MJ, Emergents, and Bishop Smith

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Knowing Bishop Smith and the spirit in which it was written, I give a heartfelt AMEN.

I will probably print copies and distribute them to my church.

bump

[Praxeas]

Except for the comments about Michael Jackson, I heard a black baptist preacher a couple weeks ago pretty much raise the same concerns about the direction of American christians

[Mirth1981]

I think that the author of this article has some very valid concerns.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by oletime

Wise you are JD, Thanks ,the most shocking/funny thing to me, was when they wheeled him down the aisle and the choir burst forth with, The king is coming ,The king is coming, which the audience roundly and joyfully burst into with them, UNTIL they got to the lyric he"s coming for me, OOOP's guess that wasnt written for michael, dead silence.

The funeral was a secular affair. Given the fact that the dead guy's young kids were there, I think most folks would have bit their lip rather than say anything like, "Sacrilege!" If for some reason I had to have been there I would most certainly be in my "quiet place" waiting for this doosie to over. As it was, as a Christian the whole affair did concern me and I didn't concern myself with it.

For that matter, everything he did after "ABC" didn't concern me either and I simply cannot understand the importance people placed on what he did. Bacteria have affected my life with greater consequences than Michael Jackson or his music. To even have a man I respect like Bishop Smith bringing him up makes me cringe.

I offer this whole affair one huge *yawn* - BORING! That's for whoever posted the article and those who are "concerned" about "MJ's" influence in the church. There is no issue here. "Worldliness creeping into the church" is a different topic. Michael Jackson is just weird.

Move on, folks. Nothing here.

[John Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

You have to know Bishop Smith. I do, and I also know his son. I know the AWCF quite well too.

The AWCF is a networking group... not a denomination. More of a chamber of commerce.

Bishop Smith isn't a rules based guy, he is a principles based guy. You will notice he didn't mention standards anywhere in there.. it would be impossible since he ministers in 100+ different denominations under the AWCF umbrella... they ALL have different things.

If you don't put in the assumption that he is talking about standards and look at the principles of what he is saying.. I agree... the social gospel by itself doesn't save... and the watering down of the church as a doctrine defending entity has opened it up to many problems like acceptance of open sin in churches where everyone just doesn't ask and still allow folks who are in violation of clear scriptural teachings to be participants.

I dont see the problem with this if you use proper context and see who is saying it. The man isn't a "standards" guy.. he is a principles guy... i know because I have had dinner with him, visited his church, and am friends with his son who took his church.

Good post. I concur. I believe this article was Bishop Smith's "Chairmans Letter" to the AWCF quite some time ago. on the bolded... and they all get along just fine despite their differences. That is a wonderful thing...