Gospel Today 5-4-09

Pastor Timothy Wright Photos from last night’s incredible event!

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Musical Tribute to Pastor Timothy Wright Draws Thousands

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Bishop Albert Jamison (c) with sons of Pastor Wright

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Bishop Hezekiah Walker

Former Savoy Records Executive Producer, Pastor Milton Biggham

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Minister James Hall

Over 4,500 people gathered in Brooklyn, NY, last night to bid a final farewell and witness the homegoing musical tribute to Pastor Timothy Wright.

During his lifetime, Pastor Wright always looked forward to the time when he could amass a choir of 1000 voices. Last night, the number swelled to more than 1300.

Artists, fans and friends gathered from across the country. Several pastors and Christian leaders were in attendance as well.

(Photos: Dr. Dee)

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Jurisdictional Bishop Gaylord

Monique Walker

Bishop Sam Williams and Dr. Judy McAllister

Kervy Brown

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Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson

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Dorinda Clark Cole (r) and Yolanda Adams (l) performed the official Sojourner Truth tribute song, "Nothin But The Truth" featuring actress Cicely Tyson (c) at the Memorial Bust unveiling on Capitol Hill. The event aired live on C-SPAN.

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photo: Matthew Rolston

Natalie Cole Announces Upcoming Tour

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Even though she’s valiantly battling hepatitis C and waiting for an organ donor, ninetime Gr ammy Award winner Natalie Cole has announced that she will be hitting the road (May to Nov 09) in support of her Grammy Award winning album Still Unforgettable.

The project won GRAMMYs for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and one for Best Instrumental Accompanying Vocalist. It also earned Cole a NAACP Award for Best Jazz Artist.

In addition to the tour dates Natalie Cole appeared recently on American Idol performing “Something’s Gotta Give” off of Still Unforgettable.

NPR Removes Religious Programming Effective May 1, NPR officials ruled that all religious programming, particularly Christian, will be removed. The same policy that will take place in NPR stations will also affect PBS stations as well. continued on page 8

Kevin Klouse, NPR President

New Report Confirms...The Black Church Is Still Relevant

Sandra Barnes

Amidst reports that suggest that Christianity in general has been experiencing a slow decline over the last several years, there is some good news that now comes from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In a report recently published by Sandra Barnes, a professor of human and organizational development at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, it appears that African American congregations are not suffering from the same trends and patterns as that of Christianity in general.

“Contrary to expectations, I found that the black church is still a very important part of the lives of many African Americans,” Barnes said. “Those churches that market themselves, make sophisticated use of technology, offer practical sermons and programs for families and children over and above typical Bible studies are most likely to draw and keep new parishioners.”

Barnes’ report shows a growth of 5% over a five year period covering 1995-2000. The study examined national sampling of 1,863 respondents from seven Black denominations, the first continued on next page

Church Report...cont.

time that this has been done.

The report indicated that today’s “religious savvy” church attendees look for sermons and Bible studies that are more related to everyday life.

“The broader societal change we have seen in consumerism is also manifesting in the religious arena. We expect more, bigger and better,” Barnes said. “As in the retail environment, today’s church goers are savvy shoppers.

They are looking for a worship experience that meets their needs and programs that meet their needs and they’re willing to shop around to find it.”

NPR...cont.

The National Public Radio broadcast system which claims to represent community values in its program has a long history of including inspirational and religious programming as part of its schedule. This policy however stipulated that the religious programming could not be sectarian or denominational.

programming. With original online content and audio streaming, NPR.org offers hourly newscasts, special features and ten years of archived audio and information.

The National Public Radio network was established in 1970 on the immediate heels of the Public Broadcasting Act that was According to the NPR website, the NPR passed during the administration of Lyndon organization focuses upon news, talk and B. Johnson and saw its creation take place alongside the Public Broadcasting System entertainment programming: which served the television market.

NPR (National Public Radio) is an internationally acclaimed producer and NPR seres as a national syndicator to 797 distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and stations across the country. when founded entertainment programming. NPR serves an in 1970, it replaced the National Educational audience of 27.5 million Americans each Radio Network. In 1977 the network week in partnership with more than 860 merged with the Association of Public Radio independently operated, noncommercial Stations and took on the task of providing public radio stations. Each NPR Member programming and training to its member Station serves local listeners with a stations. distinctive combination of national and local

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