Speaking To Dr. Earl Carter

Isaiah 33:15-16 ~15-He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16-He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure

Reluctantly, I have had to interject into what appears to be a "spin war" of Dr. Earl Carter against COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake. The reason that I must speak is because in one of Dr. Carter's latest videos, he invokes my name at about the 14:40 mark (unless he edits the video as he has done and continues to do in some cases after release). One can hear him issue some statements referencing my name. 

Plainly, some of his statements regarding what I have said are misstatements. Some are mis-attributions of statements that I have allegedly made regarding both homosexuality and sexual abuse in COGIC. Some of Carter's statements in that video, attributed to me, were patently false attributions. This means, that I DID NOT say what Carter leads one to believe that I said regarding COGIC or our current condition. 

For this cause, I have taken the time to point out those misstatements in the comments section of his youtube video. I will recapture the statement in full here just in case my commentary gets deleted. 

I spoke as follows:

This is Pastor Burnett 

About 14:40 in this video carter mentions my name and attributes something to me that I wrote in PART. He then adds on a whole bunch of stuff that I didn't say such as my "confirming" that I said that homosexuality and child molestation is in COGIC and that I was speaking of a $100,000,000 lawsuit and that the "lady" and her son was doing what I said they would do years ago....I have been a vanguard for years for victims advocacy in this church, but that is as much as I have done and will continue to do. I never said anything about a "lady and her son" and or wrote about a one hundred million dollar lawsuit, or mentioned a prophecy that I spoke because god has given me NONE.... 

Dr. Carter, you need to be more responsible with information. I can attest that your's regarding my input into that issue is erroneous. 

Pt. 2:

One more thing. Although I would agree that our church needs a renewed spiritual awakening in many areas, similar to other organizations etc, I am in total disagreement with your resolve in character destruction. On my blog I have referenced COGIC over 78 times, Bishop Charles Blake over 34 times, Homosexuality over 68 times and clergy sexual misconduct and abuse over 90 times. I have placed some tough questions and made some pointed statements directly to our leaders, but I draw the line at character abasement. That is ungodly and I do not believe that destroying a person's character is a way to build anything. We can be hard hitting, truthful and even earth shattering without destroying the person. I led the charge against Bishop Charles Brown who allegedly molested his nieces and others. I have interviews that in my opinion are award winning on the issue. However, I did not destroy the man's character as it speaks for itself. Tell what you think he is doing wrong as far as administration is concerned. That is fair. Tell us the shortcomings and missteps. That too is fair. However, I am against denigrating his person and as I have heard your proof, it is only tabloid worthy. I have heard nothing compelling. 

I do not wish to be an antagonist, but PLEASE do not use my name unless your retelling is accurate and in context. 

Thank you.Supt.  Harvey Burnett The Dunamis Word

Pt. 3 

This link: 

https://bethelburnett.blogspot.com/search?q=church+of+god+in+christ will take you to nearly every story I have done on COGIC on my blog. In these articles I reference Bishop Blake and his missteps and mistakes especially aligning our church with the UDHR. I am no novice in this. This link: http://bethelburnett.blogspot.com/2012/09/fear-to-victory-overcoming-cogic-clergy.html 

Takes you to what I did on the Charles Brown issue, even calling for an investigation after the court threw the issue out because of the statue of limitations. One can speak truth without denigrating a person or becoming the ungodly ugly that we speak against. I hope that can be seen in my work. Dr. Carter, you have a good cause, and that cause is reform of our church. However you methods and methodology is flawed and should cease. I was in STL a couple of years ago with a camera as well. I was not escorted off, but I did not call our leaders gay either, especially at the event. If you know this man is gay, then work on leadership reform, not speculative and sensational approaches to spiritual decorum. The Seven Son's of Sceva saw the problem, recognized it and threw themselves into it. They were powerless and came out bleeding, naked, and embarrassed. DO NOT be one of them. Your skills and talents can be used, but not like this.

Thank you

Supt. Harvey Burnett

The Dunamis Word

My Admonition To Carter & All Who Want COGIC & Blake Destruction

Read more!

Fatherhood...Why Is The Importance Questioned?

One thing is for sure, the dynamic of the family is in transition of change. What used to be a "nuclear" family, in tact with a mother (female), a father (male), 2.5 kids and a dog, has now expanded by definition and turned into almost anything that people wish it to be.

Aside from single parent families, which have always existed within the Black community due to many social pressures including the deliberate and planned breakdown of the Black family by societal pressures, laws and means, there are now lesbian families headed by 2 women, gay male or homosexual families, headed by 2 men, and crosses between the two, led by what used to be called "gender-benders" who vacillate between male and female characteristics and personas. 

Read more!

Open "Confessions", Ebony Style

Well this is a scandalous day to say the least. it seems that every week something new is being revealed or coming to the surface regarding certain persons and those who you thought were your "greatest" ministry personality. There are numerous reasons for this. first, God ALONE is the only one due worship and allegiance. God is certainly reminding us that all "flesh is as grass" (Isa. 40:6, 1 Pet. 1:24), no one is to be worshiped or exalted but HIM. 

With that said, and speaking of "scandal", in a story carried by none other more rigorously than Mr. Obnoxious himself, William G. McCray, it seems that the often worshiped founder of Empowerment Temple, Jamal Bryant, has made an open confession in response to a March 2013 editorial of Ebony Magazine. In the article Ebony set forth an examination of modern day scandals referring to the event which allegedly dissolved Jamal's marriage. Reportedly, Jamal not only committed adultery with a younger member of  his church, he also fathered a child with her. She was later reportedly escorted out of the sanctuary when confronting Jamal about the issue in front of the church.

In a statement (below) the "Alpha Pimp" confesses to "participating" in an affair (what does that mean???) and doing most of the damage, but also claims that Ebony and others are doing even more damage. Well, yes, he did it, and nearly everything else. EXCEPT that, according to him, there were ever any other "minors" involved other than his own children. So that whole incident can be put to rest. (OK...yea, right...)

The Confession

Here's his statement and confession:  

For 67 years, Ebony Magazine has been the drum beat for culture in the African American community. John Johnson its beloved founder dedicated his life to safe guarding our image with great integrity.
The March 2013 edition has left a hole in my heart. On page 124 they published that it’s alleged I impregnated a 17-year-old member of my church. This accusation is categorically and completely untrue. To publish this with absolutely no source lends itself to reckless endangerment to my children, my congregation and my community.
Ebony is not the National Enquirer. A higher standard is required and the statement jeopardizes my ministry to the youth in my church and community. So it is on moral grounds that a retraction is necessary.
In 2007 I participated in an extramarital affair that resulted ultimately in the termination of my marriage to my incredible wife Gizelle. NO minors were involved but my minor children have been affected. I don’t want them to have to live through any further unnecessary pain.
Matthew 18:15 say’s if your brother has sinned against you go and tell him his fault. I solicit your continued prayers for my family, forgiveness for myself and accountability from Ebony magazine.
Flawed but faithful. I remain,
Jamal- Harrison Bryant
(A Father and Pastor)

So what Jamal is saying (or not saying) is that all the reports were accurate except for the report of him impregnating a 17 year old member. he also suggests that anyone making inaccurate statements are lending to the hurt and stability of his family and all involved. 

Now Isn't That A True Pimp Move?

To try to convince YOU that YOU are the cause of the problem for having and formulating your own opinions based on what he did? 

Now, don't get me wrong, there is a whole host of internet conversation on what happened and all of that. I am not in that and never been to Empowerment Temple, am not nor have ever been "blessed" by Bryant's ministry and have not and do not care to meet him personally except that he is willing confess, pray and repent. No one who was there, has ever called or emailed me to share their personal story, and I am not looking for such verification, but I (and we) can look at what he said for himself. 

The Real Issue

The problem is NOT forgiveness or the ability to forgive. Neither is the church to blame nor is anyone else looking on as "Mr. Alpha" seems to suggest. The problem is the attitude that anyone else can do more damage to him and his family than he has already done, and the utter lack of accountability, correction and redirection. 

Yes, this is tough. It's not easy when sins are dragged out before the world. It's even more tough to realize that you have failed and disgraced God, family, the church and community...but it is down right arrogance that blames those who see and know it for making you feel "uncomfortable" or for telling what they know.

This leads to what the modern minister feels is "good enough" so far as repentance is concerned. For them, anyone "talking" (at least those not saying what they want to hear) is "negative" and is not being godly. The onlookers and the ones who have paid their tithe, and faithfully and diligently served, are at fault when they demand a full accounting and a better standard. These are tricks of the "alpha pimp" trade. under the theme that the "mission" is greater than any sin that one can commit, those seems to expect to simply go on, bypass an accounting for self and sin and blame those that are disturbed by the sins claiming that they are somehow at fault. This type of response is almost as big of, if not even more, of a lie than the original sinful and dastardly acts that led to the incidence.

Now, Jamal claims that those talking are making it difficult for his family, when the truth is that he didn't care about any of that at the time he looked over his congregation and chose an illicit lover. There is absolutely no one that will have a greater concern and care for his children than he does. evidently he didn't care, why and how does he expect Ebony, McCray or anyone else to care?

The problem is not failure. Certainly we have all sinned in one form or another. The problem is the arrogance in dealing with it and blaming others for our sins. It seems that if others don;t tell the story, we will tell it ourselves, because the TRUTH simply must be told. One thing is for sure, the word of God is right:

Luke 12:2-3 ~ 2-For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3-Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

May the LORD have mercy on us all as we kneel down, bowing our soul and seeking HIS face!!!!!

Blessed!      


photo: Courtesy The Jasmine Brand

Read more!