I once heard a member say to me "Rev...of all the things the members say about you is that you have integrity. They don't talk about your preaching, they talk about your integrity." Can you imagine that? This brother ( a hellion) was impressed not with my preaching ability, but with my integrity. My initial response was of shock and disappointment...I guess I can't "say it or tell the story." This was many years ago. However, time and experience have taught me that integrity is a character trait lacking within many...(feel free to fill in the rest). After many years and many pastoral appointments,I am proud to still have my sense of integrity intact. Praise God that the Holy Ghost and dealing with people has improved my preaching!!! What about you...how important is integrity?

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2002

Answers

Integrity is not just important. It is the essence of my identity in defining who I am, what I do and where I am headed. QED

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2002

My integrity is what allows me to stand in adversity. When I think of integrity I think of Job in the Bible. With all the devil was allowed to take, he could not take his integrity and he would not give it up.

Carmen

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2002

Integrity is a key trait in a good leader. What this X generation is looking for is integrity in its' leaders. We need to pray for integrity to reappear in the life of the church. You can everything you want to have, no integrity, you are gone

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2002

I truly believe the Lord is taking me through this lession of integrity. I would like to share alittle bit of this story. My professional field besides being a minister of the Gospel is Social Work. If anyone is a social worker (even teacher) we don't get paid usually what we are worth. In order to stay in this field of Social Work you MUST regard it as a ministry. Well, I have been working in the field for the past 10 yrs (since graduating from college) and I have had positions everything from group home worker, to manager to assistant director over youth treatment center. I asked the Lord to bless me with another job, because I wanted to expand my territory in the field. I faxed many resumes and went alot of interviews. I came accross this job with the non-profit side of the NC United Methodist church. The position was Area 2 director. The money was 3 times more than what I could ever dream of making, my own office, spending account company car, travel expenses paid while traveling throughout NC, this was the BOMB job! I had the interview and passed with flying colors. I was hired on the spot! I gave my other job a two week notice and took a vacation. The night before I was to start this new job, the Lord spoke to me and he said "Don't chase after power, money, position, or prestige, chase after intergrity." I kinda blew it off. While I was on the job, I noticed my boss was telling me to do things concerning the money and the donations the members were giving which I felt in my spirit was wrong. He told me it was okay and that no one would know about it. During this time, a wealther philanthropist sent the agency a check for 50,000. Instead of recording this money and reporting to the board of directors, my boss gave "gifts" to all of the area directors as a "bonus" and after giving out the gifts, he was only going to record just 20,000 of the money. I turned the "bonus" down, it just didn't feel right. In tears I sought the Lord on this, because I felt the pull to quit this job. I was like looking at all I was getting in this position. Two weeks later, I turned in my resignation. "What would profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul." Because of this move, just to pay my bills I have accepted a 7.00 dollar an hour job, until something better comes my way. You know what! I rather be working on a 7.00 dollar an hour job, with clean hands and a clean heart before the Lord than working on a job with all the money I need and more and the Lord says "depart from me you worker of inquity I knew you not"

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2002

Elder Crawford, I am so proud of you for being obedient to Christ, those who are using the money for their own personal gain will be dealt with, Scripture tells us these things. Stand on your faith for I believe 100 percent God has a bigger plan and purpose for you and it will include abundance. Keep praising him and in a little while you will have a powerful testimony. In the A.M.E church we have a "Call to Worship" I love it, for it state what we as Christians should stand for. Here it is but a part of the call to worship.

Minister:I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord!" Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem! PEOPLE: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Elder Crawford be steadfast for the tents o the wicked shall collapse. Again thank you for sharing your story. I will be praying for you.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2002