Bishop Charles E Blake & The Call To A Solemn Assembly ~ Joel 1:14

 To provide further details on the Solemn Assembly set to be recognized by the Church Of God In Christ for Tuesday December 8th, 2020, I have posted the schedule for the event. May the GLORY of the Lord be upon this event and the repentance of the Saints and fellow Christians everywhere be accepted. 

Read more!

A WORD From The Lord ~ Hidden Among The "Stuff"

 Bishop Charles E Blake, Presiding Bishop Of the Church Of God In Christ has called for a solemn assembly of Saints with fasting & prayer on Tuesday December 8th, 2020 from 6:00Am to 6:00PM in each time zone all over the world. 

While this is a good thing, as prayer and fasting is always in order, the LORD spoke to me regarding the condition of the church also, in an open vision, this is what I saw and heard:

With the backdrop of a crowd of ministers and church leaders in my view, I heard the Lord ask:

"WHERE ARE YOU?" 

I responded by asking, "Who are you taking about Lord?" 

to which he replied:

"MY LEADERS..."

I spoke, "There they are Lord"

He responded, "NO, FOR THEY HAVE HIDDEN THEMSELVES AMONGST THE STUFF!"

Immediately he showed me 2 things within scripture: 

1- Adam & Eve hiding themselves from the presence of God among the trees and draping themselves with fig leaves after they had sinned against God. (Genesis 3:8)

2- Saul, who had been called to lead God's people after the people demanded a King, was approximately 6 and a half feet to 7 feet tall (head and shoulders above all men) but on the day of his consecration by Samuel, was hiding himself possibly among the luggage and baggage of the people who had traveled with and on behalf of Samuel to find and anoint their new king. (1 Sam. 10:22) 

In both cases, whether because of sin, or out of a sense of some form of warped humility or frivolity, the people, whom were to have an allegiance with God, were in the wrong place, doing the wrong things, hiding themselves, as it were, from the presence of God. 

Final

Although I encourage this call and the call of Bishop Blake, and many other pastors who will follow, but I certainly agree with God...THE CHURCH, and her leaders have been absent and missing in action far too long. THEY have been hiding from covid, hiding among the world and its favors and associations and even her sins and whoredoms.

What has been called for as a "day" of fasting, should be a month, should be a quarter to a half year to a full year. For restoration, we need more than an assembly of prayer, but we need an assembly of REPENTANCE and be recommitted to God, HIS work, HIS way, and HIS will.  

I part with an old song:

There is a STORM out, on the ocean, and it is moving this way...IF your soul 's not anchored in JESUS, you will surely drift away!

Blessed!

Read more!

Bishop Charles E Blake Announces His Retirement As Presiding Bishop Of COGIC

 

Read more!

Presiding Bishop's Call To "Global Fasting & Intercessory Prayer"

As many in the public, as well as church leaders, continue to die from covid 19 infection, and now even some pastors and religious leaders fined or put in jail because of their conduct in violating orders of local, State and Federal leaders, recently Bishop Charles E Blake, Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ, spoke to the members of COGIC and believers everywhere regarding covid 19 calling us to observe a day of Global Fasting & Intercessory Prayer".

This is what he said and wrote:

The Bishop's Letter To The Church and believers everywhere:

Global Call To Fasting & Prayer -Bishop Charles E Blake from Pastor Harvey Burnett

Read more!

COGIC 110th Annual Holy Convocation: Still Asking For Victims Advocacy

With a 2017 theme: "In This Changing World Let Us Hold On To Our Unchanging Faith" The Church Of God In Christ (aka: COGIC), one of the nations largest Pentecostal/Holiness denominations, prepares for it's 110th Annual Holy Convocation Nov. 6 - 14th 2017. The Convocation is the pinnacle meeting and gathering of the Saints of COGIC from all over the world to celebrate the glory, power and majesty of Christ through the year and in every place.

Though the gathering is a celebration of God's goodness, there is a business element particularly at the end of the successive days of worship in which the General Assembly, the church's ONLY rule and law making body, consisting of certain member delegates and leaders, gather to discuss certain matters of church business and operations. What we can be assured of is that "Victim's Advocacy" is NOT on the General Assembly agenda for 2017 which is somewhat discouraging to I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council (IMBKCAC) founder Supt. Harvey Burnett New Bethel COGIC of IL. 3rd Jurisdiction. Supt. Burnett has advocated for victim's advocacy with an element of independent oversight for a number of years in light of past and present allegations of clergy and church related sexual abuse and sins. In a recent letter to Presiding Bishop Charles E Blake Supt. Burnett stated the following: 

"Quite frankly, I find it hard to believe that as a church we are taking the welfare of victims seriously when nearly every measure that has been taken to "prevent" sexual misconduct provide, if not instruct, the alleged perpetrators of the crimes on their due process rights and basically how to secure themselves and their ministerial futures."

Supt. Burnett goes on to say:

"One would think that in light of the serious fallout and devastating effects of sexual perversion that have been displayed on the news, that our organization would take the lead in dealing skillfully with survivors and seek to assure the public that our churches are a safe place for all worshipers, and for those recovering from all forms of abuse. However, to simply say such means little if we are not carefully, thoroughly and honestly evaluated." 

Without a doubt the mission of COGIC to the community is at its zenith. However, the mission is preformed at a time when allegations of sexual abuse are rocking Hollywood, institutions of higher education, politics, the business community and nearly every facet of American life. It would certainly seem that the issues pertaining to abuse are not going away anytime soon. 

To suggest that the church is not reflective of the community that it serves is more a sign of wishful thinking than reality. The unfortunate fact is that some churches feel that they can self-administer their own brand of healing when sexual abuse occurs and many feel that they do not have to be accountable to the larger community and group to which they are a part. Therefore, many issues pertaining to the healing process of those victimized are often reduced to methods similar to trying to close a gaping wound with band-aids. 

What Can We Do?

What we will do is set forth a solid agenda in General Assembly in 2018. I would say as a people and members that we should begin to call more loudly for healing for those who have been victimized and a better and member centered victim's rights and advocacy platform. 

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, I would advise that you DO NOT take a settlement in which you waive your rights to speak on the incident or on your experience. Silence or confidentiality agreements are a further affliction of pain and exemplifies cultural abuse. When it is thought that money can be exchanged for personal freedoms, there is a problem on both sides of the issue. 

We will live blog some of the events next week so please stay tuned right here. 

Blessed!

Letter To Presiding Bishop Blake
      

Letter To Bishop Charles E. Blake from Pastor Harvey Burnett

Read more!

The "Black" Church Open Letter To Hillary Clinton...We'd Like To Talk Now

In an effort spearheaded by Jacquelyn C. Rivers, executive director of the Seymour Institute on Black Church and Policy Studies, a group of pastoral leaders representing the "Black Church" and in particularly the "Pentecostal-Charismatic" wing of the Black church,  delivered a thesis to the Hillary Clinton campaign, on Halloween of all days, making the assumption that 1- she would prevail in her effort to become President and 2- that she, in her first 100 days, would take the time to unravel and stand down on nearly all of the rhetoric that she has endorsed heavily in recent times, which includes her belief in the normalization of homosexuality, and the force-feeding of the LGBT agenda to the American public, and the continued proliferation of abortion rights under the guise of "women's rights". 

Signed by nearly 26 pastors, most of which are COGIC, some of whom have some "questionable" backgrounds and history on the same issues that the letter addresses, the Pastors and Bishops seem to hit Hillary Clinton and the DNC platform in the breadbasket very hard:

On Abortion:

"For the same reasons that we as black Christian leaders oppose racism, unjust wars, capital punishment and euthanasia, we oppose the violent denial of life to the unborn through abortion. It is our view that human life is a gift of God that we are called upon to protect, nurture and sustain, because we are created in God’s image." (pg. 3)

On Education & Employment: 

"One writer has observed that as entry into labor markets has become increasingly dependent upon education and highly technical skills we are witnessing, perhaps for the first time, a generation of black youth ill-equipped to secure gainful employment even as productive slaves." (pg. 2) 

On Violence:

"The structural failures which stalk inner-city communities and promote nihilism and violence among our young men are a challenge to the courage and faith of the black church. As the primary institution of our neighborhoods, the church has the resources to minister to these young men both materially and spiritually, to give them hope in the future and a path to a new life. The work of the black church in our poor communities is of the utmost importance and the importance of our freedom to operate in accordance with our faith cannot be overstated." (pg. 4)

Religious Freedom for Black America:

"There is no analogy between the apartheid of Jim Crow and the religious freedom laws in force across this country. It is the very same faith that is protected by religious freedom laws that inspired our black ancestors to lead the movement for the abolition of slavery and the end of Jim Crow apartheid in the American South. It is absurd to demean the defense of this faith as the equivalent of the injustices that we have fought and overcome." (Pg. 5)

"The drive to normalize immoral sexual behavior has inspired some to dishonor the memory of courageous blacks who experienced the unique horrors of white supremacy, slavery, rape, terrorism and apartheid in the U.S. Their argument that religious freedom laws are historically and existentially equivalent to Jim Crow laws rests on false assertions." (pg. 5)

A late appeal...why not meet and demand to meet now instead of after an election?

"We request that you set a place and time, during your first 100 days in office, where

we may meet to learn more about your position on these issues. Then we will be better able to inform our community about what they can reasonably expect from a Clinton administration."

The Hillary Clinton campaign has not responded to this open letter as of the writing of this article, however Bishop EW Jackson Sr. & the group Ministers Taking A Stand has. Please see their response HERE

My take: The Clinton campaign and the Democratic party has been so thoroughly led down the line of socialism and social re-engineering, that it will take much more than a letter, to close the FLOOD GATES that President Obama opened and wants to see  continue.

The CURRENT White House has done everything it could to start the nation on a course where God is simply an "opinion" among many others and where religious freedoms are no more than pieces of a grand chess game to be manipulated and changed when and where it can.

Thank God that the Bishops are standing, but THEY SHOULD HAVE STOOD AT THE BEGINNING of the demise of traditional family values and the proliferation of the LGBT agenda when President Obama used nearly every thing at his disposal to prop the agenda up, while many of them took positions, pictures and sought political significance.

To stand now is like placing a thumb in a 50 foot gap of the Hoover Dam. It may look like you're doing something, but it's way too late. And if you think that the person who is committed to doing all of what you have allowed to be done over the last 8 years, will suddenly change direction over the next 8, I also have some swamp land in Arizona that I would love to sell you...it's a steal at only $5,000 per square foot, with a 100,000  square foot minimum....

Blessed!

READ BISHOP EW JACKSON'S RESPONSE TO THIS OPEN LETTER HERE

The Open Letter

"Black" Church Open Letter To Hillary Clinton from Pastor Harvey Burnett

Read more!

109th Holy Convocation, COGIC IMPACTS & A Safe Church Plan

The 2016 annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ (Nov. 7th ~ Nov. 13th) is on the horizon. This year is also an election year within the church with many individuals vieing for position at some level or another.

Schedule For 109th Annual Holy Convocation, click HERE

Current Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake recently unveiled a new church culture initiative called "COGIC IMPACTS" which is bound to be the talk among preachers and church leaders. From the website:

"COGIC IMPACTS is a culture model that will help us build a stronger culture. This model was designed and developed expressly for COGIC and has been introduced by Bishop Blake to COGIC employees and the General Board. COGIC IMPACTS is a deliberate attempt to define our culture and how we will work in tandem."

With the call that "what we do is who we are" COGIC IMPACTS outlines the following regarding the acronym:

Integrity – The quality of being honest and having strong moral uprightness.

Measurable Results – Establishing SMART goals that highlight success.

Passionate – Self-driven attitude about your work that leads to success.
Adaptable – Able to adjust to new conditions. 

Collaborative – Working together to create or produce solutions. 

Timely Manner – Done Expeditiously 

Service Oriented – Providing outstanding service & support to COGIC and on behalf of COGIC.

To enlighten us further on what is being said, the term "SMART" is often accredited to concepts of Time Management and Organizational Objectives produced and presented by Peter Drucker spoken of in 1981 by George T. Doran in an issue of "Management Review". Defining the elements and boarders of good management, the acronym is generally summarized as follows:

Specific

~ Well defined
~ Clear to anyone that has a basic knowledge of the project 

Measurable~ Know if the goal is obtainable and how far away completion is
~ Find out when you have achieved your goal 

Agreed Upon~ Agreement with all the stakeholders what the goals should be 

Realistic~ Within the availability of resources, knowledge and time 

Time-Based~ Enough time to achieve the goal
~ Not too much time, which can affect project performance

In essence, the Bishop is calling for a completely new culture in dealing with church management and administrative issues and moving forward as a church. Rather than view projects with emotion, our Bishop seems to be asking that we now view ministry and the causes within ministry with "intent" and with "purposeful planning". 

Pushback: "That is not a Spirit led"

Some will invariably view this approach as less "spiritual" than times past in which we were "led of the Spirit" to the extent that we solved and addressed issues first and planned later. It is a more cognitive approach than what we have experienced in the past. 

Interfacing "IMPACTS" With Sexual Misconduct & Abuse

While there is very little talk of it in open circles, the 109th Holy Convocation meets us with a host of issues challenging the "I" representing the integrity of many of our leaders. There are some issues regarding sexual impropriety and misconduct among church leaders and even Bishops that have come to the surface. There are some who have decided to live immoral ungodly double-lives. Caught on tape entertaining girlfriends attempting to cover their sins. Still there are others who's personal character is not befitting to leadership, becoming internet trolls, even cussing out individuals who do not agree with them. Then there are yet others who have an ever evolving list and chain of new illegitimate children coming to surface seemingly year after year. In some cases these are the "Eli"(s) who thought that they would not have to answer for their sins, but are sadly confronted with them now like never before. 

Then there is Earl Carter who implemented an all out attack on Presiding Bishop Blake leading and encouraging a host of haters to follow his sins, It seems that Earl Carter, so badly wanted the "attention" of the Presiding Bishop, that he recently went to completely new LOW, and sad level of destruction producing a FAKE "sex-tape" allegedly of our Presiding Bishop even against what appears to be an order for him to refrain from his personal attacks on the Bishop. Initially promising to "take down" the leader, it seems that Carter himself is now on the run, being taken down in some fashion trying to dodge his ultimate judgement which he seems to have heaped upon his own head with his never-ending rantings. 

For the REAL Victims or Survivors

Ministry of the church is what the church is called to do. Managing an organization, while commendable, is not exactly the mission or commission of the church. With that said, we can ask, what of LEGITIMATE cases that deal with our INTEGRITY as a church? If we are leading into the next generation with integrity as a mandate, how do we plan to deal with victims of sexual abuse and clergy misconduct? Do we think that it is essential to implement a SAFE CHURCH PLAN, that will protect our members and support a level of integrity that we seek? 

You see, it is not just good enough to talk about the speed and efficiency at which we do business. We MUST continue to act like and be a CHURCH. In that calling,  it is my firm belief that we must deal with and help those that are the most vulnerable among us and seek to apply the healing salve of Christ to all men, but in particularly to those to whom we have been entrusted to partner with in this spiritual mission

The mission of "I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council" is exactly this. IMBKCAC is an untapped resource, specifically designed to provide a level of INTEGRITY to the way the church protects and heals the most vulnerable among us. . 

What is our average church rating in:

The interface between the Pastor/leader and the congregation?
The interface between the congregation and ministry leaders?
Youth ministry integrity & safety?
Survivor support and path of liberation?
Planned congregational response to issues of sexual integrity & abuse?
Planned path for survivor restoration?
Does a solid network of services designed to heal survivors?
Path of restoration for families?

These are some of the evaluations that IMBKCAC will make in determining if your church, district or jurisdiction is a SAFE ENVIRONMENT. Out of all that we do, if we are not seeking to implement a SAFE CHURCH PLAN, we are falling far short of what we are to do in supporting and creating integrity. In other words, we have undermined the very first part of the acronym of IMPACTS...The "I" or INTEGRITY....

If we are seeking to be a church founded on integrity to biblical values, then we cannot continue to have elections without creating or mentioning a platform that delivers integrity tout every congregation, every district, every jurisdiction and the national church itself. For anyone skeptical of whether we need a SAFE CHURCH PLAN, please listen to these podcasts

COGIC Survivors Pt. 1

COGIC Survivors Pt. 2

COGIC Survivors Pt. 3

If one can hear those broadcasts, and not consider that we should have a sense of urgency in dealing with the issues of victimization in a much better way, then I don't believe that you have the heart of Christ.

In all, I believe that we have some opportunities to serve that we have not previously had or experienced. Will we rise to the challenge of not only an organizational and cultural change of operation, but also a cultural change of how we minister to victims of some of the worst experiences imaginable. I hope so. So far noone says a word. Maybe we will have the opportunity to once again raise the issue.

Blessed!    

Read more!

A COGIC Apology & Revised Operations Re: Young Men Of Valor Training Manual

Read Pt. 1 Of This Issue HERE

In a recent posting at COGIC.org, the Church Of God In Christ came forth to correct and "repudiate" the information set forth in the "Sexual Health" section of its 2015 "Young Men Of Valor Training Manual". In addition, an official letter of apology was sent from International Youth Department President, Pastor Ben Stephens, "distancing himself" from the teaching of the manual. The office of the Presiding Bishop seems to have delivered a general order reaffirming our church's position on the issue of celibacy, sex and sexuality and setting forth guidelines of how the church will insure that such erroneous information will not be delivered to any COGIC member under a COGIC platform in the future.

As a reminder, this is what I asked in my previous article:

"How did this material get by screening? Was the material even screened at all? Were our leaders so enamored with their job duties, recognition, fame, conferences and the "department program" that what they were actually teaching our youth was of no consideration? Is there commonly no vetting of material by the Presiding Bishop's office? What of General Board officials? Have they no duty to review church programs and materials to make sure there is harmony with church and biblical values in materials distributed? With all of this surrounding material given to our young men, what in the world may be in the Young Women Of Excellence material? Does it also contain challenging and ungodly suggestions? The church and the leaders of the church have a greater duty to the members of this church than what they are showing and have shown in this matter? A statement of apology from these department leaders is in order as well.

Although the who and how, of this question was not addressed, I remain positive, and am EXCITED to see that dissent such as mine and the dissent of others was taken seriously enough to act upon and to implement measures that assure the fidelity of teaching and consistency of doctrine to ALL COGIC youth and members going forward.   

First: A Letter Of Apology:

Pastor Ben Stephens, the President of the International Youth Department, in a letter to Presiding Bishop Blake dated May 29th, stated the following:

"It was under my watch that the Young Men of Valor (2015 Edition) was published that omitted the Church of God in Christ's well-established theological, biblical, and doctrinal information surrounding "sanctified" sexuality. In its stead was clinical information acquired from various (non-Church of God in Christ) professional sources. The 2015 edition clearly represents a lapse in judgement and failure in supervision, and I take full responsibility for it."

Pastor Stephens further affirmed that the Young Men Of Valor program should be consistent with church values by stating the following 5 things:

"1. Sex is not to be engaged in outside the context of marriage; therefore, encouraging young men to maintain their virginity until marriage, by practicing celibacy.

2. We support the concept and commitment to sexual abstinence prior to marriage.

3. We encourage and support holy matrimony only between a man and woman.

4. We find it vital to address sexual temptations but from a holy and biblical perspective.

5. Single Young Men of Valor are encouraged to live chaste and sexually pure according to the Bible and the Doctrine of the Church of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian (Young Man of Valor) is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present world."

Pastor Stephens letter was encouraging, to the point and well appreciated. The entire letter can be viewed HERE.

Secondly: New Guidelines To Govern The Review & Release Of Distributed Information:

I and others asked about the vetting process for publications and information that is delivered to our children and all COGIC members. The General Order from the Bishops office, in no uncertain terms, addresses the issue as follows:

"1. Pastor Ben Stephens has given a strong reprimand and his actions will be subject to oversight for an undetermined period of time;

2. Oversight and management of the Young Men of Valor program has been reassigned;

3. Bishop James L. Whitehead, Jr. has been appointed to lead a standing commission that will be responsible for reviewing all printed departmental materials as well as all materials promoted or sold through the Publishing House to ensure they are in line with COGIC doctrine;

4. Representatives of the Publishing Board will appear before the General Board semi‐annually to provide information on content being offered; and,

5. All department leaders have been tasked with conducting an audit within their respective departments to determine if any documents now exist that are in need of revision to ensure alignment with COGIC doctrine."

In my opinion, these guidelines, if followed faithfully, will assure that information delivered to our youth is consistent to COGIC doctrine and more importantly biblical positions on the issues. The General Board should know and be fully aware of what is being taught to not only our youth, but throughout our church.

I believe that it is the first duty of the minister and ministry everywhere to deliver information that is faithful to the word of God. The conferences and all the operations, books and everything else is secondary to truth and the wholesome, biblically based information that we are charged to deliver to our members and the world. It is my desire that this church would slow itself down, reorganize priorities and set its face towards the substance that makes holiness different and unique from the doctrines of men and live out its first call, to love God and do righteously in this world. 

Secondary Issues:

Even with what I consider to be positive steps taken by our church in addressing the issues favorably and responsibly, there is yet further speculation that this fiasco was a calculated move to move us off center as it pertains to fidelity and sexual integrity and purity within the church, and that Ben Stephens is wholly responsible for this manual and its subsequent content, but does not suffer because of his relationship to Presiding Bishop Blake. 

The fact is that even "if" Pastor Ben Stephens was totally responsible for the teachings in this manual, and even 'if" such material was planted as a part of a conspiracy to subjugate our youth to ungodliness, ALL parties, involved (or not), have had to publicly repudiate the manual and its contents under the "Sexual Health" section, to the fullest degree. This is a written record which has been captured both by myself and others and is not so easily overcome by equivocating on the issue. 

I do not believe that addressing the response with high levels of criticism is productive. While each individual is entitled to believe what they wish, it is the position of this blog that this matter has been and is being addressed adequately by COGIC leadership, there are new procedures in place to address other potential issues,  and The Dunamis Word is glad to serve and facilitate positive change and better procedures in whatever way we can.

Blessed!

COGIC General Order & Repudiation Of The Sexual Health section of the Young Men Of Valor Training Manual: 

COGIC Young Men Of Valor Training Manual Statement from Pastor Harvey Burnett

     

Read more!

COGIC Charges. Procedures, Rules & Regulations

It has been some time since Elder Earl Carter has taken COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake to task on the internet for what he (Carter) claims is immoral behavior, an abuse of power and a host of other issues. Carter has continued to air his grievances in spite of recommendations to seek an alternate route or path to make his concerns known. 

There are many sad parts to all of this. Carter, who repeatedly challenged Bishop Blake to take him to court, had his wish granted and is now beating the same internet seeking contributors to help fund his defense. In addition, people, who know either very little or nothing about COGIC process in these matters, are lining up in their feelings, emotion, and righteous indignation, some spouting off some of the most ridiculous things and those encouraging the continued discord, are, in effect, supporting and propping up more CONFUSION!

FACT: Every Organization Has Rules & Guidelines 

ANY group of people that come together for a particular purpose is an organization to some degree. They may or may not have a formal or written code, but bring centered around a purpose or cause makes them an organization. Within that there are certain norms and values that are either accepted or rejected among members of the group. 

Read more!

Do Black Lives Really Matter?

Too Many Aborted.com

In my post, "Black Lives Matter...Most Of The Time", I promoted the movement Black Lives Matter, as it, through and by hundreds of protests all over the country, promotes harmony between the Black and urban communities and local police departments.

More To Black Life Than Police...

Although the goal of the Black Lives Matter movement is focused on the police, economics and community relations, there is another more ominous danger that threatens the survival of Black communities all over this country. That is the threat of abortion. To the tune of an estimated over 1,450 lives per day since 1973, the Black Community aborts and continues to abort its babies with the help of federally funded organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which has never broken ties with the startling racist statements and positions of its founder Margaret Sanger who said that Blacks and the poor were like "human weeds" that "never should have been born".

In fact, when I questioned why the Church Of God In Christ, who certainly proudly associated themselves with the Black Lives Matter movement by joining in Solidarity Sunday, (with myself in tow) would not be more vocal on the subject, my message was PROMPTLY removed from the COGIC Facebook site, but mysteriously it reappeared. If I might repeat what I said:

"Then what of our stance on abortion? Black lives are lost to the tune of some 1450 PER DAY. We endorsed a President who claims a woman has a right of choice over the life. Do BLACK lives really matter to us or is this the next buzzword?"

The Presiding Bishop of The Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake, unlike many others, stood up at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. in the Wells Fargo Theatre in 2008 and delivered a message questioning the endorsement of abortion, both by the Democratic Party platform and the then "presumed" Democratic National Convention candidate, Sen, Barack Obama. This is what the news recorded:

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake 

"Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, called on presumptive Democratic  nominee, Barack Obama to "follow through on his promise ... to reduce the number of abortions" while stopping just short of criticizing the Democratic Party for its support of the practice. 

"Surely we cannot be pleased with ... millions of terminated pregnancies," Blake said to applause from the nearly full Wells Fargo Theater. "Something within us must be calling for a better way. If we do not resist at this point, at what point will we resist?"

Democrats must know about the "moral and spiritual pain so many of us feel because of this disregard for the lives of the unborn," Blake said.

In a speech focusing on society's responsibility to its children, Blake first focused on the plight of the inner-city poor as a human rights responsibility before calling abortion a practice "that conflicts with our position and our responsibility ... to human rights itself."

Although Blake intimated he was frustrated with his party's support of abortion, he praised its positions for the helpless in other ways. "Others loudly proclaim their advocacy for the unborn," he said, receiving a standing ovation, "but they refuse to recognize their responsibility and the responsibility of our nation to those who have been born. "They are presently and historically silent, if not indifferent," he continued, "to the suffering of our inner cities."

I recorded this event on The Dunamis Word in this ARTICLE in 2008 from a now archived edition of the Rocky Mountain News the day after the Convention.

NOW back to our regularly scheduled program:

What Is The Problem?
I think Dr. Alveda King, the daughter of the great late Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin L. King Jr. summed it up nicely. Let's see what she sad:

Dr. Alveda King

"The liberal media looks the other way on this"...“Pray that people will see right through their propaganda.”... “The media has another agenda; if they really thought that black lives matter they would be protesting abortion on demand.”..."[media] often stirs controversy to boost rating” and “support[s] abortion on demand.”...“This media category ignores the fact that the abortion industry targets minorities,”... 

“Even Planned Parenthood tweeted support for Ferguson using the Black Lives Matters hashtags, and yet they abort more black and Hispanic babies that any other abortion provider in America.”~ Dr. Alveda King Daughter of the late Dr. Martin L. King Jr. 

BLACK DEATH, HYPOCRISY and a PASSIVE ATTITUDE from society, the church and political community regarding the issue is the problem!

Since 2008, The Dunamis Word has taken on the issue of abortion to bring it front and center alarming the community of the danger and the Black community in particular. Countless babies continue to die through and by abortion. Countless women, mothers of those aborted, continue to die as well at the hands of so called "abortion clinics".  Two of the young ladies who have lost their lives recently due to this sort of "legalized crime" are  Chicago's Tonya Reaves, Cleveland's Lakisha Wilson. Both Black women. Died as a result of failed abortion procedures. Yet we find no demonstrations or protests by any movement, including the Black Lives Matter movement, against these atrocities. The fact is that 4 Black Lives were lost in these 2 events and not a person (other than those who oppose abortion in all forms) protested. The clinics were funded by and large through public funds, similar to the funding of police departments all over the country. Yet not ONE protest! Although Black woman constitute only 14% of the United States population, abortions by Black women account for nearly 30% of the nation's abortions. SOURCE and yet, we DO NOT PROTEST!

The Tale Of A CITY!

A closer look at the most current numbers for NYC abortions, (remember, NYC has generated the most widely held protests against the murder of unarmed Black men by police) display that 77.56% of all abortions are preformed on Either Black or Hispanic women, with Black women, who only make up 25.5% of NYC's population, leading the way with nearly 35,188 aborted that year. That is nearly 46.1% of all babies aborted in NYC at a rate of nearly 96 abortions per day! (Hispanics, 28.6% of NYC population, had 23,959 total lives lost to abortion at a rate of nearly 65 lives per day) The total number of abortions for NYC, 76,251, make it the nations leading city of aborted babies in the United States. Further, New York State has the highest number of abortions overall in the nation totaling 103,339 aborted babies! 

NYC "die-in" At Grand Central Station

There is no way that anyone can look at these numbers and not be convinced that this is a epidemic for the Black community of NYC and further something that the whole nation should be hotly concerned about. 

Studies also show that Black women are 5 times more likely to abort a child than White women. Condom use doesn't seem to curb the issue either as the and SAME JULY 2014 STUDY shows that over 51% of women who receive abortions used contraceptives in the same month that they became pregnant. In addition, as I have shown in this ARTICLE, the term "medically necessary" is subjective term with no specifically assigned set of values that does not address why and under what circumstances a fetus should be aborted. In addition, numbers show that abortions due to rape and incest only comprise .5% (that is POINT 5 PERCENT) of all abortions since 1973, and those numbers certainly don't seem to be a justification for the soaring numbers that we currently experience (although current numbers say that abortion overall is on a decline- Isn't that special?!?!?!)

Political Inaction, Misdirection and Non-Concern

Bishop Blake's requests and encouragements to now President Obama and the DNC seem to have fallen on deaf ears to say the least. Since his election President, President Obama has gone on record on to say this:

"...every woman should be able to make her own choices about her body and her health...."We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to protecting a woman’s access to safe, affordable health care and her constitutional right to privacy, including the right to reproductive freedom,"..."And we resolve to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, and continue to build safe and healthy communities for all our children. Because this is a country where everyone deserves the same freedom and opportunities to fulfill their dreams."

Although this statement is filled with misdirection of the argument, obfuscation and word casting (almost political code) it is clear that the President's has allegiance to abortion no matter the cost. Noone questions whether a woman should have the right about "her body and her health". This argument is about a BABY'S BODY and that BABY'S right to his/her health. In addition "reproductive freedom" is not the issue, the right of life for the unborn is...babies can have dreams if they are allowed to live. Preventing unwanted pregnancies has NOTHING to do with saving the lives of babies who cannot speak for themselves. With all that said, the DNC went on to exclude God from their political party platform in the last election...go figure!!!!

What Has Our President Done Since His First Election?

Beliefnet has compiled President Obama's Pro-Life record HERE It is really astounding. He has done MUCH for homosexual acceptance marital normalization, but NOTHING to protect babies in vitro from murder. What a SHAME from the most powerful nation and leader on Earth! 

Conclusion

In short, if Black Lives Mattered as we all contend that they do, the lives of the unborn would matter as well. They are not only Black lives that should matter, but lives of the innocent whether Black White Hispanic or otherwise. 

I certainly support many aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement, and was all in on Solidarity Sunday and much more beyond, before and above it and whatever it meant. I feel that the slogans in favor of Black lives should really mean what it professes to mean. Not simply because of the police or failed community policing policies, but because countless lives, dreams, opportunities and hopes are being lost everyday to abortion and the abortion industry. 

Planned Parenthood continues to say that their primary mission is the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. They claim that if they don't exist, then the community and especially Black America would be in trouble because they would not have the necessary "medical help". While all of that is very arguable and at some point even comical, all I know is that while spending some of that $1 Billion in assets annually  they still have not changed their association with eugenics and they remain  part of the social movement that targets Black and poor minorities for its abortion services in nearly every major urban population in America. HERE'S the map to show how Planned Parenthood abortions centers are in nearly every major urban population in America.   

Blessed!

The New CDC Report can be viewed HERE online or HERE for a downloadable PDF Version. 

Read more!

Black Lives Matter...Most Of The Time

The recent excuses given to not indict or even take to trial individuals trusted to protect the public has created a firestorm of controversy in the United states. The Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake, calls on the COGIC community along with all believers to send a strong message of solidarity Sunday Dec. 14th that Black Lives Matter! (I will save my continued and ongoing commendation to the church to prove the same in a future writing thus the "Most Of The Time" appellation in the title)

Read more!

Presiding Bishop Blake Clarifies Carter Criticism...Somewhat...

Thanks to one of my readers I was directed towards a statement recently released by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake   concerning his criticism of Dr. Earl Carter and his message at the 107th Annual Holy Convocation. I have done 5 articles already on this (way too much) that can be found HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. 

In this exciting NEW "episode" Bishop Blake clarifies what commentary contained within the nearly hour long message that Dr. carter presented, was, in his opinion, offensive and "inappropriate". from what can be assessed from the following statement, his dissent is boiled down to his tenor, tone and the use of a crude metaphorical statement.  The statement of Bishop Blake, released by a church Secretary on the West Angeles facebook site is as follows:

Read more!

The Lion Hath Roared! Reflections Of The COGIC 107th Annual Holy Convocation

Amos 3:8 ~ The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

New, New, New 

Can You Ride A Donkey Pt. 1 ~ Supt. Earl Carter

Can You Ride A Donkey Pt. 2 ~ Supt. Earl Carter

New, New, New

Normally, I do an article prior to the annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ outlining some points of interest and some fairly hot issues that the Saints, in general, should or could address in their largest annual meeting of the year.  

Read more!

The COGIC 106th Annual Holy Convocation...A Time For Reconciliation!

Theme 1: Discovering The Power Presence And Person Of Jesus Christ

Theme 2: Experiencing The Power Of Jesus Christ, Pursuing His Mission & His Righteousness

Although I really can't say that I know exactly what theme that the 106th annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ will be, (click HERE and read the banners for yourself) either theme sparks much fruitful and spiritual contemplation and is painted on a ripe canvass of both victory, mystery and even further controversy.  

The 2013 Holy Convocation promises to be another in which COGIC will have the opportunity to address many issues and hopefully take the opportunity to set the pace as it pertains to standards of safety and integrity within the modern Christian church. However, they are starting from a deficit. There are some serious problems that must be dealt with including lawsuits, abuse, and unresolved ongoing personal conflicts and issues. 

COGIC Victim's Advocacy...The Need STILL Exists

The wonderful part is that COGIC now requires background checks for all new clergy coming into the organization and a thorough and extensive training program for all clergy licensees. In addition, we have received certain information that there is a counseling plan or program that exists, whether officially or not, for victims of sexual abuse in some areas of the country. That's the GOOD NEWS! 

The BAD NEWS is that sexual abuse within the church continues to occur and that COGIC has failed to implement a true Victim's Advocacy program and plan that will effectively minister to the needs of victims and their families. There is yet no clear "bill of rights" or path to recovery plan as we have proposed and recommended within the IMBKCAC plan. There is yet no organizational system of accountability on the issue of abuse in all forms. A solid advocacy plan, will meet the needs of both victims, the public, and the church insuring that COGIC is a safe and family friendly place of worship which embraces safe practices that not only prevent sexual abuse from occurring, but also affords victims the very best care, compassion and concern as they place their lives and families back together. An solid victim's advocacy plan is of essential importance if the goal and aim of the church is to be relevant within the community in which it exists and all around the world.

Read more!

Is COGIC A "Safe Place" & The 2012 Press Conference

(If YOU or someone you know has been victimized, call I Am My Brother's Keeper (IMBKCAC) or email us at Imbkcac@gmail.com. All  inquiries are CONFIDENTIAL)

Many of our readers know that I conducted a Press Conference on Clergy sexual abuse and victims advocacy at the 2012 Holy Convocation. At least I scheduled a press conference and did manage to do an interview which I will post shortly. In a minute I'll tell you the results of that press conference and what transpired. Until then enjoy this snippet of a message from our Presiding Bishop's address on Official Day.

Now, that certainly sounded like a great message. "I believe that children are the future" sounds so familiar...In fact this is the part of that snippet that especially caught my attention:

"The church has got to be a safety zone for our children. If you are a pedophile, if you are a child molester  if you are a child abuser, if you are determined to pursue sexual misconduct, then either get right or get out!"

Didn't that sound good???

If What He Said Is True, Then Please Tell Me Why...

As I stated in a Press Release regarding COGIC's absentee victims advocacy policy, that I made shortly before the Presidential election, I was on my way to STL to ask church leaders, and the candidates (over 23 of them for the General Board) to undertake the issues of victims advocacy, which is an area that this Grand Ole Church has yet to touch...In other words, the children and adults that suffer from sexual abuse and church or clergy misconduct have NO ONE inside the church or associated with it in any way to help readjust their lives whether spiritually or emotionally and the church does NOTHING to help a victim heal from the atrocity that they have suffered. In many cases they are stepping in to clear themselves of liability or paying settlement funds, but there is nothing in place resembling a victims advocacy plan and neither is there anything considered in spite of my efforts to bring the focus to the issue.

Victim's Advocacy IS NOT A Zero Tolerance Policy. OK, do I have to say once again that a a zero tolerance policy against clergy sexual misconduct and screening of pastors and leaders IS NOT a victims advocacy policy???? It seems like I have to consistently say this especially to people who should know the difference. A "zero tolerance policy" is certainly a step in the right direction, but it is NOT a victims advocacy policy. Do we really not understand the difference between the two? I only ask because most every one I speak to in leadership, either doesn't know the difference or wants me to believe that they don't know the difference. As I tell my kids, "I can't call it", but what I do know is that is the case....That is a sad case, but it is true.

Contacting The Presiding Bishop

Well, out of honor and respect, even though my 2009 proposal faxed to Bishop Blake and the then General Board went unacknowledged, I tried once again to engage our Presiding Bishop by contacting him through his personal assistant by email in STL the night before the conference was to take place seeking to establish a partnership with him seeking to work together in addressing this very important and serious issue. My tone was positive reserving the right to speak truth.

Here is the part that should be of special interest to every person who is a member of COGIC and otherwise, that has received misinformation and LIES regarding my efforts; this is what I said to the Bishop in a letter to him:

"So that you will know, unlike some of my friends and associates, I am not willing to bash our church. However, I am willing to tell the truth in effort that we can come to greater and higher accountability and implement programs in favor of those who have suffered the greatest among our ranks."

One can read the full email letter that I sent to Bishop Blake and  that he received, by clicking HERE.

What Happened?

Well, the Press conference was delayed due to my late arrival. (about 30 minutes ) Clearly this was not a COGIC press session...COGIC did not call it at all. I,  through I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council,  called the conference and media inquiry, complete with our phone number and email for clarification, questions or concerns.

Unfortunately, some media asked COGIC about the Press Conference. When that happened, COGIC press core evidently had been instructed to inform the media that the press conference, which they had nothing to do with, had been cancelled....WHAAAAAT???? CANCELLED????

This is the interview with Erin Williams of STL. Public Radio regarding the issue. 

Who instructed COGIC Press Core and staff to tell the media that a press conference that I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council had called regarding clergy sexual abuse and the lack of a victims advocacy policy within the Church Of God In Christ, had been cancelled??? Better yet, why would COGIC officials evidently  INSTRUCT the press core officials to tell the media that a press conference,  which implicitly and explicitly deals with the safety of CHILDREN and adults that suffer from church related abuse, had been cancelled???

Is the church really a "safety zone"? Then why are the voices calling for the safety of individuals through advocacy  SILENCED?Why is there obfuscation on the issue???

Now, before one begins to shout and say that "the Lord confused the enemy", which is invariably a certain statement of ignorance and scriptural illiteracy as it pertains to this issue, one should ask, who is the enemy???...Is the enemy the one stifling the victims that have been abused and suffering life changing atrocities, or is the enemy those who speak up for the victims trying to find a way to make their lives better???

The Rest Of The Story

The reason I am taking time to explain this is because many people, and I say many people were praying for this event and praying for some acknowledgement from COGIC over the plight of victims of this type of ungodly abuse at the hand of COGIC personnel. I certainly appreciate all the prayers and support I received for this, but we're not through yet...

Once I saw where this was going I did two things in response. First, I held the Press Conference anyway. 

The full text of what I said in a prepared statement can be found by clicking HERE.

Of course, this was to the dismay of some reporters who contacted my office, complaining that there was no press conference after the fact. When I explained the situation, they (members of the press) finally understood that they should have read and followed the instructions in the release, because none of the press realized that they were entering into the COGIC landmine of obfuscation and excuses for poor service and misdirection...and Yes, I did endorse this message....

The Search

Secondly, along with my my personal assistant who witnessed the entire series of events, I went to the administrative offices to speak with Bishop Blake and Bishop Enoch Perry. After finding their section of St. Louis, I made it known clearly who I was and that I would await for them to meet me, as I desired to speak with them, and had heard that at least Bishop Enoch desired the same. After a brief wait, we were told that they were unavailable due to meetings and that they couldn't speak...Not even their assistants were available to speak with us. 

I thought that funny because only two weeks prior Enoch Perry himself had spoken to my Bishop, Bishop Robert Sanders of Illinois Third, asking him all kinds of questions about me, even having my report payment history in front of him. Go for the MONEY....It seemed that now that I was in his presence, neither he nor any of our Presiding Bishop's assistants could meet with me or discuss any issues of exactly why I was doing what I was doing or even ask any questions pertaining to it at all. 

For The Critic: 

Invariably, there are corporate lovers, and cronies that will see the corporation of COGIC right no matter what is done. That's OK, I am not trying to prove it wrong as a corporation. What I am saying is that there is far too much lip service given to the issues and no impetus placed on those who have lost and had their world turned upside down due to the sins of some, deemed charlatans. 

2012 COGIC Presiding Bishop
& General Board

Why am I talking about the church and officials like this? First, because it is 100% TRUE. Secondly, because it is horrific for our leaders to chase financial improprieties as they do, making those situations high priority looking to find dollars that they think are lost,  while at the same time making very little time for anyone that solely wants to address the value of human life and assist in addressing the plight of victims who have been hurt due to these type of clergy sins and abusive situations...

The question is how can anyone contend that serving victims as we do with utter silence and distribution of checks under the right circumstance is Godly service or according to a biblical mandate? How can the church continue to roll on without a victims advocacy simply because the impression is that this would mean admission of guilt and potentially cost the church more money....

OK, if it costs the church $800,000 per claim of sexual impropriety according to the statements of our Presiding Bishop in the COGIC General Assembly record, and we can trace the loss of jurisdictions, property, not to mention the disheartening of countless souls, how can we simply get by....Let me ask this:

If Penn State University COULD NOT get by, because, in essence, it did not handle victims properly, how can the Church Of God In Christ feel that it will get by if it continues to fall derelict in serving the spiritual needs of those among us who have been damaged by clergy and church abuse? How can we escape if we don;t provide a tangible and real way to help them? Are the new and reappointed General Board members of this church ready to deal with this issue? One thing is for sure...the issue is NOT going away!!!!!

Blessed!

Read more!