by Eron Henry | Mar 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
“The sky is not falling”
Black church in relative healthy state
Despite poor prognostications, the state of the Black church in the United States is not as bad as many assume.
These were determined by researcher, Dr. Brianna Parker, who participated in the Barna Group study on the State of the Black Church.
Dr. Parker said the conditions in the white church, which is experiencing overall decline, were often generalized, and projected onto the wider Christian community in the United States. This is not the case overall, especially for Black Christian churches.
She announced these findings during the 2022 Lott Carey Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta on March 24. In a presentation titled, “The sky is not falling,” Dr. Parker declared that despite its many challenges, “the Black church is not dying, it’s not in hospice care, nor is it on life support.”
While many churches need to be more transparent in their finances and administration, reports of impropriety among Black churches and pastors are comparatively few. The negative stereotypes come mainly from media, especially movies and television shows, but such stereotypes are not supported by the data.
One example is the comparative high regard and respect that young Black people have for Black churches and pastors. Black teens and youth do not have many negative personal experiences in the Black church. “Emerging generations believe in the Black pastors as leaders,” Dr. Parker said, indicating this was a surprising discovery based on prior assumptions. However, these younger cohorts often think differently about religion and spirituality than their older peers.
Dr. Parker, founder and CEO of Black Millennial Café, said the Covid-19 pandemic is another example of the relevance of the church, including for Black Americans. “The pandemic reminds people they need a pastor.”
But churches must rethink the virtual space that has become a reality for many Christians because of the pandemic. Going forward, she said congregations need to “provide a house church model for their virtual community.”
More than 250 pastors, church leaders and delegates are attending the Lott Carey Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from March 24-25.
A hybrid event, virtual and in-person, the conference is for strategic planning, program updates, missions training, worship, and inspiration.
by Eron Henry | Mar 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Lott Carey Priorities and New Emphases for 2022
Lott Carey President Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart and Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn announced priorities and new emphases for the global mission organization for the year 2022.
The president challenged Lott Carey partners to raise a special mission fund of US$1 million by the 125th Lott Carey Annual Session in New Orleans, from August 15-19.
Dr. Stewart, who made the appeal during the 2022 Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta, is confident it can be done “if 100 churches give $10,000 each or 200 churches give $5,000 each.”
She is encouraging churches to invest in increasing capacity and building the infrastructure of Lott Carey to enable its partners to effectively meet the needs of the people they serve.
The first woman to lead a major African American Baptist group emphasized that Lott Carey is doing good work and wants to see it gain greater visibility, including among younger, emerging generations.
Rev. Dunn announced a new initiative approved by the Lott Carey board of directors to launch an individual members program. This will broaden and deepen participation to individuals who desire to support global mission, not just congregations, the traditional funders and supporters of Lott Carey.
The executive secretary-treasurer told the gathering in Atlanta that Lott Carey is in the process of launching Thriving Congregations to further equip pastors, lay leaders, and congregations.
Focus will be on churches’ response to changing social and cultural contexts, clarifying values, and on mission. It seeks to cultivate Christian practices that strengthen the vitality, faithfulness, and effectiveness of local churches.
Thriving Congregations succeeds the recently concluded Thriving in Ministry (TIM), which trained, developed, and nurtured pastoral leaders. Rev. Dunn commended the graduates of TIM, which ended after three years during the Spring Missions Conference.
Both Thriving in Ministry and Thriving Congregations are funded by grants from the Lily Endowment.
More than 250 pastors, church leaders and delegates attended the Lott Carey Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from March 24-25.
A hybrid event, virtual and in-person, the conference was for strategic planning, program updates, missions training, worship, and inspiration.
by Eron Henry | Mar 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
Now Playing: Thursday evening service from the 2022 Spring Missions Conference. Sermon from Dr. Clifford A. Jones of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.
by Eron Henry | Mar 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
The Annual Spring Missions Conference is for strategic planning and program updates; missions training, worship and inspiration. This event includes Morning Devotion, Morning and Evening Worship Services, Live Interactive Plenary Sessions and more! ALL are welcome to attend.
by Eron Henry | Mar 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
Global Christian Mission Agency Meets in Atlanta
More than 250 pastors, church leaders and delegates, the largest in recent history, are attending the Lott Carey Spring Missions Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, March 23-25.
A hybrid event, virtual and in-person, the conference is for strategic planning, program updates, missions training, worship, and inspiration. It includes morning devotion, morning and evening worship services, and live interactive plenary sessions.
This is the first largescale meeting for the global mission agency since the Covid-19 pandemic. The gathering will explore the theme, “Reimagine – Doing Missions/Ministry in a Post-Covid World.” Participants will examine issues affecting Christian ministry and mission, the church, and the broader society, including social justice and climate change.
President Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart will lay out her emphases for the ensuing year at a worship service hosted by Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, whose founder and senior pastor is Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale.
Executive Secretary/Treasurer Rev. Emmett Dunn will present the State of Lott Carey address. The board will receive reports and consider matters important to Lott Carey’s ministry and mission programs.
Preachers, presenters, and facilitators include Dr. Clifford Jones Sr., senior pastor, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina; Dr. Cynthia Turner-Wood, senior pastor, Dayspring Community Church, Lanham, Maryland; Rev. Willie D. Francois, III, senior pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Pleasantville, New Jersey; Dr. TaNikka Sheppard, president of Baptist Women of North America; and Minister Joyce Woodson, Environmental Justice Co-Lead at the Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia.
Established in 1897, Lott Carey has networks in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.
Based in the Washington DC Metro Area, Lott Carey provides financial support and technical assistance in leadership development, education, training, healthcare, advocacy, disaster relief, and other services.
by Eron Henry | Mar 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
As the war in Ukraine continues, we unite our voices in prayer with churches and people of faith around the globe. We are grieved by the loss of life caused by unwarranted and unprovoked conflict. Every nation has a right to self-determination and the right to live in harmony with their neighbors. We stand in solidarity with those protesting and fighting for their freedom and independence in Russia. We pray for protection from devastation against the atrocities of war for all whose lives and well-being are endangered. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we call and pray for a cessation of the violence and peaceable courses of action.
Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
President
Lott Carey
I am genuinely concerned about the complete disregard for life and respect for the rule of international laws by the actions of the Russian Federation toward Ukraine. The Lott Carey family stands with the people of Ukraine and pray that these acts of violence will come to an immediate end. In times like these, the church must continue to speak truth to power and advocate on behalf of those crying out from bomb shelters and refugee camps. Lott Carey has committed funds to assist with food and medical supplies. We are working in partnership with the Baptist World Alliance.
Rev. Emmett L. Dunn
Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Lott Carey
Ukraine is going through special, difficult moments in its history. It is a time of trials, difficulties, anxieties. We call on all churches and every Christian to raise their voice to heaven.
Rev. Valery Antonyuk
President
All-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches
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