Apostolic Friends Forum - Good News in Memphis

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Good News in Memphis

With all the bad things that have happened in Memphis the past few months, I made an appointment and had a very candid conversation with a man of God who is starting a new work. We talked about evangelism, revival, the needs of the city, the importance of reaching ones neighborhood/mission field . If those in your neighborhood aren't being won and your church appears to be more geared towards heritage and "professional Pentecostals", what is the purpose? The city is going to hell in sin and degradation while we're running aisles talking about the great church we're having.. .....and then, back to the suburbs we go. After talking to this man of God , i left the meeting feeling like someone FINALLY gets it. Until every race and social "class" (from the millionaire to the prostitute) feels they belong, there will be no revival.

Sunday, we attended the first service with about 50 in attendance. I felt the power of God throughout the service.. ...void of agendas. I share the vision of
the pastor for a REAL multicultural church in this city in which constituents do not assimilate but are accepted and used (even in leadership) regardless of race, ethnicity, financial status. Thankful for a revelation to reach the city and KEEP the fish that are caught by making everyone welcome. The Apostolics of Memphis. .......we are here!

Re: Good News in Memphis

Hmmmmm.....doing the math you must be a new member of DE's church!

Re: Good News in Memphis

Yes; DE is the under shepherd.

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memporganist (Post 1214114)

sad to hear Memphis still thinks there is more than ONE race:shifty REGARDLESS of skin tones we are all of ONE race....HUMAN RACE!:girlytantrum and yet the reason why my family left TPC and that city!

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memporganist (Post 1214114)

One can only hope that something positive comes out of the mess that was TB's making. Glad you posted positively...

God bless. (BTW- God's church is CLEAR. ):nod

Re: Good News in Memphis

Just the word Apostolic shows there is an agenda.

Re: Good News in Memphis

Do they have a website?

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memporganist (Post 1214116)

Yes; DE is the under shepherd.

I'm wondering, does DE have any leadership or pastor over him? I'm assuming by under shepherd you mean under shepherd and the Lord is the Shepherd?

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv1a (Post 1214188)

Just the word Apostolic shows there is an agenda.

What?

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peacemaker (Post 1214205)

I'm wondering, does DE have any leadership or pastor over him? I'm assuming by under shepherd you mean under shepherd and the Lord is the Shepherd?

:smack N2thaO

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzchild (Post 1214131)

I respect you: but.......(I have an opinion on that)... Here's where the word "race" enters in my vocabulary (plain and simple). When a predominately white church (white in not just color, but culture...music style etc) moves into a neighborhood that evolves over the years into a predominately black neighborhood (83% in the zip code as of the 2010 census, to be exact) and yet continues to have a predominance of white people in its congregation, with a "white style" of music and proclaim they're having revival........something is wrong. The mission field is not being affected nor touched as the majority of the constituents jump in their cars and leave church after service heading away from the neighborhood. In fact, the very fact that all the churches have moved farther FROM the city they CLAIM they're reaching says something in itself. Putting it simply: if a green man builds a church in a neighborhood where most people are purple, and yet the church grows full of green men and the green men comprise all leadership roles....yet the MISSION field is comprised of purple people it almost goes without saying that there is a blatant disregard and "no care" about the purple folks.

That "one race" thing sounds good on paper and how GREAT it would be if we didn't see black/white. But in the reality of things we ARE all different because of our cultures. Sometimes, what is deemed as racial hatred is more (in actuality) racial insensitivity. And....we call it "race", but it's often merely differences in culture. Not better. Different.

These are generalities, so PLEASE don't blast me out the water (lol): Black people, for example, listen to a different type of music (in general) than white people. We cook differently. We worship differently. A 'black church' is (in general) more vibrant and demonstrative than a 'white church' all the way down to the choir. Not good. Not bad. Different.

We expect some things in the "world". It IS the world, after all. The problem is when a church that is predominated by one race: white, black, yellow, purple or green attracts those of a different skin color/race/ethnicity (or whatever you choose to call it) and yet expects the other ethnicity/culture/race to assimilate "and become like us" to "fit in".

If you have never been the minority in a situation, you can't understand. And when one speaks out and voices their opinion, here come the criticizers who (once again) cannot say they have experienced the issue first hand. It's not just a black/white thing either. If I was sent to minister in an area that is majority Asian I can't expect them to come worship and "be just like me". I have to respect their culture.

One thing is certain: I sat in a church that had a multiplicity of white, black and yellow folks walk through the door over the past 20 years. It boasted of a "multicultural" status. Just having "bodies" present doesn't make you multicultural or prove you "look at all races the same". When we are TRULY blind to race, you see a "rainbow" in the pulpit, choir, music department leadership, board of directors...At THAT time, the church will have arrived at a place where race/culture/economic status/sex/ethnicity doesn't matter.

The problem is NOT that we are different in many ways. God MADE us different, and our cultural upbringing aided in that, too. The problem is when grown folks...black, white, yellow, cannot sit around a table and TALK about the differences and try to understand each other and learn to appreciate our differences because we're individuals and because our cultures have ingrained something within us that make all of us unique (as individuals and groups of people).

Memphis is very vocal about 'race'. However, I'm not from Memphis. I went to school in South Bend, Indiana. I was born and spent my first 13 years in New Jersey. Newsflash: racism is NOT absent in those places either. We kid ourselves to think that simply not talking about it or addressing it means it is not a problem. Be the minority in ANY situation. You will soon find out that you ARE the minority.

Re: Good News in Memphis

Only hate and racisim sees color my brotha......I HAVE been/AM the minority, so I DO understand very clearly! Memphis is more than "vocal"...they are plain ignorant...plain and simple! The blacks hate you if you are mixed, whites hate you if you are mixed......and that city is full of hatered and plays the "race card" in everything possible! It was TPC "sAINTS" that made a mockery and it was made clear...and SIMPLE....mixed families were NOT welcomed by the WHITE (some of the ministers), choir leader, and Terry Black all of whom HID behind their false chritianity. It was only the families of the "same color" that was made to feel at "home". I wont make an argument out of this bc it is heated enough with all of TPC and their issues with a man who preached "dont do"...while all the time he was doing the dont do's! Have a good day Bro. N.

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memporganist (Post 1214371)

Memphis is very vocal about 'race'. However, I'm not from Memphis. I went to school in South Bend, Indiana. I was born and spent my first 13 years in New Jersey. Newsflash: racism is NOT absent in those places either. We kid ourselves to think that simply not talking about it or addressing it means it is not a problem. Be the minority in ANY situation. You will soon find out that you ARE the minority.

South Bend eh? Maybe I know you?

Re: Good News in Memphis

Quote:

Originally Posted by memporganist (Post 1214371)

i respect you: But.......(i have an opinion on that)... Here's where the word "race" enters in my vocabulary (plain and simple). When a predominately white church (white in not just color, but culture...music style etc) moves into a neighborhood that evolves over the years into a predominately black neighborhood (83% in the zip code as of the 2010 census, to be exact) and yet continues to have a predominance of white people in its congregation, with a "white style" of music and proclaim they're having revival........something is wrong. The mission field is not being affected nor touched as the majority of the constituents jump in their cars and leave church after service heading away from the neighborhood. In fact, the very fact that all the churches have moved farther from the city they claim they're reaching says something in itself. Putting it simply: If a green man builds a church in a neighborhood where most people are purple, and yet the church grows full of green men and the green men comprise all leadership roles....yet the mission field is comprised of purple people it almost goes without saying that there is a blatant disregard and "no care" about the purple folks.

That "one race" thing sounds good on paper and how great it would be if we didn't see black/white. But in the reality of things we are all different because of our cultures. Sometimes, what is deemed as racial hatred is more (in actuality) racial insensitivity. And....we call it "race", but it's often merely differences in culture. Not better. Different.

These are generalities, so please don't blast me out the water (lol): Black people, for example, listen to a different type of music (in general) than white people. We cook differently. We worship differently. A 'black church' is (in general) more vibrant and demonstrative than a 'white church' all the way down to the choir. Not good. Not bad. Different.

We expect some things in the "world". It is the world, after all. The problem is when a church that is predominated by one race: White, black, yellow, purple or green attracts those of a different skin color/race/ethnicity (or whatever you choose to call it) and yet expects the other ethnicity/culture/race to assimilate "and become like us" to "fit in".

If you have never been the minority in a situation, you can't understand. And when one speaks out and voices their opinion, here come the criticizers who (once again) cannot say they have experienced the issue first hand. It's not just a black/white thing either. If i was sent to minister in an area that is majority asian i can't expect them to come worship and "be just like me". I have to respect their culture.

One thing is certain: I sat in a church that had a multiplicity of white, black and yellow folks walk through the door over the past 20 years. It boasted of a "multicultural" status. Just having "bodies" present doesn't make you multicultural or prove you "look at all races the same". When we are truly blind to race, you see a "rainbow" in the pulpit, choir, music department leadership, board of directors...at that time, the church will have arrived at a place where race/culture/economic status/sex/ethnicity doesn't matter.

The problem is not that we are different in many ways. God made us different, and our cultural upbringing aided in that, too. The problem is when grown folks...black, white, yellow, cannot sit around a table and talk about the differences and try to understand each other and learn to appreciate our differences because we're individuals and because our cultures have ingrained something within us that make all of us unique (as individuals and groups of people).

Memphis is very vocal about 'race'. However, i'm not from memphis. I went to school in south bend, indiana. I was born and spent my first 13 years in new jersey. Newsflash: Racism is not absent in those places either. We kid ourselves to think that simply not talking about it or addressing it means it is not a problem. Be the minority in any situation. You will soon find out that you are the minority.

this is so telling it like it is-i'm 100% knowning what you're talking about: Truth!!!!