Why aren't there more African Americans in the UPC or the leadership of the UPC??? - Page 2

LadyRev · #11 10-10-2007, 10:24 AM

In the little town of Covington TN exists a rarity.

A church founded and pastored by a woman...a white woman. The congregation is and always has been 99-100% black. Its still there. Been there for years. As far as I know, Sis. Dolly Willingham is still pastoring it but she was having some health problems.

No one loves their pastor more than these people. Their services are awesome and they get with it like many white folks can only dream of doing. Its something to see and experience.

Sis. Willingham's deceased husband did not want any part of a black church so he attended the church I went to in nearby Millington.

The Millington church has always been mixed. Its not half and half but it has always had a good number of african americans.

Covington has another UPC church that was all white years ago and remains 99% white to this day. This church existed first and story goes that years ago blacks were not welcome there.

Sis. Willingham, originally out of the Millington church under Pastor Hazel Simpson's ministry, felt a burden for the blacks in the area and began the work in Covington.

Many evangelists have passed through and preached for Sis. Willingham. They all tell stories of awesome revival services and the incredible love and loyalty of a black congregation to a white woman pastor who loves them just as much.

Digging4Truth · #12 10-10-2007, 10:25 AM

I think this....

There are differences in culture between blacks & whites & hispanics etc. When a church is predominately black, predominately white, predominately hispanic etc then that church more truly reflects the culture of that group.

Now there should be no qualms whatsoever when anyone from another race comes to our churches. If you have a negative feeling when you see someone from another race come into your church then you might want to do a little soul searching.

But to say that it is a "racist" thing for there to be a predominately black church, predominately white church etc is to "pre"judge the situation. (And isn't that the definition of prejudice?)

Blacks may have a church that is predominately their race because they want to worship in the fashion that is most reflective of who they are as a person. They same may go for hispanics, asians, whites etc.

That, in and of itself, is not a problem and does not necessarily denote racism.

The problem comes in when someone from another race walks into your church and you have a problem with that.

For there to be a "black" church and a "white" church in town is not necessarily a sign of racism. It could be no more than a sign of people of varying cultural makeups gathering together with people of like precious faith and who have similar worship styles.

To want churches to combine just because one doesn't like the "segregation" that they think they see is to force 2 distinct cultures to combine and, possibly in the end, lose the uniqueness of both.

DividedThigh · #13 10-10-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I think this....

There are differences in culture between blacks & whites & hispanics etc. When a church is predominately black, predominately white, predominately hispanic etc then that church more truly reflects the culture of that group.

Now there should be no qualms whatsoever when anyone from another race comes to our churches. If you have a negative feeling when you see someone from another race come into your church then you might want to do a little soul searching.

But to say that it is a "racist" thing for there to be a predominately black church, predominately white church etc is to "pre"judge the situation. (And isn't that the definition of prejudice?)

Blacks may have a church that is predominately their race because they want to worship in the fashion that is most reflective of who they are as a person. They same may go for hispanics, asians, whites etc.

That, in and of itself, is not a problem and does not necessarily denote racism.

The problem comes in when someone from another race walks into your church and you have a problem with that.

For there to be a "black" church and a "white" church in town is not necessarily a sign of racism. It could be no more than a sign of people of varying cultural makeups gathering together with people of like precious faith and who have similar worship styles.

To want churches to combine just because one doesn't like the "segregation" that they think they see is to force 2 distinct cultures to combine and, possibly in the end, lose the uniqueness of both.

very well put my brother, wisdom beyond your years and understanding beyond most people, dt

Trouvere · #14 10-10-2007, 10:31 AM

Our church is mixed but we live in a very racist area.Not the whites but the blacks.I work some place where its very evident and ugly.Sorry its not all the whites fault.Have you ever considered that an AA might not want to come to your church because you are white? I know you were not the one to enslave their great grandparents but feelings run deep and it takes alot of Holy Ghost to overcome years of hatred and ill feelings.

My BIL and SIL wanted a baby very much and gave money to the childrens home society but in five years never received a baby.She finally called them and threatened with a lawyer.They simply replied "Mrs.Cooper we don't have any white babies to give you and we want to put people in to be raised with their own ethnic culture." She said,"I will get a lawyer if you do not and want a baby no matter what culture it is." In one week they got the baby which is of Cuban parentage.My BIL is dark with black hair and this child is told she looks just like her dad all the time.People are strange and they like to pass along their prejudices.Its not all on the part of "the white people."
I have alot of black girlfriends who quite frankly don't want to attend a predominately white church.I like either because I grew up in an area that
was 90% black.To each his own I say.God knows all things.

DividedThigh · #15 10-10-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Our church is mixed but we live in a very racist area.Not the whites but the blacks.I work some place where its very evident and ugly.Sorry its not all the whites fault.Have you ever considered that an AA might not want to come to your church because you are white? I know you were not the one to enslave their great grandparents but feelings run deep and it takes alot of Holy Ghost to overcome years of hatred and ill feelings.

My BIL and SIL wanted a baby very much and gave money to the childrens home society but in five years never received a baby.She finally called them and threatened with a lawyer.They simply replied "Mrs.Cooper we don't have any white babies to give you and we want to put people in to be raised with their own ethnic culture." She said,"I will get a lawyer if you do not and want a baby no matter what culture it is." In one week they got the baby which is of Cuban parentage.My BIL is dark with black hair and this child is told she looks just like her dad all the time.People are strange and they like to pass along their prejudices.Its not all on the part of "the white people."
I have alot of black girlfriends who quite frankly don't want to attend a predominately white church.I like either because I grew up in an area that
was 90% black.To each his own I say.God knows all things.

amen sis, you have a great church there, good leaders who love all, dt

RevBuddy · #16 10-10-2007, 10:35 AM

Digging4Truth:

Your views are alarming to me...it's this kind of thinking that has held the organization back tremendously...there's no wisdom here... "black" churches..."white" churches...you've got to be kidding me???

If this attitude wasn't so hurtful, it would be laughable. Generalizations are always just that, but in general, we have not be very welcoming of minorities. I've gone to "work days" at campgrounds and heard ethnic jokes told (from district leaders!)...I've heard district leaders use the "n" word.

Let's get real here...we got a long way to go on this issue...and we will continue to be held back by "black" church - "white" church thinking...

josh · #17 10-10-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

There is a precious young AA* lady in our church who recently married a PAW fella from out of state and it caused me to ask this question. Why on earth would any AA family with children want to join up with the UPC?

This young lady's mom was an Olympic sprinter and has a college degree, and in my mind would have been a wonderful catch for any man.

You also don't see any (to my knowledge) any AA's in the UPC leadership.

Why is that?

*African American

Hey, we heard you were coming down for a visit and were looking for you...

I guess OP scared you off!!!LOL

Trouvere · #18 10-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Thanks DT we do.I love it here.The church is fired up and praying.No matter who walks in the door they are welcome.One of the Sisters was traveling on a bus and met a man from Haiti and witnessed to him.He was a pastor.She shared Jesus Name Baptism.He went back to baptise his congregations.Congregations did you catch that? Our pastor is supposed to preach in his city for a conference coming up.She has gotten cancer and this man traveled back to pray with her and attend services here.God is good.
The ladies name is Sis.Charlotte Weber.

Trouvere · #19 10-10-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevBuddy

Digging4Truth:

Your views are alarming to me...it's this kind of thinking that has held the organization back tremendously...there's no wisdom here... "black" churches..."white" churches...you've got to be kidding me???

If this attitude wasn't so hurtful, it would be laughable. Generalizations are always just that, but in general, we have not be very welcoming of minorities. I've gone to "work days" at campgrounds and heard ethnic jokes told (from district leaders!)...I've heard district leaders use the "n" word.

Let's get real here...we got a long way to go on this issue...and we will continue to be held back by "black" church - "white" church thinking...

I guess it depends who you hang around huh? Who is we?

DividedThigh · #20 10-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Thanks DT we do.I love it here.The church is fired up and praying.No matter who walks in the door they are welcome.One of the Sisters was traveling on a bus and met a man from Haiti and witnessed to him.He was a pastor.She shared Jesus Name Baptism.He went back to baptise his congregations.Congregations did you catch that? Our pastor is supposed to preach in his city for a conference coming up.She has gotten cancer and this man traveled back to pray with her and attend services here.God is good.
The ladies name is Sis.Charlotte Weber.

that is what i am talking about, go church, god bless you,dt