Faith in Action

This is just a sad story. For two years, Pastor Michael Guglielmucci of The Edge Church International lived an outright lie to shield the public from a secret sin. While struggling with an adult pornography addiction, he created the story of having terminal cancer to deflect attention and engender sympathy. Not only did he lie to his church of thousands and his family, he even made a song based on his lie which climbed some musical charts and sold rapidly on itunes.

He confessed the lie in August 2008 and his parents - who also believed that their son was dying and were making funeral preparations - stood in his pulpit to share the shocking news with the church.

Here he is in this exclusive interview.

I just received notification that Dr. C.A.W. Clark, one of the greatest preachers in this country, died Sunday, July 27, 2008.

I first was made aware of Dr. Clark through a CD sermon bundle offered by the African American Pulpit Journal. I bought what I consider to be one of the greatest sermons ever preached - “The Worms Got Him.” If you have never heard this sermon by Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, you would do well to add this to your collection.

The man is a brilliant mind and with his deliberately slow introduction and distinct rhythm he’ll draw you to the core of the text inviting you to see it again with new eyes.

Here’s to one of the greatest pulpiteers of his generation, Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark. May your legacy continue to inspire preachers to be faithful to the text and the sacred art of Black preaching.

About a year ago, I received calls at work on a storm-cloud filled day with news on the other line that one of Baltimore’s most historic churches had been struck by lightning. I jumped in the car and drove to the church and joined hundreds of others who gathered at the smoldering building trying to make sense of what happened. Tears, cheers, songs, and prayers went up as the faithful and the curious watched in amazement as the billows of smoke rose higher yet into the sky.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, news reports began to surface about the church’s financial struggles and gifts that the church had given their pastor - the most scrutinized of which was a bentley automobile.

One year later the smoke has cleared and in this WBAL news report, Bishop Oscar Brown talks about where the church is now - debt free and looking forward to a new building in 2010.

Newsday.com is reporting that gospel music legend, Dr. Timothy Wright and members of his family were involved in a tragic auto accident in Pennsylvania late Friday. Wright’s wife, Betty, died in the crash and he and the couple’s teenage grandson were critically injured.

There is no update yet on Pastor Wright’s condition. Please keep him, his grandson, and their family in your prayers. Condolences to the Wright family and the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center family as well concerning the tragic loss of Betty Wright.

Sunday, July 6, 2008 UPDATE
Eflux Media is reporting that the Wright’s 14 year old grandson, D.J. Wright, has succumbed to his injuries and passed away Saturday evening. Again, please pray for Pastor Wright and his family.

Hat Tip: Washington Post

Gambling Away Our Principles
Sunday, May 18, 2008; B08

It is easy to get caught up in the false promise of slots — of easy money and a quick fix to all that ails Maryland. But the simple truth is that Maryland can’t win and that Marylanders will lose if slots are legalized.

Gambling is becoming an increasingly pervasive element of American society, and legalizing slot machines in the state would be one more example of our society’s eagerness to abandon hard work and ingenuity in favor of a Band-Aid for a gaping wound. Encouraging gambling in our communities would be irresponsible and would result in lasting and irreversible harm.

Proponents of slots contend that their legalization would help finance public education. We ask: What lessons are we teaching our children? That they should throw hard-earned money away in the false hope of a big payday? Those who say slots will create revenue for the state don’t acknowledge the catastrophic ramifications of such a decision. For the state to win, the player must lose. As people of faith, we are called on to speak out to protect Maryland from the insidious vice of gambling.

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Shout out to Reality Speaks of the Solvivaz Nation. They are bringing Dr. Ray Hagins to Baltimore again TOMORROW, April 26, 2008 7PM. Check out their note below and please do all you can to support this valuable engagement.

Greetings Family,

Reality Speaks of Solvivaz Nation would like to invite the entire Afrikan family to join us as we feature Rev. Dr. Ray Hagins this Saturday @ the Sojourner Douglass College 200 N. Central Ave from 7pm-10pm doors open at 6pm. Tickets for this event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

America is Falling: How will the Black Man and Woman Survive???

This is a don’t miss event!!! Dr. Rev. Ray Hagins challenges the way we as Black people think about ourselves and our worldview. This will definitely be an informative event for Afrikans of all ages.

FMI call Reality Speaks Bookstore and Media Center 410-889-0477or visit us online at www.RealitySpeaksBookstore.com

We appreciate your support. Tubman Fried Fish Dinners will be sold!!!

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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It was for male ex-offenders who were there to receive information that could potentially help their situation. Here’s part 1 of my sharing. You can check out the rest on my youtube page.

On that same day I conducted a Social Justice Bible Study session for the United Worker’s Association. They have an Organizer’s Training Program that they’ve just started with some of their low-wage workers. The day before I was in Annapolis meeting with members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland meeting about Governor Martin O’Malley’s absurd DNA bill and from Annapolis did 95 on 95 to get to the studio of WEAA 88.9FM to be a guest on Front Page hosted by my good brother, Craig Thompson. We were talking about Dr. Jeremiah Wright, the Black Church, and Black Liberation Theology.

Once I got home Tuesday night from this long 48 hours of giving and sharing I went straight to bed and slept for 12 hours. (I never do that)

I’m tired ya’ll. My body, mind, and spirit needs a break. I’ve been going full throttle for months now. Vacation please!?

Baltimore Sun
January 19, 2008

The Rev. Vernon N. Dobson, who played a pivotal role in the struggle for civil rights in Baltimore during the 1950s and 1960s, first came to historic Union Baptist Church as assistant pastor in 1958, and then was pastor for 39 years, until retiring last year. “I’m doing a little writing now, and I still preach at different churches several times a month,” said Dobson, 84, the other day. He said he keeps busy with a number of organizations, including BUILD - Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development - a church-based social action group, of which he was a founder.”

Dobson was a friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights heavyweights, such as Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, and Andrew Young. “Whenever Martin came to Baltimore, he’d visit Metropolitan, Douglass Memorial and Union Baptist Church, and we marched together,” Dobson recalled. “I remember when we marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, we had thousands of people, and I never saw so many cracker cops in my life.

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