All Articles Tagged "african american churches"
Church Group Sets Sights on 10 Million Black Men
(Politics 365) — Starting Sunday, September 25, 2011, the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is officially inviting African American men back to church. NBCI is working to make sure 10 million black males return to church over the next 10 years. NBCI’s press release noted national partnerships with major black religious leaders and denominations in response to the serious issues facing African American men, including rising levels of incarceration, drug use and unwed fatherhood. Rev. Anthony Evans, President of NBCI says, “NBCI has no other greater mission than to re-establish God’s order – the first step being to call our men back to church. We are committed to devoting a half a million dollars and a million hours of evangelism to get black men back into our pews. There is something missing from the heart of the black church – the presence of our black brothers will heal hearts, minds and families.”
Maryland Pastor Asserts His Authority
(Washington Post) — As the battle for control of Jericho City of Praise plays out in court, the Landover megachurch’s pastor asserted his authority Sunday over the ministry. A week after a shoving match broke out at the end of the Sunday service, the Rev. Joel R. Peebles sought to dismiss the rumblings of conflict over the church’s leadership. In a rousing sermon, Peebles said plainly that he is in charge. “We will have no confusion. We will have no mess. We will have no drama. We will have no difficulty — and if you are bringing it to the house, you need to find another house,” Peebles said as the hundreds assembled clapped and cheered. “Now I take authority under the covenant of God, in the name Lord Jesus, over this house. . . . If you’ve got a problem with it, find yourself another place.”
Huge Churches Merge Teen Efforts
(Washington Post) — The moment the First Baptist Church of Glenarden opened its doors Friday night, nearly 3,000 teenagers rushed inside for a high-octane worship service. Inside the Upper Marlboro mega-church, a large digital clock was at four minutes and counting down. When the numbers reached zero, the Christian go-go band Vertical exploded into view. Hundreds rushed the stage and the sanctuary was filled with spiritual music. “Let’s salute the living Christ who rose on the third day,” the lead singer told the crowd. “Where you go, I go. What you say, I say. What you do, I do. What you pray, I pray.” The beat and rhythm had the young people on their feet during the two-hour worship service that was part of Merge 2011, a joint ministry started by First Baptist and Zion Church of Landover. The ministry included music and poetry. Actors presented a story of Jesus rescuing a young woman from a gang. Pizza and frozen treats were offered.
After MLK—The New Challenge for Black Pastors
(Wall Street Journal) — When we remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we think of his soaring rhetoric and specific goals for the African-American community: the right to use public accommodations, to vote, and to live in any neighborhood, for instance. Today the quest for the right to vote has been replaced by the need to motivate people to register and vote. The push to integrate schools has been replaced by the need to motivate black students to strive for academic excellence. The struggle for equal housing opportunities has become a struggle to ensure that blacks learn how to live financially responsible lives and recover from the foreclosure crisis.
