Pastor Resigns! from New York’s most famous pulpit By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.
gosp e l today | JuL 6, ‘09
At the height of the Great Depression in 1929, millionaire, John D.
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Rockefeller, endowed and helped to build Riverside Church as the prime example of the Protestant liberal tradition. Operating between Columbia University on its one side and the widely respected Union Theological Seminary on the other, the church has long been home to such pulpiteers as Harry Emerson Fosdick, William Sloan Coffin and James Forbes. The church has been used by notables like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela as platforms for major policy speeches that they made. Now the church is at the center of much controversy as Rev. Brad Braxton, the recently elected pastor of the church, announced his resignation and decision to leave the church. “it has become virtually impossible to establish a fruitful covenant with the congregation,” said Pastor Braxton. Over the years, Riverside Church has long established a reputation for addressing such thorny social issues as gay rights, “deed versus creed” and Anti-Apartheid. Trouble in the church began to brew not long after Rev. Braxton’s arrival when some in the congregation took offense with his “evangelical” style. Complaints about him conducting “altar calls” and emphasizing personal salvation over social justice was heard with greater frequency. When it was learned that the compensation package for the pastor exceeded 600K annually, a small group of members within the church went to court to block his installation as pastor; the effort received little traction and the judge sided with the church’s board and pastor. Just when it seemed that the matter was resolved, emails were circulated throughout the congregation attacking the pastor and his style. The New York Daily News began to refer to Pastor Braxton as the “600k Pastor”. According to Ari L. Goldman, Pastor Braxton soon began to feel that he had become the embodiment of a conflict. “Pastor Braxton told me that he felt that he needed to leave so that healing could take place within the congregation.” reports Goldman. In an article issued by BCNN, “Jean Schmidt, the chairwoman of the church council and a supporter of Mr. Braxton, expressed the hope that Riverside will learn a lesson from this period of adversity. This is a time, she said, for “deep soul-searching” that will ultimately “allow us to move forward as a stronger and more unified congregation.”
Albertina Walker to Celebrate 80 Years of Life! A regal celebration is being planned for the “Queen of Gospel” in her hometown of Chicago, IL. Guests for the special even will include Yolanda Adams, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Joe Ligon, Ami Rushes, Percy Gray, and of course, the Caravans! The event will be held on August 29th. See announcement below for more details.
Jun 1, ‘09 | gosp e l today
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a fond farewell...to the
Man in the Mirror By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.
Before Tiger Woods came to dominate the world of golf; before Oprah Winfrey redefined the role of women in television; and before the Williams sisters became the marvel of tennis; Michael Jackson was known as the “Jackie Robinson” of the music industry. His recordbreaking crossover appeal dismantled the barriers that restricted Black musicians from MTV.
The same weekend that Farrah Fawcett surrendered to anal cancer and Ed McMahon succumbed to old age; and the governor of South Carolina confessed to an extra-marital affair, the news of Michael Jackson’s sudden heart attack pushed every other story out of the news cycle in a matter of minutes. Michael Jackson is an artist that America watched as he grew up. From his debut hit, “I Want You Back” to his landmark “Thriller” album, Jackson has redefined music and the music industry in ways that no one ever had before, or since. His career began as a cute preadolescent that wooed cameras and microphones while he stood alongside his four brothers, who together made up the Jackson Five. At some point all of us have imitated or admired Michael Jackson—whether it was his famous moonwalk, the trademark one white glove or the short military jackets that became a fashion statement of pop culture. When he emerged as a solo artist, Jackson experimented with and expanded styles and formats that revolutionized music and the world of “Pop.” Tragically, the latter part of his life was filled with pain and anguish as he defended himself from all sorts of accusations; ranging from allegations of child molestation to a series of cosmetic surgeries that left him somewhat disfigured. When the Rev. Al Sharpton was asked how Michael Jackson will be remembered, he replied, “Time will tell. cont. on p 56
This week in the news... The nation's oldest African American newspaper, the Philadelphia Tribune, is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Robert W. Bogle, is the publisher. Nashville, TN- Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, whose most noted drive was the final one of the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head Saturday afternoon in a downtown condominium. Police said a woman was also shot dead. Vibe magazine, the urban-music magazine founded in 1993 by Quincy Jones, is the latest victim of the media recession. Multiple sources both within and outside the magazine confirmed that it is shutting down. However, music producer and media mogul Quincy Jones is not happy about the shutdown. He says he's going to resurrect the revolutionary hip-hop mag he founded in 1993.
Jackson, cont. from p. 4
But it is important that the media and history use the same measurement and judgement that they used in the wake of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.” There is no doubt Jackson’s name conjures up images of controversy, making it difficult to separate the man from his music. In an article that appeared in the LA Times on Friday, Zarina Henderson drew a contrast between Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley writing that ‘while Elvis was the king of Rock and Roll, Jackson was responsible for bringing more people together from different backgrounds.’ “Michael is the major legend, he’s a real legend, he’s a true legend, he broke the color barrier in music, and touched people of all ages,” Henderson wrote. While it is true that time will be the final judge of Michael Jackson’s legacy; no one can deny that all of us will be walking around the house, office and in our cars for next several days enjoying the opportunity to listen to so much of his music.
jan feb
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Evangelism Takes on a New Face...
Jesus on the Internet by Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min. The most fertile soil for evangelism may not be the bowels of urban cities or the suburban malls that have become the target of most
“One of the great things about
marketeers. being on the Internet is you feel [more]
In a recent report by Crusade for Christ International there are over
two
million
people
searching for God on the internet everyday. “The number is
staggering,”
said
Mark
Weimer, a self-described “techie evangelist” whose ministry has tapped the Internet to capture those looking for spiritual JuL 6, ‘09 gos p e l today |
not otherwise [share],” said Michelle Diedrich, communication director for Global Media. “It’s anonymous intimacy.” According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project more “religious surfers” are turning to the Internet. With that being said, efforts to use the internet more creatively seem to be on the rise. A new type of minister is appearing on the scene called “internet evangelist” who while not credentialed in the traditional sense of the word, has taken to the internet with passion—to use it as a tool to witness for Christ and point individuals in a spiritual direction. Social networks and video streaming sites are increasing at a notable rate as this new crop of Godinspired individuals see their mission and assignment being that of using the
j a n f e b 2 0 0 9 | gos p e l today
answers.
comfortable sharing things you might
internet to connect with people and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. While “seeker services” have grown in popularity over recent years, it seems that texting, twittering, emails and social blogs have become major instruments of evangelism in the digital world that the church now operates in. “It’s the future of the church, and it’s fun to be a part of it,” said Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland, in Longwood, FL. “I love it because they ask me really basic questions. ‘Is there really a God?’ In church, people’s eyes start to get glossed over, but when you do the basics with people it takes me back to why I got into this; and it’s very invigorating.” So, as pastors and church congregations plan upcoming evangelistic efforts inclusive of a rented tent on an empty lot; perhaps consideration should be given to the creation of a “virtual revival tent” online, where the world can take part, rather than a local audience.
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