Black History

I must admit that I have a problem with Black History Month.  There, I said it and I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders.  Black History Month is problematic for me because it places the importance of the historical accomplishments of a people on the calendar to be discussed and elevated for simply one month...the shortest month...to compete with love and roses...February.  My issue is not with the dynamic efforts of Carter G. Woodson or those who, with bold determination, legislated and placed it on the calendar for observation.  Kudos to them. 

My contention is with black churches and black households who have relegated the examination and celebration of THEIR history to only one month out of the year.  The stories of those, here and now, will fade into the past forever if we are not deliberately sharing and communicating the truth of "who we are" and "where we come from" with those in our lives today.  Inventions developed.  Problems solved.  Records broken.  Lives saved.  Life made better.  The struggles.  The victories.  The reality.  The stories are endless and they sit in our churches, in our homes and in our communities.  Untold.   

This is a problem and it can be dealt with in a variety of ways:

1. Choose one Sunday out of the each month and have one of your youth make a Black History presentation.  Allow them to pick the subject, you might be pleasantly surprised.

2. Periodically, choose an elder from your church to make a presentation on notable events that have occured in their lifetime, emphasis is on their involvement.

3. Find ways to get the elders and the younger ones together.  In church.  Out of church.  Saturday lunch.  Sporting events.  Social functions.  Nothing fancy.  Something fancy.  Just get together.  Start the dialog.  Share your story.  Listen to hear their story (you might learn something).  

4. At your family or church functions, and in your communities set aside some time to talk and to listen to those around you.  Young and old alike.

5. Every month add a Black History quiz to your bulletins.  Believe me when I say that there's is enough information available to carry you through the year.

I guarantee you will find someone who was in the Civil Rights Marches, someone who played in the Negro Leagues, someone who owned a business and flourished, someone who faced the ugliness of racism and overcame its effects, and maybe someone who was a racist and wants to atone.  The only way to find these stories of truth and the power to overcome is by talking.  Listening. 

Mission Statement

At Greater New Light we are striving toward excellence in our mission to promote Christ; in our purpose to support one another; in our responsible handling of our personal and collective finances, and in our desire to fully utilize our spiritual gifts. 

Statements of Faith

We, the members of the Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church, are striving toward excellence.

Excellence, in our caring and nurturing relationships for one another.  Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Excellence, in our verbal support to encourage and motivate one another.  Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Excellence, in the ways in which we utilize, and account for, our monetary blessings.  1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Excellence, in our private and public devotion to the Most High God.  1 Thessalonians 5:16 to 18 says that we are to, "Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is thw eill of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

Excellence, in our desire to decrease that Christ might increase in our lives.  Note the words of John the Baptist regarding his service to Christ, "He [Christ] must increase, but I [John] must decrease" (John 3:30). 

Excellence, in our comitment to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Just as Christ gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles our prayer is that we might recieve the same, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:21, 22).

And excellence, in our willingness to utilize our spiritual gifts and personal talents to magnify the goodness of the Lord in our lives.  1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

We are a church and a people striving toward excellence!

Featured Article

Is Forgiveness Necessary?

(Matthew 6:14,15)

Forgiveness is an amazing concept.  Simply stated, the deeds done wrong TO YOU, are to be forgiven BY YOU, to the one who WRONGED YOU.  

Think about it... 

• You bring me hurt, and because of the need for forgiveness, I bring you friendship. 
• You bring me drama, because of forgiveness, I bring you love. 
• You anger me...I make you smile. 
• You frustrate me...I help to ease your confusion. 
• You disappointment me...I am there for you.
• You ridicule me...I support your best efforts.
• You walked away from me when I needed you...I am here for you when you need me.

Forgiveness can be such a burden for the forgiver.  We are basically charged to take the worst that others might bring into our lives and we are expected to give them our best.  Forgiveness is often the last human construct that we latch on to before we totally submit to the God.

"Lord, I give you my life, but I can't forgive them for the way they treated me years ago."

"Lord, I'll do what you want me to do, and I'll go where you want me to go, but I can't forgive them for what they said about me.  I just can't let go of my hurt and my pain."

Forgiveness is not easy, and letting go of hurt or maltreatment requires something, or Someone, bigger than yourself.

Remember the words of Christ, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt 6:14,15 KJV). 

The flipside to not forgiving others is the denial of the forgiveness you seek from God. 

• Don't block your blessings.
• Ask God for forgiveness of your sins.
• Forgive others of their sins toward you.
• Move on!!!

-Pastor Jones-