Shepastor: “Confident Thanksgiving and Praise”

 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100, KJV

 

It is Thanksgiving week in America. However, many may be struggling to be thankful in this season. Many are struggling with the loss of loved ones, employment and “Covid fatigue.” Frontline workers are exhausted, struggling as they work in over crowded hospital wards, intubated patients, grieving families and limited PPE. Our Nation is deeply divided over a plethora of issues. It’s a tough time! How do we “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise?”

Let’s consider the following…

We serve a God that loves and cares about us.  The psalmist said, “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.  For the Lord is good, his mercy is ever lasting and His truth endureth to all generations.

We can thank God even before we see the answer, because we have the confidence that He is the answer.  We have the confidence that God can and will take care of His own.  We can thank and praise God with confidence because when we trust God, we know that no matter what comes, God is going to carry us through.  Yes, we face disappointments.  Yes, we face trials and tribulations. Yes, we have struggles and pain.  But God carries us through them all. 

The child of God will face trials and struggles, but the child of God knows that God is right there by his or her side, leading, guiding, comforting, encouraging, loving, supporting, providing, making a way.  He promised never to leave us or forsake us.  He promised to give us springs in the desert.  He promised to make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth in our lives.  He promised that no weapon formed against us would prosper.  He promised that when the enemy comes in like a flood, His Spirit would raise up a standard against him.

God said, 

I am the Lord that healeth thee.  Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. ² When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  Isaiah 43:1-2 (ASV)

In other words, child of God, there’s nothing that you will face in this life that God cannot see you through.  You may feel as though you can’t make it, you can’t take it, but stand upon God’s Word and declare, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”  Sometimes God changes our situation and circumstances and sometimes God changes us.  Sometimes God moves mountains and sometimes God moves us.  Sometimes God heals our bodies, and sometimes He simply heals our minds and spirits.

God’s Word in Philippians 4 encourages us not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we should let our requests be made known unto God. The promise is that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

Today, I encourage you to choose thanksgiving and praise. Even in the midst of your struggle and trial, choose confidently to bless and praise the Lord. Meditate upon all that you do have. Honor the Lord for all that He has already carried you through. Thank Him for your life. Praise Him for salvation. Trust Him for your future. Be confident, not in yourself, but in His faithfulness. God will carry you through!

This Thanksgiving and always,

May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: Master Class Highlights, "When God Sends Women..."

 ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28: 8-10, NIV

 

Shepastor: “When God Sends Women…”

Jesus’ ministry was inclusive. He did not adhere to the societal norms that marginalized and disenfranchised people based upon their race, gender, religion or ethnicity. Jesus loves us. This particular passage of scripture shows how Jesus was not concerned about the fact that those who came to the tomb first were women. He did not dismiss them and say, “Go get men. These women can’t carry my message!” 
NO! Jesus entrusted the women with the first word from the tomb! “Tell them that I am ALIVE!!!”

What an honor and blessing it was to the meet each week, November 2nd, 9th and 16th, 2020, with BEAUTIFUL Sisters who came together to listen, share and participate in the 3 week Master Class, “When God Sends Women,” (Based upon my book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors, Judson Press, 2013) on the weekly Zoom Women’s Ministry program, “Let’s Talk.” Women shared openly and transparently as we explored together the concept and realities of the “Stained Glass Ceiling.”

We discussed barriers spoken and unspoken, words of wisdom, caution and encouragement and the importance of ”allies and power brokers.” I owe a special debt of gratitude to Rev. Jewel M. London and Dr. Carol Lynn Patterson who invited me to teach the class and provided their platforms weekly for the sessions. They also embraced, advanced and continue to advocate for the “Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Endowment” for African American Women Senior Pastors of small, struggling congregations. I also shout out Pastor Patty Harris for sharing her radio platform for the replays of the classes. You can still hear session 3 on “Free Your Mind,” (See flyer above). To God be the glory for the GREAT things He has done!!!

While the class was free, participants were encouraged to make a donation to the Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Endowment (select the pull down menu and click on ISOE Beyond the Stained Glass Endowment). This fund was born out of a desire to help African American women pastors to survive and thrive. So often women in general and African American women in particular find themselves only receiving calls to “Lazarus” churches (learn more about that in the class!). This endowment will offer 2 grants per year to two selected pastors based upon the grant criteria.

During Session 3, we invited “allies and power brokers,” to join us. We were blessed by the presence and words of Rev. Miriam Mendez, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey; Rev. Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Pastor of Eastern Star Church of Indianapolis; and. Bro. Vincent Dent, Chief Development Officer of the American Baptist Home Missions Societies.

Each guest shared their own personal experiences as or with women in ministry, the authenticity of our calls, the importance and necessity of our leadership and the necessary response of the Church. I also thank my own spiritual father, my seminary pastor, the Rev. Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy, for speaking to us about his history of learning and serving alongside women in ministry, as well as the doors the Lord has blessed him to open for women pastors, including me!

While the class has ended, the mission continues! We praise God for those who not only verbally recognize, but support and advocate for the women God chooses to send! May we continue to press on, by faith!

 (To support the Stained-Glass Ceiling Endowed Fund give online at ABHMS and click the GIVE NOW button and access the drop down menu and select ISOE Stained Glass Endowment or mail your check with “Stained Glass Endowment” in the memo section to: American Baptist Home Mission Societies, 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. If you have any questions about giving, please contact ABHMS’ chief development officer, Vincent Dent at vincent.dent@abhms.org or 610.768.2420.)

In faith, hope and perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: "When God Sends Women..."

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28: 8-10, NIV

 

Shepastor: “When God Sends Women…”

Jesus’ ministry was inclusive. He did not adhere to the societal norms that marginalized and disenfranchised people based upon their race, gender, religion or ethnicity. Jesus loves us. This particular passage of scripture shows how Jesus was not concerned about the fact that those who came to the tomb first were women. He did not dismiss them and say, “Go get men. These women can’t carry my message!” NO! Jesus entrusted the women with the first word from the tomb! “Tell them that I am ALIVE!!!”

In the upcoming Master Class, “When God Sends Women,” I am privileged to share the lessons from my book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors. The classes will explore experiences of women pastors…words of wisdom, caution, encouragement and insight. Classes will also highlight current and past trends regarding the disparities and inequities women pastors face as they seek and answer pastoral ministry calls. Participants will also have an opportunity to engage "Power Brokers," those who stand on "the other side of the door" and help advocate for women pastors!

While the class is free, participants are encouraged to make a donation to the Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Endowment (select the pull down menu and click on ISOE Beyond the Stained Glass Endowment). This fund was born out of a desire to help African American women pastors to survive and thrive. So often women in general and African American women in particular find themselves only receiving calls to “Lazarus” churches (learn more about that in the class!). This endowment will offer 2 grants per year to two selected pastors based upon the grant criteria.

I thank my wonderful and beautiful Clergy Sisters, Rev. Jewel M. London and Rev. Dr. Carol L. Patterson for inviting me to teach this class. These GREAT Women of God are doing PHENOMENAL THINGS in the Kingdom and are truly lifting others as they climb.

Register for the class, “When God Sends Women” featured on “Let’s Talk,” today!

Follow the links below to purchase the book and to register for the class...

Please join us for a 3-week Master Class (Mondays, November 2^nd, 9^th, and 16^th, 8:00 p.m., EST) for women called to Pastor. The class is based on Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors. Please order your book directly from the author and facilitator, Pastor Christine A. Smith (Let's Talk Week 5).

 

Master Class begins Monday, November 2 so click here to Order Book today - shepastorchris.org/my-book

 

Click Here to Register for the Master Class: "When God Sends Women" http://bit.ly/CTPMasterClass

 (To support the Stained-Glass Ceiling Endowed Fund give online at ABHMS and click the GIVE NOW button and access the drop down menu and select ISOE Stained Glass Endowment or mail your check with “Stained Glass Endowment” in the memo section to: American Baptist Home Mission Societies, 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. If you have any questions about giving, please contact ABHMS’ chief development officer, Vincent Dent at vincent.dent@abhms.org or 610.768.2420.)

In faith, hope and perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Six Reasons Why We Should Vote…”

 

Jeremiah 29:7 Common English Bible (CEB)

⁷ Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare. Jeremiah 29:7, CEB

The year 2020 has been a challenging, strange and painful year for many, to say the least. To date, over 210 thousand people in America have succumbed to COVID-19. Many small businesses and individuals have been devastated by the economic avalanche prompted by the pandemic. Families have not been able to mourn and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died in the ways to which they are accustomed, honoring their sacred traditions. Many places of worship have had to shift from in person worship to some form of technological means. The nation is deeply divided along racial, theoretical, economical and ethical lines.

On top of all of this, we are in the throws of one of the most contentious presidential elections in modern history. Many are so exhausted and daunted that they are losing hope. Numbers of young people are looking on in disbelief. Some have even suggested that their votes will not matter. But before you join the “What’s the point” club, consider the following reasons why we all should vote…

    1.    Voting is your way of having a say… When you cast your vote for presidential candidates, judges, levy’s, council representatives, and any number of issues, you are adding your voice of agreement or disagreement. Your vote could literally change the course of history! When you neglect voting, you are voting by default!

      2.    Voting is your responsibility as a citizen… Everyone can complain. Everyone can talk about what is wrong. But when we vote, we participate in the election process. When we don’t vote, we have no right to complain about the way things are. To be a responsible citizen is to take part in the process. 

3.    3.  Voting empowers you to help make a difference…     In the words of our focus scripture verse, “Promote the welfare of the City…” When we vote, we have an opportunity to promote, move forward and positively influence the places where we reside. Issues regarding health care, jobs, wages, fair and equal standards, diversity, immigration, the environment, education, etc., all rely upon the voices of the people. Congress is moved by their electorate. They represent us! When we don’t vote, we leave them to their own devices and those of the lobbyists. Money, not your best interests govern.

 4.    People died so that we could vote… Blood was shed. Bodies were beaten. People mobilized and marched. Individuals were attacked by dogs, blasted by water hoses, burned, lynched, humiliated, jailed…all so that all citizens in America would have the right to vote. Voting rights were EXPENSIVE to obtain. We must honor, be grateful for and appreciate this right, not only with words, but with the action of voting.

 

   5.    People die unnecessarily when we don’t vote… There are those who suggest that young people aren’t moved by the reality that people died for their right to vote. If you feel that way you must consider that people are dying unnecessarily when you don’t vote. We need your voices to help demolish antiquated, unjust, racist systems that perpetuate models of brutality and death. We need your votes to help improve upon and expand systems that show promise, but need an overhaul. You need to vote, if for no other reason, than that you should be concerned about the country and the planet that will be left for you.

 6.    You should vote because your life depends upon it…The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people, “Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare…” Your future, our future and our welfare, our wellbeing, our prosperity, our health depends upon the communities, nation and world we build. Here in America, that is determined by our vote. Our prayers must be coupled with our action of voting. Some will argue that the Electoral College makes the determination and not our vote. But remember, the Electoral College is influenced by our vote. When we vote in mass, we can far surpass the 270 electoral votes for a president to win. Also remember, the president is only one branch of a three-branch government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial). Even when our preferred leader does not win, we can still influence outcomes by having a balanced legislative branch (the House and the Senate).

Use your voice. VOTE!!!

In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org

 

Shepastor: “New Members of the Great Cloud of Witnesses…”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12: 1, NLT

This passage of scripture is written in direct connection to Hebrews chapter 11, which has frequently been referred to as the “Hall of Faith.” The “Great Cloud of Witnesses” refers to those women and men in chapter 11, who remained faithful to God through many struggles, trials, hardships, persecutions, miracles, victories and even death. Our focus verse for today reminds us of their faith, and that they are “looking on,” encouraging us to continue to run our appointed race through faith, patience and grace.

In the past few days, in America and for us in the Greater Cleveland/Akron, Ohio area, we recognize the earthly loss of several giants of faith and social justice. Today, Shepastor pauses to honor the lives and the legacies of these great individuals who now have joined our “cheering squad” in the heavenly realms, taking up their places among that powerful group of witnesses…

 

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, aka, “RBG…” (1933-2020)

Affectionately called “R.B.G.” by her supporters, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has inspired generations of women to break gender barriers. Even after facing gender discrimination as she pursued her academic goals, Ginsburg forged ahead and became the second woman--and first Jewish woman--to serve on the Supreme Court. Read more at https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ruth-bader-ginsburg

 

The Rev. Dr. Diana L. Swoope, Senior Pastor, Arlington Street Church of God, Akron, Ohio (1955-2020)

“Never apologize for being a woman or being a pastor.”

That’s what Diana Swoope heard from her mentor, Pastor Ronald Fowler of Akron’s Arlington Church of God. Fowler broke ground not only when he hired Swoope as an intern in 1981 then later promoted her to assistant pastor, but the big move was in 2009.

That was when Fowler recommended Swoope replace him as head pastor of one of Akron’s largest and most prestigious African-American churches. Read more at https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/09/dr-diana-swoope-dies-a-pioneer-pastor-a-friend-to-those-battling-cancer-faith-you-terry-pluto.html

 

Bishop J. Delano Ellis, II, Metropolitan-Arch Bishop of the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, Pentecostal Churches of Christ (1944-2020)

Bishop J. Delano Ellis II, a Black church official who started Pentecostal organizations and emphasized ecumenism, died over the weekend.

Over the course of his career, the Philadelphia native was a teacher, pastor and a chief of chaplains in the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol.

But J. Delano Ellis was also among a group of “High-Church Pentecostal” clerics who in the 1990s became known for adorning their necks with Roman collars, wearing priestly garments with links to their African heritage and reciting the Nicene Creed. They were part of a trend that reshaped a portion of American Black religion. "Traditionally ... the Pentecostal church maintained its ardor but was never really known for its order," the bishop, then president of the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ, told Religion News Service in 1995. "What we're discovering ... is that order is not blasphemous. Order best represents God." Read more at https://religionnews.com/2020/09/21/high-church-pentecostal-leader-j-delano-ellis-dies-at-75/

(Each of the above articles are attributed to the news outlets found in the attached links).

We give God praise for each of these GREAT leaders, trailblazers, social justice leaders and examples of perseverance and excellence. May we, like them, by faith, “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12: 1, NLT

In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org

 

  

Shepastor: “Crosswinds and Blessings…”

 

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20, KJV

Recently, a massive explosion in Beirut caught the attention of the world. Debris flying, an unsuspecting bride taking wedding photos thrown to the ground as buildings began falling. Interestingly, one of the men interviewed shared that prior to the explosion, it was a beautiful, quiet day. He and his mother were sitting out on the balcony when they heard the loud noise and felt the ground rumble.

As they ran back into the house, he wisely told his mother to leave the windows and doors open. As they ran towards safety, a huge blast followed behind them. However, because both the windows and doors were opened, the impact was less lethal. They survived.

In a completely different situation, as I sat one day in a small room in our home, I had the window open. Even though the window was open, the room was a bit warm and uncomfortable. I opened the door to the room and all of a sudden, a pleasantly warm breeze began to flow and soothingly brush past my face. Opening the door created a crosswind that did not occur when the door was closed, even though the window was open.

As I pondered this experience, I thought about God’s blessings in our lives. Sometimes, we have opened the proverbial “windows,” in our lives… prayer, attending worship, striving to live “good” lives, etc. But we have kept larger doors closed…stepping out on faith to do things that are out of our comfort zone,  obeying the voice of God to answer a call, sacrifice a special offering, forgive someone who has wounded us, stand up for what is right even though it may not be popular.

Opening our doors require faith. It also requires trust that God is able to hold us in His loving care, give us what we need to accomplish what He has asked us to do and empower us to His will through His Holy Spirit guidance, strength and peace.

When we keep the doors closed, we miss the “crosswinds of blessings” that are not possible with cracked windows. We run the risk of inviting danger when we believe we are safe. We truncate the beauty of the wind of God’s favor upon our lives.

What doors are you afraid to open? What doors are you refusing to open? What blessings are you missing because you are content to remain in a closed off “room” with only a window open, ignoring the doors of opportunity?

Trust God and open your door today. The crosswinds of blessings are awaiting…

In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org