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!

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Run Outta Baltimore Bryant Strikes Again

The only thing worse than a liar, are the people who prop them up and give them credibility...and so it is for Jamal "YEP, THAT'S MY BABY" Bryant and his so called, alleged "political activism" leading to his alleged flat out lies...

First, I want you to know, there is no greater man of integrity than COGIC Presiding Bishop, and I do emphasize, current and duly elected, appointed and I would even say, "called", Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard. 

For years, since I have known him as the Pastor of his church, then Superintendent, then Bishop and now Presiding Bishop, I was moved and impressed by his modesty, character, sincerity and dedication to Pastoral ministry. If there were ever an example of a Pastor and one that is a sound leader, he is certainly one. 

Although I know he is not God, and neither are any of us, and has made mistakes like we all have, however believe me, $75,000 couldn't move a mole from a molehill in Detroit, Memphis or anywhere else in America, yet alone could it entice Bishop Sheard to do anything that he wasn't already in motion or set to do. 

VIDEO...Accusations Refuted

As you can see and hear, in this video, Jamal Bryant, the "REJECT of Baltimore" and new wanna be "king of Atlanta", after announcing a "Target Fast and Boycott" in Feb. 2025, says that Target bought Black churches and their leaders by dividing $300,000 among them as hush money to not participate in the alleged boycott against Target's reversal of DEI (Diversity Equity & Inclusion) initiatives...The only problem is that what Bryant was saying was misleading and therefore a LIE...

Target, which is another story all together as I will explain,  gives annually through 3 primary programs, to the Black Community and churches. According to their Grants and Corporate giving website:

Our philanthropic functions include: Corporate Citizenship, Target Foundation and Community Vitality Grant Programs.

According to Target these 3 types of programs are in effect annually and fund community ventures of charitable and community based organizations, non profits and churches situated in and serving the Black community.

After an April 2025 meeting with Target CEO Brian Cornell, Al Sharpton, the Director of NAN, (the National Action Network,) and Bryant himself, Bryant concluded that there wasn't enough commitment on the part of Target to correct their reversal of DEI and like most "race baiters" (those that make their living off of inciting negative and even destructive actions based on race and sentiments of racism) Bryant left the meeting suggesting that certain churches were paid off to avoid endorsing his 40 Day Target boycott, and as you heard him speaking for himself, inferring that among others, Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard had been paid $75,000 as "hush money" to simply walk away from endorsing any action against Target. 

What REJECTS!!!! 

Bryant, was not only allegedly run out of Baltimore by PFK Boom (Davon Neverdon) and his group of community activists known as "300 Gangstas", for his ineffective leadership, lascivious behavior, idolatry and unsanctimonious living, 

View VIDEO HERE

We didn't hear a word from this REJECT and so called "community leader" when Target was allowing men in women's restrooms, and selling clothes designed to promote and pull children into gay and transsexual lifestyles and defending it all as some sort of rite of passage...what you heard were CRICKETS from Bryant, who, according to him, has a family which shops at Target regularly.

DEI & Reverse Racism 

What is Bryant fighting for? In short POPULARITY...but let's move on to a more substantive issue...

DEI has been twisted and redefined to mean something that it wasn't intended to mean. As it is currently applied, it is a REVERSE RACISM initiative and as such is unfit for corporate consumption and I wholly agree with Presidential and legislative policy to do away with some of the more egregious and racial aspects of the program as is currently presented. I understand this fully, because I have not only studied it, but I am Certified in Diversity trainer in agreement with the fundamental basis of Diversity, however, DEI contorts the meaning of diversity, redefines "equity" and overlaps "inclusion" to include a host of unbefitting perversions reducing the initiative to a Socialistic Race based program, powered by Critical Race Theory, designed to use racism to allegedly combat racism. The promoters of DEI and its implementation is heavily rooted in the application of racism, redefining fairness and equity to mean equal "outcomes" as opposed to equal opportunities.  I'll leave that to debates in the comments if you so chose...

CONCLUSION

To the heart of the issues...

Bishop J Drew Sheard is more than capable of defending himself and affirming his leadership within the Church Of God In Christ as he did in the video. In my opinion, Jamal Bryant is a REJECT and delivers a host of untruths, unpalatable suggestions and inferences and offers an non Christ centered and even unbiblical moral ethic on modern social and political issues...

Sorry, I have been busy, but I really didn't think anyone would listen to or take Bryant in any serious manner, especially after he exposed himself historically, remains unrepentant and continues to pile on more and more ungodliness continuing to expose himself for the pulpit charlatan that he is. I can say that he certainly pastors a church with a right name..."New Birth" because both he and the previous pastor need and needed a NEW BIRTH!

Some will invariably claim that I am too harsh, but what is too harsh is to continue in sin and unrighteousness, lies and deceit while claiming to be a representative of Christ and the community. This is the embodiment of Bryant, his doctrine and what many of us see as we see and listen to him. 

After this, I believe I will do what I haven't done in a long time...GO to Target and buy something...going to check that bathroom policy first however, AND we may just apply for Target community based funding for a community initiative...THANKS JAMAL...your rhetoric wasn't in vain! 

Thank Bishop Sheard for addressing the issues, but he didn't have to address anything. Those of us who LIVE Truth, already know the truth and continue to praise God for it.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ~ John 8:32

Blessed! 

Special thanks to Dwayne for allowing me to clip the vid for this.   

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Repentance, Restoration & Dr. Earl Carter

In the most recent turn of events within the Church Of God In Christ, Dr. Earl Carter, who was formerly anathematized by previous COGIC leadership, openly displayed his willingness to repent of past statements which fanned the flame of discord within the church. 

Dr. Earl Carter

Taking the opportunity to reset his relationship with the church at the side of Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard, Dr. Carter openly stated his regret for having said things out of anger in times past and has asked the church to enter into renewed relationship and understanding with him. 

In short, this renewal and reset is A GOOD THING! But what of his ECHO CHAMBER???

Remember, many of the most bombastic statements, including those stating that our former Presiding Bishop Blake was a homosexual and potentially engaged in homosexual relationships, and further, that many, if not most, of our leaders where also engaged in nefarious, ungodly and even sexually and spiritually deviant activities were ECHOED by many claiming themselves to be members and associates of the Church Of God In Christ. 

COGIC Presiding Bishop
J Drew Sheard

'SPEAKING TO DR. CARTER'  ~ The Dunamis Word 12/23/2015

Early on, as I state in the above referenced POST, Dr. Carter was seeking to use and distort every bit of information for his purposes of destruction and defamation. At the time, as I point out, he attempted to distort information that he had gained from this blog and use it against COGIC leadership. In that error of ungodliness he was promoted by many individuals, some of whom I can name along with receipts of their statements. In other words he had an audience who felt similar to himself and wanted that confusion to continue. 

Repentance is good...but what about RESTORATION? 

Restoration is a principle of repentance and even an obligation towards them who have committed evil. In a Facebook post by Pastor Carey Gidron Sr. Pastor Gidron Sr encouraged Dr. Carter to not only make a repentance in general, but to also go directly to the one, Bishop Charles E Blake (and others), and make his appeal of repentance to them as they were the object of his offense. Pastor Gidron Sr. wrote the following:

"Bishop Sheard, as our Presiding Bishop, is right to lead with grace. I stand with him in that. He has handled this matter not with personal bias, but in the wisdom of his office. However, we must be clear: this is a matter that deeply wounded Bishop Blake, his family, West Angeles , and the very moral fabric of our denomination.

Therefore, I appeal to the saints and to the leadership of this Church: if Dr. Carter is truly repentant, then the path to restoration must mirror the public weight of the offense. He should humbly and directly seek open forgiveness—not only from Bishop Blake, but from the Blake family, the General Board, and the saints at large. He was direct in his public accusations; his apology must be equally public and sincere.

We cannot look at the Blake family and say, “Just get over it.” We cannot say to West Angeles, “Move on.” No, No, No!!!—true restoration must go through the ones who were wounded, not around them. We do not get to dictate the timeline of another person’s healing. If someone publicly tears down a father, the sons have every right to be part of the redemptive process." (Facebook: 'Appeal To The Global Body Of Christ'

Will the faithful HATERS repent too??? 

Although that remains to be seen, one thing is certain, as we enter into this time where we celebrate the RESURRECTION of Jesus and the certainty of the  of the faith upon which we stand, which is encapsulated in love and forgiveness, there is no better time for repentance, forgiveness and restoration of all things pertaining to Christ. 

I bid Dr. Carter well and prayerfully the Grand Old Church will continue to heal, not just over this, but over other things that have hampered the ministry over the years.

Blessed!

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A Rebuke In Truth, Or A Lie In Racism???

At the time TRUMP In, Favor Granted & The Black Church's Continued Confusion was written I DID NOT know about the firestorm that Donnie Swaggart had started over COGIC Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard's open endorsement of Kamala Harris, nor was I aware of THE RESPONSE of certain COGIC members, calling themselves "Young Leaders Of The Church Of God In Christ" {I didn't know that there was such a group in our church} nor the Board Of Bishop's response which I find was more palatable than the "Young Leaders" response. 

There are reasons for my ignorance in general...for starters, I have enough to do without following the latest church news and secondly, I am NOT on J. Drew or Christian church watch and really and sincerely wish everyone I know well. See, I have my own mind and am willing to follow the dictates of it without the influence of church leaders or church leadership, and I already knew that Kamala was a horrible choice for President based on what has transpired the last 4 years since she has been in office. 

Prior to election, I did see that Kamala's last stop was GEI COGIC in Detroit and it seems
the pulpit, representing all of COGIC, was open to her to make one last appeal to not only the Church Of God in Christ, but the Black church in general.  

Needless to say, I AM GLAD KAMALA LOST and that Donald Trump's re-assent was and is a good thing no matter what some of the most liberal and dedicated to the democrat political party thinks. The good news is that she received prayer, and she needed it. So our Bishop did get a chance to pray for her. The bad news is that the issue was conflated out of context. 

Truth Be Told...

My opinion...I LOVE Bishop J Drew, and he has a right to endorse whatever political candidate that he chooses. In fact, every American has a right to endorse whomever they wish to endorse and that should be done in the best possible spirit and personal best interest...While I never would have let her engage or embrace my pulpit, just as I would have not allowed Donald to either, because of J Drew's position as the leader of the entire COGIC, made this an even greater issue. 

We must admit, no one of us is perfect. Certainly our young leader's letter wasn't perfect and I will deal with that in a minute...But let's look at what was said in criticism of our church and church leader:

Elder Donnie said this:

“The statement I’m about to make, I’m going to be called a racist, and I will be called every name under the sun, but somebody needs to stand up and speak to the Black Church. When the largest African American Pentecostal denomination, when that leader stood up and said I endorse that woman, he was saying, I endorse murder, I endorse homosexuality, I endorse lesbianism, I endorse transgenderism, I endorse every evil that Hell could prosper or bring up to [be] right"...“That’s wrong, folks. And the Black Church votes predominantly for the party that is anti-God. What’s going on here? What’s going on?”

Let's be TRUTHFUL...I simply ask...WHAT IS A LIE IN THAT SENTIMENT???

Kamala endorsed and represented a party that otherwise endorsed all of the above without regret or remorse, at least prior to the election. Who can say that the Democrat party did not and does not endorse:

Abortion (murder)

Homosexuality/Lesbianism

Transgenderism

Yes, that is what the Democrat party endorsed at least until the election. Who knows what they will endorse now that they are in such a realignment...but NONE of those points are even arguable. 

Secondly, Elder Donnie says that the Black church predominately votes for the party that believes in and endorses those things calling them a "party that is anti-God"

I say...WHERE IS THE LIE IN EITHER OF THOSE STATEMENTS???

The Democrat Party removed "God" from their party platform years ago to become more "inclusive" of people who either didn't believe in God or that had beliefs other than those found within Christianity. The removal of God isn't the "anti-Christian" part...the endorsement of ideals and values that are antithetical to Christian belief and matters of faith is the problem. THOSE ENDORSEMENTS ARE anti-Christian.

Further, election data shows that nearly 80% of Black men continued to vote for the party, while nearly 90% of Black women did the same. Although 2024 represented the largest dissent of the Black vote away from the Democrat party, THANKFULLY SO...the fact is that by the numbers, Blacks, led by the Black church, continued to support a political party who has endorsed all of those things mentioned and more, and which has been ineffective in helping the Black community and or solving and even addressing our problems. 

So Exactly What Did Donnie Say That Was WRONG or in ERROR???

Be clear and let's get real...Donnie received his criticism because he was a WHITE MAN and because he pushed back against our Black Presiding Bishop, Bishop J Drew Sheard. 

In his defense...Bishop J Drew Sheard is one of the nicest, most godly men that you or I will ever meet in this life. He is a good and humble servant of the Lord and sincere about his work of leading the church, his family and love of God. That doesn't make him right about his endorsement of Kamala, nor his previous thoughts about the Mormon church and COGIC's relationship with her (at one time) but please don't confuse his politics or zeal with what I believe is his heart. Everyone is subject to mistakes and our Bishop is no more or less subject to mistakes than any man.  

With That Said...

I would like to say that the Black Pentecostal church has never really gotten past some of the things that occurred during the Black Codes and Jim Crow era...

The facts are that laws and sentiments during those times and that era were such that Blacks and Whites did not and could not legally fellowship even in religious settings. 

This began the advent of Camp-meeting...Camp-meeting was created to take fellowship outside of the City, into the woods under open air tents where Blacks and Whites would not come under the scrutiny of the police and the good ole White establishment and separatist leaders. Meanwhile in the City, Black folk were not allowed to fellowship with Whites and certainly there would be no "laying on" of hands...

Many of the early White leaders within Pentecostalism were either practicing or former KKK leaders. These were not byproducts of religion, but byproducts of the State, laws and customs prevalent in the day. We all know that one of the primary leaders of what was called the Azusa Street Revival, WJ Seymour, had to sit outside of the classroom of former KKK leader Charles F Parham, to hear the message of Holy Ghost Baptism prior to him receiving the outpour of the Holy Spirit while ministering in California...Parham's views  weren't a product of religion...his views and the views of many of his peers, were a product of socially and culturally acceptable norms of the day and time even continuing unfortunately after their alleged conversion experiences. 

The "young COGIC leaders" in their letter of rebuke (of an Elder by the way) claim that this relationship rooted in racial segregation was an erroneous biblical interpretation claiming that the Black church was born because of it:

"The Black church is a byproduct of a nation that refused to acknowledge the inherent value of Black lives. It was birthed in an era that actively rejected the sound doctrine of Christ, replacing it with doctrines that upheld segregation and inequality"

That is just a patently false statement! In fact it wreaks of the Marxism of the now defunct Black Lives Matter movement and as such should be wholly rejected.

There was no biblical doctrine or manufactured theology that upheld segregation at any time. Yes, there were certainly people who abused scripture, as they do today, to uphold their beliefs and even cover their sins, but they also abused natural science to do so as well, some even claiming that women were less smart because they had smaller heads and therefore smaller brains for example. Perversions of truth are accepted in nearly every generation. Biblical perversions are no less. 

Racism was a cultural belief with its roots in materialism, naturalism and cultural acceptance and practice. Darwin's belief that there were "favored races" was the root of his theory of evolution which was extant and generally accepted as a cultural norm and the epitome of science. The eugenics of abortion policy was rooted in these separatist beliefs and made Blacks the target of extermination by Margaret Sanger's "Negro Project", the outgrowth of which has been embraced by the democrat party all with very little pushback
from young or old COGIC leaders or the Black church in general. In fact the Black church has, by her silence, allowed the abortion industry, promoted by the democrat party, to whittle down our numbers and representation to oblivious levels. 

America engaged a Civil War because the growing ideal and value that Black lives mattered and those sentiments were inspired by Biblical moral values. While it has taken something to actualize that value, aka: the value of freedom and equality, the fact is that biblical doctrines and beliefs were and are what inspired positive change in this country and it is biblical scriptures that have been used to lift people to freedom and equality and not the other way around.

Contrary to the "Young COGIC Leaders" claims it was Biblical doctrines that encouraged White segregationists and supremacists to LEAVE their views of racism and segregation and embrace the unity and brotherhood of all men regardless of color...It was Christian and Biblical principles that were and still are the root of the fight against racism both among Whites and Blacks and the interpretation of scripture that continues to help folk understand and bypass cultural norms in favor of scriptural truth and equality and unity of all men. 

YES, The 1912 Pentecostal Separation

Culture and culturally commensurate ideals and values, as well as State and local laws affirming segregation would lead Bishop Flowers and the Assembly of God (mostly White Pentecostal congregations led by White ministers, most ordained and commissioned by CH Mason) to split from the Church Of God In Christ which was led by Black leaders, as stated, primarily Bishop CH Mason. Contrary to what the "young Black COGIC leaders" contend, segregation and racism IS NOT the reason that the Black church exists...GOD is the reason for our existence, not a twisted or corrupted form of biblical interpretation. 

Very Sensitive

To have presented such a "lofty" case that makes the assertion that the "world" and happenings in it are so beneath the mission of us within COGIC, we obviously were earthly offended cannot stand criticism. Primarily, in this case, it is because the critics as we see them, are White. 

That leads to another observation that these young leaders are accusing Elder Donnie of IDOLOTRY while doing the same...This is really sickening...It seems that in order to be considered a respected "Black political leader" in most instances, one has to embrace the worst, most evil and vile social positioning, at least so it seems. Like Obama, who was welcomed into COGIC circles, Kamala endorsed all of the things Elder Donnie mentioned, but the young leaders and old leaders by far and large, said nothing about those things, and as stated, and appear to assert that we are one some ethereal plane above everything that matters in this world. That is ridiculous. Elections matter. Kamala was there because these things matter. They matter to every individual, the community and the church. 

Conclusion 

Clearly, the Biden/Harris administration jacked up our country for all of us, spiritual or not, in just a short period of time and given more time would have jacked us all up even worse, not to mention endless wars and over 300,000 MISSING children of illegal immigration...but not a word on any of those things from these "young COGIC leaders"....

This is ridiculous. Where are our moral values and desire to allow the Bible to speak to our values, and POLITICS, instead of the culture speaking to our values with the "go along get along" mentality??? 

I would agree...IDOLOTRY is an issue...It is the IDOLOTRY of defending or attacking a person based on race and not based on truth. Bishop J Drew is eloquent and doesn't need me or anyone else speaking to defend him...he is capable...but in our zeal, I wonder do these young leaders think that it is a good thing to defend what isn't biblically defensible??? 

Well, I guess one could say, that Donnie attacked "us" first...that he rebuked our leading Elder...OK...that is an argument that can be undertaken...But one cannot deny the substance of what he was saying...The Black Church, has embraced some of the most liberal and idolatrous positions on subjects, and politics has not been a good for us. We have endorsed and embraced some of the worst political ideology in the name of embracing and loving people and that has not worked out well for our yet suffering communities and yet suffering people and yet overburdened churches. 

One more thing, I saw Donnie McClurkin addressing this issue and claiming that he had already "forgiven" Donnie Swaggart...Well, you don't need to forgive him Elder McClurkin...THE GIFT AND CALLING OF GOD IS WITHOUT REPENTANCE!!! (Rom.11:29) As far as I know, Elder Swaggart isn't making an apology to you or asking you to forgive him for speaking the truth...Sorry...That is not how it works!!!

Young COGIC Leaders, I appreciate your zeal. I don't know what General Assembly rule adopted your formulation, but I wish that EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU had the same zeal for NATIONAL VICTIM'S ADVOCACY in this church as you have for standing for....What were you standing for????

ANYWAY...

Blessed!

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115th Annual Church Of God In Christ Holy Convocation

 Tuesday Nov. 7th through Tuesday Nov. 14th..."Our Mission Made Possible"...

You Tube Live Stream HERE

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Is The JESUS Of Mormonism The Jesus Of The Bible? How Can We Agree In Faith?

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once
for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3

I would like to start this post by saying that I love COGIC Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard, I consider him to be a friend and very encouraging leader and have reached out to him personally prior to posting this. He is one of the few that have ever volunteered to assist me in ministry and church development and he is a Pastoral leader extraordinaire.  

With that said, I am totally disappointed that out of all the very astute scholars within our church, that  Bishop was seemingly without sound advice or prep in the meeting referenced in the video with leaders of the LDS (Mormon) Church. My question is why? How did this come to be?  

It would seem, and I well may be way off and wrong, but a meeting of this magnitude between two organizational leaders, would have been orchestrated thoroughly FIRST...Statements prepared, agreements solidified and a clear statement of operation, on both sides, issued in preparation for this meeting and resultant actions. While I see nothing wrong with partnering with anyone to better the condition of the community, there is a big problem when we start talking about issues of faith as if they are one in the same or unimportant...

With a Baptist, Methodist or other Christian faith, we can safely say we worship the same JESUS. When I say that I am referring to the JESUS of history, the one who IS God by nature and essence, whose works and mission is thoroughly biblical. 

However, the JESUS of Christian Cults such as Mormonism, and non-Christian Cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses are a wholly different JESUS' than the JESUS of scripture. The JESUS of the Cults is an individual who was a created being, had to come into existence at some point, was and is the exalted "spirit-brother" of Lucifer, Michael and other angelic beings, (as Mormonism teaches) and one who is NOT God in the same nature or essence. The JESUS of the cults has to come into higher knowledge and does not enjoin the eternal uninterrupted hypostatic union (God/Man status). The JESUS of the Cults "becomes" God over time and or through enlightenment or by ordination or appointment. 

While all of those things are not unique to the teachings of Mormonism, there are enough of them that are and this is the problem. We can't agree to have unified faith in two wholly different Jesus' because the implications from that are completely different. To be satisfied that faith in the Mormon JESUS is tantamount to faith in the JESUS of the Bible is NOT how the Saints were told to "earnestly contend". 

As you have followed this blog for years, please know that we will continue to do what we do best...examine the Church in relationship to the culture and seek to apply a Biblical lens to all things. 

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"Faith" In The Jesus Of Mormonism?

#1 The JESUS of the LDS Church and Mormonism, IS NOT the JESUS of the Bible.

In LDS doctrine, Jesus was a "premortal spirit", a created being, who had to learn from the Father. In LDS doctrine, Jesus is the "spirit-brother" of Lucifer and Michael the Arch Angel and only god by appointment or in a lesser sense.

Whereas the JESUS of the Bible is God, Co-Eternal with the Father and are not only one in purpose, but ONE in nature, essence and of the same substance.

How can we make agreements to "have faith" in Jesus when these Jesus' are two different things?

Supt. H. Burnett

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Sexual Abuse...Still Yet An Issue Within The Church

Most of our readers know that this blog and its contents are strongly positioned against clergy and church related sexual abuse and SINS. If you are new and don't know the issues, or are unaware of the issues, please feel free to click HERE to read some of the past articles I have written over the years and from time to time. 

Let me be clear, my issues are not with church transitions, such as the fiasco currently rumbling within the Grand Ole Church as it pertains to the church of deceased Bishop Hutchins and General Board Member Brandon Porter...in short, other than the spiritual welfare and stability of all them involved, I COULD REALLY CARE LESS. I don't care who takes over or who does what, wins what, is appointed to what, or what the national church is doing during the election process either. None of those issues  "float my boat", although I stop short of saying that any of those issues are unimportant. They are important, just not to me and this blog...and I don't care to waste my or your time on those issues, at least, not at this point. 

What Is A Matter Of Importance???

What matters to me is how churches prevent, handle, and respond to clergy and church related abuse and sexual abuse, and even church related crimes such as those alleged by a former COGIC Pastor (notice, most are always known as "former" when their garbage comes out) Bobby C. Smith whose case will finally hit open air next week. If you didn't know about this case, it is a matter of PUBLIC INFORMATION, here is the video in summary on this case from one of the only current voices I respect exposing these devils. You know him as "Dawson Speaks"

I mean this is SAD!!! Dawson said it all, but after digesting that complete and utter FOOLISHNESS and pathetic self exalted and out of control FREAK-COONERY, I guess maybe we can get back to the point of this article....My Lord, that garbage is like getting stuck in a quick-sand tar pit....

A Second Pandemic?

As a result of the primary pandemic of covid-19, there was a second pandemic of child and female abuse as well. There are a growing number of studies and research being conducted on it but it is notable that sexual abuse and abuse in general within society rose to all time high levels.

According to an April 2020 article at NPR:

                 "By the end of March, with much of the country under lockdown, there was a 22% increase                     in monthly calls from people younger than 18, and half of all incoming contacts were from                     minors. That's a first in RAINN's history, Camille Cooper, the organization's vice president                     of public policy, tells NPR.

                 Of those young people who contacted the hotline in March, 67% identified their perpetrator                     as a family member and 79% said they were currently living with that perpetrator. In 1 out                     of 5 cases where the minor was living with their abuser, RAINN assisted the minor in                             immediately contacting police.

                 "As a result of looking at the information that we had from those sessions, it was clear that                     the abuse was escalating in both frequency and severity," Cooper says. "So a lot of the kids                     that were coming to the hotline were feeling pretty vulnerable and traumatized. And it was                     a direct result of COVID-19, because they were quarantined with their abuser. The abuser                     was now abusing them on a daily basis."

According to the United Nations, violence against women during lockdowns was notable all around the world:

"Across the 13 countries surveyed, 2 in 3 women report that they or a woman they know has experienced violence at some point in their lifetime. Nearly 1 in 2 report direct or indirect experiences of violence since the start of the pandemic. 

The most common form is verbal abuse (50%), followed by sexual harassment (40%), physical abuse (36%), denial of basic needs (35%) and denial of means of communication (30%). Seven in 10 women surveyed believe violence against women is common in their community.

Most women believe that COVID has made things worse. Nearly 7 in 10 women think domestic violence has increased during the pandemic, and 3 in 5 think sexual harassment in public has increased. In many cases, heightened demand for shelters and other forms of support has remained unmet due to operational constraints.

For Romela Islam, the abuse by her husband began long before COVID-19. But it was not until December 2020 that she and her 4-year-old daughter were able to escape. Islam found refuge at a women’s shelter, and the two have begun to build a new life. Reduced shelter capacity, however, means many women have not had this same chance."

While much of this abuse and violence took place within the context of families and isolated groups, the church, even though most went online for services and just threw away any biblical and traditional  design for worship for fear of infection or running afoul of the socialist oriented governmental fearmongering (fyi: New Bethel COGIC NEVER closed)..in all of that, sexual abuse still managed to increase, wives and children still managed to be abused, raped and everything else that displays the sin-sickness of society. 

The question is, how did the church expect to escape the same results or similar increases in ungodly behavior since in nearly every category, including this one, the church mimics society?

Is It A Cover-up Or Just Plain Old Silence?

Since my first article in 2007, which dealt with the absolute embarrassing Freak-Coonery of Junaita Bynum (1 or 2 or whomever she claims to be at present) and Mr. Weeks, with the exception of Dawson, since the disappearance of Eder DL Foster of Witness Freedom Ministries who also started the "Report COGIC Abuse" website (which is no longer a website although information on Elder DL and his actions can be found HERE,) external reports of sexual abuse and clergy misconduct (SIN) that have taken place within COGIC led or affiliated churches have virtually disappeared and vanished from the internet. This is amazing!

Are we to imagine that the church, our church in particularly, which had a case of sexual abuse and pastoral degeneracy on the scene almost every month for a time, is somehow an anomaly and completely free of sexual abuse, pastoral misconduct and other sins? Maybe its a miracle that a church that had, over many years, been confronted with Pastoral sins and abuse, and either excused themselves from more than a few sexual abuse cases, suddenly was healed overnight and now nothing is wrong and everyone healed and made whole???

NO! We know better. If we don't we should. There is simply a tighter lid on things. People are being instructed to be silent and victims still yet being shamed when information is brought forth, so much until others fear to say anything. Fact is that sinful behaviors still and yet exist. 

I never have solicited anyone to contact me or I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council with stories just to have a story. I have never attempted to take my articles to any news organizations or condense contents into a best selling book...although one or two regarding other subjects are on the way...In fact, I have NEVER taken a payment or promise of position for silence on issues or subject matter pertaining to COGIC or any other church, pastor, preacher, teacher or organization...and further will NEVER be engaged in such. 

This is why it is disturbing that if persons such as myself and others don't drive issues, or  bring them up in public, you'll not see issues going anywhere. You'll see business as usual continue as if nothing is wrong. 

Current Actions

Believe me, I love our Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard. He is a very encouraging friend of this ministry and me personally. However, I DID NOT fail to send him a victim's advocacy proposal by parcel delivery shortly after he was inaugurated as our Chief Apostle. As of this writing, I cannot say that I have heard from him regarding my proposal, the information I sent or any other policy regarding this issue, however I cannot say that he is not concerned about the issue as well...I do know this...he is one of the ONLY Bishops in this church that extended his ministry to me, without reservation, when I called upon him some years back regarding unrelated issues. However, the Presiding Bishop is not the King of this church and this is not a "totalitarian church. There are many others, that are aware of these efforts who haven't lifted a hand or finger to assist, promote or develop plans on the issue. I am confident that if this church moves in this area, it will be under his leadership and direction and will move many years into the future to both heal victims and stop church related abuse.  

What Can YOUR Church Do?

Since our initial efforts, the Grand Ole Church has implemented background checks and sexual harassment training and even adopted an impromptu (at that time) written sexual harassment policy (as I found out during a deposition in a pastoral case) While those are at least positive things, there is much more that can and should be done. The good news is that each church does not have to wait for the national church to take positive steps to address the issues. Every Pastoral leader in the country can undertake agenda to make their church a truly SAFE CHURCH environment that will serve and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse.  

First,  I contend and always have believed that the church must first make themselves accountable to teach, and train each congregations on the issue and issues involved. It goes without saying that folk need to be SAVED first, but even in that, many people have been taught wrong views on church leadership, marriage and interaction within the church. For example, a popular bishop in Detroit once taught that a husband and wife shouldn't even kiss, to keep from giving rise to "the flesh". Now, that is a ridiculous sentiment, but how many people may have actually believed and adopted that garbage into their marriages? And how many marriages were exposed to FREAK-COONERY in part because of bad and unwholesome teaching???

Secondly, while this may be embarrassing to some, as a matter of Christian education we cannot function within modern society without knowing this information and the problem. The church must require pastoral and ministry training on issues of sexual abuse on an ongoing basis, and consistently teach leaders and lay-members how to diminish the environmental potential within each church for such sins to occur.  Something as simple as rotating ministry leaders, especially youth leaders, every 6 to 12 months could not only save children from abuse but also save ministries from public embarrassment. Third, setting up internal councils of review and implementing a national victims advocacy (NOT PERP) policy,  and victim focused resolution teams, could allow the church to actually minister to her most venerable and those healing from these sort of sins.

There is a lot more that we must do than have church in every major city, raise money, spend money at hotels, play music and shop, IF our mission and goal is to be like Jesus and HEAL & SAVE The Lost!

This is an issue that is not important until it is you or someone you know at the center of abuse. That is why it is good to lay a foundation now. To set things in order and to do RIGHT before the Lord. No matter how many singers we have, NO SONG washes away the fear, shame and utter helplessness of sexual abuse and church related abuse and misconduct. 

Quick Word: Many of you who have experienced this type of abuse or grooming are too embarrassed to speak up because you don't know how you allowed this to happen. I want you to know, no matter how it happened, it was wrong then and it is wrong now and no matter what, YOU need healing and GOD has healing for you. No minister or church personnel was every authorized by God to abuse and or take advantage of you or your family in any way. There is strength, help, hope and healing and a BALM in GILEAD. Call today (800)730-2990 ext: 802

Blessed!

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Update: Status Of Victims Advocacy For Clergy Sexual Abuse

I Am My Brothers Keeper Christian Advocacy Council: HERE

(800)730-2990

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COGIC 114th Annual Holy Convocation...We Are ONE Church!

 About 12 years ago, I posed the question on this blog, "Is Yet Another Church Emerging Out Of The Church Of God In Christ?" due to the polar dynamics events, teaching and overall direction of the church. 

Today, some 12 years later, as the 114th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ winds down, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop, Jerry Macklin, stated (certainly not in answer to my question):

"The Church Of God In Christ is ONE Church, united behind ONE leader, determined to accomplish ONE purpose, and that is to lift up the name of Jesus and move this agenda forward in the power of the Holy Ghost"

A Time Of Spiritual Renewal & Refreshing

It must be noted that this year's Holy Convocation has been one of the most spiritually powerful, moving and impacting gatherings in quite some time. Interrupted by covid, and a cautious approach by church leaders in dealing with it, especially in light of the damage done to COGIC leadership, the highly anticipated return to "Our Jerusalem" (COGIC Headquarters and birthplace of Memphis, TN) has not only seemingly energized the Saints, but has been the backdrop for a renewed sense of hope, urgency and necessity to both preach the Gospel, save souls and lead believers into the Holy Ghost baptismal experience with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance as the initial evidence of that indwelling. (as COGIC doctrine has been as taught by founding Bishop CH Mason himself.)  

With the exception of allowing and embracing the celebration of the "Greek system" (as that system  pertains and relates to education, through fraternities and sororities ~ which has always been taught against within most COGIC and holiness circles) COGIC leadership has definitely issued a call to renewal for the Saints around the world.

This call is bound to have a lasting impact upon people all over the world, in light of the moral and spiritual decay that we are witnessing, wherein people have intentionally confused women's healthcare with the right to kill babies through abortion, (and voted for the right to do so) reduced the identity of a woman to whatever a "man" thinks a woman is, and stood for an ungodly and perverted determination to mutilate children suffering sexual identity and body dysmorphia.  

Salt & Light

In the anticipated highlight message "The Challenge To Be A Witness" (Matthew 5:13 and Mark 16:15), Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard took the time to talk about the Saint maintaining his/her position as the "salt of the Earth" against the moral decay and rudiments of the world through both corporate and personal struggle. 

A few notable sayings from the message:

"A sweet Gospel is what has everybody saying they serve God. A sweet Gospel has people doing what they wanna do and still saying they're saved"...

"We must all keep in mind that salt and sugar look alike, but there is a difference"...

"We are perfecting our pursuit of the things of God, and have lost sight of the God of things"...

"how many church folk are good for nothing?"...

"...in many instances the church has become no more than a social club, it has no authority to put the devil in his place..."

"...We've got people in position who haven't felt the anointing of God in years, they've lost their sense of righteousness, and they mistreat the people of God..."

"...We are do everything the world does, we say everything they say, we drink with them, we curse with them, and we do whatever else they wanna do..."

"...spiritual salt is of little value to the community as long as it is barreled up in our churches..."

Church leadership certainly shows and displays a sense of urgency in the ministry towards the world and to the members of the house of God. We certainly embrace the leadership of Presiding Bishop Sheard and the newly reconstituted General Board of Bishops and solicit your prayers as ministry begins to take shape and the church galvanizes herself under the direction of the Lord.  

Sexual Abuse & Victim's Advocacy

Finally, to answer the question, YES, you can believe that I AM My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council, is continuing her efforts in victims advocacy. Although the church has taken many steps to make and create a safer environment among all member churches, there is yet much work that needs to be done and we need you to continue to pray that our efforts get the attention and implementation that they are due. We will never be satisfied as long as perpetrators of sexual abuse and criminal sexual activity in any church, are treated with more caution and care than those who have been victimized. No, this isn't the only issue within a church who's membership appears to be growing again, by all accounts, but it is one that we dare not sacrifice and or look over. The health and wellbeing of our families and communities are at risk. 

I believe, through prayer and careful consideration of the word of the Lord, the best is yet to come!

Blessed!

  

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COGIC Elects New Presiding Bishop, Bishop J Drew Sheard

Special CONGRATULATIONS and BLESSINGS are in order for the election of the new Presiding Bishop Of The Church Of God In Christ, Bishop J Drew Sheard.

Supt. H. Burnett & The Dunamis Word Blog extends our highest regards to The Most Right Reverend Bishop J. Drew Sheard and his family and wishes the greatest success in HIS Kingdom work!

Official Press Release From The 'Grand Ole' Church Of God In Christ:

THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST ELECTS
BISHOP J. DREW SHEARD AS ITS NEW PRESIDING BISHOP

Memphis, TN (March 20, 2021) Bishop J. Drew Sheard has been elected as the new Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the country.

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) General Assembly, the legislative body of the denomination, has voted Bishop J. Drew Sheard of Detroit, Michigan as the leader of the worldwide organization.

Presiding Bishop Sheard says, “I am humbled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary organization, the Church of God in Christ, as its new leader and Presiding Bishop.”

He adds, “To be elected to serve as the Presiding Bishop for the Church in which I was born, raised, and have learned and served all my life, is a dream and desire that can only be fulfilled by God’s loving grace and guidance. The opportunity to serve such an extraordinary organization at our highest recognized level of priesthood is beyond humbling. I am so grateful for the unparalleled support of my loving wife, Karen, who has served diligently alongside me in ministry, and for my children.   I could never adequately honor or appreciate my parents for demonstrating holiness by sheer example. With complete excitement and joy, I look forward to serving the Lord’s people.”

Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard was born on January 1, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Bishop and Mrs. John Henry Sheard. After graduating from high school, he matriculated to Wayne State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Education degree in Mathematics. Bishop Sheard is a former mathematics teacher and has served as senior pastor of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ since 1988. He is the prelate of the Michigan North Central Jurisdiction, was a former Auxiliary In Ministries (AIM) Convention chairman, and International Youth Department president for COGIC. Since 2012, he has served as a member of the General Board. Sheard is married to Mrs. Karen Clark-Sheard, a member of the legendary Grammy Award-winning group – The Clark Sisters – and is the father of Kierra and J. Drew II. He has two grandchildren: Jacob and Kallie Drew.

The General Board – the twelve bishops who serve as the Board of Directors of the Church – the following persons have been elected:

• Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Michigan
• Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, California
• Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, Wisconsin
• Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Sr., Missouri
• Bishop Brandon B. Porter, Tennessee
• Bishop Darrel L. Hines, Sr. , Wisconsin
• Bishop Michael E. Hill, Sr., Michigan
• Bishop Prince E. Bryant, Sr., Texas
• Bishop David A. Hall, Sr., Tennessee
• Bishop Loran E. Mann, Delaware
• Bishop Malcolm Coby, Oklahoma
• Bishop Charles H. McClelland, Wisconsin

Presiding Bishop Sheard has chosen Bishop Jerry W. Macklin and Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Sr. as his first and second assistant Presiding Bishops respectively.

The Installation for the Presiding Bishop, General Board members and General Officers will be held at a later date.

Founded in 1907 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason and headquartered in Memphis, TN, The Church of God in Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the World and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States with 10,000 churches in over 112 countries worldwide and millions of adherents.

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At The 109th COGIC Holy Convocation... Pray For Our General Board Bishop

Thursday Nov. 10th at the end of a dynamic message from the Lord, the Bishop and General Board Member of the Church Of God In Christ, J. Drew Sheard collapsed. 

We suspect that dehydration may have been the culprit here. The Bishop does have a superhuman schedule. One thing we know, GOD IS a healer and a very present help in time of trouble!

A second thing we KNOW is that Bishop Sheard is a holy man that fears the Lord and DOES live right!!! My message to these internet idiots claiming otherwise...PLEASE SHUT-UP!!!!

May the Lord bless Bishop J. Drew Sheard. We are praying for his quick and full recovery. 

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