Memphis Crime, The National Guard, Liberalism & The 117th Annual Holy Convocation

From New Bethel COGIC Facebook post:

Recently, Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard released a statement regarding safety and security at the upcoming 117th Holy Convocation, suggesting that to the Saints that they not be "afraid" due to the presence of the National Guard.

I posted the following regarding that statement:

"Why would anyone be nervous when the city is more safe now than it has ever been??? 

You have missing kids that have been found, folk are reporting that they can walk and shop freely without fear of being robbed or mugged and our church feels we need a "disclaimer" regarding people keeping safe???

Can't be serious that we are that obtuse."

I would like to affirm this statement. It seems that, like many political liberals, we have been sold on "looks" and "appearances" greater than results. The result of the presence of the National Guard has been positive for the citizens of of Memphis and have provided a long needed sense of safety for her residents.

The "spill-over" effect is that Memphis will be a much more safe place than ever for the Saints attending the 177th Annual Holy Convocation.

I would hope that we can rise above the negative political epithets that divide us as a nation and body of people. It is the people we serve, the Black and minority community, that have been the first recipient of a safer community. No matter who has facilitated that beneficial measure we should rejoice and encourage the Saints rather than add a level of fear based on erroneous stereotypes and political leanings.

THE EXTRA

The last 2 statements regarding major events, such as the murder of Charlie Kirk and this one regarding Memphis and the security of the Saints, have been underwhelming. 

Charlie Kirk was just as much of a Christian and follower of Jesus as anyone else who serves Christ. and it seems that the Presiding Bishop's statement stopped short of claiming that he was a Christian and represented Christian views and moral ethics. The overall statement regarding Charlie Kirk was disturbing. 

But then, to top it off with a statement disregarding the vast benefits that a new and revised community safety and community plan has afforded the citizens of Memphis, TN., and the lives that have been saved as a result, makes us question is this church truly seeking to serve ALL men, or only those who embrace liberal and Democrat politics and political leanings?  

Let's be TRUTHFUL...Our leadership is not short on political and social liberals at the highest levels and ranks. We have Bishops, some of whom, support, and at the very least are silent about abortion, homosexuality and even transgenderism. While some may be politically and socially conservative, they certainly keep it to themselves.

Then, we have yielded our spaces and Holy Desk at the Holy Convocation to them who even have views contrary to the scripture and antithetical to Christ, community and Biblical Values...YEP...I can name them...I can present what THEY themselves say and teach regarding topics of racism, social and moral ills and values, and their views fall far short for anyone representing holiness...

Then, when we exit the social and political realm, in the last year, we have allowed at least 3 (certainly more) Pastor's stories to go viral regarding their illicit affairs, pedophillic abuses and sins without saying a word or distancing ourselves from immorality...Don't believe me? See HERE, HERE and HERE and this doesn't mention why we're calling the police on National choir members  such as Sybil Finney, or explain how we plan to address the issues raised HERE...Are we arresting folk, talking about good, faithful church members, in our churches now???

All these things have resulted in us becoming a laughingstock as noted...HERE...

No, I have not written about these issues as they are adequately covered by others who are delivering RECEPTS...I don't have time, these folk are grown and I really want to focus on things that will benefit the Body of Christ instead of focus on COGIC issues and our ability to overlook problems and shout on anyway...

However, to the point, it would seem that with all that we have going on in our church at this time, that we would welcome the safety and security that many of the residents of Memphis have found with the presence of the National Guard and a heightened police presence within the City.  

TOO MUCH LIBERAL SOCIAL and even LIBERAL POLITICAL THOUGHT has come through this church. No one can say that there was not a concerted effort to keep Bishop Wooden off of the Church's General Board because of his openly conservative political and social views. I don't think an argument can be made to the contrary. 

Black liberal "association" does not guarantee any benefits for Black people or for the Black community. In fact, many of our most popular embrace the worst political and social policies contemplated. Policies that have damaged our communities and kept whole segments of our community, the communities which the church serves, the Black population in particular... DOWN for generations. 

I would hope that we could see the benefits of diversity in political and social thought within this church, rather than buying in to stereotypes and lies of the culture. We are serving a generation who is rising and waking up every day to a better and more real truth than what we have been pushing. 

Hopefully, we can join the stream of them that want true reform and restoration for our children and families, rather than just to simply look good. 

Blessed!