Why aren't there more African Americans in the UPC or the leadership of the UPC???

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

What do you know? you wear shorts! Now be quite.

well at least i have nice tanned calves, lol,dt

[ThePastorsCoach]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

And all the while claim to be baptized into Christ. Some believe the oneness doctrine but live a trinity!

OH WOW - They preach against cutting hair, jewelry, make up, pants on women, facial hair (except eyebrows) on men and other extra-biblical rules and regulations - but have hate in their heart against a brother of another color. Sad!

[Praxeas]

No They don't ALL do that. This tripe you guys are posting here happens in ALL churches not just Oneness Apostolic. And NOT all OP churches are like that. Come on guys be a little more sane when posting

[Truthseeker]

Mal 2:10

10 Have we not all one father ? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
KJV

[berkeley]

Some still use the "culture shock" excuse. And here I thought we made some progress since the 60's. But, what can you really expect from churches full of hillbillies and white-mexicans.*grin*

[ThePastorsCoach]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Bishop, I completely agree with you. Unfortunately, my experience doesn't work out quite the same. I am on the Board for Emmaus. We got some complaints not long ago because we don't have anyone "of color" (their words, not mine) on the board. I asked what they would like us to do and was told that we should make sure that next time we have elections, we have several people of color running for the positions. So now it's time for elections. We have 5 positions open. 4000 members in this organization. And we've made more phone calls than I care to count. Not one person of color was willing to say "yes" to running for the Board.

If they had agreed to run, it is a given that they would have gotten on the Board. We have 5 positions open and only 5 people running for those positions. It seems NO ONE wants to be in leadership

Well............... I don't know your org but here it is from my perspective. I was invited to sit as a visiting Bishop on the General Board of a large Black org. The Presiding Bishop invited me to get a "different perspective". I did sit with them but the looks some gave me and the comments that some made after I spoke - were demeaning and outright rude. The Bishop did correct them as I was there as his guest - but some did not want me and it did make me uncomfortable.
It could be that these would feel uncomfortable in having to be the one to break the ice!
I did get a call from a Black Network yesterday that has only black preachers on - they have been looking at my MY SPACE page and our Website and asked me to come on board at no expense to me - just to break the racial barrier! It is working for me! PTL!

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

No They don't ALL do that. This tripe you guys are posting here happens in ALL churches not just Oneness Apostolic. And NOT all OP churches are like that. Come on guys be a little more sane when posting

No one says all do and no one says it's just OP. I'm refering to the some.

[ThePastorsCoach]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

No They don't ALL do that. This tripe you guys are posting here happens in ALL churches not just Oneness Apostolic. And NOT all OP churches are like that. Come on guys be a little more sane when posting

No one is pointing fingers at the UPC or OP's - Good grief! Racism don't happen in ALL churches - I will not allow it in the church I pastor!

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

Well............... I don't know your org but here it is from my perspective. I was invited to sit as a visiting Bishop on the General Board of a large Black org. The Presiding Bishop invited me to get a "different perspective". I did sit with them but the looks some gave me and the comments that some made after I spoke - were demeaning and outright rude. The Bishop did correct them as I was there as his guest - but some did not want me and it did make me uncomfortable.
It could be that these would feel uncomfortable in having to be the one to break the ice!
I did get a call from a Black Network yesterday that has only black preachers on - they have been looking at my MY SPACE page and our Website and asked me to come on board at no expense to me - just to break the racial barrier! It is working for me! PTL!

I really do understand, AB. I've talked with the board president about it. I have friends who are AA and have visited their churches many times. You really have to be in that position before you can understand how it feels to be the only one of your race and culture sitting in a room (or worshipping in a sanctuary). Unfortunately, because we're all human, it is an uncomfortable position to be in very often. So I understand. I sincerely wish I knew what we, as a predominately white organization, could do to reach out to those of us who are AA and make them feel more comfortable.

[tamor]

Originally Posted by bishoph

AB gave the solution!
As a pastor I made sure that visible leadership was diverse. It will not happen by accident, the pastor always practices what they really believe in this matter, and the church follows. If a pastor lives in an area where there is great diversity he must take steps to develop leaders representative of that diversity who are visible viable leaders not just token members. When this is done, people who come will recognize someone like them who is truly a part of the vision of the church and they will feel much more comfortable coming on board.

I have purposely recruited or elevated blacks, hispanics, and asians for key leadership positions in the church, which always resulted in a multicultural church.

You got it. The church will mirror the platform. Alot of folks say they want a multi-racial/multi-cultural church but their leadership is lily white. It ain't gonna happen.