Church leaders gather at Memorial Church on the campus of Harvard University.
Church Leaders Gather on Campus of Harvard University to Study Theology by Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Jr., D. Min.
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It was a bright sunny day in August
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with not a cloud in the sky when nearly one hundred bishops, overseers, superintendents, pastors, elders and church leaders gathered on the campus of Harvard University for a continuing education opportunity to intensely study theology. The 2009 Summer Theological Intensive is the brain child of Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min. who serves as the Bishop of Education for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.
The intensive is in its fourth year of operation and is conducted twice a year on the campus of a major academic institution. Over the past four years, the intensive has been held on the campuses of Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Emory University, Regents University, the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. It is the intent of the intensive to expose its students to some of the best theological minds
(l-r) Bishop Noel Jones, Dr. Marla Fredericks, Dr. Teresa Hairston, Bishop Andy Lewter
Lutheran, Reformed, Liberal and NeoOrthodox Theology. The overview also discussed the ideologies of Jakob Spener, Christian Wolff, Johannes Cocceius, Immanual Kant, Karl Barth, Rhinehold Niehbur and others. In addition to the lectures, the lectures also included a tour of the W.E.B. Dubois Institute of African American History where the students were treated to a special introduction to the new “Hip Hop� exhibit now available at the institute. The intensive was rounded out with a visit to Memorial Church which is located on Harvard Yard. The visit to the church was led by Staff Minister Johnathan Page who explained that the original mission of Harvard University was to train ministers for the Massachusetts Bay Colony and provide that a educated ministry be available to one of the earliest settlements in North America. The intensive also provided a forum whereby those in attendance could raise questions and engage each other in cont. on p. 6
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available. Toward that end, lecturers have included Dr. Harvey Cox, Dr. James Forbes, Dr. Henry Mitchell, Dr. Vinson Synan, Dr. Burgess, Dr. David Daniels, Dr. Cheryl Gilkes, Dr. Michael Williams, Dr. Dennis Golphin, Bishop Melvin Brown, Dr. Lester Williams, Dr. Amos Yong, Dr. Leslie Callahan and Dr. Barbara Savage. This past intensive brought together Bishop Noel Jones from the City of Refuge Church in Los Angeles, Dr. Marla Fredericks, a Social Anthropologist who serves on the faculty of Harvard University and Bishop Andy C. Lewter. Bishop Jones tackled the topic of Psychology and Religion and discussed the various ways that the mind interacts with our emotions in the exercise of what is commonly called religion. Dr. Fredericks discussed the social and cultural impact that the African American Church has had on the Black community since its inception here in America. Bishop Lewter provided an overview of Modern Theology inclusive of Covenantal,
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gos p e l today |
Aug 31 , 2 0 0 9
Labor Day with Tom Joyner—sells OUT!
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Despite a challenging economy, the 2009 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion® presented as an annual family “Party with a Purpose® event by Tom Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show®, along with Allstate Insurance Company, held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida during Labor Day weekend is officially sold out. Additionally, the Friday night concert “An Evening with Maxwell” is sold out as well. Listeners can still attend the free Allstate Family Expo and three other concerts over the weekend. Based on the listeners’ response to the event, the
attendance is projected to exceed 10,000. “Nothing says summer like a Family Reunion and it’s that time of the year again for the Tom Joyner Family Reunion,” says Joyner. “We’re headed back to Orlando Labor Day weekend for more fun, food and family entertainment that you won’t find at just any family reunion. It’s a chance to give your family a weekend they’ll never forget!” Scheduled for September 3rd - September 7th 2009, the ‘Fly Jock’ Tom Joyner, has planned a weekend of non-stop family fun for all ages. Tickets are still available for the Saturday night concert featuring the beautiful and talented Vanessa Williams and the classic soul of Loose Ends as well as the Sunday Gospel Explosion with the award-winning gospel duo BeBe and CeCe Winans, and the phenomenal gospel singers Israel Houghton and Maurette Brown Clark. Additionally on Sunday, concert goers will be treated to a bonus with a fashion show presented by fashion designer Korto Momolu, of Project Runway fame. To purchase tickets to the concerts go to www.Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800745-3000.
Best of all, over the weekend the community will be treated to a variety of free and open to the public events at the Allstate Family Expo with performances from renowned soul artists Raphael Saadiq and Reuben Studdard on Thursday and R&B heartthrobs Ginuwine, Joe, and Chico Debarge will charm audiences on Friday and Saturday. The community will enjoy a college fair at the expo showcasing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) as well as traditional colleges such as Spelman College, University of Georgia, Howard University and Florida State University, to name a few. Also, the expo will feature exclusive presentations from Sybil’s Book Club highlighting “The Three Doctors,” Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. Rameck Hunt, and Dr. George Jenkins as well as Donna
Richardson Joyner with “Sweating in the Spirit” Praise and Worship featuring Shirley Murdock. Senior analyst for the Tom Joyner Morning Show and special correspondent for CNN and TV One, Roland Martin, will host a distinguished panel focusing on today’s most pressing issues from the expo stage featuring conversations with Michaela Angela Davis and others. Additionally, there will key topics addressed with the Men’s Forum featuring NBA star Jason Richardson, and a Women’s Forum featuring celebrated life coach Lauren Lake, celebrity chef Jamika Pesso, Dr. Catrise Austin, and celebrity make-up artist Tia Hebron. For more information about the 2009 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion go to B l a c k A m e r i c a W e b . c o m (http://www.blackamericaweb.com/familyreuni on2009/)
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ready to take the next step on your path to purpose to spend a day with me that is especially designed to help move you into the place God has for you! I hope you'll make the sacrifice to be part of this special event!”
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positions desired Christian Zydeco musician seeks bookings ARTIST: Sean Ardoin + R.O.G.K. (Reflections Of God's Kingdom) OBJECTIVE: To secure bookings for conferences, churches, festivals and all applicable events. CONTACT INFO: www.seanardoin.com www.facebook.com/seanardoi n www.twitter.com/seanardoin www.myspace.com/seanardoin 337-540-8399
Experienced Worship Leader Seeks Position OBJECTIVE: To secure a worship Leader/Music Department Position
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meaningful theological dialogue. Standing on the principle that iron sharpens iron, the pointed discussions during the course of the intensive made available an opportunity for members of the episcopacy and ministry to reflect critically on many of the academic items that are normally taken for granted. The intensive is designed to create a forum where an on-going rigorous dialogue can be crafted by those whose activity in ministry and interest in philosophy can come together and have meaningful expression. The next intensive is scheduled for January 12-13, 2010 and will return to the campus of Harvard University. In light of the intensive’s close proximity to the birthday of Martin Luther King, the gathering will use the theme, “The Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr.” gt
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Volume 20 | Number 4 | GT’s Annual Ministry Issue
gos p e l today | Aug 31 , 2 0 0 9
OBJECTIVE: “To obtain a position on a music staff in the capacity of Minister of Music which would allow me to utilize my musical ability to uplift the name of Jesus.”
EXPERIENCE: Leading Worship, Organizing Worship Team/Musicians and Facilitating Weekly Operations, Lead and Background Singing, Studio Vocals; Community Outreach
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Experienced Minister of Music Seeks Position
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DARWIN HOBBS to Record LIVE
Aug 31 , , 2 0 0 9 | gosp e l today
On September 18th, Darwin Hobbs will record his next CD/DVD project at the Oasis Worship Center in Nashville, TN. “I'm very excited about the upcoming worship experience to say the least,” said Hobbs. The producer for the project will be Daniel Weatherspoon. “I'm determined that all who attend will have an experience with God,” said Hobbs, “and not just enjoy a live recording… My prayer is that through this small but power-packed evening of music, people will develop more intimacy and relationship with the Father, which is where the heart of worship really is! For more information contact: (317) 4792343
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