RISING UP IN LOVE - Making Justice a Reality, page 16 - JULY/AUGUST 2020 - Good News Magazine
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JULY/AUGUST 2020
goodnewsmag.org
Leading
United Methodists
to a Faithful Future
RISING UP IN LOVE
Making Justice a
Reality, page 16
JA20.indd 1 6/16/21 9:58 AM
Call: 844.GO.TO.ATS Click:: asbury.to/degrees Visit:: asbury.to/visit Learn More:: asburyseminary.edu
“You actually can’t cancel Church.
You can close a building, but we
are the Church. We do not cease
to be the Church!”
-Dr. Timothy C. Tennent
President, Asbury Theological Seminary
Visit asbury.to/voices to read Dr. Tennent’s story.
How are you called to connect, serve and support
others in creative ways?
LOCATIONS: KENTUCKY ORLANDO MEMPHIS TULSA ONLINE
Listen to Dr. Tennent’s chapel
messages specific to the COVID-19
pandemic at asbury.to/GN2.
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Contents
Essentials Features
2 Editorial 10 Rise Up in Love
Working for Good Bishop Leonard E. Fairley appeals to
the more excellent way of peace,
4 Baptism in Minneapolis justice, and love.
6 News from United Methodism 13 Lord, Give Us Eyes to See
United Methodist Collection Rates Responses to the nationwide protests
Plunge as COVID-19 Rates Rise for justice from United Methodist
Cover photo by David
bishops. Parks.
8 Mortals & the Divine
Barren Table Faith 16 Make Justice a Reality
Keith Boyette makes an appeal for
43 Breath of Life racial justice and equity.
Max Wilkins on what the Breath of Life
meant at Pentecost and for us today. 18 Messengers of Hope
Photographer David Parks captures
44 A Message from Mama images of a street corner worship
BJ Funk recalls the timeless message service in Minneapolis.
of saying yes to Christ.
20 Greet Every Saint
Courtney Lott writes on the essential Courtney Lott, page 20.
News & Analysis task of making others feel welcome.
23 Celebrating a Founding Father
of Gospel Music
35 Ravi Zacharias (1946-2020) Jim Patterson reports on a new book
Matthew Fearon remembers the for children about Charles Albert
extraordianary ministry of an apologist. Tindley.
38 The Role of Conferences in the 26 Lord, Save Us
New Methodism David F. Watson spells out the full scale
Thomas Lambrecht outlines the nature of salvation.
importance of conferences in historic
Methodism – and a new denomination. 30 Psalms: Open and Unafraid
David Taylor explores the beauty, Celebrating Charles Albert
honesty, and cleansing nature of the Tindley, pages 8 and 23.
“After this I looked, and there before Psalms.
me was a great multitude that no one
could count, from every nation, tribe, 41 COVID-19’s Destructive Path
people and language, standing before Sam Hodges reports on the way the
the throne and before the Lamb. They worldwide pandemic has touched
were wearing white robes and were clergy and laity.
holding palm branches in their hands.”
– Revelation 7:9
July/August 2020 | 1
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Rob Renfroe
rrenfroe@goodnewsmag.org
Editorial
WORKING FOR GOOD
One of the great counterintuitive truths of our faith is that God race they belong to. Every human life has infinite value because
brings good out of bad. What human beings mean for evil, God every person bears the image of God.
often uses to bring about a new and better day. There is no great-
er example than the cross. Our Lord Jesus – pure, innocent, and We know racism is wrong. If every human being is created in
compassionate – made to suffer the most painful and shameful God’s image, racism and prejudice are not simply sins against
death the Roman Empire could devise. And from this terribly a person or a community, but against God himself. We know as
heinous act, God brought forth his most gracious gift – salvation persons who hold the Scriptures to be true, we must condemn
for all who will believe. however our society promotes racial stereotypes and we must
recognize, confess, and repent of whatever prejudice lives within
Our country is reeling from an atrocious, unjust act – the killing our souls. We cannot be neutral, look the other way, or be satis-
of George Floyd, made worse by the fact that it was perpetrated fied that our nation has made great strides in the past to over-
by one, and watched for nearly nine minutes without objection come racism. It still exists, sometimes in ways that are hard for
by others, who were sworn to serve and protect their commu- some of us to perceive. So, we must ask God to give us “eyes to
nity. For the God who brings good out of evil, this is certainly an see” and the courage to call it out whether we discern it in our
opportunity to do something dramatic and powerful that will institutions or in ourselves.
change our world for the better. And as the people who serve
that God, we have an opportunity and a calling to join him in We know diversity is a blessing from God. The human race that
what he is doing. God created is a beautiful tapestry of races, ethnicities, and cul-
tures. Our appreciation of God’s creation, the wonders of his
I do not know all that needs to be done. I do not know what God grace, and his calling upon our lives is made richer and more
will call upon you or me or his church to do. And I certainly do powerful when we embrace this diversity and learn from the ex-
not know the depth of pain my African American brothers and periences and the perspectives of others who are different than
sisters have experienced throughout their lifetimes. But there are we are. When our pride or our need to justify ourselves or our
some things I do know. And so do you. So do all Bible believing fear keeps us from receiving the stories and the gifts those who
followers of Jesus. are different from ourselves can bring into our lives, we not only
impoverish ourselves, we also deny God’s good creation.
We know every human being is made in the image of God. In
fact, this is the first truth God’s word tells us about what it means This is true for humankind and even more for the church of God.
to be human. “So, God created humankind in his own image; in “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body
the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Every human – whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free … The body is not made
being possesses immense, inherent worth not because of what he up of one part but many” (1 Corinthians 12:13-14). We need
or she achieves, how they live, the social status they enjoy, or the each other. We need poor and wealthy, male and female, young
2 | Good News
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and old, developed world and developing world, “red and yel- who grieve that because of their race they will never be given
low, black, brown, and white.” We need everyone in the church. opportunities to serve many of our great churches that are pre-
And as individuals we need relationships with people who have dominantly white. And hearing the painful truth that many of
different experiences, perspectives, and stories. Without such these pastors are concerned that the same will be true even after
relationships, we will never see the world or God’s plan for the we create a new Methodist denomination.
world rightly and fully. We know this is true because God’s word
tells us it is. And we know we must be intentional about creating Peacemaking begins with listening, but it doesn’t end there. For
relationships that cross the lines that too often divide us. true peace to be made, there must be equal opportunity for all
people. There must be justice for the victimized. There must be
We know our hearts often deceive us. Jeremiah tells us “the heart accountability for those who perpetrate violence. There must be
is deceitful above all things … who can understand its way” an admission on the part of white folks that many of us have
(17:9)? It’s possible, no, it’s likely, that we will be blind to what chosen to remain ignorant regarding race in our country and
resides within our hearts. We will convince ourselves that our the suffering persons of color have endured. We must admit this,
intentions are more righteous and our motives more pure than confess it, and repent of it and of all the ways we have been com-
they truly are. We will be oblivious to the prejudice that dwells plicit. There must be outrage on our part in the face of injustice
within us – and sometimes because we want to be ignorant about and racism. And there must be real change in our hearts, in our
who and what we are. Without knowing it, we will try to protect country, and in our churches
our image of ourselves as good and decent folks by not being
willing to look deeply within our own souls and admitting what We know we are fighting more than flesh and blood. Paul tells
we find there. This doesn’t make us bad people; it makes us hu- us that our struggle to advance God’s Kingdom and its values is
man beings who possess a fallen nature. But we know it’s there, against “the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world
this tendency to hide the truth about ourselves from ourselves. and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm”
We know this because God’s word tells us so. Consequently, we (Ephesians 6:12). Paul understood that there was more to the
also know we must examine ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to ignorance and the evil we encounter than what dwells in the
reveal to us whatever prejudice lies within us. human heart. There are spiritual forces at work, organizing the
systems and the structures of our world in ways that are counter
I don’t know what God will do with this terrible moment we find to the will of God and his good design for creation.
ourselves in. But I know what I can do with it. I can look within
myself, admit what I find there, confess it, repent of it, and ask We cannot be naïve. If we believe in the Bible as God’s word, we
God to change me. And so can you. And that will be a start. must expect to find sin within the institutions of our fallen soci-
ety. We cannot minimize the work of “the evil one,” “the prince
We know we are called to be peacemakers. Not peacekeepers, of this world,” to only individual temptations. His plan is more
but peacemakers. Making peace in times of turmoil and mis- encompassing and his powers of deceit far greater. His desire is
understanding can be frustrating and even dangerous. But it’s to infiltrate and warp all that influences humankind. Our enter-
a ministry that we are called to. “Blessed are the peacemakers, tainment. Our government. The media. Education. The Church.
for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). I do not We must have “kingdom eyes” to look at society’s institutions.
know all that peacemaking will require, but I know that it begins And we must be willing to call out unrighteousness and injus-
with listening. For me, it means continuing the conversations tice wherever we see them, and we must work to reclaim these
I have recently had with black friends and colleagues. Listen- institutions for the glory of God and the good of all humankind.
ing to black parents and grandparents tell me how worried they
are about the safety of their children and grandchildren every I do not know how God will use this moment. But I know he will
time they leave the house. Hearing the fear beneath the words be at work for good. I know that you and I and all who name the
of African American men who have told me they are regularly name of Jesus must ask for eyes to see and a determination to act
pulled over by the police for no other reason than they are in in accordance with God’s will. I do not know everything I need
“the wrong part of town” – their town, their hometown. Talking to know for this moment. But I know enough to begin to make
with black pastors, as educated, gifted, and committed as I am, things better. And so do you.
July/August 2020 | 3
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A person is baptized at the site where George Floyd died in Minneapolis. In the week after his death, services were conducted at the street corner
of 38th and Chicago featuring evangelistic preaching, calls for racial justice, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The services were launched by
Pastor Curtis Farrar of the Worldwide Outreach for Christ, a congregation located at the street corner for 38 years. He preached and had mem-
bers of his congregation lead worship and prayer at the memorial site. Farrar was also joined by young evangelists with Youth With a Mission
(YWAM), Circuit Riders, and Civil Righteousness. Photo by David Parks.
4 | Good News
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Leading
Follow us on: NAVIGATE
FORWARD
United Methodists
to a Faithful Future
July/August 2020 • Volume 54, Number 1
Publisher Art Director
Rob Renfroe Jaime DiNoia
rrenfroe@goodnewsmag.org jdinoia@goodnewsmag.org
Editor in Chief Office Administrator
Steve Beard Ginny Brooks
sbeard@goodnewsmag.org gbrooks@goodnewsmag.org
Vice President Director of Strategic Resources
Thomas A. Lambrecht Ralph Pauls
tlambrecht@goodnewsmag.org rpauls@goodnewsmag.org
Editorial Assistant Database Administrator
Courtney Lott Valerie Zelada
clott@goodnewsmag.org vwatson@goodnewsmag.org
Founding Editor Renew Network Team Leader
Charles W. Keysor Katy Kiser
President & Publisher Emeritus renew@goodnewsmag.org
James V. Heidinger II Transforming Congregatations Director
Garry Ingraham
gingraham@loveandtruthnetwork.com
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Riley Case, Kokomo, IN
encouragement from a decidedly
Norman Neel, San Augustine, TX
Beth Ann Cook, Logansport, IN Chuck Savage, Roswell, GA evangelical and traditionalist
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NEWS FROM UNITED METHODISM
UNITED METHODIST COLLECTION RATES
PLUNGE AS COVID-19 RISES
An empty collection plate. Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.
By Heather Hahn
“This indicates the impact that the coronavirus has had so far
The United Methodist Church already is feeling financial fall- on general church collections,” Rick King, GCFA’s chief finan-
out from COVID-19’s devastating spread. In a May 29 online cial officer, told the board.
meeting that also included prayers for an end to racism, Gen-
eral Council on Finance and Administration board members By April, United Methodist churches around the globe had
got a glimpse of some of the financial challenges ahead. suspended in-person worship to slow the deadly coronavirus.
Congregations are just now slowly returning to their buildings
For the first four months of the year, general church apportion- but with a whole checklist of added and potentially expensive
ment receipts in the U.S. dropped about $3.2 million compared precautions.
to the same period in 2019. April, so far, saw the steepest de-
cline — with the collection rate down 26 percent compared to Funding for the denomination’s seven general church funds
last year and 45 percent compared to 2017. comes from conferences, which in turn ask for apportionments
6 | Good News
JA20.indd 6 6/16/21 9:58 AM
For now, many U.S. conferences have allowed
churches to hold off on apportionments to bolster
their ministries, and at least three of the 54 U.S.
conferences have laid off or furloughed staff.
– requested giving – from local churches. Typically, more than In May, the bishops agreed to form a task force that will look
85 cents of every dollar in local church revenue remains with at strategies to move the Episcopal Fund toward financial sus-
that congregation. About 2 cents of each dollar given goes to tainability. Among the ideas on the table is reducing the num-
general church ministries. ber of U.S. bishops. The task force plans to release its recom-
mendations in November.
General church apportionments support bishops, ministerial
education, most general agencies, general administration, and Over the past three years, the GCFA board each summer has
denomination-wide efforts such as the Black College Fund, ec- set bishops’ salaries and support for their office staff. However,
umenical work, and Africa University in Zimbabwe. The U.S. the board is postponing any action until it receives the task
church provides 99 percent of the funding for general church force’s report, said the Rev. Steve Wood, who chairs the board’s
ministries. committee on general agency and episcopal matters.
For now, many U.S. conferences have allowed churches to hold Amid the drops in giving, various U.S. United Methodist en-
off on apportionments to bolster their ministries, and at least tities, including churches, conferences, and general agencies,
three of the 54 U.S. conferences have laid off or furloughed have found some relief from Paycheck Protection Program
staff. An untold number of United Methodist churchgoers also loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration program, initi-
are now out of work, as the U.S. sees its highest unemployment ated in response to the coronavirus, aims to help small busi-
rate since the Great Depression in the 1930s. nesses – including nonprofits – keep workers on the payroll.
Already faced with uncertainty, the denomination’s Episco- Most of the 10 general agencies that receive church giving, in-
pal Fund that supports bishops and most United Methodist cluding GCFA, have applied for and received loans through
general agencies had budgeted for 2020 based on a 70 percent the program. The one exception is the United Methodist Board
apportionment collection rate. At the current giving rate, the of Higher Education and Ministry. All told, the agencies now
General Council on Finance and Administration projects 2020 have nearly $7.9 million in loans. Based on the program’s re-
apportionments could come well below that. quirements, the agencies each expect their loan amounts to be
forgiven.
The GCFA board spent part of its meeting hearing an update
on the Episcopal Fund, which was in peril of running out of “Some agencies have returned funds they deemed to be in
money even before the current crisis. At present, King said, excess of the amount that will be forgiven,” King told United
the fund’s revenue is about $422,000 lower than budgeted, but Methodist News.
because of reduced spending, the bishops are making up for
some of that lost revenue. Still, at a 65 percent annual giving Heather Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Meth-
rate, GCFA projects that the fund could be in the red by the odist News.
end of 2022.
July/August 2020 | 7
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MORTALS & THE
DIVINE health, for the snow storm, and the rising sun in the morning.
“Not once did he complain about the shortage of provisions, but
thanked God for what they had,” E.T. Tindley writes. They got
up from their knees and sat at the barren table. When they did,
there was a loud commotion outside. They heard a man com-
manding a team of horses.
“Whoa! Whoa!” They then heard loud stomps on the front
porch. “Hey! Is anybody alive here?”
Tindley opened the front door and was face to face with a man
with a large sack on his shoulder. Dropping it to the floor with a
thud, the stranger said: “Knowing you were the new parson here,
and not knowing how you were making out in this storm, my
wife and I thought you might need some food. I’ve a cartload of
wood out here, too. I’ll dump it and be on my way.”
Tears streamed down Tindley’s face. “You are an answer to
prayer, for we didn’t have anything to eat except a stale crust of
bread ... We are not going to worry though, for we know God will
provide a way.”
Later that night, Tindley was seated in a rocker thinking over the
blessings of the day. In the afterglow of the miracle, he wrote the
Charles Albert Tindley was one of Methodism’s premier pulpiteers and song, “God Will Provide For Me.”
song writers. Image: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection,
Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia. Here I may be weak and poor,
With afflictions to endure;
BARREN TABLE All about me not a ray of light to see,
Just as He has often done,
FAITH
For His helpless trusting ones,
God has promised to provide for me.
Charles Albert Tindley went on to become one of Methodism’s
By Steve Beard
greatest pulpiteers and a pillar of faith. His life was bookended
Charles Albert Tindley arrived for his first pastoral appoint- by the Civil War and the Great Depression. Tindley’s father was
ment in Cape May, New Jersey, in the middle of a snow storm. a slave, but his mother was a free woman of color. Tragically,
With small children to feed, Charles and his wife had only a he lost both his parents at very young age and had to live with
stale piece of bread. As parents, they dipped the bread in water strangers who did not permit him to read or go to church.
to soften it for the kids.
Seemingly every step of the way, Tindley (1851-1933) faced ad-
Charles asked his wife to set the table as if there was food for versity and challenges. Nevertheless, he showed steadfast deter-
breakfast. Swallowing her reluctance, she agreed to do as he mination, ingenuity, and faith. From his Methodist pulpit, he
asked. As the story has been relayed by his youngest son, the became known as the “Prince of Preachers,” composed dozens
parents got on their knees to thank God for their lives, their of popular gospel songs, launched one of the first soup kitch-
8 | Good News
JA20.indd 8 6/16/21 9:58 AMFrom his Methodist pulpit,
Tindley became known as the
“Prince of Preachers” and the
“Grandfather of Gospel Music.”
ens in his city, and spurred economic development for African
Americans in Philadelphia through a savings and loan that he had no shoes to wear to church and had to sneak up into the
helped secure home ownership. The church he shepherded – balcony and hide behind boxes to attend a worship service. Now,
now called Tindley Temple – is still a historic and vibrant fixture because of a lifetime of walking barefooted in faith, he became
in its community. the pastor of one of the largest congregations in Methodism and
was routinely preaching and breaking into song at “standing
Tindley was filled with intellectual curiosity and passion. As a room only” Sunday services.
child he began to learn to read by picking up scraps of newspa-
pers along the roadside. He studied the shape of each letter and Tindley is rightfully considered the “Grandfather of Gospel
attempted to use bits of coal to teach himself to write. Music,” serving as an inspiration to Thomas Dorsey, usually in-
dentified as one of the pivotal founding fathers of gospel music.
After the Civil War, Tindley and his wife moved to Philadelphia Tindley’s songs are still found in the United Methodist Hymnal,
and attended Bainbridge Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He as well as those of other denominations. His songs were recorded
eventually became the janitor at the church. Although he had by gospel legends such as Mahalia Jackson (“Beams of Heaven”),
never been to college, he began studying for the Methodist min- the Soul Stirrers (“By and By”), the Ward Singers (“Take Your
istry in order to pass the denominational examination with a Burden to the Lord”), Blind Joe Taggart (“The Storm is Passing
high enough score. He learned Greek through a correspondence Over”), Sister Rosetta Tharpe (“What Are They Doing in Heav-
course offered by Boston Theological School and studied He- en”), and Elvis Presley (“Stand By Me”).
brew with a rabbi at a synagogue in Philadelphia.
So pervasive was his influence that one of his hymns was the in-
At the time of the exam, an arrogant college graduate snidely spiration behind the Civil Rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.”
asked Tindley, “How do you expect to pass this examination? I
and the other candidates hold diplomas in our hands. What do Tindley had witnessed some of the worst chapters of the unfold-
you hold?” ing American experiment. He preached faith, protested against
injustice, provided food and shelter, and sang from his soul. His
“Nothing but a broom,” replied Tindley who had just been artistry dealt honestly with suffering and hardships. At the same
sweeping around the church. Tindley passed second among a time, he lived and saw through the eye and heart of faith. He
large class of candidates, all of whom had academic degrees. knew that one day – someday – things would be redeemed and
transformed. In “Beams of Heaven,” his
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me; vision shines through:
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me;
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea, I do not know how long ‘twill be,
Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me. Nor what the future holds for me.
But this I know; if Jesus leads me,
After several different pastoral assignments, Tindley was even- I shall get home someday.
tually appointed to the very church he had previously swept as
a janitor. As a young boy, he once wallowed in shame because Steve Beard is the editor of Good News.
July/August 2020 | 9
JA20.indd 9 6/16/21 9:58 AMFEATURE NEWS ANALYSIS
RISE UP IN LOVE
Mourners at the corner of 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis – the location of George Floyd’s death. Photo by David Parks.
By Leonard E. Fairley
and troubled heart, a heart that was already breaking due to the
“What Started Out As A Peaceful Protest Turned Violent,” “Sev- death of three people of color who should be alive – Ahmaud
en Shot in Louisville Demonstration Against Breonna Taylor’s Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.
Death,” “Chaotic Minneapolis Protests Spread Amid Emotional
Calls For Justice, Peace,” “Protest Turns Violent!” As an African American male, I felt these deaths on an intimate
level because I know firsthand what the evil of racism feels and
These are the headlines we’ve been waking up to lately. Like looks like. My heart wept at the sight of an effigy hanging right
many of you, I read these headlines with a broken, devastated, here in Kentucky: As an African American male, I felt the histor-
10 | Good News
JA20.indd 10 6/16/21 9:58 AMWhat we long for and must hear are the actions
and voices of passionate, spiritual disciples
who have a desire to do right – a desire to do
God’s will as we pray, “deliver us from evil.” We
long for voices of people who have never
spoken out against anything and would
never dare join a protest or write a political
statement or get lost in social media battles.
ic pain of countless brown- and black-skinned people hanging easy to suffer injustice and not become bitter when you feel your
from lynching trees. My heart wept when an African American only recourse is protest. “It is always right to protest for right,”
bird watcher suffered the threat of harm by having the police Martin Luther King said.
called on him. This list could go on and on.
However, protesting for right doesn’t mean we replace one vio-
We must not dishonor the memories of these souls by practicing lent act for another. Violence is a vicious cycle that leaves only
the spirit of an eye for eye and a tooth for tooth. We must not victims. Again, we cannot allow our protesting for right to sim-
dishonor their memories by causing more blood to run though ply become another face of the wrong or injustice we’re protest-
our streets or the destruction of property to occur. These deaths ing. We cannot live by trading one form of bitterness and vio-
deserve better. lence for another. Hatred, vitriolic words, chants, or slogans are
never the answer. Hatred, violence, and injustice are cycles that
My heart also weeps when protesting for right becomes the face feed on each other. King also said, “Hate cannot drive out hate;
of the very evil, injustice, and oppression it tries to eliminate and only love can do that.”
call attention to. It has, and will in the days ahead, become in-
cumbent on all of us to nonviolently work toward driving from “I am weary from my moaning; every night I flood my bed with
our communities, nation, and world the hatred, violence, and in- tears; I drench my couch with weeping.” – Psalm 31:9-10. Like
justice, caused by racism or any other “ism” that fosters prejudice the psalmist, we grow weary of all the violence, all the hatred,
and oppression. and all the polarization and division.
In our heart of hearts, we know none of these evils are from God. I think people have grown immune to voices that can write elo-
We as Christian disciples of Jesus Christ shouldn’t accept them quent statements that come with a title and office such as a Bish-
as normal. We must together fight them with hearts and actions op. One would expect me to respond. Yet how can I live into my
of peace, not war. role as Bishop and shepherd and remain silent? What we long for
and must hear are the actions and voices of passionate, spiritual
I acknowledge that much of the protesting comes from pent-up disciples who have a desire to do right – a desire to do God’s will
frustration and disappointment. We have a right to be disap- as we pray, “deliver us from evil.” We long for voices of people
pointed when a life is taken needlessly and unjustly. It is never who have never spoken out against anything and would never
July/August 2020 | 11
JA20.indd 11 6/16/21 9:58 AMLet us rise up and tell the world, the nation, every
perpetrator spreading injustice, every perpetrator
spreading hatred, death, and violence, that this is
not the way. There is still a more excellent way to rise
up and tell this divided world and nation that his
name is Jesus, bringer of peace and healer with the
power of reconciliation and redemptive sacrificial
agape (love), as the only true light in darkness.
dare join a protest or write a political statement or get lost in and say, “Not like this!” Stop the police
social media battles. killings. Stop the racism. Stop the di-
visive and vitriolic language. Stop the
Brothers and sisters in Christ, what is happening in our world, injustice. Stop the destructive protest.
our communities, and our nation goes far beyond politics or la- Protest we must, but not like this.
bels. Christian people of goodwill must find their voices or we
will continue to fall deeper into this darkness. Somehow our Let us rise up and tell the world, the
voices of hope, peace, love, and kindness must rise from the ash- nation, every perpetrator spreading
es and help swing this pendulum toward what the Lord requires injustice, every perpetrator spreading
of all of us who dare call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ. “He hatred, death, and violence, that this is
has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord not the way. There is still a more excel-
require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk lent way to rise up and tell this divided world and nation that
humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). his name is Jesus, bringer of peace and healer with the power of
reconciliation and redemptive sacrificial agape (love), as the only
Somehow the spirit of Jesus that lives in you must rise up in all true light in darkness.
humility and proclaim in his name: Enough is enough. “Come,
Lord Jesus, come” and show us how to live with each other, re- Help us to remember in these dark days, as King said, “At the
minding us that there is a more excellent way. center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
I have little left but grief and heartache. Yet, with every ounce of “Be gracious to [us], O Lord, for [we are] in distress; [our] eyes
my one hope, I pray we will learn that all cops are not bad, all waste away with grief, [our] soul and body also” (Psalm 31:9).
black men are not thugs, and racism is a disease that must be
admitted before it can be cured. Leonard E. Fairley is the episcopal leader of the Kentucky Annual
Conference of The United Methodist Church. This statement was
I appeal to the Christian conscience of every passionate, spiri- issued by Bishop Fairley on May 30, 2020, and is reprinted here
tual disciple and sisters and brothers in Christ to join my spirit by permission.
12 | Good News
JA20.indd 12 6/16/21 9:58 AMFEATURE
LORD, GIVE US EYES TO SEE
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the West Ohio Annual Conference delivers the episcopal address during the 2016 United Methodist
General Conference in Portland, Oregon. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
“What a season we have been through and what a week we are grieve for the Floyd family and all the families that have had the
in,” wrote Bishop Gregory V. Palmer to the United Methodists same or similar experience. God heal their hearts. I shudder as I
in the West Ohio Annual Conference. “The angst and pain are watch the burning in Minneapolis, but I do watch and choose
palpable. I need you to know I share that pain and I see me in not to look away. Looking away perpetuates avoidance. I look
some way, shape, or form every time I see video clips from Min- not to condone but to be drawn deeper into the compassionate
neapolis and around the country. I have no illusion. It could have heart of Jesus our savior. Lord give us eyes to see.”
been me. That’s the world in which we live.
Within our society and around the world, the horrific deaths
“The death of George Floyd is a painful sequel to much that we of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have
have seen before,” Palmer continued. “God help us if you please. I sparked passionate protest, intense soul-searching, and purpose-
July/August 2020 | 13
JA20.indd 13 6/16/21 9:58 AM“When we witness inexpicable injustice, anger is
understandable, protest is appropriate, and action is
vital. Violence and destruction, though,
is never the answer.”
ful prayer. At this time, Christians are looking for ways to be a • Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota
faithful witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus and his kingdom
of compassion, righteousness, and justice. “Now, it is our responsibility as persons of faith, and particularly
as followers of Jesus in the Methodist tradition, to address this
“It is time to use our voices, our pens, our feet, and our heart for pervasive pandemic of racism. We are
change,” the United Methodist Council of Bishops expressed in compelled to address this pandemic
a statement, signed by Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, president with the same intensity and inten-
of the council. The bishops encouraged United Methodists to tionality with which we are address-
spend eight minutes and 46 seconds in prayer at 8:46 a.m. and ing COVID-19.
8:46 p.m. each day for a 30 day period. The time allocations are in
remembrance of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 when “We begin by acknowledging that
a police officer kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and 46 sec- racism is sin and antithetical to the
onds in Minneapolis. gospel. We confess and denounce
our own complicity. We take a stand
“Pray for all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice against any and all expressions of rac-
and oppression. Pray for our church as we take a stand against ism and white supremacy, beginning
racism,” the statement reads. “Imagine the power of a concert of with the racial, cultural, and class disparities in our state and
prayer heard around the world.” country that are highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic.”
During this tumultuous time of both social distancing and social • Bishop Jonathan Holston, South Carolina
upheaval, we are called to act, pray, and love our neighbors. Dur-
ing this time, several bishops have reflected on the issues con- “As United Methodists and follow-
fronting our society and the call to justice. ers of Christ, we commit ourselves
to social justice and to opposing rac-
• Bishop Sharma Lewis, Virginia ism in all of its forms. We encourage
frank and thoughtful conversation
“When do we as children of God decide that God is calling us into and respectful collaboration with a
action? When do we decide that mere common goal of justice for all. It is
words or social media interactions for our obligation to be a beacon of love
a few days are just not enough? when hatred threatens to blot out the
light of hope.”
“When do we as children of God de-
cide that the systemic racism in our Bishop Holston wrote in a later statement, “When we witness
society, whether manifested overtly or inexplicable injustice, anger is understandable, protest is appro-
covertly, is a sin that hinders our rela- priate, and action is vital. Violence and destruction, though, is
tionship with Jesus Christ and is anti- never the answer.
thetical to the gospel?”
“We are encouraged to see people flood the streets to peacefully
14 | Good News
JA20.indd 14 6/16/21 9:58 AM“It is crucial for Christians to create safe sanctuaries
where we can have difficult conversations about
racism and other topics that promote injustice.”
call for justice and an end to oppression. This is faith in action - 1. Becoming aware of policies and practices that promote dis-
the bedrock of our commitment to social justice as United Meth- parities based on race, ethnicity, stereotypes, or economic status.
odists and followers of Christ.”
2. By employing the use of empathetic listening that is engag-
• Bishop Frank Beard, Illinois Great Rivers ing and helps with validating the feelings and personal experi-
ences of persons of color, without being dismissive or making
“It is the job of every Christian to serve explanatory comments that seek to rationalize or soothe away
as conduits of grace, mercy, and love their pain.
so that the dark forces of our world
might experience the liberating light 3. Learn to recognize and understand your own privilege and
of Jesus Christ. It is our job to help experiences that are based on skin color and power.
stamp out hatred in any form. There-
fore, I encourage all United Method- 4. Share your own story as you engage in tough conversations
ists to pray for the families that are af- about race and injustice. Your story will help foster deeper un-
fected by this most recent tragedy, as derstanding for you and for others as you interact together.
well as those suffering a similar plight
in recent months. I remind us all that 5. Recognize that America is NOT a “melting pot” but rather a
it is our duty, as sisters and brothers, to “garden salad” containing a blend of unique colors and flavors
stand-up, speak-out, and advocate for those that are hurting and meant to be experienced together. DO Not give in to the myth
marginalized, so that justice may become a reality.” that you must be “color blind.”
In a separate statement, Bishop Beard offered practical sugges- 6. Seek to identify with those that are marginalized and who
tions as we wrestle with the issues of race, prejudice, and injus- face the effects of a system that thrives and survives on racist
tice. behavior and practices.
“Dealing with racism is not easy and it takes a lot of energy and 7. Use the power of your own personal finances by taking a
forethought that will often move us into uncomfortable places. stand with your money. Be aware of the practices of those you
Speaking up and out is important, even though people often are do business with.
scared to say anything because they worry that if they say the
wrong thing, they might get in trouble or find themselves be- 8. Create safe places for difficult conversations, utilizing people
ing labeled. It is crucial for Christians to create safe sanctuar- experienced in providing diversity training.
ies where we can have difficult conversations about racism and
other topics that promote injustice.” 9. Develop and foster relationships with people of color based
on mutual respect and concern for each other’s well-being.
Beard offered 10 ways that Christians can begin to “address sys-
temic injustice and discrimination.” 10. As people of faith, pray for and with others, that Jesus’ prayer
for unity would become a reality.
July/August 2020 | 15
JA20.indd 15 6/16/21 9:58 AMFEATURE
MAKE JUSTICE A REALITY
Mourners and protesters gather at the corner of 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis – the place of George Floyd’s death – to reflect, grieve, and hear
the message during a service sponsored by the Worldwide Outreach for Christ – a church in that neighborhood for 38 years. The congregation
hosted open-air evangelistic and prayer services for those in the community. Photo by David Parks.
By Keith Boyette We are outraged by the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna
Taylor, and George Floyd. The horrific taking of each of their
At its founding in its Statement of Moral Principles, the Wes- lives cries out for justice. Yet what they experienced were not
leyan Covenant Association declared, “We believe that all per- isolated incidents. Racism, systemic injustice, and the use of
sons are of sacred worth…. The WCA specifically renounces force leading to the killing of African Americans is an affront
all racial and ethnic discrimination and commits itself to work to God’s good gift of life and human dignity. It has no place in
toward full racial and ethnic equality in the church and in so- the body of Christ or in any society that aspires to reflect the
ciety.” Recent events in the United States underscore how abso- character of Jesus. It is sin.
lutely critical this work is.
16 | Good News
JA20.indd 16 6/16/21 9:58 AMWe must dedicate ourselves to building a
church that bears witness to the dignity of all
God’s people, particularly those who have
been marginalized, stereotyped, and treated
with cruelty and violence based on the color of
their skin. The church must summon every fiber
of its being to root out racism in its midst.
As Christians we are called to relentlessly work for a society minishes or obviates that reality. Therefore we Christians must
where African Americans no longer have to fear for their lives accord all people their human dignity, defend their God-given
or be treated differently when encountered by law enforcement, rights, and see that justice is done for them just as we expect it
or when they are simply going about the business of their dai- to be done for ourselves.
ly lives. We must dedicate ourselves to building a church that
bears witness to the dignity of all God’s people, particularly In recent days, I read again the words
those who have been marginalized, stereotyped, and treated of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,
with cruelty and violence based on the color of their skin. The Jr. in his “I Have A Dream” speech
church must summon every fiber of its being to root out racism delivered on August 28, 1963, at the
in its midst. Collectively and individually, we must examine our Lincoln Memorial in Washington,
hearts, our minds, our institutions, and our practices, and, with D.C. He declared, “Now is the time
unwavering determination, stamp out racism. to make real the promises of democ-
racy. Now is the time to rise from
The battle against the evil of racism requires far more than an the dark and desolate valley… to the
occasional statement or symbolic ceremony. Rooting out the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is
conscious and unconscious ways in which we diminish others the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injus-
requires perseverance and disciplined focus. We must continu- tice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make
ally call ourselves to account. We must empower others to speak justice a reality for all of God’s children.”
truth into each of our lives. There is no room for rationaliza-
tion or justification. The work requires persistent, sacrificial Sadly, we have failed to “make justice a reality for all God’s
discipline proactively engaging our own prejudices, biases, and children.” We must acknowledge our failure and redouble our
actions, and engaging the ways in which those prejudices and commitment to work toward full racial and ethnic equality in
biases have found expression in the systems of which we are a the church and in society. Let us not relent or rest until we have
part. The work calls us to intervene and speak up when we are achieved that reality.
witnesses to racism and systemic injustice. We must overturn
systemic injustices. Keith Boyette is president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association
and an elder in the Virginia Conference of The United Method-
At its foundation, Scripture calls us to acknowledge that every ist Church.
person we encounter is made in the image of God – nothing di-
July/August 2020 | 17
JA20.indd 17 6/16/21 9:58 AMFEATURE
MESSENGERS OF HOPE
The services were launched by Pastor Curtis Farrar of the World-
wide Outreach for Christ, a congregation located at the street
corner for 38 years. As protesters and mourners flocked to the
memorial site, Farrar’s congregation offered free water, food, and
antiseptic spray. From a street corner platform, he preached and
members of his congregation led worship and prayer. Farrar was
also joined by young evangelists such as Christophe Ulysse of
Youth With a Mission (YWAM); Yasmin Pierce with Circuit Rid-
ers, a ministry from Southern California; and Jonathan Tremaine
(JT) Thomas of Civil Righteousness in Ferguson, Missouri.
“I’m seeing that people are responding in a positive way,” Farrar
told a television station in Minneapolis. “I’ve never seen so many
people come together on this corner. I’ve been here 38 years and
Jonathan Tremaine (JT) Thomas of Civil Righteousness, a ministry I can see the peace and camaraderie and everyone’s helping one
out of Ferguson, Missouri. another.”
Photos by David Parks “This is a wakeup call to the world that we’re all morally bank-
rupt apart from God,” Ulysse told the Brantford Expositor. “There
In the midst of waves of protests around the globe in response are so many narratives that are trying to hijack what’s going on.
to the death of George Floyd, there were also worship services But this racism is a deep thing that we need a higher power to
in communities that brought Christians of different ethnicities address.”
together to sing and pray, mourn and lament.
Ulysse, who lives in Hawaii, was born to mixed-race parents. “I
In the week after Floyd’s death, open-air services were conducted have the advantage of being bi-racial so I can understand the
at the street corner of 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis beauty of both worlds and be a bridge,” he said. “My dad taught
– the site of Floyd’s death – featuring gospel music, evangelistic me if people called me the N-word, it was because they had never
preaching, calls for racial justice, Christian reconciliation, and really met one of us. So, it’s our place to educate them and show
the infilling of the Holy Spirit. them what we are really about. To the ignorant, we must become
ambassadors.”
Working with Farrar, Ulysse said that, during his time at the
Floyd memorial, he saw hearts “turn from hatred, resentment,
bitterness, and hopelessness,” as people of different races wept
and hugged each other. He hoped that his message to the protest-
ers and mourners would ultimately empower them to be “carri-
ers of hope.”
– Good News.
Opposite page: Top right: Yasmin Pierce of Circuit Riders, a ministy
from Southern California. Center right: Pastor Curtis Farrar of
Worldwide Outreach for Christ in Minneapolis. Bottom right:
Christophe Ulysse of Youth With a Mission (YWAM).
18 | Good News
JA20.indd 18 6/16/21 9:58 AMJuly/August 2020 | 19 JA20.indd 19 6/16/21 9:58 AM
FEATURE
Original art by Sam Weidlich (www.samweidlich.com).
20 | Good News
JA20.indd 20 6/16/21 9:58 AMGREET EVERY SAINT
By Courtney Lott thing innately wrong with who I was. I hid myself away in books
and stories, seeking out an imaginary community where I was
“Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:21) accepted fully, weirdness and all.
It’s the simplest phrase tacked on to the end of a letter. One we I prayed nightly for a friend. For one who loved me as David
possibly pass by quickly, viewing it as a nice sentiment, and little loved Jonathan. Someone whose soul knit itself to mine. I have
else. We may even believe it’s a command easily and painlessly distinct memories of asking God to send me a peer who would
applied to our lives. Definitely not one that needs a closer look. not only share in my similar interests, laugh with me, cry with
me, but who would call me out on things, make me better.
Sure. I’ll say hello to the people at my church. Box checked. Dust
off hands. Done. Here in Texas, we pride ourselves on welcome, Then, in junior high of all places, the youth of my church opened
after all. It’s deeply ingrained in our culture. Even in the big cities their arms to me. In our mutual awkwardness of puberty, pim-
and traffic jams, strangers wave to each other, smile (which has ples, and prepubescent pensiveness, we found community with
been a lot more difficult while wearing masks during COVID!) each other as we played stupid messy games and — still sticky
with random food items — delved into the pages of scripture.
But is it really so simple?
For the first time in my entire life — inside and out of the four
A box easily ticked off? A bland sentiment? Or does it dig deep walls of a church building — I found a sense of home, belong-
into what it means to be part of the bride of Christ? Consider- ing, purpose. This simple act of kindness didn’t heal all of my
ing the fact that Paul uses it in the closing of multiple letters to insecurities, most of which still live in my heart as ugly weeds,
multiple churches, chances are, it’s not a simple admonishment but it healed much within me, strengthened me to do the same
we ought to skim over. for others.
Beyond the literal meaning of the Greek word for “greet” — Thus empowered, making others feel welcome became a large
“welcome” — the heart of the concept strikes deep to a desire part of my mission in life. It hasn’t always been easy. My own
ingrained in all of us: to not only be acknowledged by others, but insecurities sometimes still tempt me to sidestep “weirdos” lest
to be welcomed in, to be seen without filters and still accepted. my association with them make me unwelcome again. When
For a moment of eye-contact, a genuine question after one’s well- this temptation comes, I have to remind myself of what has been
being, true interest in what makes you a unique image bearer. done for me, of my own little story of social salvation.
Throughout my childhood, I often felt brushed aside. I was My experience hardly reflects the intense sense of misery others
weird. I’m still weird. My overactive imagination — and sensi- have experienced when it comes to rejection. Those who have
tive spirit — categorized me as an oddball most of my peers ei- experienced racism or discrimination due to their sexuality have
ther avoided or teased. I usually didn’t feel welcome at school, suffered deeply and in ways I can’t even begin to imagine. The
and at one point, begged my mom to teach me at home so I could path they walk is a unique kind of pain I’m not familiar with.
avoid these painful interactions.
The solution to our problems, however, looks very similar, and
This lack of greeting left me with a deep sense that I didn’t be- it’s found in this beautiful verse. Greet all God’s people in Christ
long, that no one wanted me around, and that there was some- Jesus. Greeting someone affirms the dignity already present in
July/August 2020 | 21
JA20.indd 21 6/16/21 9:58 AMMan receives prayer during a Christian worship service at the corner of 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis – the location of George Floyd’s death.
Across the street from that location, Worldwide Outreach for Christ Ministries – a church in that neighborhood for 38 years – hosted open-air
evangelistic and prayer services for those in the community. Photo by David Parks.
our fellow image bearers. It acknowledges that we are all messed If anyone else embraced one of these, they wouldn’t be able to
up, but that if Jesus can love us that way, we can love each other enter the temple, to step foot near the presence of YAHWEH.
that way as well. But Jesus’ simple touch cleansed, healed. Ultimately, he became
unclean for us, making a way for us to approach the Holy God
Sometimes, like the religious leaders in Jesus’ parable about the of the universe.
good Samaritan, we sidestep those we view as “unclean.” As if
their unique brand of sin will rub off on us if we get too close. By his wounds we are healed.
When we are tempted to fall into this, we are called to remember
how Jesus dealt with the “unclean.” By his uncleanness, we are made clean.
He touched lepers, curing them of their disease. He gripped the By his welcome, we are welcomed.
hands of those long dead, filling them again with life. He cleaned
his disciples’ nasty feet. Jesus drew near to those everyone else May we go and do likewise.
would have avoided, in a sense, welcoming those no one else
would. He did what the rest of us couldn’t do. Courtney Lott is the editorial assitant at Good News.
22 | Good News
JA20.indd 22 6/16/21 9:58 AMFEATURE
CELEBRATING A FOUNDING
FATHER OF GOSPEL MUSIC
Art from the book By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, The Father of Gospel Music, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illus-
trated by Bryan Collier. Image: Simon & Shuster.
By Jim Patterson
Disbelief is the most satisfying response Carole Boston Weath- that (slavery and racial discrimination) happened, but I also
erford gets from children about her books featuring notable Af- want them to be inspired that my subjects overcame those injus-
rican Americans. tices … and persisted in reaching their potential and in making
contributions to their communities and to larger society.”
“Kids just can’t believe that our nation allowed those kinds of in-
justices to visit upon so many people,” said Weatherford, a poet Weatherford, who grew up as a United Methodist and was mar-
who has written children’s books on Fannie Lou Hamer, Harriet ried for 20-some years to a United Methodist minister, considers
Tubman, Lena Horne, and others. it a mission to help correct the dearth of books about African
Americans she experienced growing up.
“I want them to be appalled,” she said. “I want them to be shocked
July/August 2020 | 23
JA20.indd 23 6/16/21 9:58 AM“I think Tindley is a testimony to endurance and
aspiration,” said artist Bryan Collier. “His insatiable
need to learn and read, you can see that theme
through a lot of different people like Frederick
Douglass and many others growing up in the era
of America that he grew up in, when the odds
were totally against them to do what he did.”
“There were hardly any,” she said. “But when I became a mother, In By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, The Father of Gospel Mu-
I noticed that there were more books that featured children of sic, illustrated by Bryan Collier, Tindley’s rather incredible rise is
color for them.” told in lilting verse by Weatherford.
Her latest subject is Charles A. Tindley, a Methodist Episcopal “My life is a sermon inside a song/I’ll sing it for you/Won’t take
clergyman sometimes called “The Prince of Preachers” and one long,” the book opens.
of the founding fathers of gospel music. He was pastor of East
Calvary Methodist Church in Philadelphia — now named Tind- The illustrations by Collier are vivid and striking, mixing col-
ley Temple United Methodist Church — from 1902 to 1933. lage and watercolor painting. He has illustrated many children’s
books about African Americans including Rosa Parks, Langston
His hymn, “I’ll Overcome Someday,” was one of the roots of the Hughes, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and con-
civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” He wrote other gospel temporary musician Trombone Shorty.
music standards, such as “(Take Your Burden to the Lord and)
Leave It There,” “Stand by Me” and “What Are They Doing in “I think Tindley is a testimony to endurance and aspiration,”
Heaven?” Collier said. “His insatiable need to learn and read, you can see
that theme through a lot of different people like Frederick Dou-
Tindley, born in 1851 the child of a slave father and a free mother glass and many others growing up in the era of America that he
who died young, received no formal schooling as a child — in- grew up in, when the odds were totally against them to do what
stead being hired out as a field hand. He taught himself to read he did.”
from newspaper clippings lit by glowing pine knots.
Collier said his illustration style is influenced by his grandmoth-
Pursuing whatever education he could afford — night schools er, who made quilts when he was a kid. “That’s the collage aspect
and correspondence courses, mostly — while working to sup- of it. I try to use earth tones and bright colors for juxtaposition
port himself, he relocated to Philadelphia with his wife, Daisy, to make it pop. I use family members and friends to pose for the
and worked as a church custodian. From there, he progressed book, so we see ourselves and they can see themselves in books.”
to being the pastor of the very same church and writing many
memorable gospel songs. Collier used to play as a child in an abandoned Pocomoke City,
24 | Good News
JA20.indd 24 6/16/21 9:58 AMYou can also read
