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HOW TO BE A LIAR By Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras Byrd, Contributing Writer
Liars. We are all familiar with them. So, I am sure that some of you are surprised or curious about the title of this article. At some point, we have all told a lie. But we are not all liars. Someone likely thinks it is preposterous to write about “how to be a liar” when we know what a liar is. But perhaps we don’t! Yes, all of us have had the misfortune of interacting with liars—and even more unfortunate is the fact that some of us are, in fact, liars ourselves!
asking, “What is truth?” or the lawyer asking, “Who is my neighbor?” Scripture demonstrates that real liars model their father—Satan, by behaving in a manner that minimizes the importance of what is true. John 8:44 describes liars as children of the household of Satan rather than God: “You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires…When he lies, he speaks according to his nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” This declaration should be a sobering truth to anyone realizing that he or she is a liar.
So. I am writing this article to educate us on the characteristics of a liar. I am doing this primarily so those living under niggling guilt that we are liars may be freed by learning that we are not. Next, I write so that those unaware of adopting behaviors toward becoming liars may become aware and move in another direction. And lastly, I write so that those who are, in fact, liars can no longer live pretending like they are unaware that they are liars and embrace the truth, repent, and seek God in changing this behavior.
First, if you want to be a liar, you must continually choose the way of lies. You must incorporate lying into your personality and become an enemy of God’s kingdom way. Make no mistake—if others know you to be a liar, and you are comfortable with that moniker, whether you tithe, attend church, or even pastor a church—in addition to anything else you may be—you are living as an enemy of God’s kingdom.
Lies bring about issues of degree, awareness, intent, and determination. A liar always tries to base their lie on a concept of truth. There is truth, and there is a lie. While not everyone agrees upon what is “true,” most can agree enough to detect twinges of untruth. Sometimes we “split hairs” regarding what is true. Some do this to be certain and accurate in their assessments and judgments, while some “split hairs” to assuage their guilt. Think, Pilate
Second, if you want to be a liar, you must be consistent and aware. A few unrepentant lies do not a liar make. Liars must make lie-telling an ongoing approach to life. Misquotes or misinformation do not even earn you the title “liar.” Even consistently misquoting and misinforming others does not earn you the title. (it will, however, earn you the title of “uneducated, misguided gossip”), but not “liar.”
But if you want to be a liar, here’s how:
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Third, if you want to be a liar, you must demonstrate malicious intent. I am sorry, but you cannot be a liar if your untruth was unintentional. To earn the title “liar,” you must have invested energy and thought in developing and planning your untruthfulness to cause intentional hurt and harm, as true liars are aware of the wrong and harm they cause. They feel justified and satisfied in their lying. Being a liar requires a pattern of deliberately choosing to share what you know to be untrue. If you believe that you are speaking the truth and find that you are not, you are not a liar—you are misinformed. Fourth, if you want to be a liar, you must embrace halftruths. The swearing-in process as a court witness requires that the witness “swears, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” This clarification is warranted because liars will obfuscate the truth. There you have it: how to become a liar. But is that how you want to be known? Trust is the basis for building the real community God wants for us. It is also the bedrock of Christ’s church. One way to destroy or disempower the church—is to remain silent as the church is filled with those whose reputations have rightfully earned them the title “liar.” Colossians 3:9: Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices. ❏ ❏ ❏
PHILADELPHIA CHURCH MOURNS THE LOSS OF THEIR BELOVED PASTOR — THE REV. DONALD BUREMS, SR. By Sister Angelena Spears, Contributing Writer
On Thursday, October 28, members of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the Paschall community of Philadelphia, said goodbye to their pastor of 17 years—the Rev. Donald Burems, Sr. Although the service was video recorded on Facebook, the church was filled with members and clergy who joined the family in celebrating his life. The Rev. Burems, 65, was the husband of Linda Davis Burems. The couple had been married 40 years and have four children and 10 grandchildren. In addition to being a pastor, he had also been a gifted musician and vocalist. During the service, one of his sons sang a signature Rev. Burems is pictured with members of St. John’s ministerial staff L-R: Reverends song of his: “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord.” Saint John was the Rev. Burem’s first charge, and for some members – Donnie A. Marshall, Sr., Diana O. Case, and Cordelia Fortun. had gone through periods of illness,“ said Bishop Norris. Bishop Norris called the he was the only pastor they had ever had. Throughout the service, the Rev. Burems was Rev. Burems a “friend and brother [who as he] never let a week go by without calling remembered as a beloved pastor and devoted family man. It was also noted that he had me and praying with me.” Bishop Leath also spoke very fondly of the Rev. Burems and served as an armor bearer to three bishops in the First Episcopal District: the late Bishop th th reminded the congregation of his heavenly reward. “He is among that number who Zedekiah LaZett Grady (111 ) and now retired bishops Richard Franklin Norris (116 ) th will cast their crowns before the feet of the Lord of Lords,” declared Bishop Leath. who was in attendance, and Gregory G.M. Ingram (118 ). After the service, the Rev. Diana Case, who is a local elder at St. John, said that the The officiant for the service was Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Janet Jenkins Sturdivant. Rev. Burems was a stellar leader. “He led us with compassion and conviction...from The First District’s newly appointed bishop, the Right Rev. Julius Harrison McAllister, th one degree of grace to another. He was always encouraging us to be our best,” she said. Sr. (129 ) delivered the eulogy, based on 2 Timothy 4. Bishop McAllister drew a In the weeks following the Rev. Burems’ death, the Rev. Dr. Janet Sturdivant has parallel between the Apostle Paul’s life and testimony and that of the Rev. Burems provided pastoral leadership for the St. John Church family. She arranged for a series as the Rev. Burems had also “fought the good fight and finished the race.” Presiding of grief counseling sessions for the membership. The sessions are being led by the Elder Sturdivant said, “All of us are here because we loved the Rev. Burems. In some Rev. Dr. Wanda Henry-Jenkins who is a professional grief counselor and has written ways, he affected all of our lives.” several books on healing after a loss. Elder Sturdivant says she highly recommends Both Bishops Norris and Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath (128th) offered words of comfort to grief counseling for any church that loses a pastor. the family, and a heartfelt resolution was read from retired Bishop Ingram and Episcopal “The people at St. John really loved the Rev. Burems,” said Elder Sturdivant. She Supervisor Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram. Former Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson commented that even in his dress, he always “looked” like a preacher. He was fully Goode, Sr. was also present and spoke about how the Rev. Burem’s ministry had been a dressed and always ready for service. His presentation for God was always from a point blessing to the entire Paschall community by providing food and clothing for persons in of readiness, she said. need. “Rev. Burems wasn’t just the pastor of St. John – he was the pastor of the Paschall “If you ask people to share their thoughts about the Rev. Burems, you will always community,” said Mayor Goode. hear the same testimony,” said Elder Sturdivant. “Everyone will remember him for his When Bishop Norris gave remarks, he marveled that the Rev. Burems had struggled love of God, his love in being a pastor, and his love for his family. The Rev. Burems was [in the past couple of years] with several medical issues, and yet he had been “a mighty truly a remarkable Christian man. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all,” she warrior.” “He never apologized for being saved,” said Bishop Norris, “But he always said. “Rest well, our friend!!!” ❏ ❏ ❏ praised God for each day that God gave him. He was a stellar example to all of us who
