Chairperson's Corner
ON SBC21& General Conference
Since 1996, the General Church Initiative on the Black Church has had one focus and one focus only, to strengthen the Black Church in these United States. We have employed the primary methodology of teaching churches. Selected Congregation Resource Centers (CRC’s)a.k.astrongblack churches train Partner Congregations (PC’S). Partner Congregations who have completed a Congregational–CommunityProfile are sent to training events sponsored by CRC’s on behalf of SBC21 Coordinating Committee. <read more>
Bishop Keaton speaks at Symposium on Partnership with African American Churches. "Thunder in the Desert announces the call to repentance even as this world lustily tiptoes through the tulips..."<
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On the coming of their first born with respect to Christ and Christmas, Mary came from the wrong side of the tracks and Joseph came from a prominent family, the vaunted house and lineage of David. Yet, there they were, engaged to be married, for they had fallen deeply in love. Somehow, the preemptive force of class and status failed to disrupt the birth of their relationship. <
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Where's The Joy? (Christmas, 2006)
It’s Friday night, October 27, 2006. Tomorrow, I fly to Johannesburg, South Africa (17 hours out of New York) en route to Maputo, Mozambique, where the Council of Bishops is meeting. Neither Reformation nor All Saint’s Day, Election nor Thanksgiving Day, United Methodist Student Day, nor Advent are here; yet I’m writing about Christmas. Lord help. <
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What A Father's Day (August, 2006)
My family knew that I would be absent for Father’s Day this year. A church meeting took me out of town. So, we set our family celebration for Monday evening, June 19. It was great. Another great event happened the day before. The Executive Committee of SBC21 had its summer meeting at Brooks Memorial United Methodist Church. On Sunday, we worshiped at Brooks. Brooks just happened to be celebrating the ministry of Dr. John E. Carrington. From July 2003 to June 2006, John Carrington served Brooks as interim pastor. The church was full and the sermon passion filled. Glorious music filled the air, all kinds. The spirit washed over the congregation seemingly without end. <read more>
Potpourri For 2006 (March, 2006)
I won't forget Mrs. Estella Davis. December 15, 2005, we laid her to rest in Ft. Smith Arkansas at 101 years old. I was honored to preach her funeral. Her passion and love for the church and children had a positive effect on our church. <read more>
Rosa and Claudette (10.28.05)
“Give up your seat,” said the Anglo bus driver to the young African-American woman. An Anglo passenger needed to sit down. Because the young African-American had paid her fare and was seated in the “for colored only” section of the Montgomery, Alabama bus, she refused. The police were called. She was arrested and forcibly led from the bus in handcuffs. No, her name wasn’t Rosa Parks... <read more>
The Vision
SBC21 represents the latest stance taken by the United Methodist Church on behalf of black folks. The first stand occurred in 1784 when the church was organized. At the 1784 Christmas Conference, the church took a forceful stand against slavery. Ever since, our church has backed up although justice movements for black folk have tempered the slide....<read more>