I was reading the Salvation Army newspaper today. And as a denomination they are consciously fighting a "war on poverty." I was stopped in my tracks, because I have not heard that expression "war on poverty since the 60's." One of the things that the Salvation army talks about is the connection between racism and poverty and that we can not eliminate poverty without dealing with racism. They are encouraging all of their churches to develop plans to fight poverty and racism. What do you think?

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2000

Answers

The church has a Divine responsible to elevate the community, thus improving the quality of life for all humankind. However, the church can not teach what it doesnBt practice. The church is the most segregated system in the US. The external church (organized religious worship centers) are so caught in the material (creature comforts and generating revenue) world that the essence of God is somehow (I believe) becomes secondary. I find it disheartening that the Salvation Army must challenge other churches to care for the poorB especially when the church is SUPPOSED to be examples of Jesus the Christ. I work in corporate Amerikka, a capitalistic, profit driven animal. Yet, it delivers meals each Friday to seniors. During the employeeBs Thanksgiving luncheon, the facility invites the seniors. For the past two years, I have asked local churches to pick up the seniors and for two years I have failed. They have all kinds of excuses. Our facilityBs manager decided to pick up the entire tab for transportation and for their meal. We donBt have a strategic plan to eliminate hunger among seniors---we divinely do it. I believe this is called BFaithB. I am sure that some will say, BGod providedBB which is true. But this still does not release churches from their divine responsible. A special racism program is not necessary, if we are teaching the truth. Develop your God Consciousness! This sounds simple, but in reality is very serious business. I donBt think church needs another program to eliminate racism and poverty. The Bible manual works just fine, it is FOLLOWED.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2000

Brenda the Salvation Army is a denomination on it's own. And they are encouraging their churches to respond to poverty. I am sorry you had a bad experience with some churches. The AME church has always had economic development as part of it's mission statement and I feel we have been pro active about helping others. Did you approach your own church for help? Hang in there your good efforts will be rewarded.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2000

Pastor Denise, I have approached my church with assisting seniors and failed. On one occasion, I asked for economic assistance to help pay an electric bill (for a bed ridden double amputee) and the pastor said fine. When it came time to collect the money, I was given the runaround. So, I took my tithes and paid the bill. This kind of foolishness diminished my zeal for tithing. I would rather give it to the poor or help a college student. I will not longer financially support an institution that neglects community. I am not looking for rewards for helping humankind, for when I give, I am giving to myself. Universal Law of Reciprocity---the law of return is in full effect.

I am ashamed of failure of my church, the AME church. I disagree with your position of the church being pro-active in economic development. What evidence do you have to support your position other than a paper policy. The church does not have an economic system in place to help Afrikan people get interest free loans (business and personal). Most Afrikans I know have credit problems and can not get a convention loan. My personal church invests in the Stock Market, but not in its members/community. I believe that it is more concerned with building bigger "churches", creating a "holy" illusion of Christianity, building "large" congregations and creating an unintended climate of dependency.

Our people are in trouble and are looking the Mother/Father Spirit for guidance. How do you account for the deteriorating condition of our people while the Church membership have rapidly increased?

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2000

Brenda I am starting a church on Dec. 3rd and I live in an area where 60 percent of the population make less than $19,000 a year. And most people are working two jobs. Economic development is a priority for me as a pastor. Our state is working on getting high tech companies to come to Montana. I have requested to be at these economic summit meetings. Low income housing is another area of concern. I live in the rocky mountains one hour from yellowstone national park. It is beautiful! And people are moving here. One of the things that I will be doing is coalition building and working with other groups to seek funding for low income housing. Brenda keep up the good work, and also think about starting organization that will make the seniors a mission project perhaps you can work with other churches. Myself and our religious education director are planning classes on how to invest in mutual funds, how to get high tech skills and a job fair. I have heard of AME churches that are working with low income housing.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2000

I understand where you're coming from my sister. You should be commended for "your" work. Sounds like you're a very busy spiritual guide. Guess both of us are fighting against negativity in our own unique ways. I don't use the church...I use prayer and Afrikan Consciousness. I believe that once a person understands and knows who they are, they will discover their divinity. Once we are God Conscious, then everything falls into place.

I hope that one day, I will be able to invest into your ventures. There are so many economic opportunities, virtually untapped by Afrikans Americans. Simply because we do not know how to access them or they have been intentionally hidden from us. Either way the results are the same. Unemployment.

The high tech job fair sounds great! If you know any electrical or software engineers who are looking for career opportunities, willing to relocate and work in the defense industry please forward them my email address. I will be happy to submit their resume to Northrop Grumman.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000

Brenda it is so much fun networking! I hope you will not give up on the AME church we need someone like you that is interested in economic development. We are very blessed in this country to have so many AME churches, find one that fits your personality and theology. Thank you for the compliments also. But I have found God and my strength in the church. For no matter what happens in the rest of the world I can always find at least one person in church that loves the lord. The people who contribute to this board are active in their churches and community. I am 48 years old. And I have traveled around the world, the one constant has been the church. We as pastors are human we will disappoint our congregations at one time or other. Sometimes we do not have discretionary funds to support individual projects, I do the best that I can, so my sister do not give up on the AME church. Contact your presiding elder and ask how you can help with developing economic initiative for your conference. It sounds like you are in a unique position to help others. God will reward you. Joy in Christ and Joy within the AME church!!

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000

Pastor Denise,

I also love the All Powerful, All Knowing, Omnipresent, Divine Mother/Father. However, I don’t share the same love as you do for the AME external church. My church is my heart. I attend it every second, every minute of every hour. No longer do I look to the external church to solve my problems or calm my fears. I look within myself and connect with God living my heart.

God rewards me by allowing me to be a blessing to those around me. I don’t draw attention to myself. No need. The world can not reward me for divine work.

A little about me…I am 43 years old. Single parent of two grown children. Traveled throughout Central and South America. The one thing is constant for me is that Mother/Father never changes.

As for contacting the presiding elder…not willing to give up the energy in the system. But thanks for the suggestion.

This is great board. Have a blessed weekend!

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000

He that admits he is wrong, is half-way to solving his problem. When one or two of our churches in some work of love it is not an indication that this is what the church at large is busy with. I agree with Brenda that the church is in a mess because it continually refuse to admit that it follows an agenda of its own. Many ask us not to generalise, but unfortnately this is the case. Going out on Missionary Sunday, Children's Day or Lay Day with a special project, or once in a while give a food parcel does not absolve us from the neglect of our duties. Whilst I would be the first one to admit that it is not the prime task of the church to run a social program/outreach etc, I believe when applying the holistic mission of Christ, the message of love, we will surely be moved to see that those less fortunate than ourselves receive some comfort

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000

I grew up in an abusive household with an alcohohlic father, who always said I would be nobody, and that the church was a rip off and that the Pastor bought a new car every year. So as a child I learned to hate the church for I saw it through the eyes of my sick father. For me now as an a christian I feel called to be in community. For I have had positive experiences in church and know that my father was wrong. By the way he never attended church. My lord and savior Jesus Christ lived and worked in community. I have grown so much by focusing on my love for Christ and my response to his love for me. Can I change a denomination NO! But Jesus can. every great movement for change began with a small group of people focusing on solutions. I have been in several denominations and basically the problems are the same. But when churches, and individuals are focused on Christ there is always change for the better. Being a christian for me is about love and forgiveness, they go hand and hand. I use to spend so much time being upset about what other people had not done. That I forgot the power that I have in Jesus Christ. I believe I can make a difference. Whether it be standing up to the KKK or starting a church that includes all people. For me taking care of the poor and the disinfranchised is scriptural. I do not think about it I just do it, for it is part of being a christian. The only glory that counts is the glory of God. We are living under grace we did not earn it, we are given it unconditionally by God's love. Will I give up on the church. NO! Jesus and his teachings did not give up on me. As a pastor and follower of Christ I can empower my congregation to help others. For many that will come to my church it will be their first church experience. I want them to know the love of Christ. I will disapoint them at times because I am human. But if they focus on the power of God they will be all right.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000

Rev.D. At our church we try to hire men who have lost there way and are on drugs or alcohol. We hire them doing jobs around the church. We just make them promise that they will not use drugs or drank alcohol while they are working. We do our best to build their self-esteem by give them honest work and paying them for their work and above all respecting them as men. We do not preach to them we provide a enviroment full of love and respect. Most of them can tell some church folk a thing or two about the Bible. We start out by paying them in cash and then giving them a check so they can go to the bank like other men and cash their check. This help them regain some of their manhood. Most of these guys are well educated and know the Lord. Building their self-esteem is a good way for them to rise out of poverty and not be a victim of racism. When one of them make a small step forward we thank God that He allowed us to help one of His children. Rev.D. I love the church as much as you do. I believe that the church is the answer to all our problems in our community. For those who do not share our faith in the church I would suggest they read Jeremiah 42. Let's keep Allen's and Sarah's dream alive.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2000