by Robert Earl Houston

This evening, I sent to Evangelist Kimberly Lewis-Stidum a collection of sermons that were written by her dad, the late Dr. T.L. Lewis. Dr. Lewis was my mom’s pastor in Portland, Oregon and we were friends and colleagues.  Dr. Lewis and I served together while he pastored Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Portland and he was on my Ordination Council at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and then assisted in my installation services at Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in 1989.

We preached for each other frequently. Even when he went to California, it was Dr. Lewis who told me about and subsequently recommended me to Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Fresno, California and I worshipped with him at his congregations, Macedonia Baptist Church in Pomona, California and finally at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

As I was assembling the file of his sermons, I ran across a sermon I preached at his church in 1991 (I believe it was) as the Morning Star Church was dually celebrating his pastoral anniversary and his departure as he went to Pomona, California. Given all of the recent things that have happened in ministry, I thought I’d share this with you.

Please forgive the scholarship of this sermon – I was a grand 28 years of age at that time.  It’s in all caps because that’s how I use to write. I pray you find some relevancy in this message (see the attachment).

The Side of the Ministry That You Just Don’t See

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

From http://www.mlive.com

MUSKEGON, MI — James E. Witcher was an active member of the religious community in Muskegon and across the state, described by granddaughter Shontaye Witcher as “a caring person” who “loved his church.”

Pastor Witcher died on Dec. 10, 2013, a couple weeks after his 79th birthday.

He served as Pastor of the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church for 46 years, before he was forced to retire because of an illness. Pastor Witcher was President of the General Baptist State Convention of Michigan for 13 years.

“(He was) a dynamic singer,” said Vernon Nash, son-in-law of Pastor Witcher. “He was a humble man and a humble servant.”

Witcher served on the Muskegon Heights Housing Commission for underprivileged housing, always making sure housing was available for everyone. He also was President of the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship of Muskegon County.

”He was the type of person who would give you the clothes off his back if you needed it,” Shontaye Witcher said. “(He) believed (to) do things in decent, and in order everything always comes together.”

Funeral services for James E. Witcher will take place at noon on Friday, Dec. 20 at Queen Esther Missionary Baptist Church at 2220 Superior St. in Muskegon.

The wake services for Pastor Witcher will take place on Thursday, Dec. 19 at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2117 Baker St. in Muskegon. Public viewing will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to the wake services, a community service will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday.

by Robert Earl Houston

This evening the news was announced that Nelson Mandela, the first black president of the nation of South Africa, had passed away. He was 95.

Much will be made of his life and legacy but I wanted to make a few observations:

First, he was one of the last world-wide icons. His struggle with the minority regime in South Africa is legendary. As South Africans suffered under the imperialist strong hand of Great Britain and were responsible for countless murders including Steve Biko and others, Nelson Mandela because the embodiment that you can be jailed but not broken, ridiculed but not defeated, and in spite of the odds, if the Lord be for you, you will not be defeated.

Secondly, he showed that progress is not a one-person operation. Mr. Mandela refused to try to move hundreds of years of enslavement and disenfranchisement by himself. He built a coalition of religious leaders, Desmond Tutu, Allen Boesak and others, and reached out to the economic community and activists to formulate a boycott or economic withdrawal of companies who did business in South Africa. The government policy of apartheid met a worldwide coalition that would not allow their racist policies to stand.

Lastly, he showed that age is not a factor. Although he died at the age of 95, he was entertaining world figures – Presidents, leaders, athletes, personalities and such literally until his body could not take it. But imagine that he became the first black president of his nation at the age of 76. Way past the US retirement age. Way past the Social Security retirement age. At that age, Madiba (his Xhosa tribal name) found himself not only at the helm of a nation that once imprisoned him for 28 years, but also with the loving support of his people.

He will soon be feted with a state funeral and I would be surprised if this is not the largest gathering of Presidents, Potentates and Kings in the history of the world. He brought people together in life and he will do so in death.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

Dr. Marvin Griffin, iconic pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Austin, TX and stalwart in the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. International, has gone home to be with the Lord. Below is a local newspaper account of his passing and legacy:

AUSTIN, TEXAS – For decades, Marvin Griffin was a beacon in Austin – a leader who worked to empower the east side and improve education across the city.

Griffin, the first black president of the Austin school board and a pastor for 42 years at the landmark Ebenezer Baptist Church, was a community leader known for his inner calm while pushing for equality in education and beyond. He died Wednesday afternoon. He was 90.

“He was an elder statesman. He brought a certain kind of class and wisdom to this community,” said Nelson Linder, president of the Austin chapter of the NAACP, who described himself as a student of Griffin’s. “He was definitely a pioneer in terms of education in this city, but also community involvement. I think he was a shining light in the effort to show people that East Austin should be embraced.”

Griffin served on the Austin school board in the 1970s as it worked to integrate Austin schools. Under his leadership, the Ebenezer Baptist Church founded the East Austin Economic Development Corp., which has helped East Austin residents with a variety of needs, from affordable housing to care for the elderly.

A dedicated family man despite his work at the church and in politics, Griffin always made time for his three daughters, including Gaynelle Griffin Jones, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 as the first black woman to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Griffin Jones, also the first black woman to serve on the First Court of Appeals in Texas, died in March.

“He was a builder – not only of physical projects, but a mentor to people and a bridge builder, racially,” said Marva Griffin Carter, one of Griffin’s two surviving daughters. “He was a race man, in the sense that he fought for equal rights and helped to bring about many of the changes.”

Griffin was an education advocate and a lifelong learner who earned his fifth and final college degree – a doctorate – at 67 and who was rarely seen without a book in hand, Carter said. He wrote one book and edited another. He traveled the world and served on the World Council of Churches, as well as other international faith organizations.

In Austin, Griffin was a political activist who worked to desegregate Austin. He would interview candidates for office to find the most liberal-minded and would put together a prospective ticket for the community, said Carter, who helped pass out the sheets.

He also sought to unify churches, inviting white pastors to his congregation and delivering sermons in white churches during a time when “segregation was very much actively the case at the 11 o’clock hour,” Carter said.

Griffin’s influence extended beyond Austin. Gov. John B. Connally appointed him to the Texas Southern University board of regents. Griffin served as a delegate to the turbulent 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Though he was a Democrat, he would also donate to the Republican Party, Carter said.

“He could always see both sides of a coin, even though he might be on one side more firmly than the other,” she said. “He had the kind of personality that was very much valued for what could have been hot situations. He had a very cool head, and could soften a volatile situation.”

Griffin was a mentor to many state leaders, including Carole Keeton in her time as Texas Comptroller.

“He really, really was and always will be a true modern day Texas hero, a true Texas icon,” said Keeton, who served on the school board with Griffin and described him as a life-long friend.

Griffin became the first black president of the Austin school board in 1978, and those who served with him say he was a benevolent leader for the board during a tumultuous time when it was working to integrate schools.

“Marvin was a role model for everyone,” Keeton said. “He demonstrated – by the way he spoke, the way he acted, the way he lived his life – his inner belief that you’ve got to lift up all of God’s children.”

Griffin was soft-spoken and always remained calm at board meetings, even as they extended into the early morning hours, she said.

“He was the only one who could sit there in these long meetings with a pastoral pose,” Keeton said.

At church, Griffin would begin his sermons in the same, calm way. He would begin with a text, then give an introduction, usually followed by three major points.

Then he would reach what Carter described as “a climactic expressive moment.”

Keeton, who visited the church many times, said it was only during his sermons that she saw Griffin without his “inner calm.”

“When he came down off that pulpit, into the aisle, we all thought we were hearing the voice of God, to tell you the truth,” Keeton said.

He worked as a minister late into his life, retiring in 2011 at the age of 88.

“My father would get up at 5 a.m. and go into his study and he would work tirelessly,” said Ria Griffin, another of Griffin’s daughters.

During his time at Ebenezer, Griffin successfully guided the church’s economic development board in acquiring a grant to build a new facility for the Ebenezer Child Development Center, which has the capacity for 200 children and also houses the Family Life Center, which is used for banquets and other Church activities.

The church also housed the first Meals on Wheels program in East Austin, partnered with Austin Energy in an energy conservation project to use solar energy, restored the historical Bailetti house to be utilized for community service projects, and facilitated the construction of the 12-unit Ebenezer Senior Housing complex. Griffin expanded Ebenezer’s outreach ministry through radio and TV broadcasting and established the Tape Ministry for members incapable of attending services.

Griffin’s wife, Lois King Griffin, who was also active in the church, died in 2006.

“There will be a wonderful family reunion in Heaven,” Ria Griffin said.

Services will be held Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church at 1010 E. 10th Street. A wake will be held the night before, beginning at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Ebenezer Baptist building firm or the child development center. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=168768896#sthash.82wWKtVC.dpuf

by Robert Earl Houston

In about 7 hours the year 2013 will be history. For some people this has been a great year or a good year or a so-so year or a bad year or a horrible year. Wherever you place your marker, the year will finally be over.

I don’t have the vocabulary to describe 2013 it’s been a cornacopia of a year. There’s been all kinds of things that have made up the year.  Please allow me to narrow my list down to a few things:

First, this has been a year of sorrow. For me personally, I’ve lost some relatives, great friends, church members, and people I looked up to.  In that number: My father-in-law, Clarence Anderson, Pastor Clifford Williams, Bishop Wenzell Jackson, Dr. T.L. Lewis, Dr. Mack King Carter, Dr. Joseph Andrew Boles, Sr.,  Pastor Eddie James, Dr. Joseph McDowell, Rev. C.L. Buhl, Dr. John C. Raphael, Jr., Dr. Harold A. Carter, Sr., Prophet Robert Blakes, Sr., Bro. Broderick Huggins, Jr., Pastor Charles Hofort Bembry, Dr. Richard A. Rollins, and many, many others. Many of whom can be remembered by clicking here now.

Secondly, this has been a year of healing. In April 2013 I began testing and in May I was diagnosed with carcinoma (skin cancer) on the arch of my right foot. It was a journey for me and my wife, Jessica. We learned more about skin cancer than we could ever imagine and the possibilities (negative and positive). It was Dr. Bernard J. Sutton of Chicago who lifted my faith by saying, “Houston, don’t call it cancer. Call it an infirmity. Jesus heals infirmities.” I went into surgery on May 30, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky and I’m excited to declare as of December 30, 2013 I celebrated six months CANCER FREE.

Thirdly, this has been a year of watching God work. My beloved congregation, First Baptist Church of Frankfort, KY,  has been through a lot this year. Just like most congregations, we have seen people come and seen people go – but the Lord continues to bless us with those who are committed to the work. We saw people do things and participate in worship that we had never seen before. We heard people pray that never prayed. We heard people sing we’ve never heard sing. And I’ve been able to trace the hand of God in what He was doing. During the year we continued from 2012, the restoration of the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Believe me, it wasn’t for the faint of heart. We had to cancel services, move services, it took a toll on us, but it developed a sense of faith and trust in God that only He could provide. By the end of this year, 99% of the original project has been completed and we have more projects upcoming in 2014.

Fourth, this has been a year of prayer. One thing we did at FBC was to scrub the normal “pulpit prayer” by ministers and have laypersons lead the church in prayer. I can’t begin to tell you how we were lifted to hear the people of God pray. Prayer is not just a function of those who sit on the platform. Our prayer emphasis even created our 24 hour prayer wheel at the church, conceived by our Assistant to the Pastor, Rev. Anna Jones. We have plans to do more praying and praying and praying. Matter of fact, our survival is not numerical, it’s dependent upon prayer.

Fifth, this has been a year of evaluation. For me, it’s been answering the question that Dr. A. Louis Patterson asks publicly of himself. Are you a better believer this year than last? Are you drawing more closer to God this year than last? Are you more attuned to His word this year than you were last year? I’ve added some to that list – Is your preaching making a difference? Is your teaching changing lives? Is participation with some groups and conventions really affecting change or are you in a stagnant situation? That process continues in 2014.

So it’s been quite the year. In 2014, the year will see the World Cup, the Winter Olympics, the Mid-Term Elections, all four traditional Baptist conventions either change or retain leadership, Full Gospel’s transition continues, weather changes due to global warming, a stock market that has historic gains but their businesses refuse to hire or expand the work base, other cities that are the brink of bankruptcy, the start of the 2016 election process for the next POTUS, and no doubt continued political bickering and “dangers seen and unseen.”

One thing I know. We are now closer that ever to the Lord’s return. And I say, “Come, Lord Jesus” and if He tarries, I still have more work to do.

Have a blessed New Year. YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

by Robert Earl Houston

Happy New Year everyone. I am reminded of one of the teachings of the New Testament: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2).

I am troubled by that directive because it looks more and more like that it’s not being followed. Some of the things that are being accomplished in the Lord’s church is grand and historic and should be applauded. We have bigger sanctuaries, seven-days-a-week churches, more polished worship experiences. But where we may have dropped the ball in some instances is the transference of the doctrine of the church into the hands of faithful folk.

In other words, those who are in our frame of reference in many cases are looking at the spotlight but ignoring doctrine. I’m not talking about procedures and polity within any denomination – I mean the Word of God. The expressed Word. The Word that has matriculated through generations. I’m not talking about who sits in our pulpits nor am I talking about whether a church has a dance team or praise team – I mean the Biblical preaching and teaching of the Word of God.

I admit that sometimes it’s not going to be flashy. Most passages that relate to our human narrative can be self-examining and painful. However, if the doctrine is passed down from the prior generation to this generation, we have the obligation as pastors to pass it on – however, the onus is then upon those who receive it, to absorb it, handle it correctly, and then it to others also.

Preaching has to be solid. I’m sorry, it just has to be solid. Nothing is worse than sitting in an audience and hearing an unprepared preacher. Singing cannot substitute lack of preparation. A great, gregarious personality cannot substitute lack of research and proper proclamation. Even gifts in other areas cannot and should not be acceptable as an excuse for not preaching.

Preaching is not a vocation it’s a calling. A vocation is defined as something that you feel that you’re suited for. But a call to preach is the Lord’s decision that this is something you’re suited for. I remember way back in 1978, I sat with fellow students at Multnomah School of the Bible with pastoral majors.  We were tag lunch at Burgerville, USA and we talked about our call. To my surprise only 2 out of 8 even expressed that God called us to preach. Some said they wanted an “easier job” and a couple said “my dad’s a preacher.”  I sat there thinking, “this is not a play thing.”

Preaching means preaching when you or your message is not popular.
Preaching means that preparation is more important than your celebration.
Preaching means that you have to preach the whole book, not just a few passages.
Preaching means telling truth from the text instead of your opinions.
Preaching means helping people with the Word and not trying to psychoanalyze them from the pulpit.
Preaching means telling the old, old story in a contemporary fashion to generations in the crowd.

I’ve tried my best to pass it down to the next generation. Some have been faithful, some have not. But I can’t quit in passing down the teachings of the Word of God to the next generation. I had a member once quiz me about why I don’t teach on some contemporary subjects like other churches do and I said softly: “Because that’s not in the Book.”

This is not a play thing.

Homegoing services were held today, Saturday, January 11, 2014 for the Reverend Wilbert H. Goatley, Sr., 83, who went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Rev. Goatley served as Pastor of First Baptist Church in Eminence, Kentucky and was serving as the Pastor Emeritus, after his retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Verlene Farmer Goatley; children: Rev. Wilbert Goatley, Jr. (Dionne) and Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley (Pamela); seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of extended family and friends.

Services were held at Eminence Independent School and burial at Cave Hill Cemetary.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made in Rev. Goatley’s memory to the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, 220 I Street N.E., Suite 220, Washington, DC 20002-4389.

Arrangements entrusted to A.D. Porter & Sons, 1300 W. Chestnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky.

First Baptist Church South Inglewood

Pastoral Vacancy Instructions

Thank you for your inquiry concerning our pastoral vacancy.

Position Overview

Our new pastor must be responsible for the biblical and spiritual requirements unto God

as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

The candidate must possess the ability to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, teach the

Holy scriptures, as well as the strong ability to provide educational leadership, Christian

leadership and provide spiritual guidance in pastoral care.

A person of prayer and great faith.

The strong ability to cultivate and promote spiritual growth in order to maintain and

uphold the best interest of the Church.

Personal character, integrity, communication and organizational skills must be well

demonstrated and above reproach.

A visionary, with the desire to serve God and a dedication to serving His people.

The minimum required qualifications include:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred with an emphasis in Theology and Biblical Studies.

Three years or more of ministerial leadership experience.

Please follow the instructions listed below. Only seriously interested candidates should submit an

initial candidate package consisting of a current resume including cover page and completed

application. The instructions and application package can be obtained from our Church website:

http://www.fbcsi.org. or by calling the Pastoral Search Committee at 615 378-8150, Monday through

Friday, 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. CST.

Other required information

• Complete the application on-line, print and mail, or print and complete manually and

mail with documents listed below

o The application cannot be submitted on-line. It must be mailed.

• Copy of ministerial license and ordination certificate

• Copy of degree(s)

• 5 Letters of reference as requested on the application

o Three nationally known references

o Two locally known references

o If not local to Nashville, from your local city

• Copy of three (3) sermons on CDs

• Other information as requested on the application

Please submit this candidate package to:

First Baptist Church South Inglewood

Pastoral Search Committee

P.O. Box 160452

Nashville, TN 37216-0452

The deadline for submitting the completed application package has been extended to midnight

Friday, February 28, 2014. Please complete the application on-line, print and mail or print

first, complete manually and mail. Missing information or an incomplete application or

documents may delay or disqualify your application. This package must be sent through the US

Postal Office certified mail with return receipt requested. No candidate packages submitted

after this deadline will be considered. The Search Committee will acknowledge receipt of all

submitted packages. Finally, all information will be verified and the final candidates will be

notified and sent additional information.

Any other questions or concerns, please contact the Pastoral Search Committee at

615 378-8150 or via email atfbsisearchcommittee@gmail.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  — The Rev. James Seawood, pastor of Brighton Heights Reformed Church, died Sunday morning at Robert Woods Johnson Medical Center in New Jersey, according to Rev. Terry Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality.

Rev. Seawood was a former faculty member and dean at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, He was only the second black person to ascend to the General Synod Presidency of the Reformed Church in America and served on the General Synod Council of the RCA upon his retirement from office.

He was the immediate past president of the Staten Island Council of Churches and a board member of Project Hospitality. He was a U.S. Army Chaplain and served in the active reserves. He did tours of duty in the Gulf War and in a Afghanistan or Iraq post 9/11.

He was a civil rights leader, as was his mother; she died in December.

Rev. Seawood was one of the first black students to integrate Little Rock High School in the 1960s. His mother was the sole black teacher for the Little School House for colored children in Little Rock.

He was the former pastor of the Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Further information — including funeral arrangements — will be posted as it becomes available. A complete obituary will follow.

INFORMATION From : http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/rev_james_seawood_pastor_of_br.html and Rev. Marvin Wiley, Maywood, Illinois.

by Robert Earl Houston

Dr. C.B. Akins

If he were still alive, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have celebrated his 85th birthday. He and my mother are around the same age and who can imagine what life would have been had his life not been cut off by the bullet from an assassin.

This weekend I participated in two MLK celebrations.

The first one was in Frankfort which is sponsored by the Frankfort/Franklin County Ministerial Alliance. I have been a part of that body of leaders since my arrival here in 2009. I’ve been the Chair of this event for the past 3 occasions and hosted one at First Baptist Church. This year we were at the St. Paul United Methodist Church pastored by Rev. Donna Aros. In our Alliance, we welcome all Christian denominations and we’ve been led by Dr. Jackson Brewer, retired pastor of First United Methodist Church and frankly – the man for the job. FFCMA started ROSM (Resource Office of Social Ministries) that ministers to literally thousands through the years with assistance on life’s necessities. We also supply prayer support as chaplains for the House and Senate of the Commonwealth.

Rev. Aros, Dr. Brewer, Rev. Glenn Spaulding of St. John AME Church serve as the program committee and this year (with great input from Rev. Aros) we expanded the setting. We invited our hispanic brothers and sisters to join in the celebration and one of the new pastors, Rev. Maikel Rojas Perez of Tabernaculo de Aviviamiento offered prayer in spanish after Rev. Jermaine Wilson, pastor of St. John AME Church, prayed in english.

Also this year we invited and received partnership with government officials. Mayor William May, Sheriff Pat Melton, State Representative Derrick Graham, Kentucky State University President Mary Sias, and Secretary of State, Alison Lundergan Grimes. Not only did they come to speak – they stayed through the entire service. Music was sweetly provided by the St. Paul UMC and St. John AME Choirs.

Dr. C.B. Akins was the guest speaker. Dr. Akins is the newly elected Moderator of the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky – the largest baptist body in Kentucky. Dr. Akins has been a great friend since my arrival here and I was delighted to invite him to be our guest speaker. Dr. Akins was off the hook! His sermon was from Exodus 3:1-14 and he used the words of Maya Angelou as his subject, “Arriving on a Nightmare, Praying for a Dream.”  It certainly challenged the audience and he was superb! We also awarded small grants to The Franklin County Women’s Shelter and The BackPackSnack Program.

Today, I was the guest preacher for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service sponsored by the Greater Shelby County Ministerial Coalition (GSCMC) led by my friend, Dr. Kilen K. Gray. Services were held in the newly built sanctuary of the St. John United Methodist Church were Rev. Robert Marshall is the pastor.  It was my first time preaching for this group but I’ve preached in several venues in Shelbyville and actually it’s one of my favorite places to preach at in Kentucky.  I’ve done revivals there and annual days there and this service was awesome.

I don’t take invitations to preach lightly. I realize that there are thousands upon thousands who could have stood at that spot. I even realize there are thousands of thousands of preachers who are better prepared, have a longer resume than mine – however the Lord continues to favor me with invites like this. I’m grateful.

First, it literally, due to the new worship space was double in size. And every pew was filled. Secondly, the worship atmosphere was tremendous. The choir (a mass choir from throughout the city), the soloists, the presentations all lent themselves to a fabulous worship experience.

When I got up to preach, the Lord was kind. My text was based on Genesis 37:21 and my subject was “You Can’t Kill My Dream.”  The Lord was so kind to the worship and I was received very warmly. I’m grateful for the brothers and sisters of the GSCMC.

Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church 

590 T.M. Henderson 

Memphis, TN. 38107 

Pastoral Vacancy 

The Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church is seeking a full time pastor. The candidate should adhere to the New Testament qualifications for a Pastor/Elder as found in 1 Timothy 3. The Pastor will be responsible for establishing a preaching/teaching ministry that provides a balanced view of the word of God, provide pastoral counseling for the congregation, lead efforts to disciple, equip, and train the congregation in the basics of Christian life, as well as, provide leadership and direction for the ministry and community efforts. The Pastor will be expected to lead efforts to evangelize the lost, visit the sick, engage the youth, as well as, find time for personal growth and development. All qualified applicants should submit resume to:

Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church

Attn: Talmus Kinnard

PO Box 70608

Memphis, Tn. 38107

Resumes should contain all ministerial experience, copy of ordination certificate (will not be retuned), and if possible, a copy of a CD or DVD of a recent sermon (it will not be returned). All resumes should be received or postmarked by March 15, 2014.

Please see the link below for information and application:

http://resources.razorplanet.com/510611-8783/448901_pastorvacancykayneavenue.pdf

WHITE OAK SPRING MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

P.O. Box 1570 Winder, Georgia 30680

(770) 867-6531 office (770) 867-5972 fax Email: mbooth61@yahoo.com

http://www.whiteoakspringmbc.com

Pastoral Search Announcement 

Opening Date: January 17, 2014 

Closing Date: March 17, 2014 

WOSMBC is presently accepting applications for the position of Senior Pastor. We are a church family that is bible-based and holy-spirit lead to carry out the great commission as given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The candidate must have Pastoral qualities based on I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. 

The minimum qualifications are: 

 An ordained minister holding to Missionary Baptist teachings

 Senior Pastor experience desired

 A servant leader and an effective communicator as well as a community activist

 Ability to build and oversee church ministries

 Must be in full agreement with WOSMBC By-Laws and policies

 Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

 Must have seminary training

Interested candidates must submit an initial application comprised of the items listed below. All information provided will be shredded and/or discarded after deliberation and when the Pastoral search is completed. 

 Cover letter

 Current Resume (including email address and contact telephone numbers) 

 Statement of Faith

 Submit two (2) personal references and three (3) professional (minister/pastor) letters of reference

 Copy of Ministerial License and Certificate of OrdinationWHITE OAK SPRING MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

2

 Verification of completion of degree (s) (undergraduate and/or graduate), including official transcripts

 Proof of theology training, degree(s), and church and community involvement

 Videotapes and/or DVD’s of recent sermons, theological education seminars or sessions within the last 12 months may be requested at a later date.

Submit all correspondence to 

White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church 

C/o Pastoral Search Committee 

P.O. Box 1570 

Winder, Georgia 30680 

The candidate application package must be postmarked by March 17, 2014. Any package postmarked after that date will be destroyed without consideration. Please no telephone calls, emails or faxes to the White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church office or to any member of the Pastoral Search Committee. Partial applications will not be accepted. For a blank application and more information about our church please visit our website at http://www.whiteoakspringmbc.com . The Pastor Job Application can be found under the Jobs tab in the “Quick Links” area at the top of the web page.

The Pastoral Search Committee will acknowledge receipt of all requested items by letter notification. All information will be treated as confidential. Final candidates must consent to a criminal background check, credit and financial history review and provide other information as requested by the committee (background checks will be performed by an outside agency for complete confidentiality.)

Thank you for your interest in our pastoral position. WHITE OAK SPRING MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

3

Job Posting 

Southern Missionary Baptist Church 

P.O. Box 13 

Syracuse, New York 13207 

The Southern Missionary Baptist Church located in Syracuse, New York is in search of a Pastor. Our purpose is to win souls for Jesus Christ by teaching, growing and making disciples for the building of God Kingdom. One of our primary focal point is to enhance our mission meadow. We are in search of a candidate that the Lord God Almighty has preordained and predestined for Southern Missionary Baptist Church. If the spirit of God is directing your heart in this direction, please carefully examine our posting with prayerful thoughtfulness to your response.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following: 

 The ability to prepare and deliver biblically sound, inspirational, and spirit-filled sermons.

 Competence in leadership and management, communications (oral and written) strong interpersonal skills.

 A vision for growing church membership which is rooted in the Word of God.

 The heart/passion for Christian education, discipleship, evangelism, and the ability to provide strong bible-based teaching and study that is relevant, engaging and understandable. Sunday School and Bible Study

 A strong commitment to providing ongoing discipleship training for ministry leaders including deacons, trustees, and associate ministers.

 A commitment to growing, encouraging, and nurturing the spiritual development of children, youth, young adults and families within the congregation.

 Exceptional standards of personal character, ethics and integrity.

 A strong commitment to denominational affiliations including local district, state, and national relationships.

The model candidate for this position must hold a theological degree from an accredited university. Personal character and financial standing must be above reproach both inside and outside church.

Interested and qualified candidates please submit:

1. Current resume that includes a summary of relevant ministry, professional, and educational experience.

2. Copy of ministerial license and ordination certificate.

3. Copy of degree(s) (certified copy maybe requested at a later date).

All information submitted will be treated as “confidential”. Additional information may be requested and/ or required.

Pulpit Search Committee

Southern Missionary Baptist Church

PO Box 13

Syracuse, NY 13207

Deadline for application acceptance is April 15, 2014.

The Pulpit Search Committee, representing Friendship Missionary Baptist Church located in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor. We are seeking a Pastor who will preach the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ, teach sound Baptist doctrine, engage in pastoral care ministries and provide spiritual leadership, development and training to the church body. Deacons, Trustees, Associate Ministers, Church Leadership members and the church members. The Senior Pastor will be responsible for the overall leadership of the day-to-day operations of the church, services, membership and promoting the spiritual interest and growth of the church.
What is needed to apply:
Cover letter
Current resume-include contact information for employment supervisor
Copy of Certification of license and ordination
Copy of Degree(s)
Bio
Two personal reference and Three professional letters of reference
DVD or videotape or recording of two recent sermon within last twelve months
Please submit the above only to:
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Pulpit Committee
ATTN: Committee Chair-Deacon. William Tompkins
425 Fleming Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
All application packets must be postmarked or received by March 15, 2014. Any application packet postmarked after that date will not be considered. NOTE: Missing information mu result in automatic disqualification. Final candidates must consent to a reference check and a full background check. These will be performed by an outside agency for complete confidentiality. All information presented will be treated as “Confidential” and For Offical Use Only. The Pastoral Pulpit Committee will acknowledge receipt of all time submitted application packets.

The Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater New York And Vicinity

Greetings Dear Brethren, Sisters, Fellow Ministers, Neighbors and Friends.

The Services for President Rev. Dr. Shellie Sampson, Jr is as follows:

Viewing:

Date: January 23, 2014
Time: 3pm to 6pm

Reflections:
Date: January 23, 2014
Time: 6:30pm to 8pm

Home going Service:

Date: Friday- January 24, 2014

Time: 9am to 12 Noon

Location: All Services to be held at Pastor Sampson’s Church

The Thessalonia Baptist Church
951 Rev. James A. Polite Avenue
Bronx, NY 10459

All cards, flowers and condolences are to be sent to the attention of Sister DeLorenzo Sampson

Church Phone: 718-542-0828

Church Fax:718-542-0460

Blessings,

Respectfully Submitted on behalf of The Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Greater New York & Vicinity

Gwendolyn Watts
Corresponding Secretary

From his church’s website:

We are saddened to report on the death of the Reverend Otis B. Byrd, Jr., pastor of the God’s Anointed Missionary Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA, who tragically went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 5, 2014 as a result of violence.

The following is a report from a local news source:

An Atlanta pastor was found stabbed to death over the weekend.

The Rev. Otis Byrd Sr.’s body was found around noon Sunday, according to police, after he failed to show up for church. Police were called to Byrd’s home in the 600 block of Finley Avenue in Atlanta, after church members went to check on him, according to Officer John Chafee with the Atlanta Police Department.

Byrd was a pastor at God’s Anointed Missionary Baptist Church. The church is located on Memorial Drive in northwest Atlanta, according to the AJC.

Friends and family were saddened by the heinous crime. “He could really preach and he did so without a piece of paper in his hand,” said Earl Hutchinson of his friend of over 20 years. “He was just an undiscovered talent. Never a foul word. Not ever. Not one time. He was just a good person. He was trying to build something.”

Police are still investigating Byrd’s death and no arrests have been made, according to the Atlanta police.

PLEASE keep the Byrd Family and the God’s Anointed Church Family in your prayers.

by Robert Earl Houston

This year I’m trying to see all of the Academy Award Nominated films. So far I’ve seen Lee Daniels’ The Butler; American Hustle; Captain Phillips; Gravity; 12 Years a Slave; and Nebraska. I’ve yet to see Dallas Buyers Club, Her, Philomena and The Wolf of Wall Street.

In a very good movie, Nebraska, there is a scene that sticks with me. In the movie and elder father thinks that he has won a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes.  He is determined to leave from his home in Montana (if foot by necessary) and is aided by his sons and, reluctantly, his wife. His younger son, sensing that his father doesn’t have long to live, drives him from Montana to Nebraska, a trip that should have taken less than 8 hours. However, due to his father’s drinking and injury which required hospitalization, it took 2 or 3 days for an 8 hour trip, not to his destination, but to his small hometown where his siblings and family members live. During the sit down (to watch TV, a family tradition) his brother’s sons ask his son “How long did it take you to get here?” They knew it only took hours and he said “two days” and they started laughing.

That stuck with me because in a few days I’ll be celebrating being called to this church 5 years ago and I’m celebrating this years 36 years in ministry. I have been blessed tremendously – but it wasn’t overnight. It took time.

Unfortunately in this generation, everything is on fast, quick and in a hurry. The self-imposed timetables that we as pastors place upon our work can be deceiving and frustrating. We point at pastors who have mega-churches and mega-situations and we are determined to replicate what God is doing in somebody’s ministry – not understanding that in order to get where that pastor is at, you may have to visit some painful places, tragic circumstances and hellish scenarios.

A few weeks ago a young minister told me, “Pastor Houston, I want to be like you.”  I was flattered and then I told him, “Go through cancer, go through trouble, get lied on and talked about, suffer some painful situations, get sick without any insurance, and oh yeah, go through church trouble and you’ll be just like me.”  You should have seen the look on his face.

I believe that ministry is not some 100 yard dash. It’s a marathon. Some of us have been on the track for 35, 45, 55, 65 and even 75 years and if we all be honest, we haven’t seen it all and each experience is going to be different. I remember talking with a pastor who wrestled with his call and for the first 30 years of his ministry his congregation numbered less than 50 and all of a sudden, the Church grew into a thriving congregation of 2,000.  He said “I was eager, but I wasn’t ready. God had to show me that I’m on His timetable and not mine.”

The truth of the matter is that my first 30 years of ministry prepared me for my current ministry. I have a wonderful congregation and I’ve learned how to pastor with a steady hand, loving heart and open spirit. I’m now in the age of being called upon by other pastors for advice. I’ve been able to create a fellowship and dialogue with many of our local elected officials and this afternoon I’ll have the privilege of offering prayer to open this afternoon’s session of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Senate.

But it wasn’t overnight. I have pastored four congregations (and served on pastoral staff at one) since 1989 and full-time since 1991. It’s been a journey. I admit there were low points and high peaks. However, this journey is not given to the strong, nor the swift, but to the one who endures to the end.

For those pastors who are trying and trying and working and working and praying and praying. Keep at it!  Bring your best to the pulpit – even if you have more pews than people. Even during moments of anxiety and frustration, bring your best, share your heart, be there for the people. Don’t look for the “next move” – be faithful in wherever the Lord has planted you in this season – if there’s a move it’s better to let God do it than you create it.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME

by Robert Earl Houston

I love the Lord with all my heart. And I am a sports enthusiast (not a fan, which is the abbreviated form of the word “fanatic”). Every Sunday I worship the Lord, pay my tithes and daily I pray and read the Word of God. Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Soccer are sports that I follow, honestly, from afar. I’m not one of those people who can ring out the starting 5 or 11 or 9 for a team. But I do enjoy the drama of sports.

I thought that this year’s game would be epic. The all-defense Seattle Seahawks versus the all-offense Denver Broncos.  Unfortunately it was a blow-out and Seattle ran over the Broncos 43 to 8.

But was disturbing were the emails and Facebook posting where men of God prophesied about the game.  Not predicted. Prophesied. There is a difference from making an educated guess (prediction) against the backdrop of a God-uttered or God-breathed prophesy (concerning the future).

I am afraid that in our pursuit of “going to the next level” that we have misguided ministers who are seeming to marry personal prediction and God’s authoritative will. It’s a disastrous train-wreck.

God is not tipping the scales of a sporting event. I don’t believe that God is “for” or “against” a football team. He has His disciples on both sides of the ball. I’m sure that Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson both prayed before the game. I’m sure that the chaplains for the Broncos and the Seahawks prayed the success and safety of their teams. I just don’t think God put His finger on the scale and heavily tip it against the Broncos.

It is incredible to think that a few days before the game any minister would film or broadcast a “lock” on the game. To use the words, “you can take this to the bank” or “God told me to tell you” is insidious and it makes you not a “smarter” or “bigger” or “greater prophet” it transform you into a wolf in sheep’s clothing pouncing upon the minds and spirits of the Sheep of God’s Pasture.

We’re gone into a church age of recognizing gifts TO THE BODY of Christ. I have no problem with the gifts, but when they are used to say what God has not said or to prophesy what God has not uttered is an affront to the Word of God and is an embarrassment to the church community at large.

In the Old Testament and New Testament ages, when a prophet delivered a false prophecy he was stoned. However, I suspect that these false prophets will add an addendum to their prophecies to protect their ungodly behavior.

I’m becoming more convinced that people who use “The Lord told me to tell you” has to be on some kind of self-producing “word.” When I was single, there were those who heard voices too. I’ve seen pastoral candidates who said “The Lord told me” only to blame biased pulpit committees for their losing to another (in some cases) less qualified candidates.

Why do we have the Holy Spirit if we need a third-party intervention? A few years ago I watched a “prophet” minister in a stadium full of black people and said “The Spirit of the Lord has told me that there are those in this cloud that have diabetes.”  You don’t need a spiritual gift to figure out that if you’re in a room of 20,000 black people that somebody has diabetes. Duh . . .

I have yet to find a passage where God promised a victory to a sports team. Individuals – yes. Groups of people – yes. Jesus – absolutely yes. But to go out on a limb and say that God has ordained that the Broncos will win and it’s a lock – you become prophets who need to seriously consider retirement or the Body of Christ needs to issue you a layoff notice.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME