wfn.org | African American Disciples begin 'revolution' in Charlotte

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

 From nobody@wfn.org  Fri Sep  8 00:00:00 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Date: September 8, 2000
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org

00b-49

     CHARLOTTE, N.C. (DNS)   The revolution will not be
televised, according to '70s poet Gil Scott Heron. But the beginnings of
a "revolution" among African American Disciples were seen in living
color during an Aug. 11-15 gathering here.

     The gathering was the 16th biennial session of the National
Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The theme
for the event was "There's Gonna be a Revolution: God and Our
Ancestors Will Show us the Way!" Presenter after presenter challenged
the nearly 900 convention-goers to return to their congregations
empowered to begin new and exciting ministries.

     Besides the speeches, sermons and Bible lectures, the
convocation recognized individuals' contributions to the fellowship,
installed and elected new officers, and discussed issues affecting 
African
American Disciples and their congregations. 

     Liberation Awards were presented to Harvey Thomas, Chicago,
and Oscar Haynes, Washington, D.C., both prominent Disciples laymen.
The awards recognize exemplary contributions to the African American
Disciples community. Thomas is an elder and member of Park Manor
Christian Church, Chicago. Haynes is an active member of Twelfth
Street Christian Church in the District of Columbia.

     Installed to new offices were the Rev. Robin Hedgeman,
Cleveland, Ohio, president; the Rev. William Lee, Roanoke, Va., vice
president; the Rev. T. Eugene Fisher, St. Louis, secretary; and Joyce
Mimms Holt, Hawkins, Texas, treasurer. This leadership team will serve
through the conclusion of the 2002 National Convocation, to be held in
St. Louis.

     Opening night preacher, the Rev. Edward Wheeler, challenged
attendees to live out their freedom as children of God. "Without that
freedom," he said, "we are not free to be what we've been called."

     The president of Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis,
said Christians are called to a continuing relationship and a "lifetime 
of
learning" about God. Believers must also abide in God's word, which is
"where our strength comes from." That strength, according to Wheeler,
will enable African American Disciples to begin the revolution. 

     Echoing this theme, the Rev. William Barber II said that Jesus
calls the church to be a counterculture in this world and to bring a new
"polis" or political culture to this society. The pastor of Greenleaf
Christian Church of Christ, Goldsboro, N.C., was one of three Bible
lecturers for the five-day event. 

     He called for a revolution begun "under the auspices of the Holy
Spirit." African American Disciples, he said, play a particular part in
making the revolution happen within the denomination. 

     In addition, Jesus calls and equips them for this task. "We are
anointed to become agents of change for God." The anointing gives
power, direction and meaning for living in the world, Barber added.

     The other Bible lecturers were the Revs. Stephanie Crowder,
Nashville, associate regional minister, Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in Tennessee, and Sheldon McCarter, pastor of Greater
Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.

     A highlight of the biennial event was a "reconciliation and
racism summit" aimed at addressing the issues that divide Black
Disciples. "We're fragmented," said the Rev. John R. Foulkes, Sr., in a
'state-of-the-church' address during the forum. He is administrative
secretary for the fellowship of African American Disciples.

     Black Disciples, he said, are victims of "cultural schizophrenia"
which results in their contributions to the denomination not being seen,
nor recognized.

     "We have to do a better job of communicating with one
another," said the Rev. William Edwards. The Cincinnati pastor began a
new appointment, Sept. 1, as associate general minister and vice
president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

     He also challenged African American Disciples to risk
vulnerability in order to build community and to participate in the life 
of
the wider church. "You've got to show up for the show down," he said,
echoing words shared by the Rev. Emmitt J. Dickson. The late Disciples
preacher, educator and national staff person was a pioneer figure among
African American Disciples.

     Other persons addressing the plenary body during summit
discussion included the Rev. L. Wayne Stewart, former Reconciliation
director, Indianapolis; Betty Blackmon, a Kansas City diversity trainer
and consultant; Bishop Chester Aycock, St. Paul Church of Christ
(Disciples of Christ), Wilson, N.C.; and the Rev. Carroll Watkins-Ali, a
Denver author and psychotherapist. 

     After the summit, a report was released sharing learnings from
the forum and recommending next steps. The report was prepared by the
Reconciliation and Racism Task Team, appointed by the National
Convocation board of trustees. The team members are Steve J. Allison,
Memphis; the Rev. William Barber II, Goldsboro, N.C.; Katherine Fox-
Cunningham and the Rev. John R. Foulkes, Sr., Indianapolis; and the
Revs. Gralin Hampton, Summerville, S.C., and Robin Hedgeman,
Cleveland.

     Other task team members are the Revs. Samuel W. Hylton, Jr.,
St. Louis, and Eugene Randall II, Indianapolis; Jessie Robinson,
Wichita, Kan.; and the Revs. L. Wayne Stewart, Indianapolis, and
Deborah Thompson, Cincinnati, Ohio.

     In other action, conferees participated in continuing education
workshops and seminars and heard addresses from the Revs. Frank A.
Thomas, Memphis, Tenn.; Eric Cole, Greensboro, N.C.; and Teresa Fry
Brown, Atlanta, Ga. Thomas is senior minister of Mississippi Boulevard
Christian Church in Memphis. Cole is founder and pastor of Shalom
Community Christian Church, Greensboro. Brown, an African Methodist
Episcopal Church minister, is assistant professor of homiletics at
Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.

     While in Charlotte, attendees contributed $8,692 to the Black
Disciples Endowment Fund, $2,516 to Reconciliation and offerings
totaling $3,776 to youth and young adult ministries.

                   -- end--