By UCN on December 21, 2011 11:01 AM
Two thousand years ago, a baby was born in a stable. The stable was in a small town that was part of a defeated nation occupied by the Romans. The nation was Israel, the town was Bethlehem, and the baby's name was Jesus. Over two thousand years later, people all over the world still celebrate His birth... but why?
The Bible tells us that Jesus was not an ordinary baby. In fact, this baby was the God of the universe clothed in human flesh. That's right. Jesus is actually God, in human flesh, who came to this earth because mankind had been separated from Him by their sin. Jesus became a man so that He could reunite mankind with God.
We all know that we are not perfect. But did you know that one day we will all stand before a righteous God and give an account for our lives? In that moment, we will either be sentenced to Heaven or Hell. Today, we can be sure that we are going to Heaven because of what Jesus Christ did for us.
Read more here
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Ten Commandments from Dead Sea Scrolls On Display In New York City Exhibit
By UCN on December 20, 2011 9:25 PM
It is an irony of history that the Ten Commandments that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai on two stone tablets are found in their purest form on a strip of ancient parchment so delicate that it is hardly ever seen by the public.
A rare exception is being made this holiday season as the 2,000-year-old "Ten Commandments Scroll" goes on display through Jan. 2 in a New York City exhibit dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
For once, at least, this display of the Ten Commandments is unlikely to become the focus of legal squabbles or impassioned religious rhetoric.
Instead, the exhibit at Discovery Times Square in Manhattan could serve to underscore the remarkable power of faith to shape a culture -- and the ability of that culture to transmit its bedrock teachings across the centuries, and around the world.
"When it comes to the Ten Commandments, it's something that crosses all religious lines and even moves into the secular world," said Risa Levitt Kohn, a professor of Judaism and biblical history at San Diego State University and the curator of the show, which features 20 of the more than 900 Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as other artifacts of the era.
"For one reason or another these laws have influenced not just Judaism and Christianity for centuries, but also have made their way into civil and criminal codes, and have really had a lasting effect on Western secular culture."
The scroll is part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a trove of biblical and religious writings that were only discovered by accident in the 1940s in a desert cave east of Jerusalem.
Read more here
It is an irony of history that the Ten Commandments that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai on two stone tablets are found in their purest form on a strip of ancient parchment so delicate that it is hardly ever seen by the public.
A rare exception is being made this holiday season as the 2,000-year-old "Ten Commandments Scroll" goes on display through Jan. 2 in a New York City exhibit dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
For once, at least, this display of the Ten Commandments is unlikely to become the focus of legal squabbles or impassioned religious rhetoric.
Instead, the exhibit at Discovery Times Square in Manhattan could serve to underscore the remarkable power of faith to shape a culture -- and the ability of that culture to transmit its bedrock teachings across the centuries, and around the world.
"When it comes to the Ten Commandments, it's something that crosses all religious lines and even moves into the secular world," said Risa Levitt Kohn, a professor of Judaism and biblical history at San Diego State University and the curator of the show, which features 20 of the more than 900 Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as other artifacts of the era.
"For one reason or another these laws have influenced not just Judaism and Christianity for centuries, but also have made their way into civil and criminal codes, and have really had a lasting effect on Western secular culture."
The scroll is part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a trove of biblical and religious writings that were only discovered by accident in the 1940s in a desert cave east of Jerusalem.
Read more here
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Young Masters
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction-Proverbs 1:7
Ministry Leader: Rev. Glenn Carter
The Young Masters is a ministry designed to infuse the principals of team sports into everyday life for young people. The first precept is that every body needs somebody and we are all members of the body of Jesus Christ.
With basketball being the vehicle, we attempt to show how no one person can make it without giving and receiving. The analogy is thus:- God has passed the ball of salvation to us through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
- It is up to us to receive this pass and pass it to others.
- When we score a goal, it is to help the team of Christian believers reach the point of defeating the enemy/opponent.
- If we make one mistake or miss our assignment/opportunity to help our teammate in Christ we could leave someone open to the attacks of the enemy/opponent.
- We have to be aware every moment during the game of life and listen to the coach and follow the game plan that he has set forth.
- If young people execute properly and take advantage of their opportunities, they will win far more than they lose and at the same time be prepared for the attacks of the enemy/opponent.
The game plan is for young people to apply these precepts to everyday life every day. This means a steady reliance upon the Lord to help navigate the rigors of living in this world and keeping in their sights the ultimate goal of staying kingdom-bound and victorious.
We also hope to teach respect for the word of God that is tool for navigation through life. Learning about God at an early age can only enhance their life skills. Just like in basketball, there are going to be many opportunities where a decision will have to be made and sometimes those decisions come in a split-second. Young people need to be prepared to make the right decision when there is time to think and spiritually aware when the decision has to be made right away. Being properly grounded in the word of God can prepare for those quick decisions that could change their directions in life in a split-second. The game and the victory can sometimes hinge upon what they do in that split-second. They could miss their assignment and fall to the opponent or they could score the goal and claim their victory.
Second Volume of the Writings of Henry McNeal Turner Due January 2012
Praise for the Volumes:
Dr. Andre E. Johnson’s scholarship on the life, work, and writings of The Henry McNeal Turner recovers an incredibly important aspect of African American history. It is always an important occasion when a scholar goes beyond the study of well known historical figures to re-introduce a leader who lived beyond the limits of current life memories, and whose efforts paved the way for current benefits. The volumes that will follow, document Turner’s contributions to history through his copious writings. Dr Johnson, a rhetorician, theologian, professor and pastor, is uniquely suited to edit volumes that will enhance our understanding of Turner’s work and the political, theological, and legal issues of the antebellum and reconstruction period.-Barbara A. Holmes, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies, Memphis Theological Seminary
In this collection of writings and speeches Dr. Andre E. Johnson opens up an aspect of American history that has been unavailable to scholars and general readers, the history of African Americans during the last half of the 19th-century and early 20th-century revealed through the mind of a southern black man. Johnson characterizes Henry McNeal Turner as a public intellectual of his time given the range of topics he addresses and the vast quantity of his published and unpublished writing. We see American history from an uncommon angle, from the point of view of a black man striving to find freedom and equality for all people of color in a society that condoned racism and racist practices.-Sandra Sarkela, Associate Professor of Communications, University of Memphis
Thank you ever so much for the new scholarship on a mainstay personality of the nineteenth century. McNeal Turner was an unusual and intellectually stalwart human being.This kind of research will be of use not only to historians but to literary critics and so many others not to mention people interested in his theology, his race insights even the ideas these volumes will lend to anyone wanting to do a psychoanalytic analysis of his work. Thank you ever so much for this.-prramsey@starpower.net
Click on the link below to order your paperback copy
Monday, December 19, 2011
Creflo Dollar Orders Eddie Long Members To Get Out!
http://thechurchladyblogs.com/2011/06/08/creflo-dollar-order-eddie-long-members-to-get-the-hell-out/
Special thanks to my friend J. Brock from The Old Black Church for researching and posting what everybody has been talking about over the past couple of days, Bishop Creflo Dollar telling Eddie Long folks to get out?
Read the post, view the video then let your voice be heard. Leave a comment below, then, jump over to The Old Black Church and join the community to discuss your thoughts further on this matter.
“Once upon a time the doors of the church was open to everybody. Not any more according to DR. Creflo Dollar a pastor in Atlanta Georgia. Who on Sunday order members of New Birth Baptist church to get out and go home to Bishop Long cause he don’t won’t them there. He also suggest that they over look the wreck that Bishop Long have made of the church. Now I cant believe how cocky and arrogant Dr. Dollar seems to be regarding this. The comment below was one found at FBC Jax Watchdog.
Great message by Pastor Dollar and he is a wonderful example of a true friend. He did not excuse Pastor Long’s behavior, he just spoke about how we are too forgive and restore. Isn’t that in the Bible? Do YOU believe in Grace?”
Read more and watch video here
Special thanks to my friend J. Brock from The Old Black Church for researching and posting what everybody has been talking about over the past couple of days, Bishop Creflo Dollar telling Eddie Long folks to get out?
Read the post, view the video then let your voice be heard. Leave a comment below, then, jump over to The Old Black Church and join the community to discuss your thoughts further on this matter.
“Once upon a time the doors of the church was open to everybody. Not any more according to DR. Creflo Dollar a pastor in Atlanta Georgia. Who on Sunday order members of New Birth Baptist church to get out and go home to Bishop Long cause he don’t won’t them there. He also suggest that they over look the wreck that Bishop Long have made of the church. Now I cant believe how cocky and arrogant Dr. Dollar seems to be regarding this. The comment below was one found at FBC Jax Watchdog.
Great message by Pastor Dollar and he is a wonderful example of a true friend. He did not excuse Pastor Long’s behavior, he just spoke about how we are too forgive and restore. Isn’t that in the Bible? Do YOU believe in Grace?”
Read more and watch video here
BLACK CHURCHES IN NEWARK MOVE TOWARD TOLERANCE
Monday, December 12, 2011 - 5:04pm by Kimberley McLeod, GLAAD's Communities of African Descent Media Field Strategist
The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's highest-circulating online and print newspaper, informally surveyed a number of Newark African American pastors on LGBT equality and acceptance in the Black church. Some pastors expressed that there are a number of gay members of Black churches, but many are not open with their orientation. While this indicates that there is progress to be made, the article noted the growing acceptance in Black churches:
“A random sampling of black ministers in the Newark area found many are aware of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and [transgender] men and women in their congregations, singing in the choir or working in a church office. And they are willing to welcome them with open arms.”
This is a significant step forward for many of the congregations named in the article; however, placing barriers to participation is not fully inclusive. Although the piece mentioned LGBT people “singing in the choir and working in the church office,” church leadership by someone openly LGBT is not specifically addressed.
Read more here
The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's highest-circulating online and print newspaper, informally surveyed a number of Newark African American pastors on LGBT equality and acceptance in the Black church. Some pastors expressed that there are a number of gay members of Black churches, but many are not open with their orientation. While this indicates that there is progress to be made, the article noted the growing acceptance in Black churches:
“A random sampling of black ministers in the Newark area found many are aware of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and [transgender] men and women in their congregations, singing in the choir or working in a church office. And they are willing to welcome them with open arms.”
This is a significant step forward for many of the congregations named in the article; however, placing barriers to participation is not fully inclusive. Although the piece mentioned LGBT people “singing in the choir and working in the church office,” church leadership by someone openly LGBT is not specifically addressed.
Read more here
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dr. Ben Chavis: "It's Time To Straighten Our Backs And Work For Our Freedom"
The issue of income inequality in America demands our attention and social action.
In particular in the African American community, the economic inequities are so real and institutionalized; we are more and more aware of how the devastating impact of income inequality continues cause a downward spiral of the quality of life for African Americans and others who are entrapped in the deep mire of poverty, pain and hopelessness.
The dream of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is just as relevant today as we move into 2012 as it was back in 1963 at the March on Washington.
Dr. King’s dream was the American dream of freedom, justice and equality for all. Yet we all should be reminded that by the beginning of 1968, Dr Martin Luther King Jr was very concerned and focused on the questions of poverty and systemic economic injustice.
Read the rest here
In particular in the African American community, the economic inequities are so real and institutionalized; we are more and more aware of how the devastating impact of income inequality continues cause a downward spiral of the quality of life for African Americans and others who are entrapped in the deep mire of poverty, pain and hopelessness.
The dream of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is just as relevant today as we move into 2012 as it was back in 1963 at the March on Washington.
Dr. King’s dream was the American dream of freedom, justice and equality for all. Yet we all should be reminded that by the beginning of 1968, Dr Martin Luther King Jr was very concerned and focused on the questions of poverty and systemic economic injustice.
Read the rest here
Monday, December 12, 2011
Preaching Like a Prophet
Think about the basic human emotions we get to preach on: joy, sadness, comfort, anger, and serenity. Now think about the prophets—which emotion most often characterizes them?
A few examples:
"Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, 'Bring us some drinks'" (Amos 4:1).
"Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. I cannot bear your evil assemblies" (Isaiah 1:13).
"Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones; who eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin, break their bones in pieces, chop them up like meat for the pan?" (Micah 3:1b-3).
Don't the prophets strike you as kind of cranky? Not only do they use angry words, prophets resort to shock tactics that often look downright bizarre:
—Hosea marries a prostitute to show how unfaithful the people have become;
—Ezekiel eats food cooked over excrement to show people how defiled they've become,
—Jeremiah digs up a filthy, buried, unwashed undergarment to show people how repulsive their behavior was.
The prophets are filled with this stuff. No wonder those of us who preach often avoid them. Our listeners don't always like it. We don't like it. (Does anyone really want to encourage such prophet-like behavior in their congregation?)
Read the rest here
A few examples:
"Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, 'Bring us some drinks'" (Amos 4:1).
"Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. I cannot bear your evil assemblies" (Isaiah 1:13).
"Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones; who eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin, break their bones in pieces, chop them up like meat for the pan?" (Micah 3:1b-3).
Don't the prophets strike you as kind of cranky? Not only do they use angry words, prophets resort to shock tactics that often look downright bizarre:
—Hosea marries a prostitute to show how unfaithful the people have become;
—Ezekiel eats food cooked over excrement to show people how defiled they've become,
—Jeremiah digs up a filthy, buried, unwashed undergarment to show people how repulsive their behavior was.
The prophets are filled with this stuff. No wonder those of us who preach often avoid them. Our listeners don't always like it. We don't like it. (Does anyone really want to encourage such prophet-like behavior in their congregation?)
Read the rest here
Class Matters. Why Won’t We Admit It?
By HELEN F. LADD and EDWARD B. FISKE
New York Times
NO one seriously disputes the fact that students from disadvantaged households perform less well in school, on average, than their peers from more advantaged backgrounds. But rather than confront this fact of life head-on, our policy makers mistakenly continue to reason that, since they cannot change the backgrounds of students, they should focus on things they can control.
No Child Left Behind, President George W. Bush’s signature education law, did this by setting unrealistically high — and ultimately self-defeating — expectations for all schools. President Obama’s policies have concentrated on trying to make schools more “efficient” through means like judging teachers by their students’ test scores or encouraging competition by promoting the creation of charter schools. The proverbial story of the drunk looking for his keys under the lamppost comes to mind.
Read the rest here
New York Times
NO one seriously disputes the fact that students from disadvantaged households perform less well in school, on average, than their peers from more advantaged backgrounds. But rather than confront this fact of life head-on, our policy makers mistakenly continue to reason that, since they cannot change the backgrounds of students, they should focus on things they can control.
No Child Left Behind, President George W. Bush’s signature education law, did this by setting unrealistically high — and ultimately self-defeating — expectations for all schools. President Obama’s policies have concentrated on trying to make schools more “efficient” through means like judging teachers by their students’ test scores or encouraging competition by promoting the creation of charter schools. The proverbial story of the drunk looking for his keys under the lamppost comes to mind.
Read the rest here
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Charlotte's task force takes aim at panhandling and feeding the homeless!
City leaders it seems have formed a new “task force” to crack down on panhandling! The task force's goal is to prevent people from giving out change and stop at least half a dozen restaurants in uptown from giving out food. Why? The reason they say is that, number 1 "panhandling is against the law in many cases", like for example near an ATM or outdoor dining area and after dark, according to police sources.
"Giving money to people on the street does not make a difference," says Dale Mullennix, executive director of the Urban Ministry Center, in a WSOCTV.com report.
He says the task force is focusing on "solutions". Those solutions include giving people information on the agencies that can provide people with services like housing and food. This will go a lot further than spare change!
Continue reading here
"Giving money to people on the street does not make a difference," says Dale Mullennix, executive director of the Urban Ministry Center, in a WSOCTV.com report.
He says the task force is focusing on "solutions". Those solutions include giving people information on the agencies that can provide people with services like housing and food. This will go a lot further than spare change!
Continue reading here
An artful solution to hunger
Many churches stock food pantries with donated goods from parishioners to help meet community needs, especially during the holidays. Sustaining a food bank long-term can be a challenge, but First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City has found an inventive and amusing way to motivate its congregation to keep its shelves full: a canned food sculpture contest.
Cathy Manuel, First Baptist’s director of community ministry, said the church’s Good Shepherd Ministries, which reaches out to the urban population surrounding the downtown church, serves 500 families a month with its food bank, and during the holidays it distributes 200 baskets containing traditional meal supplies.
read more here
Cathy Manuel, First Baptist’s director of community ministry, said the church’s Good Shepherd Ministries, which reaches out to the urban population surrounding the downtown church, serves 500 families a month with its food bank, and during the holidays it distributes 200 baskets containing traditional meal supplies.
read more here
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Occupy Wall Street is Reminding America of Justice for All
by Keith Beasley
Urban Cusp
As the Occupy Wall Street movement recently celebrated its two month anniversary with coordinated protests across the nation, most of the country apparently watched with indifference, according to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll. Relatively unchanged from a similar poll taken a month ago, it was found that 56% of Americans neither support nor oppose the goals of OWS, with 59% of respondents saying they have no opinion at all. Given that we’ve witnessed an escalation of frustration between all sides, the occupiers, law enforcement personnel, elected officials, and civilians just trying to go about their everyday business, it would appear as if OWS is exacting an unnecessarily high physical and social toll with little results to justify it.
Yet, what can not be lost in the civil disobedience of OWS, is the competing vision put forth for the future of America that juxtaposes that of the Tea Party. Since the 2010 elections when the Republican Party resumed control over the house of representatives with a flood of Tea Party fervor and its candidates winning many seats, we can now examine their vision by reviewing their legislative agenda over the past year. Meanwhile, the OWS energy has yet to be converted into an actionable political strategy that would likewise alter election outcomes and represent a policy agenda. Which may explain why so many Americans who would benefit from the demands of OWS are noncommittal, they don’t know what they’re committing to (see http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-for-occupy-wall-st-moveme/).
At the core of the OWS message is a call for justice. A reasonable one, being that we’ve experienced a period of growing income inequality that has widened class divisions in most segments of our society. As a result, OWS is an expression of economic insecurity felt by many, but like most people affected by the economic crisis of 2008 and its aftermath, it has trouble articulating the causes and its solutions. It’s that gnawing sensation you get when you leave the house knowing you forgot something but not quite sure what it is, and where it is, only to get three quarters of the way to your destination and suddenly it hits you, but by then you’re too far to turn back. OWS is a group of concerned citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest in an attempt to remind the nation that we’ve forgot something and we need to turn back to gather what’s missing before it’s too late. What’s missing? Justice!
Read the rest here
Urban Cusp
As the Occupy Wall Street movement recently celebrated its two month anniversary with coordinated protests across the nation, most of the country apparently watched with indifference, according to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll. Relatively unchanged from a similar poll taken a month ago, it was found that 56% of Americans neither support nor oppose the goals of OWS, with 59% of respondents saying they have no opinion at all. Given that we’ve witnessed an escalation of frustration between all sides, the occupiers, law enforcement personnel, elected officials, and civilians just trying to go about their everyday business, it would appear as if OWS is exacting an unnecessarily high physical and social toll with little results to justify it.
Yet, what can not be lost in the civil disobedience of OWS, is the competing vision put forth for the future of America that juxtaposes that of the Tea Party. Since the 2010 elections when the Republican Party resumed control over the house of representatives with a flood of Tea Party fervor and its candidates winning many seats, we can now examine their vision by reviewing their legislative agenda over the past year. Meanwhile, the OWS energy has yet to be converted into an actionable political strategy that would likewise alter election outcomes and represent a policy agenda. Which may explain why so many Americans who would benefit from the demands of OWS are noncommittal, they don’t know what they’re committing to (see http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-for-occupy-wall-st-moveme/).
At the core of the OWS message is a call for justice. A reasonable one, being that we’ve experienced a period of growing income inequality that has widened class divisions in most segments of our society. As a result, OWS is an expression of economic insecurity felt by many, but like most people affected by the economic crisis of 2008 and its aftermath, it has trouble articulating the causes and its solutions. It’s that gnawing sensation you get when you leave the house knowing you forgot something but not quite sure what it is, and where it is, only to get three quarters of the way to your destination and suddenly it hits you, but by then you’re too far to turn back. OWS is a group of concerned citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest in an attempt to remind the nation that we’ve forgot something and we need to turn back to gather what’s missing before it’s too late. What’s missing? Justice!
Read the rest here
Seminary and the United Methodist Church to Hold Evangelism Conference
For more information click here
New Certificate Program at Memphis Theological Seminary
Friday Classes are from 5:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday Classes are from 9:00am-1:00pm
1. Diversity in the Christian Tradition
Instructor: Rev. Meade Walker, PhD.
Class Meetings: Fridays: February 3-March 23
What is the family tree of Christianity? Where did our brothers and sisters in Christ come from? In this course, we will examine the history of Christianity and understand our shared heritage, our places of agreement and disagreement, and our possibilities for shared life and ongoing conversation in the faith.
2. Bible and Ministry
Instructor: Rev. Andre E. Johnson, PhD.
Class meetings: Saturdays: February 4-March 24
How do we come to understand biblical texts so as to relate them to the life of discipleship in the contemporary world? In this course, we will consider different ways to interpret the Bible, examine how context is important in understanding biblical texts, and how we share biblical meanings with other people of faith.
3. Biblical Theology
Instructor: TBA
Class meetings: Fridays: May 4-June 22
What are the foundations of the Christian faith and how are they rooted in the Bible? How do we build upon those foundations through our own faith reflections and sharing with others in pastoral contexts? In this course we will examine central Christian faith convictions in relation to the Bible. We will also consider different approaches to our own work of doing biblically based theological reflection.
4. Proclaiming the Word
Instructor: TBA
Class meetings: Saturdays: May 5-June 23
How do we effectively proclaim the Word of God? How do we prepare and deliver a sermon that will be transformative for our hearers? In this course, we will explore different ways of preparation for and engaging in the practice of preaching.
5. Building Your Ministry
Instructor: TBA
Class Meetings: Fridays: August 3-September 21
How do we draw upon social, cultural, institutional, and financial resources to build our ministry? In this course, we will investigate and evaluate different ways to build effective ministry. This will include attention to the use of social media, fund-raising, and creating and sustaining a non-profit organization.
6. Mission and Outreach
Instructor: TBA
Class meetings: Saturdays: August 4-September 22
What is our mission as church? How do we identify and promote the mission of our church? How might our mission include a variety of ministries? In this course, we will consider the theological foundations for church mission, varieties of church outreach, and the practical skills necessary for engaging in outreach.
**Graduation Ceremony: October 5 @ 6:30pm @ Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
To enroll or to get more information, please call Dr. Debra Matthews @ 334-5857
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