About a year ago, I learned of an upcoming book by Milan Ford, titled 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing.  The title, alone, stood out to me and I was intrigued to read it.  When I researched it a bit more, I learned that, in his book, Ford would discuss whether many traditions of the “black church” are partly responsible for what he perceives is a growing apathy towards faith and religion in today’s generation.

Cut to me, months later, and I’d completely forgotten about the book.  But a GospelPundit reader recently emailed me and asked if I’d heard of it or read it, as she was just about to finish it.  I told her that I’d intended to read it and to let me know how it was.

Her “response” was so well-written and thoughtful that I decided “why not just use this as her review for the site?!”

So, ladies and gents, I present to you Melissa Tyler Wells.  Melissa hails from New Orleans, LA and is a graduate of Louisiana State University.  She is a fundraiser, writer and singer.  Melissa is currently working on a book, herself, focused on empowering young girls.  She is a member of the praise team at Household of Faith Family Worship Church International in Harvey, LA.

Here’s what Melissa’s got to say about the book:

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I have finished the book.  I laughed, I cried, I turned my face up into a scowl and a big Kool-Aid smile.  I think a lot of what Milan observed highlights the well-known fact that the church is resistant to change and, therefore, is losing influence on an ever-changing world.  I like that he did not hold his tongue, using examples and citing traditions that would probably offend many well-known gospel artists, multi-church fellowships and prominent Pastors tied to today’s black church.

I wish he would have expounded on the various traditions the way that he did with Watch Night Services and a couple others, because the fact is that traditions, no matter how outdated, began with a relevant need.  I think if you are going to expose unnecessary tradition and encourage people to change, you need to do more to break down why they are no longer necessary.
 
That being said, the “black church” is no different from a lot of other religious institutions that cling to tradition.  Take a look at the Catholic Church.  It is very bogged down in traditions its own members don’t understand.  Over time that church has seen huge schisms, loss of members, relevance and ability to affect change, because it refused to change and leave old traditions where they belong.  I am not saying that we should do what the world does and I know that we must be different and set standards, but a lot of that simply has nothing to do with our traditions.

To me, the whole book points to the fact that the Word says, he who wins souls is wise.  If we would spend more time on that and less time making sure you held up your finger while exiting the sanctuary during service or covered your skirt with a cloth while seated or always wore hose with your skirt (things he did not mention), then maybe we could do more to carry out our mission as the body of Christ.
 
As we begin to look back at the short history of the “black church” in America, perhaps this book will inspire and mark a historic shift in the way we “do church” (I could not resist).  I was watching Ever Increasing Faith Ministries and the Pastor was saying he believed that Christ would not come back until his church (body) was unified, and I think he may be on to something.  Until we are the church and not just the “black church” we will miss the mark.  This book is definitely food for thought and should be required reading for all leaders in ministry in any “black church.”

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And there you have it, folks.  To learn more about Milan Ford’s 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing and/or to buy it, you can visit his website by clicking here.

I think it sounds like a cool book and I’m definitely (once again) inclined to check it out.  Thanks for the write-up, Melissa!

Let me (and Melissa) know what you think of the review!

The newest DVD from Veggie Tales, Pistachio: The Little Boy That Woodn’t, hits Christian retail next Tuesday, February 27th, and will be available everywhere else on March 2nd.

This particularly story is a parody of the childhood favorite Pinocchio… I think your kids will love it… or maybe YOU will.

Check out the trailer:

Out of curiousity– how many of you watch, or own, Veggie Tales movies? What do you think of ‘em?

I just received an official statement from Dr. Judith McAllister, President of the International Music Department of the Church Of God In Christ.  In it, she clarifies the position of the COGIC International Music Department regarding the recent criticism and scrutiny of the new “secular music” endeavors of Kim Burrell, the Department’s Vice President.

The statement includes statements from Kim Burrell made during a conference call.

Check it out:

Thoughts???

I’m a little surprised by how this poll turned out and I’m eager to hear your explanations!

Do you feel that a church’s worship team should get PAID for singing each week?

Absolutely NOT!  It’s their service to the Lord - 53.6% (150 votes)

It depends on a couple of factors - 30.6% (86 votes)

Absolutely!  It’s only fair - 10.1% (28 votes)

I don’t really care either way - 5.8% (16 votes)

I was really expecting the majority to say that it depends on a couple of factors.  I was NOT expecting an unequivocal, hands-down “absolutely not” from you guys.  What’s that all about?!

In my mind, it should depend on several things– the size of the church, whether the musicians are getting paid, whether the pastor’s taking a salary, how instrumental the music ministry is to the success and growth of the church, the type of time commitment that is required of the worship team, etc.

Every model won’t work for every church and I definitely don’t think that folks should be getting paid just because they sing on Sunday.  But I also don’t think I’d ever be willing to say, in all cases, that worship singers shouldn’t be getting paid just because they should view singing as their service to the Lord.

I dunno… what do you guys think???

After you comment, make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the next poll, which asks “what do you think about the NUMBER of gospel music conferences and workshops?”

Over the past week, as BET has broadcast episodes of The Mo’Nique Show featuring various gospel artists, discussions have been swirling around the web about Mo’Nique’s incessant use of profanity and the reactions (or lack thereof) from gospel artists.

Apparently, in recent interviews with both Marvin Sapp and Kirk Franklin, Mo’Nique didn’t hold back from using casual profanity and, sometimes, crude humor.  I’m grateful that neither of them went to slingin’ oil and rebuking her, despite the fact that (to me) they appeared be a bit uncomfortable with it.  Anyway, some of you thought they should’ve been more outspoken against it.

Personally, I thought “who the heck cares,” because I won’t declare myself the arbiter of how artists should act when they get a national platform.  It ain’t easy to do and I don’t know how I’d handle a personality as strong as Mo’Nique’s in that moment, with the cameras rollin’, before a live studio audience… I just can’t say.  Plus, I tend to enjoy her show– she’s hilarious and she features great interviews with great people in the African-American community.  In any case, I definitely wasn’t gonna enter the discussion.

BUT last night, when Mo’Nique featured gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, she didn’t curse.  Not once.  I was prepared to just say “oh, well whatever” until SHE said, from her own mouth, that her words were twisted because, as it relates to “God’s angels,” God told her “Mo’Nique, don’t you FOOL with BeBe & CeCe, now.”

Now, whether God spoke to her or not, there is clearly something about BeBe & CeCe that Mo’Nique respected differently as compared to Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp (I won’t even say “respected more”).  She perceived that she had to treat them differently.

And so I wondered– what do BeBe & CeCe have, exhibit, carry and/or represent to Mo’Nique that Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp might not?

I know a BUNCH of y’all are gonna talk about the anointing, but to be clear– I think Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp are super duper anointed for what God has called them to do.  I love them and adore their ministries.  What else might it be?

I thought maybe it’s gender… maybe it wasn’t as much about BeBe as it was an issue about CeCe.  Maybe it’s a respect for women, because I don’t recall Mo’Nique using profanity with Yolanda Adams a few months ago either.

Maybe it’s… I dunno.  I just know that it happened.  And maybe it’s not even worth discussing.  But maybe it is…

I’m saddened to report the passing of Pastor Shawn Brown, former co-director of the dynamic gospel choir Youthful Praise, and writer of hits like “Awesome God” (Youthful Praise) and “Grateful” (Hezekiah Walker & LFC).  He was also known for his work with gospel group Key Of David.

The industry mourns his passing but celebrates his life.  Please pray for his family, his church, the members of Key Of David, and for JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.

In case you hadn’t heard, you can add “author” to the growing list of Yolanda Adams’ accomplishments.  She recently compiled a series of segments from her daily radio show into a book of the same name– Points Of Power.  In it, she shares stories and personal experiences to demonstrate how to live life empowered by God’s love and grace.

And because I love you guys so much, I’ve partnered with her publishing company to give away FIVE (5) copies of the book to some fortunate readers.

TO WIN:

1.  Email me at ej@gospelpundit.com with your full name and mailing address.  In the subject line, make sure you write “Points Of Power“.  You may only enter once– multiple entries will be disqualified.

2.  From among the emails, I’ll randomly select five (5) people to receive Yolanda Adams’ Points Of Power.

3.  The giveaway runs from Friday, January 8, 2010 until Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:59pm CST.

4.  The five (5) winners will be announced on Monday, January 25th on this site.

5.  This contest is only available to residents of the U.S. and Canada.  Sorry to all my other-continental buddies… I still love and appreciate ya!

It’s just that simple.  Sound good?  I look forward to hearing from you!  LET’S GO!

Christian fam– let’s keep gospel artist Darwin Hobbs and his family in prayer.  As many of you have heard by now, his father passed yesterday.

Darwin reached out to me yesterday evening and asked if I could let you guys know how appreciative he is of your support.  He asked if I would “thank everyone for all the calls, emails, Facebook and Twitter shouts of condolence” about his father’s passing.

Let’s make sure to keep loving on him, in person or in prayer.  Cool?

Over the past week, three great women of God have transitioned to Heaven.  I apologize for grouping them into one post, as I’m certain that each deserves much more space, but I want to get the info to you guys as soon as possible so that you can pray for their families…

On Sunday, December 27, 2009, Marie “Ma” Draper, mother of the late choirmaster O’landa Draper, passed in Memphis, TN.

On Monday, December 28, 2009, E.B. Williams, mother of gospel artist Tonex, passed in San Diego, CA.

On Saturday, January 2, 2010, the mother of producer Kevin Bond passed.

Let’s keep our Christian fam in prayer in their time of mourning.  Cool?

The year 2010 is upon us.  Though I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, I get that the significance of a new calendar year is just the motivation some people need to make changes.

But it’s been my experience that, in making resolutions, we often don’t actually resolve to do anything; rather, we merely DECLARE that things will happen.  We take a passive stance rather than an active one.

Without getting too deep, let’s take a quick look at how Webster’s Dictionary defines two words:

declare - to make known formally, officially or explicitly; to announce

resolve - to deal with successfully;  to reach a firm decision about

I think if we’re being honest with ourselves, we’re often making a bunch of declarations and very few resolutions.  We’re announcing stuff, maybe even writing it down and telling friends about our goals, but we’re not actually doing much to get it done.  A resolution requires a more intense process– DEALING with something, reaching a decision about something.

Often, I sit in my office and I say to myself “I’m about to get something to eat.”  That’s my declaration.  But to resolve to do it requires that I stop what I’m doing and grab a bite to eat.  I’m task-oriented, so I may not actually get up to eat for another hour and a half, and by then, I’ve missed lunchtime.

See, I’m great at declaring that I’m “about to” or have “plans to” eat, but I need some work in actually resolving to get it done.  A declaration without a resolution is just babble and formality.

So, here’s 2010.  And yes… let’s declare that we’re gonna be business owners.  Let’s declare that we’re going to get in shape, or that our family will be closer, that we’ll be more giving, that we’ll work harder, whatever.  But after we declare all those things, let’s RESOLVE to do them.

For example, to resolve to be a business owner requires that you take steps to become a better steward over your own finances, working to become debt-free and not live beyond your means, so that when you become a business owner, you’ll have the financial character necessary to maintain the company.  And while you’re at it, how about drafting a complete business plan?

After you declare to lose weight, resolve to do it by determining whether food is more than just “food” to you, determining if any emotional triggers play a part in your diet, so that when you’re in shape like you want to be, you won’t ride a rollercoaster.  Resolve to not make food an idol.

I could go on and on with examples, but the point is that, in order to get new results, we’re going to have to use a new method.  Personally, I’ve got a bunch of surface issues and dozens of deeper ones.  To merely declare that I’m going to address them is to fail to address them at all.

I’m resolving to attack those issues head-on.  I can’t do all that I need to do, or be all that I need to be, with gaping holes in my character or unresolved drama in my world.

Now, you guys are sweet enough to say “oh, EJ, you’re a great guy.”  And thanks, but I’m my toughest critic and I know tacky when I see it.  That means that there are steps I’m going to take– real steps– to deal with my junk.  By God’s grace, I’m going to build character and mature in Christ.

And by next year, I won’t have to make the same declarations or resolutions again.  Of course, in the process, I’ll probably uncover some deeper junk that will require a spiritual jackhammer to clear out.  But that’s where 2011 comes in…

In the meantime, Happy New Year, folks.  Let’s make it a great one!