THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
The Christian Recorder
JUNE 2022
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Reflections on the Gift of Black Theological Education and Black Church Collaborative Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
We cried, we laughed, we shouted, and we celebrated together. Dr. Delores F. Brisbon made a clarion call for us to gather at Shaw University on April 25-28, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina, for a time of reflection, engagement, and focus toward a plan and an agenda for the Gift of Black Theological Education. We came from the seminary, classroom, pulpit, and pew to engage, collaborate, and give direction for the future of this gift we call Black Theological Education. We all realize that training students in a black seminary is a gift we must handle with care; we must cherish the legacy God has placed in our hands. The institute started with a worship experience because we understood God called us all together to be directed by the Holy Spirit. Wonderfully blessed and gifted presenters taught at the institute. Reflections of the Institute First, we all believed and were called to be stakeholders in the Gift of Black Theological Education. We were called together to reimage and re-focus our efforts to enhance and engage us to improve and chart the future of Black Theological Education. The Gift of Black Theological Education is a gift for us, but also for theological education worldwide. Our gift will impact theological education in the future and in this present age. As we nurture the Gift of Black Theological Education, we share our God-given gifts to enhance and improve this process. Second, we understand that Black Theological Education must move to the digital age. The church and preparation for ministry must consider this new platform for carrying and sharing the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ. The session on digital church challenged us to move beyond our comfort zone and do church differently. Presenters challenged my comfort zone and pushed me toward thinking
differently to reach a new generation. As we explored the digital church together, the experience challenged us to look through different eyes to see the ministry and our call to collaborate for a better Black Theological Education. We all understand we have several platforms to extend and articulate the Gospel of Christ. Yet embracing such is, for many, an uneasy but valuably challenging position. It made me feel like the first time I dove into deep water to test my swimming skills several years ago. I had practiced the skills, but the final test was swimming in deep water. The digital church is deep water for many of us. To cherish the Gift of Black Theological Education means swimming in deep water and working through the skills we have been taught. It means depending on God’s grace and direction. Lastly, Dr.Brisbon challenged us to ponder and reflect on the question: When was God real for you? In our final session, we cried, shouted, and reflected because God had been a presence for all of us in the room. Dr. Pollard allowed God to
perform surgery on him in our company. When God left the surgical room working on Dr. Pollard, the Almighty moved around the room, touching and blessing others as we reflected on the realness of God. This was a fitting conclusion for a week of study, worship, reflection, and planning. I cried, I shouted, I laughed, and I felt a new presence of God. We left Shaw University with our marching orders from Dr. Brisbon, but even more impelling were our marching orders from Almighty God. The Gift of Black Theological Education Institute gathers us the academy and the church, to remind us that theological formation is our baby to nurture, nourish, teach, and even correct when necessary. As we nurture the gift we ask God for direction and inspiration for the task. Let us all embrace the gift that God placed in our hands. Let us not be selfish or careless with the Gift of Black Theological Education. If we are careless, God will hold all of us accountable. God, please give us the wisdom to cherish the Gift of Black Theological education. ❏ ❏ ❏
A New Season of Accountability, Will We Rise to the Occasion? Mrs. Cynthia Gordon-Floyd, CPA, Columnist
Having trained pastors and church leaders across the country in financial stewardship, I, unfortunately, witness many church leaders who justify withholding financial information because they are concerned that their congregation will distort and gossip about the information. These leaders believe the finances are better controlled with fewer people being aware of the detailed information. Is this a deliberate attempt to conceal poor stewardship or abuse of power? Should we hide and covet gifts that are freely given? These are questions to examine as a larger question looms. Is the current threat facing the church great enough for us to change? A biblical view of accountability must be at the forefront. Unfortunately, some receive accountability as a code name for red tape and bureaucracy. Others lament that accountability is an opportunity for accountants and managers to question a leader’s decisions or utilize it as a backdoor to block progress. While I do not present this as a biblical perspective on accountability, we must reconcile that accountability and transparent oversight encompass the essence of stewardship. The Word provides a solid foundation for how we are to conduct business matters, and the principle of accountability runs throughout the Bible. The
Parable of the Talents gives us a pointed analogy of how we will be held individually accountable to the Lord for our stewardship (Matthew 25-14-30). Paul also addressed the need for accountability of his work in his second letter to the Corinthians: “We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.” (8:20-21). Paul’s desire for accountability led him to conduct himself in a manner that would not be easily subjected to human suspicion. Such conduct is a high bar to reach, but it is what should be required from followers of Christ. Making the right choices requires listening to the Holy Spirit, submitting ourselves to others, and seeking wise and independent counsel. As a church, we were bleeding internally, but now our blood is splattered in the streets via the newspapers and television. We must change. Are we willing to rise to the occasion? Will we take the drastic steps needed to repair this breach, restore trust, and conduct business in God’s way? I pray so.
Cynthia Gordon-Floyd is a certified public accountant and founder of Willing Steward Ministries, LLC. Willing Steward Ministries (willingsteward.com) is a financial consulting and accounting firm for churches and other faith-based non-profits, specializing in Biblefocused financial practices, pastoral compensation issues, IRS compliance, and other financial needs specific to churches. Cynthia is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds her MBA in Accounting from DePaul University. She is a steward and the financial secretary at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Manassas in Manassas, Virginia.
