PROGRESSIVE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter Voice ISSUE No. 3 - November 2014 King Memorial Service To Honor Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker The Midwinter Board meeting will convene January 18-23, I urge all of our Progressive family to make this coming 2015 at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, 4535 Midwinter Board meeting a sacred pilgrimage where we will Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA. plan our social justice agenda and develop a strategy to implement it. The week will be kicked off with our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebratory/Memorial Service. PNBC claims Dr. Our preacher for this service will be the inimitable King and his supporters in the Civil Rights Movement as the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Pastor-Emeritus of the Trinity founding spirit of our convention. As such, Progressive ought United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL. All of us know that for to have one of the most prominent, outstanding, and many years, Dr. Wright has been a trumpet of conscience in spiritually empowering services in the country. this nation. He will challenge us with his insightful, passionate proclamation. Providentially placed at the beginning of the year, PNBC's King service ought remind us of our spiritual DNA, what it is But the highlight of the evening will be that that distinguishes us from other denominations, and to be Progressive will honor one of our founding clear about our mission: to be the voice of the voiceless. fathers, Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, This is what Dr. King and the Pastor-Emeritus, Canaan courageous men and women Baptist Church, Harlem, NY. who stood with him and who marched with him Religious leader, activist, scholar and represented. This is the author, Reverend Walker is purpose for which Progressive internationally known for his was founded. contributions to the Civil Rights and anti-apartheid movements. A chief If we use this service as a call strategist for Dr. Martin Luther King, to be clear about our purpose Jr., Walker was one of the key and mission, we will stay on architects of the 1960-64 civil rights course and grow more campaigns and he is one of our own. powerful in our influence.

Progressive family, make every effort By the time we meet in to be present. Let’s make the PNBC Virginia Beach, the mid term MLK Service the most outstanding election will be over. At this service in the country. It will be our writing, we cannot tell which call to mission. The highlights of the party will have a majority in week are provided in the Midwinter the Senate. But with the events Board Meeting Week at a Glance of the past year- past six years detailed in this newsletter. really- it is clear that there is a need for our prophetic voice and action.

PROGRESSIVEVOICE 1 PROGRESSIVE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION I pray that this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the blessings of God From The in your life. President’s Desk Over the course of the past couple of months, I have had the wonderful A Word From President Perkins privilege of visiting many of you in your regional setting, sharing with many of you in your church services, responding to several requests for celebratory acknowledgements from PNBC, listening to many of you share your thoughts and concerns, and trying through previous emails to keep you abreast of some of the issues that we need to be aware of and to participate in.

At the end of this whirlwind experience, I can only say that I am more excited about PNBC and our future than I've ever been. There is a sense of optimism for which I am grateful, but in order to capitalize on it, we must face the raw reality of the challenges that lie before us as well as to prepare ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities God has presented to us.

I have come to feel that we really don't know what we have in PNBC!

For example, we are blessed to have a and the powers that be will simply To address the challenge that we face, headquarters with staff that work for ignore us and do whatever they want to we have been able to cut spending in us on a day to day basis. This is unique do in that area without any input from some areas. But to address the issue of among the African-American us. Though not likely, it is conceivable eliminating past indebtedness, meet Baptist denominations. that if we don't take better care of our some pressing needs, and have some property, they could try to take it from monies for general operating expenses, Our headquarters is located on almost us. It is not out of the realm of I recently asked the Executive six (6) acres of land located in the heart possibility. We must be vigilant! As Committee to support a DEFICIT of Washington, DC. That's huge! What Jesus said, "Watch and pray..." (St. ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN that will that means is that we are one of the Matthew 26:41). conclude by the time we meet in largest African-American landowners in January, 2015 for our Midwinter Board the nation's capital! Don't take that DEFICIT ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN Meeting in Virginia Beach, VA. In this for granted. campaign, each church is asked to In the same vein, the first challenge we contribute $1,000 over and above their In the Lincoln Heights section of DC have is to become a financially sound 1% membership fee, with contributions which is the section of the city that our organization. In the two months that I made by the time we meet in January. headquarters is located in, we have have been in office, it has become clear tremendous opportunity to anchor any that PNBC is not generating the Our Deficit Elimination Campaign goal development that takes place in necessary income to sustain our is $300,000 which will be used to that area. operations. Each of the past two eliminate some past debts, do some months, we have had challenges needed repairs on the Nannie Helen We are a sleeping giant in DC! We are meeting our payroll and other expenses. Burroughs School, and meet some other an international organization, but This is due in large measure to the fact current obligations. nobody knows we're there! We must that we do not have enough churches change that! And we will change it! If who pay their 1% membership fee on a we don't do something to make monthly basis. ourselves known in the city, developers

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If you can't contribute $1,000, give the TODAY! LET ME HEAR FROM performed in Newark, NJ was shut best you can. However, with at least 300 YOU PNBC! down because they were going to have pastors/churches committing to be a a Black man play the role of Jesus. part of the DEFICIT ELIMINATION THE CANCEL THE BLACK JESUS LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN Whenever He is portrayed in movies as CAMPAIGN, we could raise the funds being serious, He is never portrayed as needed to set us on sound financial I don't know how many of you have Black. But when He is portrayed as a footing provided we also commit to pay seen the show that airs on the Cartoon thug, a weed smoking, forty ounce our 1% membership fee on a Network entitled, BLACK JESUS. As I drinking, uzi carrying brother from the monthly basis. ask around, some people have seen it, hood, He is portrayed as Black. others have not. THE NEXT 30 DAYS!!! This is targeted to our youth and its If you have not seen it, go to YOUTUBE effect is to undermine their faith. All of We really need at least 50 pastors to and just look up BLACK JESUS. If you us are old enough to know that it is our commit to send their Deficit Elimination are at all a spiritually sensitive person, faith in Jesus that has been our only Campaign contribution to headquarters your sensibilities will be shocked! It is source of hope and empowerment to now or within the next 30 days so we offensive and blasphemous! endure all the horrifying experiences we will have some funds to operate. Be have endured in our past. sure to indicate Deficit Elimination In Wikipedia, the following storylines Campaign on your contribution. summarize episodes No. 1 - 6: Our foremothers and forefathers did not have fabulous estates, stocks and bonds, When Jesus and His “homies” businesses, or land to pass on to us. All fail to buy some marijuana, they had to pass on to us was a faith in they decide to grow it in the Jesus that encouraged us to believe that neighborhood garden. no matter how bad things get, the Lord would make a way somehow. We're Jesus and the crew find their having a hard enough challenge in garden but get into trouble getting that faith in our youth without with the local Mexican gang, the help of this blasphemous show. If who demand money our children don't have faith in Jesus, from them. they will have no future to speak of.

After being extorted by I am asking every PNBC constituent Mexican gangsters, they are (clergy and lay people) to join the left with no money for campaign to sign a letter to Ms. President Perkins observes Nannie fertilizer for their weed plants, Christine Miller, CEO of the Cartoon Helen Burroughs School roof repairs so they execute a manure heist Network asking that she cancel this at the Compton Boarding outrageous show. Stables. If you haven't already received this Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, pastor of And, unfortunately, it gets worse information in an earlier email, go to the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, and worse! pnbc.org and follow the instructions on Brooklyn, NY has been asked to serve as how to participate. point person for this effort and he has This show is an attack on our faith as graciously accepted this responsibility. Christians. As Christians, we believe Pastors, show a couple of clips to your He will be reaching out to you on behalf that Jesus is the Son of God and that He church members and friends so they can of this campaign. Please pledge your died on the Cross for our sins. We get enraged and participate also. support to this worthy cause. believe He was raised from the dead and that He rules and reigns in our Again, I say, we have such a wonderful world and in our hearts. opportunity to make PNBC the strong witness for God it was intended to be. All Christians should be outraged that We just need the money to do all that the Cartoon Network has chosen to God has set before us. THERE IS NO trivialize and thugarize Jesus. But Black MINISTRY WITHOUT MONEY. I urge people in particular should be you to support this campaign so we can outraged! Whenever Jesus is portrayed breathe new life and energy into PNBC. as a serious person, He is never GOD WILL NOT FAIL US, LET US NOT portrayed as Black. A couple of years FAIL HIM! MAKE YOUR PLEDGE ago, I read that The Passion Play being

PROGRESSIVEVOICE 3 PROGRESSIVE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION “Our Post Election Agenda: Restoring the African American Village” By Rev. Kip Banks, Sr.

As of this writing, the forecasts are that the US Senate rightly on the task of “child-making” because the future will change from Democratic to Republican control and of Black children is at stake. Quoting statistics by Marian that the overall US Congress and state and local Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, governments across the land will become more he shares the following about Black children living in conservative. Furthermore, these new conservative the U.S: governments are expected to pursue a right-wing agenda of rolling-back many of the social policy gains that have been enacted under the Obama Administration • Every five seconds during the school day, a including seeking to dismantle the Affordable Health Black public school student is suspended; Care Act. • Every forty-six seconds during the school day, a Black high school student drops out; This says that it is time for the African American Church, just as it has in times past, to rise-up and to take action. • Every minute, a Black child is arrested and a Indeed, I am grateful that under our new President, Dr. Black baby is born to an unmarried mother; James C. Perkins, the Progressive National Baptist • Every three minutes, a Black child is born Convention (PNBC) into poverty; has a bold plan to equip pastors and • Every hour, a Black baby dies; churches and to be a voice for the • Every four hours, a Black child or youth under voiceless. Please twenty dies from an accident; make certain that • Every five hours, one is a homicide victim; you’re on board with us by sharing • Every day, a young Black person under your contact twenty-five dies from HIV infection; and information with us • A Black child or youth under twenty at [email protected]. commits suicide. When it comes to the problems Pastor Kip Banks, Sr. plaguing Black Interim General Secretary America, often critics will say that Unfortunately, Marian Wright Edelman’s timeline portrait the problems are of what’s happening with Black children is a vivid reality rooted in the pathologies of urban Black culture, like in our communities. Too many of our young people are crime, violence and out of wedlock births. Others place dying early and the prospects for their future are bleak. So the blame solely on the door steps of broad what must we do to address the problem? socioeconomic factors like racism, poverty and Dr. Franklin says that we must work to reverse the decline unemployment. However, it is rare that one provides an of core anchor institutions in the African American honest, balanced assessment of what ails Black America, community. These institutions are the family, the church yet this is what Dr. Robert M. Franklin, former President and the school. He points out that if these organizations of Atlanta’s Morehouse College, does in his book entitled were aligned, healthy and working together, our young Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American people would flourish no matter what the state of the Communities. economy or who is in the Mayor’s office or the White House. He also points out that the Black Church must In this book, Dr. Franklin issues a call to strategic action take the lead in restoring our core institutions, and PNBC to reverse the decline of families and children’s well- is poised to do so. being, the moral authority of churches, and the moral drift in many schools and colleges. Dr. Franklin’s focus is

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Not only is there a crisis of commitment but Black churches Missions On The Move face a Crisis of Mission. Dr. Franklin says the biggest threat As the Missions Ministry of the convention grows, we are is the “Prosperity Gospel movement.” This is a focus of the blessed to have the support of our constituent churches, the church on personal greed, obsessive materialism and convention leadership, and mission partners from across the unchecked narcissism. This stands counter to the social globe. I am pleased to report that our presence as a gospel tradition where the church is concerned about social convention is being felt in both this country and the world. justice and feeding hungry, and helping the prisoners, the Domestically, Missions initiated a pilot program in the East, sick and the poor. Franklin says that too many churches Mid-West, and Southern regions to help with food insecurity today are suffering from an “edifice” complex. They are by distributing food cards connected to regional grocery spending more time building their buildings and local stores. With the gracious help of our Regional kingdoms when they should spend more time helping the Vice-Presidents, PNBC, over a six-week period, was able to downtrodden and working to ensure the future of help nearly two hundred individuals who desperately our children. needed food. The Food Card Distribution Program also aided social agencies committed to food donations and Then finally our schools, according to Franklin, are providing hot meals to hungry persons. Internationally, suffering from a crisis of moral purpose. Franklin says that PNBC is sponsoring children in Haiti to attend elementary our schools are failing and that on a regular basis we are school. Our support enables these children to attend school “reminded of the culture of violence, drug use, sexual with no worries about their tuition, uniform, fees, and experimentation and moral relativism plaguing many of our school supplies. schools.” One of the answers to the problem is to foster collaborations with local schools and churches. To ask On the horizons, we are planning to partner with the Haiti churches to incorporate educational excellence into their Baptist Convention to establish a chicken farm which will ministries and become centers of educational support. ease the food crisis in Haiti through egg production. As an These centers would offer after-school programs, added benefit, the chicken farm will teach entrepreneurial mentoring, tutoring, computer resources, and assistance skills to the Youth Division of the Haiti convention. with standardized tests and college preparation. With the genial help of the Women's God is calling for us to restore hope in the African Department, we hope to have the American community by making our families, churches necessary funds in hand to begin and schools stronger. Let each of us do what we can in our early next year. The hope is to own realms of influence to heed the call! replicate the success of the Food Card Distribution Program in the Peace, Power, and Progress, Southwest Region during the Pastor Kip Banks, Sr. winter months when food shortages are the most acute.

Additionally, President Perkins has Lunch Break charged Missions with the task of partnering with the African The Women’s Department Women in Ministry just American Baptist Mission has plans for a grand prior to the luncheon. Rev. James E. Victor, Jr. Collaboration begun in 2010 in Director of Missions luncheon experience response to the devastating at the2015 Midwinter The luncheon is planned for earthquake in Haiti. The Board Meeting. Our theme Wednesday, January 21,2015, partnership between PNBC, The National Baptist is “In Honor of … “. At this at 1:15 p.m. Convention, USA, The National Baptist Convention of time we wish to express America, The National Missionary Baptist Convention, and appreciation to all who have Please reserve your tickets at The Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missions Convention is been supportive of the the bargain price of $40.00. currently working toward a unified response to the Ebola luncheon efforts throughout Make check payable to virus outbreak in West Africa in order to intensify our impact the years. In addition, we PNBC, memo Women’s in the region. You will hear more about our collective plan in will also honor the Luncheon. Please get the the very near future. At our Midwinter Board Meeting, we courageous women who check or credit card will also be seeking mission partners from within PNBC who have been vital to the information to the PNBC are already doing tremendous work internationally. As you ongoing of the Headquarters by January 11, can see PNBC Missions is on Worker Magazine. 2015. We look forward to having you join us! the Move! We will hear from Dr. Ira Carruthers, having been Alice P. Jeffery Please continue your support with plenty of prayers and a invited to lead a session on deluge of dollars.

Rev. James E. Victor, Jr. PROGRESSIVEVOICE Director of Missions 5 TO REGISTER GO TO WWW.PNBC.ORG PROGRESSIVE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION The 2015 Midwinter Board Meeting Virginia Beach, Va Week At A Glance Sunday, January 18, 2015 Wednesday, January 21, 2015 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING: Executive Committee/Board in Prayer “Measuring Our Convention’s Performance & Preparing for a Preferable Future” 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM Praise and Worship

Monday, January 19, 2015 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM MORNING SESSION: Executive Committee/Board in Prayer “2015-2020 Strategic Initiatives – Women’s Division” President James C. Perkins 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM President’s Breakfast with the Executive Committee 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM THEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM “Women in Ministry – Leadership & Partnership” EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING: Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA “2015 . . . Revisiting the 2015-2020 Vision” – Session I 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: “Meaningful Women’s Ministry” EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: “Fleshing-Out the 2015 Strategic Objectives” – Session II 1:15 PM – 3:15 PM LUNCHEON: “Honoring…” 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Guest Preacher: Dr. Ira Carruthers, Chicago, IL OPENING SESSION: “Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service” - Honoring Dr. Wyatt T. Walker Guest Preacher: Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., D.Min. Thursday, January 22, 2015 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Executive Committee/Board in Prayer 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM Executive Committee/Board in Prayer Praise and Worship

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Praise and Worship MORNING SESSION: “2015-2020 Strategic Initiatives –Pastor’s Division” 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM President James C. Perkins MORNING SESSION: “2015-2020 Strategic Initiatives &Priorities” 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM President James C. Perkins THEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE: “Shepherds the Lord Needs in Times Like These” 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D., President, Colgate Rochester Divinity School THEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE: “Social Justice – Our Duty & Distinction” Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D., President, Colgate Rochester Divinity School 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM “Pastoral Ministry That Matters” BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: “Making Social Justice Actionable” Facilitators: Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D. and Rev. John Mendez, D.Min. 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM AFTERNOON SESSION 2 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Leadership Development: Leadership and Management in the Church” AFTERNOON SESSION I – Strategic Initiative: “Christian Rev. Guy A. Williams, Sr., D.Min. | Principal, The Petros Group, LLC Education That Makes A Difference” Rev. James Evans, Ph.D., Chair, Board of Christian Education & Publication 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM REGIONAL MEETINGS: “Owning & Running With the 2015-2020 Vision” 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Facilitated by Regional Vice-Presidents: AFTERNOON SESSION II – Strategic Initiative: Dr. Louis B. Jones, II, Rev. Elmer Lesure, Rev. Reginald Porter, “Creating Relevant Youth Ministry” Rev. Phillip Kent and Dr. Ivan Butler Dr. Paul Dunn, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Charleston, WV Rev. Shawn McBride, Truth for Youth America 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EVENING WORD & WORSHIP: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Rev. Charles E. Booth, D.Min., Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Columbus, OH EVENING WORD & WORSHIP THE CHARGE, President James C. Perkins Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D. Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia Friday, January 23, 2015 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast Meeting of Executive Committee COMMISSIONING SESSION: “Assessments, Assignments, and Action: 2015”

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Executive Committee/Board Closing Prayer

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1934 – 2014 The Worker A JOURNEY OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE The WORKER began its journey 80 years of God’s love, grace and mercy. This and other informative materials. ago on what is known as the Holy Hill in powerful little magazine addresses needs the northeast section of the nation’s of all ages and all members of the Writers for The WORKER and other capital city at the National Training congregation including leaders and lay contributors are “second to none” and School for Women and Girls (now the persons: Senior and Young Adults and share their exceptional skills, talents, Nannie Helen Burroughs School) . The Youth (Bible Study, Children’s Corner, knowledge and spiritual blessings with site is now the property and headquarters Junior Jaunts, Teenage Travelogue); the world. Many are pastor and/or of the Progressive National Baptist Poetry Corner; African-American History members of the clergy and are published Convention, Inc. The founder of the authors of books. Theirs is a labor school and The WORKER, the late Dr. of love. Nannie Helen Burroughs introduced the first issue after recognizing the need for The WORKER has been a financial Christian workers to become more resource to the NHBS. It continues to effective and better equipped in the be a spiritual and financial resource to Church and the community, particularly the Convention. It could be so much in missions, leading all into soul winning more with your support. PNBC, as we with a greater knowledge of a lost world. begin the 81st year of publication, let each Through the years changes have occurred, of us support our own, The WORKER, but its mission remains the same. through individual and/or congregation subscriptions. Contact headquarters for The WORKER, A Devotional and further information, Ms. Linda James Educational Quarterly, is one of a very (202) 396-0558. few quarterly magazines published by African-American Baptists. This award The current Editor is Ms. Evelyn P. winning and internationally known Andrews and Mrs. Elnora McLean magazine has been a continuing voice of prepares the Cover and Layout. Please information, inspiration and motivation take a subscription today. for Christian living and action offering Thanks so much. hope to those who yearn for the message Mrs. Elnora McLean

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