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WHERE IT
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People often ask, “How long have you been in the church?” I usually respond that I have been in church from the first day of my life. Both my parents were ministers, and I was born on a Sunday in a parsonage which also contained the sanctuary. Legend has it that soon after my birth I kept pointing to the sanctuary door, and that the midwife Nurse Moise held my hand, and I touched the door. By the age of three I had learned to read using the King James version of the Bible. Being the child of two preachers, I was doubly required to attend all church services and take an active part in church ministry. Daily family devotions were an integral part of family life. Being the first of nine children took its toll. I was born on the island of Dominica.
By the age of ten I had achieved a reasonable level of accomplishments. I was the church organist; I had completed middle school and was preparing for high school. On the National Placement Exam for high school, I placed third in the country. It was also during that year I had made a profound act of consecration to God. I told God, that He would have all of me or none of me, and that I needed his help to accomplish the former. At the age of fifteen, I was elected the Sunday School Superintendent of the main church in Roseau. The teachers I supervised included two school principals, public school teachers and other professional individuals |
I often wondered why none of these teachers and professionals protested that I was too young to be their leader. I was also preaching in churches and at outdoor services.
Growing up there was a strong emphasis on missions. Every fourth Sunday was Missions Sunday, with an emphasis both locally and internationally. Learning to care for others was a strong ethic instilled in me by my parents, for which I am eternally grateful.
As I continued being active in various areas of ministry including preaching, my gifts and talents were recognized by the leaders of my denomination, the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. Thus, at the annual District Council in 1969, I was licensed as a minister. Later I attended seminary at the United Theological College in Jamaica.
My years in ministry have occurred in several settings with various portfolios. My introduction to ecumenical ministry occurred when I began my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica. I became a member and then later the President of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). IVCF is an international, interdenominational community of Christians, which is located on various college and university campuses.
The Mona chapter had a membership of over one hundred and fifty students, with over sixty different denominations represented. I worked with students and denominations that spanned the alphabet from Adventists, Baptists, Catholics, Disciples of Christ to close to the end of the alphabet and non-denominational churches. It was a most beautiful and stunning phenomenon to observe a spirit of oneness amid denominational diversity. How could such a diverse group interface daily without any squabbles and disputes on doctrinal, theological and polity differences? In my years on campus, there was never any schism or factions in the organization. I soon discovered that was due to the undergirding focus, which was to know Christ, and then share the good news of the Gospel. The prayer of Christ that his disciples would be One, was convincingly demonstrated. Comprehending some of the history, polity, theology and doctrines of a wide number of denominational groups, aided in the development of a robust interdenominational outlook and perspective.
Over the years I have worked with denominations such as Baptists, Methodists, Christian Union Church, Pentecostals, Church of God, United Church of Christ, and non-denominations. Because of my gifts and graces, and my training in the natural sciences, theology, human resources, counseling, and psychology, I have been able to serve in various capacities such as, Minister of Music, Minister of Counseling, Assistant Pastor, Associate Pastor, Pastor and Church Management Consultant.
As a consultant, some areas that I provide training and services include, Leadership Development, Strategic Planning and Management, Religious Behaviors and Personality Disorders, Ministerial Stress, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Conflict Management, Organizational Development, Change Management, Race Relations, and Social Justice.
There are four verses that have helped guide, consolidate, and buttress me throughout these fifty-five years, which have been formidable but also challenging. The exegesis and exposition of Scripture has always played an incredibly significant role in my ministry.
First, I remember soon after I became a minister, I asked God for a relevant and salient verse that would guide me in the years ahead. After a few weeks, the following verse began to resonate in my being, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, KJV). I did add a third not, to increase and strengthen my dependence on God. It was, “Nor by education.”
This verse lies in the context of a vision that the prophet Zechariah had in terms of the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. This vision was to be shared with Prince Zerubbabel. The vision clearly indicated that the undertaking would be accomplished not by military might or by physical power, but by the strength of, and total dependence on God’s Spirit.
Second, the Christian Manifesto has been my compass. A manifesto summarizes and epitomizes the focus, values, ethics, and the parameters of an individual, organization, a movement, or political party. Christ in delivering his first sermon in the town of Nazareth where he had lived as a child, quoted from the prophet Isaiah, and noted, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor had come (Luke 4: 18-19 NLT). There is continuous debate among Christians and non-Christians as to the role and function of Christianity. Christ was very plain and explicit as to Christianity’s role and function when he launched his preaching and public ministry. Christ stated that he was to embark and focus on societal aspects in addressing: (1) the Economic aspects of poverty, (2) the Criminal Justice System, (3) the Health Care system, and (4) to defeat Societal Oppression in whatever form or setting it existed. This is what it means to be a follower of Christ, this is what it means to be an Authentic Christian.
Third, a verse that I have tried to use as a guide is found in Christian Scriptures in the gospel of Mark 12: 30-31 where Christ stated, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (NLT). The essence of Christianity is loving God and all persons, regardless of racial/ethnic differences, geographic locations, political persuasion, or gender identity. I have tried over the years to experience and demonstrate the available love that Christ possesses.
Fourth, another verse that I have tried to use to guide my ministry is found in John 8:32, which states, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (KJV) The fundamental meaning of the Greek word translated “truth” is reality. Reality is what is. Not what I imagine, conjecture and delude myself into thinking and believing. So many people today both in and outside the church are living delusional lives. Reality does not mean accepting the information dispersed by Public Relations firms, the church, and politicians. We move to the orbit of reality when we engage in logical and critical thinking, based on facts. The reality is that many times those declarations of the above entities are the converse of what is true and factual. Hence, many of us are vulnerable and do not engage in critical thinking on those statements. One molecule of water H2O consists of a combination of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen joined by covalent bonding. That is a reality that no one, irrespective of their statements about the nature of water can change. There are some realities or truths in life, and when religious and political leaders ignore or try to discredit them, we all do so at our peril. As Christ warns us in Mt 15:14, “They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” (NLT).
Growing up there was a strong emphasis on missions. Every fourth Sunday was Missions Sunday, with an emphasis both locally and internationally. Learning to care for others was a strong ethic instilled in me by my parents, for which I am eternally grateful.
As I continued being active in various areas of ministry including preaching, my gifts and talents were recognized by the leaders of my denomination, the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. Thus, at the annual District Council in 1969, I was licensed as a minister. Later I attended seminary at the United Theological College in Jamaica.
My years in ministry have occurred in several settings with various portfolios. My introduction to ecumenical ministry occurred when I began my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica. I became a member and then later the President of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). IVCF is an international, interdenominational community of Christians, which is located on various college and university campuses.
The Mona chapter had a membership of over one hundred and fifty students, with over sixty different denominations represented. I worked with students and denominations that spanned the alphabet from Adventists, Baptists, Catholics, Disciples of Christ to close to the end of the alphabet and non-denominational churches. It was a most beautiful and stunning phenomenon to observe a spirit of oneness amid denominational diversity. How could such a diverse group interface daily without any squabbles and disputes on doctrinal, theological and polity differences? In my years on campus, there was never any schism or factions in the organization. I soon discovered that was due to the undergirding focus, which was to know Christ, and then share the good news of the Gospel. The prayer of Christ that his disciples would be One, was convincingly demonstrated. Comprehending some of the history, polity, theology and doctrines of a wide number of denominational groups, aided in the development of a robust interdenominational outlook and perspective.
Over the years I have worked with denominations such as Baptists, Methodists, Christian Union Church, Pentecostals, Church of God, United Church of Christ, and non-denominations. Because of my gifts and graces, and my training in the natural sciences, theology, human resources, counseling, and psychology, I have been able to serve in various capacities such as, Minister of Music, Minister of Counseling, Assistant Pastor, Associate Pastor, Pastor and Church Management Consultant.
As a consultant, some areas that I provide training and services include, Leadership Development, Strategic Planning and Management, Religious Behaviors and Personality Disorders, Ministerial Stress, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Conflict Management, Organizational Development, Change Management, Race Relations, and Social Justice.
There are four verses that have helped guide, consolidate, and buttress me throughout these fifty-five years, which have been formidable but also challenging. The exegesis and exposition of Scripture has always played an incredibly significant role in my ministry.
First, I remember soon after I became a minister, I asked God for a relevant and salient verse that would guide me in the years ahead. After a few weeks, the following verse began to resonate in my being, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, KJV). I did add a third not, to increase and strengthen my dependence on God. It was, “Nor by education.”
This verse lies in the context of a vision that the prophet Zechariah had in terms of the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. This vision was to be shared with Prince Zerubbabel. The vision clearly indicated that the undertaking would be accomplished not by military might or by physical power, but by the strength of, and total dependence on God’s Spirit.
Second, the Christian Manifesto has been my compass. A manifesto summarizes and epitomizes the focus, values, ethics, and the parameters of an individual, organization, a movement, or political party. Christ in delivering his first sermon in the town of Nazareth where he had lived as a child, quoted from the prophet Isaiah, and noted, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor had come (Luke 4: 18-19 NLT). There is continuous debate among Christians and non-Christians as to the role and function of Christianity. Christ was very plain and explicit as to Christianity’s role and function when he launched his preaching and public ministry. Christ stated that he was to embark and focus on societal aspects in addressing: (1) the Economic aspects of poverty, (2) the Criminal Justice System, (3) the Health Care system, and (4) to defeat Societal Oppression in whatever form or setting it existed. This is what it means to be a follower of Christ, this is what it means to be an Authentic Christian.
Third, a verse that I have tried to use as a guide is found in Christian Scriptures in the gospel of Mark 12: 30-31 where Christ stated, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (NLT). The essence of Christianity is loving God and all persons, regardless of racial/ethnic differences, geographic locations, political persuasion, or gender identity. I have tried over the years to experience and demonstrate the available love that Christ possesses.
Fourth, another verse that I have tried to use to guide my ministry is found in John 8:32, which states, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (KJV) The fundamental meaning of the Greek word translated “truth” is reality. Reality is what is. Not what I imagine, conjecture and delude myself into thinking and believing. So many people today both in and outside the church are living delusional lives. Reality does not mean accepting the information dispersed by Public Relations firms, the church, and politicians. We move to the orbit of reality when we engage in logical and critical thinking, based on facts. The reality is that many times those declarations of the above entities are the converse of what is true and factual. Hence, many of us are vulnerable and do not engage in critical thinking on those statements. One molecule of water H2O consists of a combination of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen joined by covalent bonding. That is a reality that no one, irrespective of their statements about the nature of water can change. There are some realities or truths in life, and when religious and political leaders ignore or try to discredit them, we all do so at our peril. As Christ warns us in Mt 15:14, “They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” (NLT).
OF INTEREST
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