself, 47% of the answers the ‘get-through’ callers receive are incorrect.
39. Almost two out of three people have modified their financial behavior because of their fears.
40. Almost three times as many people who live in the South worry about losing their jobs as compared to people who live in the Midwest.
41. Which would you rather do: Shop till you drop… or… have great sex?For men, this is a no-brainer.

However, more women would actually rather have an unlimited shopping spree than spend a weekend with a fabulous lover. In fact, the #1 favorite fantasy of women is to have a blank check to shop at their favorite store.

The favorite fantasy of men (at least in my opinion) is what we would like to DO to the sales girl… rather than… what we would like to buy from her.
source

New Castmates Added to "Shysters & Perverts In Jesus' Name" How far is too far?!

Jesus...Here's a Wheel, Please take it!


New Co-stars:

"Pastor" Alton 'I've overstepped all kinds of boundaries' Williams, Memphis, TN

Sis. Sherrilyn 'Helpmeet in overstepping bounds instead of praying' Williams

This Episode of "Shysters & Perverts in Jesus' Name" takes place in the boudoir via the pulpit!

Pastor A.R. Williams Shows The Women Of His Church "How to Keep Their Husbands So The Hoe Don't Get Him"
Thaddeus Matthews Blog

Members of World Overcomers were shocked on last Sunday morning when they entered the place where they assemble to worship God. In the pulpit was a Queen sized bed draped in burgundy and gold.


Members were wondering why the place that normally Pastor Alton R. Williams preaches the word of God from had turned into a large bedroom, when he entered wearing a robe and pajama pants with his bible in hand. the lights are dimmed, mode music is playing,Williams at this point lays on the bed reading from the Songs of Solomon.

While still reading the bible his wife Sherrilyn enters the sanctuary wearing a long red feathered seductive fitting gown. Mrs. Williams very seductively walks across the pulpit turn bedroom and sits on the bed next to her husband. She closes his bible and begins to rub on him, and then lefts him from the bed and very passionately embraces and kisses him. Pastor Williams whose Sunday morning freak session is designed to save marriages tells the women in the congregation "This is how to keep your husband so the Hoe don't get him".

In my opinion A.R. Williams has gone to far, the pastor who spent $260,000 to build a statue that reminds you of the Statue Of Liberty has lost his God focus and now become an entertainer willing to do anything to keep fleecing his flock of their money so that he can continue to live his luxury lifestyle.

In a time that people in the community need the Word of God for deliverance from their plights by allowing the word to get them up and motivated to make changes in their lives, this fool wants to hold Sunday morning sex classes. What about salvation and the saving of souls? I guess with New Directions Church being less than a mile away Williams is losing members which means that he is losing dollars.

So what will Williams do next Sunday, Show the men how to please their wives by performing oral sex on sister Sherrilyn, or maybe he'll give a course on the various positions of lovemaking. What ever it is you can be sure that his cult of followers at WORLD OVERCUMMERS will not get a show without paying.
THIS WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF TONIGHT'S "EXPRESS YOURSELF" FROM 6-7PM ON AM990 KWAM.

Sadly, I don't Think Is Surprising News...

*Public Shyster & Pervert in Jesus' Name #1*

Paulk's granddaughter alleges inappropriate touch

Penielle White made public the testimony she gave months ago in a court deposition
source

A granddaughter of a preacher embroiled in lawsuits over sexual and financial wrongdoings went public this week with shocking testimony she gave months ago in a court deposition.
Dwight Ross Jr./AJC
Bishop Earl Paulk, shown here (above) in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in 1992, has faced a number of allegations of sexual misconduct.

It was the latest in years of allegations of sexual misconduct by Bishop Earl Paulk, who led one of Atlanta's biggest churches for decades.

Depositions, testimony given by witnesses preceding a trial, are typically not public record in DeKalb State Court, but Penielle White talked about hers to a Fox 5 WAGA-TV reporter this week.

White said her grandfather, Bishop Paulk, touched her and a friend Jessica Battle, in "inappropriate areas" years ago when the two girls were spending the night together at Paulk's house. White was about 8 at the time.

Paulk denied the allegations in a statement through his attorneys Friday.

He also denied them when Battle sued him in 1991 for molestation, which she claimed included fondling, oral sex and sex.

Paulk settled the suit out of court in 2003, to cut legal costs, he said.

White's deposition is part of other, long-running lawsuits by Mona and Bobby Brewer, former staff members at Paulk's church, which used to be called Chapel Hill Harvester in DeKalb County. It was a nationally known church with more than 10,000 members and a TV ministry.

Mona Brewer claims Paulk used his position to coerce her into a sexual relationship. Bobby Brewer, her husband, claims he lent the church money and was never repaid.

Paulk reacted through his attorneys to his granddaughter's statements. "Bishop Paulk denies the allegations made by Penielle. He is saddened and confused by the interviews of his daughter [Beth Bonner] and granddaughter," it says.

The statement went on to say that Paulk had seen the Bonner family over Thanksgiving and hopes for reconciliation.

Beth Bonner also gave a television interview, apologizing to the families who had been hurt by the events and saying she believes the claims of several women that Paulk had sex with them.

White and Bonner did not return phone calls.

The Rev. D.E. Paulk now heads the church, which is called the Cathedral at Chapel Hill. Attendance has fallen to fewer than 2,000.

He returned to take the reins of the church more than a year ago.

He grew up believing he was Bishop Paulk's nephew, but learned this summer through a court-ordered DNA test that he is actually his son.

D.E. Paulk's mother is married to Bishop Paulk's brother.

D.E. said he can say little because of the Brewers' suits and because the bishop is being criminally investigated in Cobb County, suspected of lying in a deposition.

In his deposition, Paulk said he has had sex only with his wife and Brewer.

D.E. Paulk said, "I am inheriting someone else's issues. That does not mean that I condone [anything bad that has happened]," he said.

"But we are saddened that this has gotten so ugly and so many people have been hurt by all of this."

***
I mean...is ANYTHING sacred to this joker?
forgive me Lord. smh

How Did This Not Show Up On My Radar??

Rev. Jeff Witcher (below)
Lord, Please provide literal rain for your people in GA. The heat is driving pastors cuckoo for cocoa puffs and thus results in the whooping on their wives, and are becoming public disgraces-this is NOT YOUR WILL!! I'm praying for the latter rain-sooner, than later in Jesus name-amen!

Alpharetta pastor resigns after assault charges dropped source

The pastor of one of Alpharetta's largest and oldest churches resigned Sunday, nearly a month after his arrest involving a domestic dispute.

The Rev. Jeff Witcher stepped down as senior pastor of First Alpharetta Baptist Church during a meeting with church members Sunday. Witcher's resignation follows a Nov. 12 altercation with his wife, which resulted in him being arrested and charged with simple assault and obstruction of a 911 call.

"I am so deeply sorry," Witcher said in a letter posted on the church's Web site. "I accept full responsibility for my actions." Read Witcher's letter

A disconnected 911 call brought police to the Witcher home around 1 a.m. on Nov. 12. Shelley Witcher told police her husband pulled her hair, told her to leave the house, and held a shotgun at the bedside, though he never pointed it at her.

The charges were dropped on Nov. 20, pending Witcher's participation in court-ordered counseling as part of an intervention program. If Witcher successfully completes the program, the arrest will be wiped from his record within four six months.

First Alpharetta spokesman Jonathan Wilson said Witcher and his family have the church's full support.

"We as a church have forgiven Pastor Witcher, and now pray that God will be able to restore him and continue to work in and through him," Wilson said.

Witcher will retain his salary for an undisclosed time, and a search committee has been formed to name his successor, Wilson said. Until then, three church ministers and guest speakers will fill the pulpit.

***

I'm not willing to call Jeff a shyster/pervert just yet. Loose cannon, perhaps, but not a shyster or pervert.

Let me say this...i have NO IDEA what set him off, but he should've jumped in the car and went for a ride, a coupla rides, or several rides around the block,, to his mama's house, his boys' house...anywhere, until he was back to himself again. Pulling a woman's hair (will get you hurt), add an attempted eviction to the equation, along with a shotgun and it could've proved fatal for J.W. as well, ok??-at least that's true in my neck of the woods!

Having said that, I must give this some man credit- why you ask??

• He didn't turn into a fugitive *clearing throat* as another well known GA "pastor"
• He accepted responsibility and has accepted counseling
• He confessed his sins
• Again he accepted responsibility and blamed NO ONE for his actions-not once did he blame his wife.
• Most importantly, the man STEPPED DOWN as pastor of First Baptist Church-Alpharetta.
• I'm sorry, I gots to give the man some credit...he may have acted a behind last month, but I'm glad he thought of the church and not himself while in the midst of this situation.

I pray that forgiveness and healing goes forth in the Witchers' household in Jesus' name, and that this too shall pass.

Pay or Don't Come To This Church??

Drumbeat to my blogmama Lynn over at Hicktown Press , for bringing us an old article, yet new to many of us! Check out an interesting read from Afromerica.com...when will this ever end? Below is the complete story, but here's the link if interested:

oh,It's Like That, Juanie B?

**Obviously it's an older story...look at the photo**

Church Sells Memberships

An eyewitness to one of many abominable mega-church worship practices has come forth to share with Afromerica an incident that should not go unnoticed or unpunished. While attending the church of Bishop Thomas Weeks and Juanita Bynum early Sunday morning, the witness said that sister Bynum told the prayer group that they needed to purchase a t-shirt with the church name on it. And if they did not purchase one, they could not attend next week's prayer meeting.

One does not have to be a religious holy roller or a Doctor of theology to know that no one has the authority to keep people from God's church. If they want to pray at church, there should be no purchasing prerequisites for doing so.

This witness also told that a few months ago while visiting the church, Bishop Weeks told the congregation that if they did not pay their tithes that day, that they would be receiving a letter in the mail at their home telling them they could no longer come to his church. Ain't this a blip? Who in hell (no pun intended) does he think he is?

So Afromerica decided to research this so-called mega-church of God. While visiting the church website, Afromerica discovered that this organization is not out for the purpose of saving souls, but obviously - by the set up of the website - to make money, money, money. Visit the site.

This type marketing and advertising of God's word is a disgrace to religion and a destructive force in the Black community. These people should be stoned, and yes, Afromerica said it. There is no fear of God's wrath against what we said because if God were a just God, he would know that this ministry of Weeks and Bynum is more of an abomination than telling the truth about it.

What- In-The-Tom-Cruise-John-Travolta-Girl-From-King-of-Queens-Celebrity-Hell?!

Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology
source

TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- Some Christian congregations, particularly in lower income, urban areas, are turning to an unlikely source for help -- the Church of Scientology.

Rev, Charles Kennedy uses Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's book during a Friday night sermon.

Scientologists do not worship God, much less Jesus Christ. The church has seen plenty of controversy and critics consider it a cult. So why are observant Christians embracing some of its teachings?

Two pastors who spoke recently with CNN explained that when it comes to religion, they still preach the core beliefs of Christianity. But when it comes to practicing what they preach in a modern world, borrowing from Scientology helps.

The Rev. Charles Kennedy, of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal church in Tampa, Florida, and the Rev. James McLaughlin, of the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, are among the theological hybrids.

They say they are not scared off by programs with ties to a church that critics say has aggressive recruiting, secretive ways and rigid theology. As men of God rooted in Christian values, they do not see Scientology as a threat to their faith, but rather as a tool to augment it.

Scientology was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer. Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual beings called thetans. Although the church says there is a supreme being, its practices do not include worshipping God.

"I'm looking for solutions, and the people that I help, they don't ask me who L. Ron Hubbard is," said McLaughlin, who works with addicts. "You know what they say? 'Thank God.' "

Critic Rick Ross, a court-certified Scientology expert, sees something more sinister at work. He warned that mainstream acceptance makes it easier for the Scientologists to achieve their ultimate goal -- new recruits.

"Their hope is that through these programs, people will become more interested in L. Ron Hubbard, what else Mr. Hubbard had to offer, and this will lead them eventually to Scientology," Ross said.

The church has long been in the headlines for practices critics say are little more than cult-like mind control. It is also known for its stable of devout celebrity followers.
And according to published reports, Scientology has been recently diversifying its outreach to include other religions and ethnic groups.

Kennedy, McLaughlin and a handful of other Christian church leaders -- no one can say how many -- are finding answers to their communities' needs in Scientology's social programs.
For Kennedy, it began two years ago when he attended a meeting at the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida. He was introduced to a book called "The Way to Happiness" -- Hubbard's 64-page, self-described "common sense guide to better living."
In the book, which lays out ways to maintain a temperate lifestyle, Kennedy found a message he believed could help lift his predominantly lower income African-American congregation. He said the book's 21 principles help them with their struggle in an urban environment where there is too much crime and addiction and too little opportunity.

Kennedy knew that before he could introduce any Scientology-related text to his congregation, he would have to prove that it did not contradict his Christian beliefs. And so, he found Scripture to match each of the 21 principles.

Now Kennedy uses "The Way to Happiness" as a how-to supplement to his sermons. He believes it is easier to understand and clearer to follow than ancient Scriptures taken from the Bible.

When asked whether Scientology's values contradict the religion of Jesus Christ, Kennedy replies, "Sometimes yes. Sometimes no." But he says his congregation can relate to "The Way to Happiness."

Kennedy admits other pastors have criticized him, but the disapproval is not enough to discourage him. He insists that he has witnessed the changes "The Way to Happiness" has inspired in people. He also maintains that the Scientologists, many of whom he calls friends, are successful at outreach and getting desired results.

At Kennedy's C. L. Kennedy Center, free tutoring based on Hubbard's "study tech" philosophies is provided to dozens of children and some adults. Kennedy's daughter, Jimirra, is one of the instructors. She said "study tech" and the Scientology orientation classes she attended helped her graduate from high school and become a poised woman.

Though Jimirra Kennedy insists she does not ascribe to the religious side of Scientology, she still considers herself, at least in part, Scientologist. "We say this all the time and I know my father says this, but I am like a Pentecostal Scientologist, that's what we are."
Critics like Ross are alarmed by such a blurring of the lines. They consider it a marketing win for Scientology.

In Houston, McLaughlin says he is not one to argue with success. Driven by a need to address the rampant drug problem in his community, McLaughlin spent years searching for a solution before he discovered "Narconon," Scientology's nonprofit drug rehab center, in 2001.
McLaughlin trained at Narconon and brought the techniques back to his community to launch

"First Step Faith Step," a program that combines Hubbard's methods with the teachings of Christianity.
He claims a 70- to 80-percent rehabilitation success rate.

Kennedy and McLaughlin said they have never lost a member of their congregations to Scientology.
"I think that they truly believe that this may help their communities, but in my opinion, they're naïve," Ross said. Scientologists, he added, "have their own agenda."
The Church of Scientology would not grant CNN an interview, nor would its representatives answer questions about the Hubbard-based programs.

***

Westboro Baptist Church?

How does God feel about our pastors embracing Scientology?

Or does it depend upon how many gay people are in the congregation??

Isn't Church Supposed To Be About Love?!

Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest
source
(emphasis by Ivent)

(CNN) -- A federal jury in Baltimore, Maryland, Wednesday awarded $10.9 million to a father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by members of a fundamentalist church carrying signs blaming soldiers' deaths on America's tolerance of homosexuals.

A member of Westboro Baptist Church protests outside a veteran's hospital in Maywood, Illinois, in April 2006.

The family of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder -- who was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq's Anbar province in 2006 -- sued the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, and its leaders for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Church members showed up at Snyder's funeral chanting derogatory slogans and holding picket signs with messages including "God Hates Fags."

They've picketed the funerals of dozens of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming that God is punishing the United States because of its tolerance for homosexuality.

Al Snyder, father of the slain Marine, said he considered filing the lawsuit for a long time before going forward and that he hoped the judgment would make it harder for the church to continue such protests.

"It's hard enough burying a 20-year-old son, much less having to deal with something like this," he said, recalling that some of the other signs at the funeral included "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs." Watch the fallen Marine's father describe his reaction »

"As far as their picketing goes, they want to do it in front of a courthouse, they want to do it in a public park, I could care less. But I couldn't let them get away with doing this to our military," Al Snyder said.

Snyder's attorney told jurors to pick an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again," according to The Associated Press.

The award includes $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $8 million in punitive damages, a clerk in the judge's chambers said.

Lawyers for the church members argued Matthew Snyder's funeral was public and the First Amendment protects all points of view, even offensive ones, the AP reported.

Church founder Fred Phelps said the church would appeal the decision, adding it would "take about five minutes to reverse that thing." Watch Phelps laugh at the people trying to silence him.

"This will elevate me to something important," Phelps told reporters. "This was an act of futility."

Later, Phelps said the case was about "putting a preacher on trial for what he preaches."

"All it was, was a protestation by the government of the United States against the word of God. They don't want me preaching that God is punishing the country by killing their servicemen." Watch Phelps say freedom of speech is under fire »

The church had made a new sign to carry after the jury's decision, said his daughter, Margie Phelps.

"Our message is 'Thank God for 10.9 [million dollars],' " she said.

"By that mechanism [the award], the entire world will look over and see that America is doomed and that in doomed America there is no such thing as religious liberty."

The judgment would not change the message the group was carrying, said another of Phelps' daughters, church attorney Shirley Phelps-Roper.

"It's going nowhere," she said of the jury's decision. "This is a nothing. God is not going to stop killing your soldiers. He's not going to stop pouring his wrath out on this nation. America is doomed."

Church members were persecuted for their teachings and the court "mocked and scoffed at our religious beliefs," she said.

Phelps-Roper added that protests were planned later this week in Boston and Acton, Massachusetts, and in Norton, Kansas.

The group plans to protest a Veterans Day rally in Washington, she said.

Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church -- which has no connections with any mainstream Baptist organizations -- are longtime anti-gay protesters.

Before launching their protests at the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, they routinely picketed the funerals of gay people and those who died of AIDS.


Phelps and his followers also picketed the February 2006 funeral of Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., because of her support for gay rights.

Several states have implemented laws about funeral protests and Congress has passed a law barring protests at federal cemeteries.

***

This has to be one of the most RIDICULOUS things I've ever heard of.

To picket a funeral, is ridiculous and disrespectful.

For a CHURCH TO PICKET A FUNERAL IS HELLACIOUSLY QUEER (PUN INTENDED)!

Why is God KILLING SOLDIER for homosexual acts in the U.S., and not other countries? What about sexual immorality that is HAPPENING IN THE CHURCH and in the United States by STRAIGHT PEOPLE?! God is no respecter of person...he'll bring judgment upon the rebellious. What is God saying to Westboro about that??

While God hates the homosexual act, God doesn't want to see ANYONE perish

so why aren't they ministering instead?

As someone who lived a gay lifestyle for 10 years (yes, me), it was by God's loving kindness that I was drawn. Wanting to please Him, meant I would DO ANYTHING for Him-thus giving up the lifestyle. Was it hard to do? Yes.

Do I regret it--not one bit.

But can you imagine my reaction-if I met up with these fanatical people??

I would've been so turned off by the church--I'd probably be looking like a dude now just out of total rebellion!

This is not the correct approach.

God would not cosign hate.

He is a God of love.

Now the god who is getting glory out of their proposterous acts is satan.

this whole church is retarded.

And this is why many people are turned off by the church.

God is love, and so should we be.

The Humble Will Be Exalted & The Exalted Will Be Humbled...

WHEN THE CHURCH DOORS CLOSE: BET's new series, 'Exalted,' shines the spotlight on Bishops Charles E. Blake and Carlton Pearson (pic, far right) in coming weeks.

source

On October 2, 2007, only the venerable "Monday Night Football" had more viewers on basic cable than "Exalted," the new weekly one-hour original documentary series currently airing on BET.

A potent and entertaining mix of VH-1's "Behind the Music" and TBN, "Exalted" peels away the layers and gives viewers an unfettered glimpse into the stories of the sometimes controversial and ever more prominent lives of the leaders of so-called "mega churches" around the country.

The first installment featured Prophetess and National Televangelist Juanita Bynum, a fixture in the local and national news due to her recent marital issues.

Another spotlight was on Reverend Paul Morton, leader of the one of the largest churches in New Orleans, whose multiple places of worship became tragic casualties of Hurricane Katrina. Presiding Bishop of the entire Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C), Charles E. Blake will be explored on October 30.

On November 6, the series will also spotlight Bishop Carlton Pearson, who has made the controversial statement: "God is not Christian." This, coupled with his recent sermons doubting the existence of hell, has caused tension among his flock and throughout the African American church community nationwide.

Narrated by Blair Underwood, "Exalted" was created by D'Angela Proctor Steed, who serves as an Executive Producer, alongside Nia T. Hill.

"Exalted" airs Tuesdays at 9pm (E/P) on BET.

****

I remember hearing about Juanie B, being on BET

but I didn't know it was the "Exalted" program.

Not trying to sound sanctimonius, just wondering if the show's name has a double entendre? Sometimes, I make simple things difficult.

Anyhoo, I'd be interested to see what's said about Carlton Pearson.

He's definitely "kook, the Nut."

that's just my humble opinion.

His wife sure has stuck by his side, which befuddles my mind.

If/when I get married I will follow my husband as he follows Christ.

When hubby starts talking and applying crackpot theories...well, i'll let you surmise.

This should be interesting to watch.

Body of Christ is in a "State of Emergency"

I have found a "sister" site if you will who shares the sentiment as myself regarding the Church. Instead of following the doctrine of Christ according to the Bible, churches are "retooling" or as herescope.blogspot refers it "rethinking and reinventing." IT'S WRONG. This is not your church, his church or her church. It's GOD'S church and it's up to Him to give increase. You better recognize, it's not the false teachers that will send you to hell, brethren. You will send yourself there, because you CHOSE to follow a false teacher instead of choosing to verify for yourself the Word of God, stop idolizing the creation and start WORSHIPING the Creator.

Please read below with care...and ask yourself, "is this my church?":

Rethinking and Reinventing

"Imagine a busy street crowded with people. A young man has gathered a crowd in a corner of the local market. Someone shouts out, 'What's your plan? What's your message?'"He responds, 'Change your way of thinking.'"
--Brian McLaren, The Secret Message of Jesus (W Publishing Group, 2006), p. 14 [emphasis added].

In a new article posted online, "Mysticiam & Global Mind Change," Berit Kjos, expert researcher and writer on the New Age/New World Order, has compiled a series of quotations on re-thinking the future. Re-thinking is a strategy for creating "more experiential religion, an end to 'separatism,' and an inclusive oneness" that fulfills the utopian vision of an "earthly 'Kingdom of God,'" says Kjos.

Interestingly, immediately after the quotation from Brian McLaren, Emergent church leader, cited above, he continues with his paraphrase of Jesus's words:

"'The kingdom of God is available to all. Believe this good news! The empire of God is now vailable to all!

The kingdom of God, the empire of God? What could Jesus mean by this? One thing is sure: he did not mean what many - perhaps most - people today think he meant. He did not mean 'heaven after you die.' Maybe the meaning would be clearer if we paraphrased it like this: 'You're all preoccupied with the oppressive empire of Caesar and the oppressed kingdom of Israel. You're missing the point: the kingdom of God is here now, available to all! This is the reality that matters most. Believe this good news and follow me!'" (Ibid, p. 14) [emphasis added]

On page 18 McLaren refers to this as a "revolutionary political agenda.

"Kjos discusses several old Herescope posts that documented the early integration activities between evangelical and New Age leaders, especially including noted Theosophist Willis Harman, whose passion in life became the transformation of the human mind and consciousness. One of Harman's goals was to create an alternative future for planet earth.

In this context, Kjos reports on a Re-think Conference planned for January 2008:

Scheduled for January 2008, the upcoming Re-think Conference shows the latest phase of this unholy quest for unity in diversity. Considering its team of speakers, it will surely encourage more dialogue, compromise, and fuzzy convictions. Visionaries will establish new norms for "positive thinking" and feel-good relationships while closing the door to the old "divisive" truths.

The list of speakers could hardly be more diverse -- or influential:

• 
  Robert Schuller (co-host). Founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral.
• 
  Erwin McManus (co-host). Lead pastor and "Cultural Architect" of Mosaic and author of The Barbarian Way -- "whose primary focus is to serve the post-modern, post-Western, and post-Christian world."
• Rupert Murdoch. The controlling shareholder and chairman of News Corporation.
  
• Kay Warren. Wife of Pastor Rick Warren.
• Larry King. Internationally-known broadcaster and author.
  
• Lee Strobel. Author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.
  
• Chuck Colson. Founder of Prison Fellowship.
  
• George Barna. Founder of the Barna Group and Good News Holdings. Author of Revolution, Think Like Jesus, The Power of Vision, and Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions.
  
• Former president George H. W. Bush who previously served as UN Ambassador and Ambassador to China. When introducing his version of our current US/UNESCO education system in 1991, he said, "Nations that stick to stale old notions and ideologies [Biblical Truth and values?] will falter and fail. So I'm here today to say, America will move forward.... New schools for a new world.... Re-invent--literally start from scratch and reinvent the American school...." [See HERE for full article]

The Rethink Conference website explains what is meant by the term "rethink." It has to do with alternative futures:

"Why Rethink?"

This is not yesterday's world; this world is now--and now just changed."

'We need to know where things are going so we can get there first.' Erwin McManus "How do you stay on the cutting edge in a world that’s ever-changing, particularly when the culture around you reinvents itself quicker than a mouse-click? You need to rethink.
rethink... is about getting into the minds of the most influential thinkers, innovators and leaders.
rethink... is about being on the cutting edge of ideas about our ever-changing world.

rethink... is about discussing and brainstorming in high-energy Rethink TanksTM.

rethink... about taking home fresh perspectives and new directions for your work, your ministry and your life"

Interestingly, ex-New Ager Warren Smith has noticed this same "re-think" agenda, and he has connected it not just to a false kingdom, but also a false "king" -- a "Christ" that has been re-imagined and reinvented. In the introduction to his book Reinventing Jesus Christ, he wrote:

"There is an amazing thing happening in the land. Jesus Christ is being 'reinvented' in front of our own eyes and hardly anyone seems to notice of care. 'Reinvented' is a term now being popularly used to describe the transformation of something from one form into a thing uniquely different. . . ."[T] architects and promoters of a 'new gospel' and new 'Christ' are audaciously ignoring God's Word. They are inventing a 'Christ' of antichrist proportions." (p. 7)

The fact that Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral is hosting this Rethink conference is particularly relevant in light of his close association with Rick Warren, a relationship discussed in detail in Warren Smith's book Deceived On Purpose. Kay Warren is one of the "Leading Influencers" invited to make a presentation at the conference.

Note that many Emergent/Emerging church leaders, such as Erwin McManus (quoted above) are also presenting.

This Rethink Conference is aptly named. It represents a major convocation of "Leading Influencers" among various camps of neoevangelicals -- all of whom are jointly launching the next "revolution" in "re-thinking" doctrine, building a "kingdom," "reinventing Jesus Christ," and creating an alternative future.

As Barbara Marx Hubbard's "Christ" said, in her Theosophical treatise about creating an alternative future, The Revelation* (Nataraj, 1995),

"Armageddon is, dearly beloved, the dreadful script which you and I rewrite now." (p. 204) [emphasis added]

The Truth:

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know now when the time is." (Mark 13:33)*

[For more information on this topic, see Chapter 8, "The Armageddon Alternative" and its update posted at http://www.reinventingjesuschrist.com.]
posted by Discernment Research Group @ 10/04/2007 01:25:00 PM

*********

You better recognize villagers, people are putting words in God's mouth. They're "re-thinking" truth! You cannot do that! The only people who would attempt to misinterpret, misconstrue, take out of context, the Word of God-intentionally- are those who are in willful sin and seeks to justify their actions.

Test my words. Whenever someone's in sin, and you speak to them about it (and they're not ready to give the sin up-these are Christians, not those in the world) they'll say something along the lines of :

"well, I was raised to believe ...

"my pastor said...

And My Favorite...

"God used men to write the Bible, and men are imperfect..."

You cannot create a script of your life to live by--THIS IS NOT A MOVIE OR A PLAY!

*smh*

Just because you don't WANT to believe the Bible and it's content-does NOT mean it isn't the TRUTH.

You better recognize-some "leaders" are walking in error.

Ivent

File this Under: The Watchdog List

BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP ONLINE: New website for Christians who have 'dropped out of church.'
(October 3, 2007)

(story source: eurweb.com; image: waterand spirit.org)

Water & Spirit Ministries recently launched http://www.waterandspirit.org/ to offer Bible study and fellowship services to Christians who have dropped out of church, but desire a relationship with God.
The site features Bible-study resources, a prayer room,

a media center, and discussion room to create community and facilitate exploration.
"We are committed to serving the growing number of Christian believers who feel alienated from organized religion," said ministry founder, Robert Overton. "We offer a religion-free learning environment to aid the spiritual growth of our users."
National religious trends show an increase in adult Bible reading since 1995, but this is accompanied by an increase in the number of Americans who have abandoned their affiliation with organized religion. Given current trends, most adult Americans will abandon organized religion within a few years.
Water & Spirit does not view this as entirely negative. Robert added, "Although we are challenged to develop new approaches to fellowship and communal relationship, the growing rejection of religion may signify a welcomed desire for personal spiritual growth."
Religion is defined as the human effort to mediate God's spiritual truth to man. Water & Spirit Ministries holds that spiritual truth is known only by revelation, not mediation; and the revelation of the understanding of this truth is by the Spirit. An effective ministry is one that supports the spiritual growth of those whom it serves.
"We're here to facilitate and support the explorations of God's word and the testimony of Christ," explained Robert. "An open environment, free of doctrinal requirements, that allows one to study the Bible, exchange thoughts and interpretations, and freely contemplate and meditate promotes the spiritual development that learns to rely on revelations from the Spirit, rather than opinions of man."
There are no teachers at waterandspirit.org, just fellow students of the word. Visit http://www.waterandspirit.org/.
******************

Well-I'm not sure about this site, seeing as it's new and all. I am curious, however. I am one of those Christians who has "dropped out of church." I love Christ with all of my heart, but I do not trust "prophets, apostles etc" I've seen them lie too many times. I've been abused, seen others abused in the church.

People are very quick to say "the bible says we shouldn't forsake the assembly of our brethren." Sure does say that. However, church IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE ONE CAN GATHER WITH BRETHREN. Also...it doesn't necessitate a building full of people to constitute gathering with brethren. My children are saved, sanctified. My coworkers are christian. My friends and associates are Christian, my classmate at school is Christian. I couldn't forsake gathering with brethren if I wanted to! Be that as it may, I'm done (you can stick a fork in me to verify), with church drama, i'm done with sermons always focusing on money. We can talk about Jesus dying on the cross, but please believe the conversation will SNAKE ITS WAY to the topic of money. I do not have to give $50 for a blessing.

A brother (during conference no less) said sow a seed of $100 and watch your life be forever changed. It sure will, I'll be -$100. How about I bless those who are less fortunate instead of giving to those who are in abundance?? Isn't that what God tells us to do in the Bible?? :

Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, "Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise (hmm, I didn't notice John saying anything about leadership lying and manipulating to get money from the brethren...I wonder why??)."
Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you (can you imagine pulpit-pimps distorting that?) and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."

I do not hate church (edifice) just the crap that comes with it. Pride, arrogance, materialism..you know...the kind of stuff you see today. I'll take a look at http://www.waterandspirit.org/ and let everyone know. Where are we supposed to go when the hospital (church) is the one misdiagnosing you, ignoring you, breaking your spirit, lying, manipulating etc? another church? and what do I do if I experience the same thing at the next church?

You betta recognize--you BETTER be "wise as serpents, and gentle as doves" (Matt. 10:16_
Ivent

Thank You Lord, For Hearing My Cries!!

REVEREND SENATOR JAMES T. MEEKS REACTS TO NEW BOOK: Meeks launches 'Berean Behavior' in response to Stephen Prothero's 'Religious Literacy.'
(posted on Eurweb.com on September 28, 2007)

Determined to fight off the nation's slipping Biblical literacy rates, Illinois State Senator and pastor, James T. Meeks (see photo, below) issues mandate to members and staff of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago "We are bringing the Bible back!"



Responding to the recently released book, "Religious Literacy," by Stephen Prothero which states that two-thirds of Americans believe the Bible has the answers to "all of life's basic questions," but only 16 percent of Christians who participated in a Gallup poll said they read the Bible daily, Reverend Senator James T. Meeks of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, announced that he is leading his congregation for the next six months through a series he calls, "Berean Behavior," where every single individual will be in a class geared toward learning key events, Scriptures and understanding of the Bible.



Berean Behavior classes will begin on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the House of Hope, 752 E. 114th Street, Chicago. The book also points out that 60 percent of Americans can't name five of the Ten Commandments and only half of U.S. adults know the title of one Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). "After spending five months outside the four walls of the church where we served the needs of the community, I felt it was important to get back to the basics of learning and understanding the Bible," said Reverend Senator Meeks of Salem, which is the largest African American church in Illinois with over 20,000 members. Rev. Senator Meeks is also a state senator. "It should be the desire of Christians to emulate the citizens who lived in the ancient city of Berea." In the book of Acts 17:11, Paul and Silas were sent away to preach in Berea where the inhabitants "eagerly examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."



In what is being projected as the largest Sunday study hour in the city - apart from worship service, Reverend Senator Meeks hopes to enhance his congregation's knowledge of Scriptures and their desire to read the Bible more on their own. Recognizing that people learn better in familiar company, individuals will be in Berean Behavior classes that have been customized and segmented by ministries, staff or years in which they joined Salem.



Classes for young adults (18-21) will be held at a local college to not only ensure undivided learning but also serve as fertile ground that will hopefully inspire individuals who are not enrolled in college to pursue higher education. Members will also receive Scriptures via text messages to their cell phones



**********

Rev. Sen. James T. Meeks

It's sad a state of affairs when you're ecstatic about someone doing what ALL CHURCHES should do, and that is: TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD. Our NT churches has gotten so caught up in materialistic acquirements, and accoutrements that the "Gospel of Jesus" has become an AFTERTHOUGHT!

*sarcastically speaking* I mean why should I wonder what Jesus did, when MY PASTOR said if I "sow a $50,000 seed" I'll be blessed.


Jesus Christ, is not a "movement," nor fad. He is Lord & Savior, ruler of all. Jesus is not water, or air, or the chair you sit in, as some clueless leaders like to have you believe. He is the Son of God, who died and was raised 3 days later. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Alpha & Omega-beginning and end. Don't believe me? Then detach yourself from your pastor's mouth, consecrate yourself before God and crack open the Bible! Not only will God give you revelation, He'll give you consistent truth. Not "truth" that depends on the audience at hand.

How has the church come to the point of looking exactly like the world? Why have we sold the Church out to the highest bidder??? How did we ALLOW false Profits, Pulpit-Pimps, and charlatans to enter the pulpit? What happened to applying Proverbs 3:5,6? Aren't we admonished to acknowledge God in all of our ways, so He can direct our path? "He" meaning God. Why have we chosen to idolize pulpit pimps & prostitutes?

Brethren, you better recognize-these false teachers, leaders cannot get you into heaven, but they can get you to hell. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to rightly divide the word of God, ask questions, seek confirmation etc. You owe it to yourself, for IT IS a matter of everlasting life, or death!

Ivent

Filed Under: You Betta Make Sure Your Call And Election is Sure!!!

WHITE PASTORS AND MULTICULTURAL CONGREGATIONS: ELCA talks to clergyman serving diverse congregations.
(September 26, 2007) source: eurweb.com

Twenty-five pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) accepted an invitation to come together here for a consultation.

They are white pastors serving congregations in multicultural settings in Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland Heights and Columbus, Ohio, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Oakland and Riverside, Calif.

White pastors serve 100 of the 246 ELCA congregations where at least 20 percent of the members consider themselves to be of African descent, said the Rev. Julius Carroll IV, director for African American ministries, ELCA Multicultural Ministries.

The full release takes an in- depth look at ministries in Baltimore, Indianapolis and Houston. "I found the consultation to be a wonderful support for white urban pastors in multicultural settings. I appreciated the give and take of leaders who face similar challenges and opportunities," said the Rev. David A. Roschke, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Houston.

"This is the first time in 11 years I have felt and believed that my contributions to the life and ministry of this Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and to its African American expression have been honored," said the Rev. Jeffrey M. Iacobazzi, First Trinity Lutheran Church, Indianapolis.

"I was encouraged by the experiences of seasoned pastors serving in African descent congregations, as well as by the resources our African descent sisters and brothers commended to us for study and immersion," said the Rev. Arwyn A.P. Gohl, Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Baltimore. Iacobazzi contrasted the help he received preparing for his ministry to that of a missionary who would get months of intensive training before being transplanted into an unfamiliar culture.

"We got none of that. We had to figure all of that out on our own. It was often an isolating and lonely experience," he said. In 1987 the ELCA adopted the goal "that within 10 years of its establishment its membership shall include at least 10 percent people of color and/or primary language other than English." At that point, about 2 percent of the ELCA's members were people of color. Twenty years later, the church claims approximately 3.1 percent of its members are people of color.

*********

Whew! It's hard enough being a pastor...now add the mix of multicultural parishioners and you're talking about the patience of Job! Lawd, I'm black and I know some of our "ethnic" folks can be a trip! Be that as it may...only the strong can and have survived, and these men of God and others like them are in it for the long haul...to them I say "THANK YOU for not heading towards the nearest exit, but instead you decided to stick and stay!" God bless you!!

Family, you betta recognize and acknowledge the good job your pastor does. The pastors who don't make the news (cuz they're not pulpit pimps or perverts)--deserve some love too. And I mean brotherly love--SIT DOWN YOU JEZEBELS!

Ivent

This Book Should Be Interesting...

Author (and 1st Lady), Candie Price


THE LIFE AND ROLE OF A PASTOR'S WIFE: New book unleashes the truth about being a pastor's wife.
(September 24, 2007)


source: eurweb.com

Candie A. Price, a pastor's wife of seventeen years, explores the angst and ambiguity surrounding the role and expectations of the pastor's wife in her new book, First Lady: The Real Truth, A Practical Approach to an Ambiguous Role. Price, whose husband, Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., currently pastors the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, provides insights from a personal and biblical perspective in this candid and transparent book about the lives of pastor's and minister's wives.


Price's life changed forever when her husband accepted the call to go into full-time ministry over fifteen years ago. "I was waiting for someone to say, "Baby, this is what you need to do...this is what you should prepare for. But no one ever did. Many women don't know what to expect when their husbands are called into ministry. What does this mean for her? What should she prepare for? This book will help her answer those questions," says Price. She offers biblical responses to many issues relevant to the pastor's/minister's wives' lifestyle, including but not limited to:

* What is God's purpose for your life as a pastor's/minister's wife?

* How do you balance church and home?

* How do you deal with the man of God when he is in sin?

* Do you have to be involved in the ministry to be an effective pastor's/minister's wife?

* How do you handle loneliness?

The Prices have served in two congregations and have approximately fifteen years full-time ministry experience. "It is my desire that everyone that reads this book will come away with a greater understanding of the commitment and sacrifices that it takes to serve God's people. In all reality this is not just a book for pastor's and their wives, but it can also serve as a guide for everyone already involved or attempting to be involved in church leadership."


First Lady: The Real Truth is available online via http://www.candieprice.com/ or through Faith By Hearing Publishing Group, P. O. Box 1994, Birmingham, AL 35202


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Truthfully speaking, I'm not mad at Sis. Candie for carving her own niche. It's hard being a pastor's wife (so I've heard and observed). I wonder if her book educates the reader on how she handles the jezebels who laughs in her face and at the same time is strategizing how to steal her husband? You know there are those "special'' (used loosely) women who only chase after a man with a title. She could care less if he's married, a pastor or has children. Now that would be some real truth to have in the book. I also know it affects the kids-dad is gone all the time. The church family seems to be priority, instead of his biological family.

Hopefully, this book will inspire women such as Sis. Candie, to speak out and offer support to one another. And for those who read this book maybe compassion will be extended towards these "weary warriors," because truthfully, the grass IS NOT always greener on the other side.

You better recognize!
Ivent