People find my blog in some of the strangest ways. I received a visitor today after he/she searched google for an answer to the question above. (How do you vote a pastor out of a church in DC anyway?)
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My Vote’s for Obama (if I could vote) …
by Michael Moore
April 21st, 2008
Friends,
I don’t get to vote for President this primary season. I live in Michigan. The party leaders (both here and in D.C.) couldn’t get their act together, and thus our votes will not be counted.
So, if you live in Pennsylvania, can you do me a favor? Will you please cast my vote — and yours — on Tuesday for Senator Barack Obama?
SOURCE: (Sun photo by Amy Davis / April 21, 2008)
Hat Tip: Baltimore Sun
2 men shot, 1 fatally, outside funeral in West Baltimore
By Gadi Dechter | Sun reporter
The packed West Baltimore funeral was unsettled before the shots rang out.
At 12:15 p.m. Monday, the Rev. Napoleon Rush was preaching on the need to stop the violence that had brought 300 mourners to Unity United Methodist Church to view the body of Anthony Lamont Izzard Sr., 26, killed April 11 in a triple shooting.
“I noticed a lot of things that was out of order,” Rush said of the overflow crowd, many of them young and, according to him, “in the drug life.”
Instead of sitting quietly in the pews, many mourners were walking in and out of the church, according to Rush, and not abiding by his calls for order.
“Most times when a minister speaks a certain thing, people will respect that, but there was none of that,” he said. “Even when we was saying, ‘Don’t come to the casket,’ they was still coming to the casket.”
And then at least eight shots were fired outside the church in the 500 block of N. Stricker St., according to witnesses. People who couldn’t find seats in the chapel “rushed in, running and screaming and hollering,” Rush said. “At that point, everybody inside started screaming and hollering too.”
Kevin A. Slayton, Sr. is a lobbyist with the Slayton Group, LLC and is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Howard University in Washington, DC. He currently resides in Baltimore, MD.
The Gospel and Black Culture: A Past Perspective Still Relevant
The modern concept of the “mega church” in African American faith communities is raising many interesting questions about authentic discipleship today. Urban ministries in Baltimore are developing influential ministries never before introduced into the fabric of church life, while creating a visibility deserving of federal scrutiny. But is the influence being used to change the lives and communities in which these churches exist or are they perpetuating a gospel damaging to the Kingdom of God. What is the cultural phenomenon of the “Mega-church” and the impact it has on the spreading of the Gospel to a community in need?
In most urban cities across the country exist three or more churches that fit the “mega church” model, Baltimore is not different. Most are defined by huge million dollar facilities with extravagant facades, large memberships and multiple worship services. Another staple of the mega-church is cloaked in the persona of its leadership. The mega-church pastor tends to be very theatrical, charismatic, flamboyant and verbose in his/her presentation. Granted those are the characteristics that will initially attract most parishioners in the first place, in addition to amazing music ministries. The rosters of many of these churches exceed five and six thousand active members. Ironically, many of them are located in communities where the average income is far below the median. The visual dichotomy presents a very interesting contrast between the pastor and parishioner, as well as, the temple and the average homes in the community. Despite the stark differences new members continue to flock to these congregations seeking some form of renewal and hope.
My fast ended this past Tuesday at 12:00 Noon. Eight days I went without food drinking only water and juices in order to bring my flesh under subjection, clear my mind, and achieve a greater sense of intimacy with God. A very specific issue caused me to do this and reading the words of Jesus that “some things come only by prayer and fasting” (Matt 17: 14-21), I was led to engage in this ancient spiritual practice.
It was refreshing, invigorating, and spiritually satisfying. I needed to commune with God and I did even though attacks by the Adversary persisted. I was and am at peace.
During this season of fasting I learned how much support I really have in my circle of friends. Those who know me personally know that I am a giver. I give my time, energy, and resources to many many great causes and oftentimes to people that I may never see again. Likewise, I strive to be extremely supportive of those in my circle who are doing great things. To be honest, however, sometimes I wondered if I would receive the same level of support from others in my time of need. People say that they support you, they’re with you, they got your back, and the famous church line: “I’ll pray for you” - knowing that they aren’t going to pray. I wondered if I only have those type of folk in my circle. I no longer need to wonder.
Baltimore City Public School System
By Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, Sr.
Recent violent occurrences in our Baltimore City Public School system should finally be the wake-up call for all of us to get actively involved in the education of OUR children.
The Family and Community Engagement Policy of the Baltimore City Public School System, approved May 25, 2004, needs to be scraped. Some of the language can be retained, but this document is merely words and not a plan to really engage parents, residents, community organizations, faith based institutions and businesses.
The Baltimore City Public School System’s Office of Parent Involvement and School, Family, Community Connections is failing in its objective to promote ongoing community engagement activities in our schools. Outside agencies and individuals are not participating at truly beneficial and successful levels, in helping our schools achieve greater success. We must be careful in engaging some of these non-profits that are only involved to receive funding for their experimental project that show no real benefit for our children. Communities, contrary to the schools allegations, are not being encouraged at the level we must have them to become increasingly more involved and committed to the shred responsibility of improving our schools.
The room was packed. On one side residents and supporters from Park Heights ready to tell why they didn’t want liquor stores in their community anymore. On the other side, many Korean merchants and a curious rowful of residents who were coming to defend their business.
The hearing started with a disappointment. We who had come to challenge Slaters Market (the grocery market that sells alcohol next to ketchup) were shocked when we learned during the hearing that the attorney from Community Law Center, Inc. (Michelle Pierce, Esq) had made a “gentleman’s agreement” with the attorney representing Slaters. The agreement was that they would take the liquor bottles off of the shelves that had condiments on them and in exchange there would be no protest of their license. What?!
This afternoon (Thursday, April 10, 2008) I will be joining many others at the Baltimore City Liquor Board Hearing about the four establishments that we have been targeting on a weekly basis for the past 5 months.
As you’ll remember, our work has been focused on the 5100 block of Park Heights Avenue where there are 4 [FOUR] liqour establishments in that 1 block!
Our citizen’s alliance led by Mr. Derrick Compton, Sr., is extremely diverse and focused. We have PhD’s and “No D’s” joining together to deal with this public safety issue that research has proven adversely impacts a community’s quality of life.
The Korean Merchants Association understands what is at stake. Our coalition met with them two weeks ago to hear them out. Our sources also tipped us to the fact that they have paid some residents $40 to come down to City Hall today to testify in favor of the liquor stores. These sly business owners have also been going around to the local churches with $100 dollar “offerings” for the pastors in the community.
Will pastors turn their backs on the community for a $100 dollar bill??
We’ll see. But we’re thankful for Rev. Ted Sutton (Maryland Church of God in Christ), Pastor Kevin Rogers (New Fellowship Church), Pastor Hattie Bailey (Full Gospel Fellowship Church of Deliverance) and Bishop Kevia Elliot (The Lord’s Church) for their letters of support and in the case of Rev. Sutton - we appreciate how this true man of God has walked the streets with us - something that he does anyway given his passion for “street ministry.”
I just received word that Dr. Jeremiah Wright will be delivering the 11AM morning message this Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church (Norfolk, VA) where the pastor is Rev. William Dixon.
I’m sure that Wright’s phone is blowing up these days so I wondered how Bank Street confirmed him for this Sunday. According to this article, Bank Street has the hookup. Someone from the church is related to Dr. Wright and the church will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Booster’s Ministry.
Kudos to my seminary brother, William Dixon for bringing Dr. Wright to the Norfolk area.
Unfortunately, however not everyone considers Dr. Wright’s presence in Norfolk a blessing. Of course you expect certain folks to frown upon his coming, but another African American pastor?!? Oh come on.
Monday, I received some troubling news that immediately rattled and unsettled me and my family. Everything went to the backburner and all of my energy and focus was on addressing this situation.
After the initial shock, I began to pray about it. There was a time when I considered prayer the “only” thing that I could do in reference to situations where I had lost all control. However, now I know that prayer isn’t the “only” thing that I can do - it’s the best thing that I can do.
Because the need is so great, not only am I in a heightened prayer posture this week, but I’m also fasting. My fast started Monday afternoon and will continue until Tuesday. My prayer is very specific and my fast is on purpose.
