Robert Earl Houston February 4, 2015

by Robert Earl Houston

Steak.
Baked Potato.
Appetizer.
Arnold Palmer.

And tonight, my wife Jessica and I observed the last supper. As of tomorrow evening, I will be undergoing a medically supervised diet. I will be sharing my journey here on The Wire to help encourage someone who has been struggling, as I have, with weight and weight-related complications.

I’ve seen preachers . . . no . . . GREAT preachers, OUTSTANDING preachers, PROLIFIC preachers, only to see their lives cut short by obesity. When I started in ministry in 1978, preaching my first sermon, I wore a size 28 suit. Today, I wear a size 48. It’s time for a change.

I’ve been a diabetic since I was 23 (I’m 54 now). I’ve had high blood pressure issues, physical issues, etc. especially in the last 3 years. I don’t have anyone to blame but myself – and that church pastor dining lifestyle that has claimed and shortened the life of many a pastor.

Late night eating.
Fast food eating.
Church dinners heavy in cooking oil.
Soda pop, soda pop, soda pop.
Sweet potato pies and cakes.
Luncheon meetings.
Dinner meetings.
Breakfast meetings.
Banquets.

So, as of tomorrow, I am becoming proactive about my health – with the support of my wife, family, church family, and extended family and friends. With a combination of medical supervision and exercise (in stages). One of my best friends, Pastor Christopher Waters, pastor of the Thankful Baptist Church in Augusta, GA, has been on a journey of good health in the last year. He has lost 60 pounds and has a goal of losing another 40 pounds this year. He’s challenged many of his friends (me included) to begin a regimen of healthy living.

I’ve tried the diets, cut back on sweets, stopped the soda. So now I take the next step, a physician-supervised regimen based in Lexington, KY provided by Health Management Resources. It means I will be exclusively dining on their shakes, foods, health bars, and vitamins, for the next 15 weeks.

If all goes well, I will lose somewhere between 60-100 pounds.

I shared my plan with the wonderful people of First Baptist Church. After church they were so encouraging. One member in particular said: “Pastor, I am so proud of you. We want you around for many years.”  That’s the goal.

The good news is that as this process starts, after meeting with the physician today, I’m already off of three medications and a serious reduction in my insulin medications (by at least half). Tomorrow I have my first extensive session and education – a four hour intensive.

So by the time I hit 55 on May 16, 2015, I will experiencing great health!  Your prayers and support are appreciated!  I encourage other pastors and preachers to join me in a journey toward good health – and church members, I encourage you to encourage your pastor on a journey as well.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

# # #

by Robert Earl Houston

LEFT: February 6, 2015; RIGHT: February 14, 2015

At the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, Wednesday, February 10, 2015.

On Friday I reached a milestone. I completed the first full week of my medically supervised diet. I’m now (unofficially) approximately 20 pounds lighter. Praise God! I’ve received a lot of emails, texts and tweets asking me to post how I was able to do so.

First, I have to say it’s all by the grace of the Lord. Any diet is difficult and for me, impossible without the Lord on my side. This is not my first diet, but this is the most successful one I’ve been on. I’m at my lowest weight in about two years.

My endocrinologist recommended that I check out Health Management Resources. They work in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky (and they have locations throughout the country). My doctor told me that their average results were 50 to 75 pounds and I frankly didn’t believe it. I went to their orientation and heard their program. Of course, asked a few questions, and decided this is for me.

Here’s the program:  All outside foods – from the store, on the shelf, restaurants, church dinners, home cooked meals, no fresh fruit or vegetables, no beef, no chicken, no fried fish, no soul food – done. Finis. Over. No more fast food on the fly. No more interrupting my phone calls with: “Hold on . . . Yeah, let me have some hot wings, some wedges, and a large diet drink.”

I’m on the 3+2 plan – three milkshakes (they provide the base for it, which you can make with water or a diet soda and you can add sugar-free jello. And then there are two meal entrees, pre-packaged and pre-prepared which only take one minute to microwave (and don’t require prior refrigeration). These are minimums. Plus you take two vitamin tablets a day and yes, drink a lot of water or soda (64 ounces per day). You are required to do some exercise (I choose walking, which I do about 30 minutes each day). They want you to be full – and if your 3+2 daily minimum turns into 5+2 or 3+5 – it’s okay.

The food runs about $100 a week. That sounds like a lot, but when you consider take-out and sit-down meals, it balances out. Also, when you consider the cost of insulin, pills, etc.  I’ve been able to reduce my insulin from the max of 80 units of Lantus at night and already I’m at just 15 units. I have gone down on my with-meal insulin from 30 units to 5 units. No more Invokana.  I’m off of two other medications.

I went to the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky Pastors’ Conference last week in Louisville and actually I saved money because I wasn’t dining out and when I was hanging out with ministers in the restaurant after hours – they had food and I was content with being there, drinking water and a diet drink. No pretzels. No chips. No chicken fingers. No fries.

My health is important to me. I spent the week speaking privately to some preachers and sharing my story with them. As I’m approaching my 55th birthday this year I owe it to my wife, my family, my congregation, and most importantly, the Lord to do my best to live in good health (longevity is up to the Lord). My goal is simple: to lose about 100 pounds (yes, a whole other person) and then maintain the weight from that point on.

Here’s what was cool. To be at the General Association and wearing a suit that I packed (by accident) and hadn’t been able to wear in two years and being able to wear it with joy.

Interestingly, I’ll be celebrating my Sixth Pastoral Anniversary here at First Baptist Church. The committee has been planning and I’ll be in the closing stages of Phase One (which is a 15 week program). While those who choose to join us to dine will be on the selected meal, I’ll be there with my meal, my shake and some water.

We’ve all been to national baptist conventions and seen walking train-wrecks. Ministers who have allowed pastoral stress to send them headfirst into food. Ministers who preach and eat. Ministers who go to late night service and eat at 1 or 2 a.m. after worship and their health is jeopardized by lack of exercise, eating right, and sleep.

Pray for me on this journey. Pastors – I beg you! Please consider this.  Members – I beg you! Please consider and support your pastor in living in good health.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

# # #

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

ATLANTA, GA – Handpicked by the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., Joseph Roberts led Ebenezer Baptist Church as its pastor for 30 years. Roberts died Sunday. He was 79.

Born in Chicago, Roberts attended that city’s public schools throughout his childhood and graduated from Knoxville College in 1956. He received a Masters of Divinity from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City in the 1960s. He then attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters of Theology.

In the early 1970s, Roberts became senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Under Roberts’ leadership, more than 2,000 members were added to the congregation. He launched a community outreach program that included the Teenage Mothers Ministry, tutoring and counseling programs, a food co-op, and a daycare center for older adults.

Roberts envisioned a new sanctuary for the growing membership. In 1999, the building of the Horizon Sanctuary was completed. The 32,000-square-foot sanctuary seats 2,446 people.

He was a recipient of awards from Union Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2006, Roberts published a collection of sermons titled “Sideswiped by Eternity: Sermons from Ebenezer Baptist Church.”

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 13, 2015

ATLANTA – George Moore was a jovial, humble pastor who spoke with purpose.

“He believed in what I was doing and encouraged me to be the best at what I was doing,” said his son George Moore Jr.

A Decatur native, Moore began working at age 9 as a delivery boy for a local drug store. He graduated from Atlanta’s Washington High School and went on to work for several restaurants including Lucas’ Grille in Atlanta. He co-owned the clothing boutique Vine City Village and became a driver for one of the first black-owned cab companies, The Atlanta Car for Hire. He eventually became part owner.

George Moore

Moore went to church with his grandfather and joined Cosmopolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1951.

“He became so attached and interested in the life of the church,” said his son. “One day the Lord called him to preach while he was a member of Cosmopolitan AME Church.”

Moore attended Turner Theological Seminary at Morris Brown College. He was ordained a deacon in 1958 and ordained an itinerant elder in the AME Church in 1960.

He was appointed the pastor of Woosley Mission AME Church in November of 1958 and Davis Chapel AME Church in November of 1961. In July 1962, he was appointed to Amanda Flipper AME Church, where he served for eight years.

In 1970, Moore was appointed to Saint Philip AME Church in the Reynoldstown community, and he moved the membership of 200 to its current location in 1977. The membership has since grown to more than 10,000, and the church has more than 50 ministries. He served as senior pastor for more than 42 years.

George Moore died Sunday. He was 79. A funeral will be held 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road SE, Atlanta. Gregory B. Levett & Sons is in charge of arrangements.

“He knew how to encourage and lift you up,” said Kevin Moore, his grandson. “He would always tell me, ‘I am encouraged just because you showed up. I love you just for being you.’ It means a lot for someone to believe in your gifts more than you do. He was always behind me saying ‘you can do it, you got it.’ ”

Moore received honorary doctoral degrees from Wilberforce University in Ohio, Morris Brown College and Turner Theological Seminary.

His grandson said Moore liked to help younger pastors. In 2002, Moore and his family established the George Moore Foundation, which provides mentoring for men and women in ministry and their spouses.

In addition to his son and grandson, Moore is survived by his wife Nettie Mae Lewis-Moore, daughter L’Tanya Moore-Copeland, daughter L’Tarra Moore, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

From http://www.macon.com/2015/02/21/3598890_prominent-macon-pastor-dies.html?rh=1, February 21, 2015

by Robert Earl Houston
March 8, 2015

There is a trend that is brewing in the Body of Christ and specifically in our pulpits that is troublesome. It is this new attempt to be “bold” and “brave” when it’s really no more than a sorry substitute for preaching. It’s the idea of using the pulpit to condemn, “put on blast” or destroy another pastor and his or her teaching.

Many of us who have seen Preachers of Detroit have become disturbed at seeing ministers openly look into a camera and say what other preachers are not doing or not saying and it’s not just reserved for those who have cameras following them. I was aghast to see what has become a popular preacher in the evangelical community film “responses” to several nationally known preachers, denominations and labeling all of them either heretical or to pronounce them, just because of their worship methods, of “going to hell.” This must stop.

I’ve discovered that you don’t even need a pulpit of significant size to make these bombastic charges. All you need is a keyboard, a computer, and an internet line, and you too can become one who can become an ad hoc member of the Sanhedrin Council. Sadly, many of those who demonize ministers, especially those with large or mega congregations, are wallowing in a sea of failure themselves. Their “message” is not popular, their preaching is not potent and it’s disguised with the phrase “people won’t come here me because I preach the truth.” That’s funny. Jesus seems to endorse “truth” as setting people free, and it looks like that kind of freedom would become popular.

In the past I have seen ministers, almost on a kamikaze mission to discredit, dissuade and define other ministers gleefully and cheerfully attack another minister, sadly, WITH other ministers. That kind of behavior would frighten me personally because if you will talk about another minister to me, you’ll talk about me to another minister. Further, some of these ministers are not looking to exercise Matthew 18 and go speak to someone in private to clear up misunderstandings. Instead, they have the Ahab complex – they just want to have bragging rights that they stuck a spear in the side of the “great fish.”

Sometimes the biggest critics are also some who get it wrong themselves. One critic of the modern church, who has publicly gone after preachers and denominations, himself has shrouded the fact that he has espoused doctrines such as “Christ’s sonship as a role he assumed in his incarnation” or “Lordship Salvation” or “Hyper-Calvinism.” Not to mention to suggest that the Charismatic movement be damned and that gifts ceased after the conclusion of the ministry of the Apostles.

I just think that there is more that unites us than that which does divide us. I’m determined to seek, support and find the best in ministries and preachers. I don’t have time to be mentally and spiritually poisoned by the Church Police. The struggle is not against my brothers and sisters in the Lord – it’s against Satan and his imps. But I will not sit by idly and continue to watch those who should know better take pot shots and uplift themselves as the paradigm of biblical understanding when even Paul said “we see things through a glass darkly.”

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME

by Robert Earl Houston

We are asking members, partners and supporters of this ministry to assist in the undertaking of an initiative called Project G650. The mission of Project G650 is to acquire a Gulfstream G650 airplane so that Pastors Creflo and Taffi and World Changers Church International can continue to blanket the globe with the Gospel of grace. We are believing for 200,000 people to give contributions of 300 US dollars or more to turn this dream into a reality–and allow us to retire the aircraft that served us well for many years. (The Huffington Post)

I have been watching the discussion, jokes, and expert opinions about Dr. Creflo Dollar’s (Pastor of the World Changers Church International in the Atlanta area) request for money to buy a top of the line jet. I think that the problem that many have with it is not necessarily the need for a plane – it’s a plane of that order and that type. What was probably a great idea in a planning and creative session (which mega ministries have) backfired because somebody either didn’t say or was overruled in the wisdom of putting this down on video and letter to ask for a first class jet that only the super-rich possess.

The downside of this has become all of the chatter, criticism and last night during The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, one of the ministers of the television reality show, “The Preachers of Detroit” greatly rebuked Dollar and the panel basically made it sound like the poor was being pressured into giving – when the truth is that poor folk aren’t the only ones who give to his (or any other mega ministry) because he clearly said it was sent to his congregation AND his worldwide donors list, which meant these were the people who had already been giving.

This debacle has made the words “those preachers” become inclusive of most of us who don’t drive or own luxury cars, live in fancy homes or have congregations that pay us six or seven figure salaries. Most of us struggle, to be honest. Those of us who went to school haven’t gotten the appropriate amount of pay for school nor experience. Most of us deal with established boards who come to the table not with the spirit of the pastor’s vision, but their own brand of division. Not to mention a spirit of suicide that erupted in the Body of Christ last year which saw several pastors (none of those who pastored megachurches) end their lives tragically.

I’m saddened by all of this, without a doubt. It’s been a long time since Jim and Tammy Bakker and other financial excesses have been public fodder. So, please forgive me if I don’t join in the chorus of those who are joyfully exploiting this situation with suspect glee – it’s saddening and disappointing on many, many levels. Since the public outcry, the campaign has been cancelled.

A friend of mine, Bishop Victor Couzens of Cincinnati, Ohio recently went on a missions trip. Packed his bags and shared the gospel with those who are struggling in life. Upon his preparation to return to the States, he heard the voice of the Lord, and all of the clothing and possessions he brought with him to Kenya – and to leave it all to those in the village and he literally returned home with nothing but the clothes on his back. The people of that area gave him a Maasai name: “Lemaylan” – which means “the one who is blessed to be blessed.”

I choose to serve so that I too will be called “Lemayla.”

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

Please see the Pastoral Search Announcement below:

M. Ollie Baptist Church

Please see the Pastoral Announcement and Application below:

Springdale Baptist Church

Christian Fellowship of Love Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan, established in 2006, is seeking a spirit filled licensed ordained Baptist Minister to serve as a full time Pastor for our congregation.  Please refer to the link below for the application package.

Christian Fellowship of Love Baptist Church

Please see the link below:

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Atlanta

St. John Missionary Baptist Church is presently accepting applications of the position of Senior Pastor. St. John is a multi-cultural family focused body of believers with 1000 plus members who gather with a purpose to both glorify God and to reach the redeemable.  Please select link below with instructions:

St John MBC Boyton Beach FL

by Robert Earl Houston

A tall cedar has fallen on the preaching landscape of the United States, as the Lord has called home his servant, the Rev. Dr. Gardner Calvin Taylor on Easter Sunday, April 6, 2015. He was 96 years old.

Dr. Taylor was world-reknown for his preaching gifts and was dubbed “The Dean of American preaching” by Time Magazine.  He was born June 18, 1918 and graduated from Leland College and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology.

He was called a “National Visionary” by the National Visionary Leadership Project for “his use of metaphor, dramatic timing and biblical truths to weave a seamless narrative in his sermons exhibit(ed) his mastery of the technical aspects of preaching that have inspired both laymen and clergy alike. Many have been entranced and transformed by Taylor’s oratorical gift.”

Dr. Taylor was the only child born to Reverend Washington and Selina Taylor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father died when he was 13, however, he influenced his son’s preaching style.  As a young man, he had hopes of becoming a lawyer and it wasn’t until he survived a serious car accident that he experienced his call to ministry and realized God’s claim on his life.

Instead of attending the University of Michigan Law School, he went to Oberlin in 1937 where he met his wife Laurabelle Scott. They married in 1940 and had one daughter.  While in school, he pastored Bethany Baptist Church in Oberlin from 1938 to 1941; the Beulah Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA, 1941-1943; the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA, 1943-1947. In 1948 he became pastor of Concord Baptist Church at the age of 30, which at the time had 5,000 members. By the end of his tenure, church membership exceeded 14,000. Under his leadership, the church build a home for the aged, organized a fully-accredited grade school and developed the Christ Fund, a million-dollar endowment for investing in the Brooklyn community.

As a denominational leader he sought the presidency of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. He ran against the incumbent president, Dr. J.H. Jackson, who had differing views about the Civil Rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his supporters, of which Dr. Taylor was one. Following very controversial proceedings, Dr. Jackson was declared president and in Cincinnati, the other faction organized that Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.  Several years later, Dr. Taylor became President of the Convention and was honored as the President Emeritus unto the time of his passing.

He received numerous awards and honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented to his by President William Jefferson Clinton.

He served as the senior pastor of Concord  for 42 years and retired 25 years ago in 1990. He was in demand as a preacher world-wide and authored several books, include the six-volume series, “The Words of Gardner Taylor.” HIs wife Laura Bell passed away on February 5, 1995.  He later married Phillis Strong. His daughter is Martha Taylor Lacroix.

I had the privilege to serve as the Webmaster of the Progressive National Baptist Convention during the 50th Anniversary of the Convention in Washington, DC, and Dr. Taylor was present at the Convention. He gave words of wisdom and I stood there in awe as he sat in his wheelchair and dispensed wisdom to a crowd that was completely in awe and in silence, soaking up his wisdom. He shared a great line: “Some young pastor asked me Dr. Taylor what should be my goal as a young pastor? I looked at him and said, live to be an old pastor.”

At the time of his passing he was residing in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Phillis. I wrote this on Twitter: “Dr. Gardner Taylor was to preaching what paint was to Picasso, what a needle was to a record album, and what a lyric was to a song.”

HOMEGOING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AS FOLLOWS:

Thursday, April 9, 2015
Christian Faith Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina
Viewing 6 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 12, 2015
Concord Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York
Wake 5 – 8 p.m.

Monday, April 13, 2015
Concord Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York
Viewing 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Homegoing Service 11:30 a.m.

Sources:
– Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
– Wikipedia
– National Ministries.org
– YouTube
–  National Visionary Leadership Project

by Robert Earl Houston

Often times, we in the modern church have a tendency to celebrate only the successful.

We celebrate and program those of “mega status” and we celebrate (rightfully) their accomplishments. The crowds. The traffic. The lights. The celebrity of it all.

However, I think we do ourselves a disservice when we celebrate the celebrities of the Kingdom and overlook those who are in the trenches, below ground, who may not have the five star worship experience – but they are solid in the faith.

For years I attended the WHW and E.K. Bailey Conferences which are mostly populated by pastors and ministers who are not household names to the nation, but they are household names in their communities. Some of them pastor and work full-time jobs. Some of them pastor in cities with less than 500,000 in populations. Some (like me) are in a “in-between” community – it’s not the city, but it’s not the rural area.

But all of us have to prepare sermons each week. All of us have to prepare Bible Studies each week. All of us have to visit the sick and shut in. All of us have to burn midnight oil and balance the life of ministry, family, and at the same time maintain a balance focused.

There are pastors and ministers that you’ve never heard of that can “preach the horns off a billy goat.” My former pastor, Bishop Darryl S. Brister used to say that “most preachers are just one exposure away from greatness.” I honor today those who are not in the mega churches but their pulpits are major, in the words of Dr. Melvin Von Wade, Sr.

There are pastors and ministers that are theological geniuses, counseling experts, entrepaneurs extraordinaire, gifted teachers, with congregations of less than 150, who won’t ever make it to TBN or BET. They won’t be on the Preachers of Multnomah County or the Preachers of Fox County or the Preachers of Abilene, but they are solid, solid preachers.

I’ve pastored two congregations in very large cities – Porltand and San Diego; Served a congregation on staff in Nashville. I’ve pastored in a large city – Fresno; and now I pastor in an “in-between city” albeit a state capital city – Frankfort, Kentucky; There is a dynamic in all five cities – there are preachers of every stripe, talent, gift and ability. Some of who pastor congregations that are not large in membership, but the pastoral preaching and teaching they receive is off the charts.

So, while we celebrate those on thrones, I pray we celebrate those in trenches.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

Dr. Samuel E Thornton Detroit, MIchigan

by Robert Earl Houston

Dr. Samuel Eugene Thornton, 90, went home to be with the Lord on April 22, 2015.  He served as pastor of the Derrick Memorial Baptist Church for over 35 years until his health failed.

Dr. Thornton leaves to cherish his memory: Wife, Helen Thornton; Son, Pastor Matthew J. (Nell) Thornton; Daughters, Veronica (Ronald) Thornton-Littleberry, Monica (Patrick) Holiday-Goodman; 16 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Final arrangements entrusted to the Barksdale Funeral Home, 1120 E. State Fair, Detroit, Michigan 48203.  Fax: 313-368-7428.

Homegoing Services have been scheduled as follows:

PUBLIC VISITATION – Friday, May 1, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Derrick Memorial Baptist Church
2048 East Seven Mile
Detroit, Michigan

FAMILY HOUR – Friday, May 1, 2015
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Derrick Memorial Baptist Church
2048 East Seven Mile
Detroit, Michigan

FAMILY HOUR – Saturday, May 2, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Derrick Memorial Baptist Church
2048 East Seven Mile
Detroit, Michigan

HOMEGOING SERVICE – Saturday, May 2, 2015
11:00 a.m.
Derrick Memorial Baptist Church
2048 East Seven Mile
Detroit, Michigan

INTERMENT – Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan