This weekend, lots of churchgoers are displaced. With the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, many large gatherings are forbidden citing public safety concerns. Many mega ministries have made the wise decision to comply with public health officials and their directives, and Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston was the first to announce this weekend’s closure.
It’s a wise decision and many ministries are suited to handle not only online viewership, but digital giving. But, what about the people who aren’t comfortable with watching service and just need to go somewhere? What about those who feel like they must be in service somewhere? There are even those who have quoted Hebrews 10:25 admonishing other believers to press to beyond their fears (and even health officials) to gather in the name of the Lord.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
New Look Friends and Family Day
The safe number has toggled between 250 and 500 leading to many cancellations this weekend and beyond. What about churches with membership and weekly attendance well beyond 250? This is a great opportunity to welcome new visitors this weekend! Not necessarily to try and gain new members, but to simply make new friends and make room for those who normally don’t or can’t come because of their obligations at their own church. While many churches have struggled to decide whether or not to remain open this weekend, they have missed out on a great opportunity for outreach in the community and even within their social networks.
As the pandemic rages on, large gatherings will continue to be affected. Smaller congregations have a unique opportunity to welcome guest and still not risk swelling beyond the safe number provisioned by local health officials.
As a precautionary measure, we do advise each ministry that remains open to become proactive in the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus. Please be sure to have ample soap, warm water and hand sanitizer in the restrooms. Also, disinfect hard and soft surfaces which can spread the virus when touched. Next week, we will share information about how to disinfect your sanctuary’s carpet, chairs and vents.
Got Room for New Friends and Faces?
If you would like to be included in our directory of small congregations willing to welcome new faces, email us at: info@soulprospermedia.com.
“We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse, and I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves.”
Britt Farmer, Senior Minister, West Freeway Church of Christ (shared from Dallas Morning News)
The last Sunday of the year is often one of remembrance for churchgoers, but for the congregation at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, it will forever be unforgettable. Just after taking The Lord’s Supper, a shooter now identified as Keith Thomas Kinnunen opened fire killing two men before his life was ended by a member of the church’s security team.
Two great men perished on yesterday. That is a fact that their families, the West Freeway Church of Christ, surrounding communities and churchgoers everywhere can’t forget. But in the midst of mourning these two great men, we must pause to celebrate the swift action of the not only the security team, but armed members of the congregation who drew their weapons in response to the evil that walked among them. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hailed them men’s heroics saying, “The heroism today is unparalleled, this team responded quickly, and within six seconds the shooting was over.” As pointed out in many reports since the shooting, multiple worshipers drew their weapons, though only one shot was needed to end the threat in the house of worship.
Spiritually, there is also another aspect to consider and that is covering the house of prayer and ensuing services with prayer. Comfort and security at church are often assumed and not assured by the duty to pray and as the conversation continues for physical reinforcement, believers should also re-consider the need for spiritual reinforcement of increased prayer before service.
Former FBI agent and security expert Greg Shaffer said what happened Sunday inside the West Freeway Church of Christ is proof all houses of worship need armed security.
Today, as we reflect on the aftermath of the tragedy, we must also adjust to a new reality, weapons in worship. The bible declares that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4), but when God’s people were under attack they were instructed to not only sing praises to God, but to remain battle ready! The Pulpit Commentary goes so far as to say “Some understand this metaphorically. But the weapons of Jewish warfare in Nehemiah’s time were thoroughly carnal (Nehemiah 4:13, 16, 17, 18); and against adversaries such as Sanbailat, Geshem, and Tobiah, a nation threatened with extermination is certainly entitled to use the sword.”
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Psalm 149:6
The bible declares that the word of God is a two-edged sword, but make no mistake about it, the sword mentioned in the passage in the book of Psalm is literal. The house of worship is considered a war-zone spiritually, but it’s never safe to make it such literally. This is why only well trained shooters should be considered when defending against weapon wielding evil people. Untrained shooters could easily spark a shootout with an assailant and endanger more lives than originally intended.
Former Fort Worth Police Officer LaRhonda Young says that “every church needs to seek out their active duty military people, LE officers and veterans or former LE officers that are members of their church and ask them to serve as their eyes and if they have CHL encourage them to carry during every service.” This saved countless lives on yesterday and will probably be the model for houses of worship going forward. Former officer Young has made headlines earlier this year for the sake of proper training. In October, when Atatiana Jefferson was killed by a Fort Worth police officer, she decried the poor training incoming officers receive which lead to tragedies like this. She also shared with The SMG Report that proper training and not merely the presence of armed members is what ended the threat in the church on yesterday and encourages the same training for congregations, going forward.
When news broke of the shooting in Fort Worth, thoughts of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs came to mind. Though no motive has been released, tt’s an inconvenient truth that houses of worship will need armed security because for most services, the most disruptive aspect of worship is an awry tambourine. The threat of mass-shootings in public places is very real and with each shooting, the sense of security enjoyed in public places whether defended by armed security or not is eroded, almost daily. What believers choose to do in the wake of yet another church shooting, will have to employ divine wisdom, swift responses and a sharp shooter.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie made history when she was elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first woman ever elected to this position in the denomination’s 232-year history. Now, she is making it her mission to empower other North Texas Women with the Selah Leadership Encounter for Women.
Named one of the top eleven conferences for women who want to level up in 2019 by Essence Magazine, “Selah Leadership Encounter for women is a place for leaders to reset, refresh, andrecalibrate.”
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie invites you to the Dallas Edition of the Selah Conference
On November 21-23, 2019, McKenzie will bring the Selah Leadership Encounter for Women to Dallas. Named one of the top conferences for women in 2019 by Essence Magazine, Selah Leadership Encounter for Women will feature leading experts from around the country including Dallas’ own, internationally acclaimed actress and bestselling author, Priscilla Shirer; health guru and serial entrepreneur Pinky Cole, owner of the acclaimed plant-based restaurant and food truck, Slutty Vegan; Hollywood director Deborah Riley Draper; leading business expert Becky A. Davis; national speaker, trainer and author, Dr. Micaela Herndon; church founder and senior pastor Dr. Cynthia Hale; and author and movie producer, Cheryl Polote-Williamson.
Bishop McKenzie says of the purpose of the conference: “We do this at the end of the year because this gives us an opportunity to stop, break and then look ahead to where we want to go and what needs to be done in the upcoming year rather than rushing through thanksgiving and rushing through the Christmas holiday and rushing through the New Year celebration to arrive on January 2nd and you have absolutely no goals, no ideas…just a lot of resolutions that you’re not going to keep.“
The Selah conference and ideal has been going strong since the 80’s and Bishop McKenzie has sought out to make the conference a respite and safe space where believers can come to express their faith. “Many times when you’re on the job you can’t express your faith. When you’re sitting in the board room among a multiplicity of ethnic groups and backgrounds and a multiplicity of faiths, (you) can not express your faith (“I can’t have my bible on my desk, I have to go to the bathroom to pray, can’t say praise the Lord, hallelujah on my job”). So, we come together as women of faith to retool, to recalibrate, to take a look at our leadership skills and our leadership styles, to resource each other because there are women who have achieved. (presidents, vice-presidents, executive directors and administrative assistants)…to be able to resource other women who aspire to those positions.”
The Selah conference is a place to not only a place or respite, but the restoration of koinonia (fellowship). Bishop McKenzie feels that the church has lost its sense of fellowship; at the conference attendees will be free to not only worship, but to do so together! The conference serves to fill a need Bishop McKenzie is very much aware of. “There is no day off for us, So, where do you get a day off where you can stop, think, take a deep breath, press the rewind button? The Selah conference is that safe place.
The Dallas edition of the Selah Leadership Encounter for Women is a peculiar place for the conference celebrating women in leadership. The Container Store, Half Price Books, The Neiman Marcus Group and The Dallas Mavericks are just a few entities boasting a woman at the senior level of its company leadership. Nationally, the movie Harriet continues to wow at the box office, telling the story (though somewhat embellished) of the woman referred to as “A Woman Called Moses”. Today, we are seeing a turning of the tide in view of women as power figures and leaders, and rightfully so. As Bishop McKenzie and the amalgam of illustrious speakers convening to inspire and equip the women at the Selah conference know, in many places the future is female. It’s nothing to shy away or shrink back from, but to fully embrace as you leave the conference revived, refreshed, restored and most importantly equipped with what you need to face your future!
Listen to the full interview with Bishop Vashti McKenzie on SP Radio “Talking Points”
On November 21-23, 2019, McKenzie will bring the Selah Leadership Encounter for Women to Dallas. Named one of the top conferences for women in 2019 by Essence Magazine, Selah Leadership Encounter for Women will feature leading experts from around the country including Dallas’ own, internationally ac…
Earlier this week, Kirk Franklin officially announced his intention to boycott the Gospel Music Association and the Trinity Broadcast Network “until tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially where people of color have contributed their gifts, talents and finances to help build the viability of these institutions.“ This comes on the heels of a portion of his speech being edited out for the Dove Awards telecast. While support is pouring in for one of gospel music’s most decorated artists, there are many who oppose the boycott and wish to proceed without any interruption of fellowship.
Truthfully, we all want to
continue without disruption of fellowship, but we also cannot disregard the gift
of disruption when sent from God Himself. What is this disruption? It is the
shining of a light on one of the darkest segmentations of the body of Christ,
racists. Not every racial offense is bred from hatred. Sometimes the culprit is
cognitive dissonance, and other times it’s unconscious bias. However, when willful
acts are committed, immediate redress must be given. Many seeking to dismiss
Franklin’s boycott as an overreaction or misunderstanding of simple editing for
television don’t understand the depth of the issue Franklin and so many others take
issue with.
While the gospel and contemporary Christian music communities seek to find a resolution, First Baptist Church in Naples, Florida is grappling with its own lack of racial dexterity. In a letter to the congregation, the Pastoral Staff lamented that “through social media, texting, phone calls, and emails, racial prejudice was introduced into our voting process.” In the aftermath of this rancor caused by racism, the church must decide how to proceed, albeit without a new Pastor. The vote for Pastor Marcus Hayes’ appointment to the Naples church was all but a formality, until certain members initiated a campaign to block him. The percentage needed was 85%, but the vote fell short at 81%.
What this shows us is that racial disparity is still prevalent in our church. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning” and that remains true. In its expanded form, 8 am, 9am, 9:30 am, 10 am, 10:30, and noon on Sundays also fit that narrative. These segregated Sundays and services become segregated radio station, television stations, political parties and even award shows. Though the church and bride of Christ are established, and the gates of hell won’t prevail against it, there is much to be said about a segregated bride. As Jesus said in response to those that called him the devil, a kingdom divided against itself won’t stand. There is no way to serve a segregated savior and to think that it pleases the Lord to have His people divided is falls way short of any scriptural interpretation.
The Southern Baptist Convention has long grappled with race issues and many of its stalwart leaders were stern segregationists, promulgating the curse of Ham and were the last to acquiesce to integration and civil rights for blacks in America. The residue remains though in a 1995 resolution the convention denounced racism, in all its forms, as deplorable sin.
This didn’t stop the practices from flowing in the undercurrent of American Baptists, and in 2017 when Pastor Dwight McKissic introduced a resolution to denounce white supremacy, it was met with consternation and shifted the meeting into utter chaos. The concession? A revised statement against the alt-right, seemingly bolstered by rhetoric from President Donald Trump.
Whether sitting at church or
at Lipscomb University at the Dove Awards, the tension is there, though it may
not be as pronounced as in other places. Racial tension is embedded in the
fabric of the identity of the United States of America. While the freedom
fighters fought for their freedom from British rule, they did so with the help of
their captive, enslaved laborers. The war of 1812 was won due to the force and
ingenuity of enslaved Africans. The constitutional right that guaranteed freedom
and liberty excluded the abductees, their families and for centuries, any semblance
of their heritage throughout the country they worked to build.
So, what now? We’ve enjoyed
freedoms and even unbridled fellowship with other races in America, what’s
keeping God’s children in America from achieving the level of fellowship
outlined in the bible? What are we to do when our brother needs to be corrected?
I take this example from the Apostle Paul that I want to share with you. In
Galatians Chapter 2, Paul recounts his face to face rebuke of the Apostle
Peter. Peter was not in fellowship with the grace that had been made available
to he, Paul and other believers and at that moment, Paul took immediate issue
with him.
In Galatians 2:18 Paul says
to Peter: “For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a
transgressor.”
For each step toward racial
reconciliation taken, there are multiple steps taken backward. We can’t
continue this vacillation and expect to achieve racial harmony. As we work toward
racial reconciliation, there must be and will be difficult conversations ahead.
The sin of slavery is not one Christians should shy away from. The Apostle Paul
begs the question in Romans 6:21 “what fruit had ye in those things whereof
ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” Either white American
Christians are yet partaking in the fruit of slavery or they are not yet fully ashamed.
Either way, we are assured that “the wages of sin (even the sin of slavery
and racism) is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Whether achieved through a
boycott, disfellowship of members causing dissension or a miracle of biblical
proportion, the time is now to get serious about racial reconciliation. As I
close, I want to remind you that in the Kingdom of God, “There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for
ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Last Sunday, the Dove Awards aired on TBN and at one of the most poignant moments of the broadcast, the gospel community realized that something was awry. When Kirk Franklin graced the stage to accept his award for Gospel Artist of the Year, a portion of his acceptance speech was edited out. Franklin called again for reconciliation and prayers for the family of Fort Worth resident Atatiana Jefferson and Aaron Dean, the former Fort Worth Police Officer who killed her, now facing charges in her death. The omission in the broadcast rankled many viewers, local supporters and the gospel community at large, namely Phil Thornton, SVP of RCA Inspiration, the label Franklin records on.
Franklin’s announcement of a boycott is right out of the playbook of the civil rights movement. Not until black dollars and participation were lost, did many of these companies championing the oppressive Jim Crow laws and lifestyle realize just how much they depended on the black community they regarded as second class customers and citizens. Using the full heft of his influence, Franklin is a hometown hero-calling into accountability the long-standing practices of unconscious bias in Christian institutions like the Gospel Music Association and the world’s largest Christian television network, the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
The Dove Awards added the speech in its entirety later last week on its YouTube channel. According the Gospel Music Association, all acceptance speeches were cut short and Franklin’s was no different. As Thornton said, the edit was not the issue, the content was. When artists at the zenith of the spectrum speak truth to power, it is then incumbent upon the hearers to respond. Whether the response is for or against action is never promised, however the onus remains. In the wake of this fallout, Franklin has decided to boycott both the Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Gospel Music Association until “tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially where people of color have contributed their gifts, talents and finances to help build the viability of these institutions.“
The Dove Awards has done a much better job to include the black gospel community with even a new gospel worship category, this year. The Dove Awards I hasn’t shunned political action because one of their sponsors is My Faith Votes. Why was Kirk Franklin’s speech edited? It couldn’t be that it was political. I think that the call for justice falls into the category of white noise (static), bolstered by cognitive dissonance. This problem persists because we have remained in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have not been touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
I am aware that the word “boycott” often has a negative connotation and finality to it, but my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability. It is important for those in charge to be informed; not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African-American experience. I’m not asking those in the gospel community to follow my decision. No, this is my personal choice to take a stand and hold responsible those in a position of power to acknowledge the issues in our separate communities that have existed from colonialism to Jim Crow. To many of the issues facing us today I pray that there will be a significant change from this hurtful experience. I look with anticipation for that day of healing and I’m committed to contributing to that process. In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
You can watch it here. Additionally, all of our winners have received their full acceptance speeches to post and share on their platforms as desired. In recent years, we have worked hard to ensure that The Dove Awards stage is a platform that promotes unity and celebrates God’s diverse Kingdom.
Kirk Franklin performs at the 50th GMA Dove Awards
Last night on the telecast of the 50th GMA Dove Awards, a portion of Kirk Franklin’s award acceptance was edited and omitted part of his speech, to the chagrin of many in the gospel community. Namely, RCA Inspiration SVP and GM, Phil Thornton took issue with the omission and called out GMA and TBN in a series of tweets. The controversy comes on the heels of what was an otherwise iconic night of celebration.
The Gospel Music Association replied with an explanation that many speeches were cut in the interest of time and that there was no malice behind the omission of a portion of Franklin’s speech. They also hoped to air the speech in its entirety, soon.
“A young girl by the name of Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her home by a policeman and I am just asking that we send up prayers for her family and for his, and asking that we send up prayers for that 8-year-old little boy that saw that tragedy,”
As stated by Phil Thornton, the issue is not in the editing itself, rather it is the content chosen to be omitted. While it’s easy to be upset with the Gospel Music Association and the Trinity Broadcasting Network, there remains a more prevalent persistence that demands our attention and action. Black and white Christians have very different experiences in America. While many white Christians still enjoy the many, even unintentional benefits of white privilege, many blacks in America are still subject to the fact that America’s greatest sin is its unrepentant, native sin.
Because we are monotheistic but not monolithic, we suffer chasms within the faith community. We can seemingly all agree on certain political points the bible supports, or do we? Entitlement benefits, morality in the white house and international diplomacy are all issues believers invoke scripture to support or refute. Police brutality is an issue many evangelicals don’t seem to feel the need to address. For this reason, a deep divide has persisted within our communities. But the DOVE Awards is not apolitical, not in the least. One of the show’s sponsors this year is My Faith Votes, an association committed to galvanizing the faith community to take part in each election. So, if police brutality is a political issue, it’s not a political issue the GMA cares to engage its base to take action against.
I’m not sure what the culprit is, whether it’s racism, apathy or a trivialization of the pain that persists in our community. Blacks today at large still face systemic racism and the fight for equality and equity in shared spaces rages on, even within the church. Black and white communities in the Kingdom still exist separate and apart from each other; and with that issue seemingly at the heart of the cutting room omission, I decided to share this essay.
The cacophony of cognitive dissonance is drowning out the sound of racial harmony in the Gospel/Christian music community
We don’t get to “shut up and sing gospel music…” when something affects our community, we are expected to say something. In fact, it’s a good idea that when you see something, you say something, right? In most cases, this is true. While we’re working vehemently to interpret scripture and its meaning for all members of Christ’s family, some issues are clear cut, er…black and white.
When Kirk Franklin graces the stage at Lipscomb University to speak during the LIVE taping of the Dove Awards, you can prepare to be amused and challenged. Franklin has mastered the art of universal communication and whether using self-deprecating humor or scripture, he reaches the listening audience in a way that only he can.
Over the years, his time at the microphone has matched his heart, sharing his hopes for racial unity and even taking a moment to pray. This year, at the 50th GMA Dove Awards was no different and Franklin took time to share what was on his heart about the tragic killing of Atatiana Jefferson here in our hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
Miss Jefferson died at the hands of a police officer, Aaron Dean who has since resigned from the force and is now facing charges. Franklin has openly shared his heart about the shooting on his social media channel and for those closely following him, the speech at the DOVE Awards came as no surprise.
What was surprising, disappointing and even disparaging was the omission of a portion of Franklin’s speech on the edited, televised version of the awards show- to the dismay of many in the gospel community. This omission was seen as more than a cutting room floor decision, but part of a greater problem faced when the gospel and Christian music communities converge.
Instead of harmony and reconciliation, the cacophony of cognitive dissonance further widens the racial divide. When one side can’t see what is impacting the other side, we can never bond together and work to solve each other’s problems- together. In truth, the fact that there are other sides when we are supposedly on the same side (the Kingdom of God) is a problem, within itself. Franklin has called not only for racial unity, but for love to increase. Love from the law enforcement community that will reach citizens and love from citizens to reach and impact the law enforcement community. Because so much time is spent apart in their respective microcosms, many gospel and Christian music artists rarely interact apart from the DOVE Awards.
No Sleeping Allowed, Church. The “WOKE” Movement Should Be No Stranger to Sunday Morning
But when issues are raised in our shared spaces, don’t we then have the onus of at least trying to help? This again begs the question raised in Luke 10:29, “who is my neighbor?” For many, the issue of distance is the source of the dissonance. We often find ourselves pleading for help ad nauseam because our brothers and sisters in the Kingdom can’t feel our pain. “I can’t hear you because that’s not my experience!” Perhaps the source of the dissonance is distance to those in need, “I know nothing about that issue and don’t know how to help!” Sadly, the most painful source of the dissonance is the neighbor you tell about your problem. Because they don’t see you as their neighbor, they ascribe no ownership of the problem, nor can they see any potential for their investment in the solution.
But if it ails one, it ails all…this is our belief as Christians, isn’t it?! Isn’t this why we send money and missionaries to third world countries? Isn’t this why we setup ministries in impoverished communities? The question today isn’t about who our neighbor is, the question today is about who the neighbor we’re willing to help is. The issue of police brutality has suddenly become political, though for years, it has been an extension of the plight of black and brown people in America.
Blacks were infamously brutalized in the south during the Jim Crow era and though now decades removed from the horrors of Jim Crow laws and policy, blacks still face many of the derivatives of oppression in official capacity. This often materializes in police brutality in minority communities. What’s worse is that though citizens are brutalized in white communities as well, there’s not as much outrage. This blanket sentiment is applied when the black community, inclusive of its gospel music makers speak up to raise their voices. Victim blaming is acceptable and many have yet to see the problem minorities yet face with police in their community.
Why? You’d have to spend years peeling back the layers of society to even begin to try and understand this phenomenon. Blacks who speak out against police brutality are actually speaking out for a cause that benefits everyone in the room when spoken in mixed audiences. Political alignment has muted voices in what would otherwise be open and shut arguments for God’s idea of justice and as His children. It behooves us to re-consider the allegiances the don’t align with Kingdom principles.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10
Amid all the backlash, there have been calls to boycott the DOVE Awards, TBN and any other entity that sides with any effort to silence any voice speaking truth to power. Trouble is, this ideology is so pervasive that it’s much bigger than the Gospel Music Association, Trinity Broadcasting, evangelicals, Southern Baptists, and our other neighbors who are content to turn a blind eye to the plight of their family in Christ.
