Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 29, 1997, edition 1 / Page 12
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
/ http://www.thepost.mindspring.com Cljarlotte ^o£(t THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1997 12A RELIGION Timothy’s talents recognized Sunday School Lesson Devotional reading: Psalm 37:1- 11. Lesson scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-16. By the time of Paul’s writing of 1 Timothy, Timothy, although a young man, had been recognized for some time as someone with great potential for Christ and His kingdom. He had been a trusted co-worker with Paul in many of his missionary endeavors. Paul had often dispatched 'Hmothy to provide counsel for troubled churches (see 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-23; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3). Timothy was the child of a mixed marriage; his father was a Greek pagan, while his mother Eunice was a devout Jewish woman who (along with his grandmother Lois) taught him the Hebrew Scriptures. Timothy joined Paul during Paul’s second missionary joiuney (Acts 16:1-3), and continued to be his faithful companion until the apostle’s death. So strong was the bond between the two men that Paul often referred to Timothy as his “son” (1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:22; 1 ’Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2:1). Most scholars believe that 1 ’Timothy was written after Paul’s house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16,30,31) had ended (about AD. 63). It may have been writ ten in Macedonia after Paul left Rome (1 ’Timothy 1:1). Although the letter is addressed to Timothy, whom Paul calls “my own son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), it seems that much of its con tent was designed to be shared with other Christians and churches. In the first chapter, he sets forth the qualifications of bishops, or overseers, and dea cons. In the fourth chapter, from which today’s lesson text is taken, Paul offers some practical counsel that Timothy needed to heed if he wanted to become an effective servant of Christ 'These sugges tions are just as important to us today a^ they were when Paul penned them. TTie word translated here as minister is the Greek word diakonos. It does not refer to a professional clergyman as we tend to think of a “minister” today, but simply means “ser vant.” It is the word used in the previous chapter (verses 8-13) to refer to the office of deacon. Part of being a good minister (servant) of Jesus Christ is to communicate the words of faith and good doctrine. TTie knowl edge of the Scriptures had been an instrumental part of 'Rmothy’s upbringing (2 Timothy 3:15). He had not outgrown his need for them. TTie Scriptures were still his most important tool in serving Christ and building His church. Tb fail to be nour ished by their words would lead to an inferior ministry. Paul urged ’Timothy to reject all forms of false teaching. The teachings mentioned here were not necessarily blasphemous or sacrilegious; they did, however, turn one’s attention away fium the gospel. For that reason Timothy was to refuse or reject them. TTie Greek word translated fables is the plural of the word muthos, from which comes our word “myth.” TTiese fables may have included either some of the tales that had become a part of the Jewish literature of that day, or the pagan stories that abound ed in the Graeco-Roman litera ture. Instead of wasting time on these, Paul urged ’Timothy to make personal godliness a prior ity. Christ’s servant caimot afford to be distracted by trivial mat ters. Paul often made reference to athletic activities to illustrate a spiritual point Proper physical exercise can help us maintain good health and spirit Nazareth Primitive Baptist celebrates milestone By Jeri Young THE CHARLOTTE POST The fourth Sunday in May is an important day at Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church. Always has been, members say. Always will be. Sunday was extra special. The church celebrated its 120th anniversary. “We’ve been around for a pretty good little while,” says Elder John Thompson. “We’re here to stay.” Thompson, the church’s senior minister for almost four years, says the church is on a mission to grow and spread the word of God. Through several splits, the church has remained steadfast on its mission to bring souls to Christ. The church was founded in 1877, when several members of Zion Primitive Baptist Church left to form a new congregation. Members of the new church met in the home of Robert and MoUy Caldwell on Statesville Avenue. In the 1890s, the church pur chased land on Oliver Street in the Greenville neighborhood for $35. A small building was erected and used until 1903 when a larg er building was finished. The con gregation worshipped there for almost 80 years, until the new church was erected on Bancroft Street in 'Tryon Hills. The last few years have seen the church become computerized and a new sound system and organ installed. In 1988, the church increased the size of its fellowship hall, new kitchen and nine Sunday School rooms. The church also has a new vision - “to be a spiritual church in the community so people can seek Christ in his reedness...” Thompson says. A place where people can find solace and help with problems. “You have to constantly aware of history where you were then and where you are now,” Thompson says. “It’s the ‘90s now. It’s a different decade. You can’t expect a congregation to be aware of today’s issues if you’re pastor- ing as you did years ago.” Jackson goes back to roots PHOTO/FILE The Rev. Jesse Jackson has returned to his roots in Chicago, after a stint as Washington’s “unofficial Senator." He hopes to take Operation PUSH nationwide. ByMike Robinson THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO - The Rev. Jesse Jackson spent a night in jail last February after shutting down a $46 million construction project where black con tractors claimed they were getting a raw deal. In court the next morning, the judge shook his hand. “Good to meet you,” Judge Cornelius Tbole chuckled affably as he greeted Jackson like a vis iting dignitary. It was a far cry from the police, snarling dogs and electrified cattle prods that greeted civil rights marchers three decades ago. But it’s a dif ferent era, and Jackson’s role has changed as well. The nation’s best-known dvil rights leader and minister has toned down the strident confionta- tion that once defined his style. After two presi dential races and 10 years in Washington, Jackson has returned to his roots in the dty where he launched his career. But he has not forgotten his roots in the church. Once dismissed as a nuisance by Chicago’s power elite, Jackson has all but joined it, helping to get son Jesse Jr. elected to Congress, sharing platforms with the Daley family and addressing lawmakers in Springfield, drawing thunderous approval from politidans of the kind he once fought. TTie self-appointed roving ambassador, who once delighted in schmoozing with heads of state and concocting his own foreign policy, has moved on to such nuts-and-bolts issues as minority hiring and school finances. Not to say the 55-year-old Jackson has aban doned the national stage. In recent months, he has opened a Wall Street office of his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to press for minority hiring, campaigned in ’Ifeimessee for state aid for schools and marched beside AFL-CIO President John Sweeney at a California rally for striking strawberry workers. Increasingly, though, he’s focnising on his base in Illinois and sinking his organizational roots deep. Jackson moved to Chicago from his native South Carolina to study at a theological semi nary in 1964. Armed with a letter of introduc tion, he met with Mayor Richard J. Daley who advised him to become a precinct worker in the Chicago Machine and offered a job as a mass transit toll collector. Jackson dismissed that idea. In 1965, he became Chicago director of Operation Breadbasket, an economic pressure arm of Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It was his spring board to power and influence. Six years later, though, with King gone, he resigned from SCLC and established his own group Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). TTiose roots eroded in the 198()s when he made his home in Washington. When he came back last year he was determined to rebuild. Last fall, he barnstormed his son’s 2nd Congressional District, stretching from the tumble-down streets of Chicago’s South Side to affluent suburbs. Democrats gained six state legislative seats in November - five in or near young Jackson’s district. Democrats credit both Jacksons - “Reverend” and “Junior” to intimates - with helping to capture control of the Illinois House. “The gap between black and white is greater than at any time since 1954,” Jackson declares, a theme he sounds at almost every stop. “But it is not as great as the gap between haves and have-nots.” Jackson wants an end to the system, basic See S.C. onpage13A PHOTO/SUE ANN JOHNSON Members of Nazareth rejoice during Sunday’s anniversary services. Summer woes? Local groups ofifer activities for kids Believe it or not, summer is right around the comer. And once again, parents are wondering what to do with children of all ages. Several local churches and religious organizations are hosting posi tive summer adventures for kids. •Johnston YMCA 3025 Davidson St. The newly remodeled Johnston YMCA will host summer camps for children age 4-12. The cost is $50 a week for members and $72 a week for non-members. TTie Y will also hold camps for teens 13-15. Cost for members is $40 a week, non-members $50. Both camps will focus on leadership skills, goal-setting and arts. Both camps will also focus on improving reading skills. For mcSpe information, call 333-6206. •Black History Workshops for Children is sponsored by Walls Memorial AME Zion Church and the Black Student Organization of Central Piedmont Community College. BHWC’s focus is teaching young African Americans about their history and heritage. Workshops will be held June 7,14, 21 and Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Central Piedmont Community College. Tuition is $115 and includes t-shirt, workbook and swimming lessons. •Steele Creek AME Zion Church will host a summer day camp June 9 - Aug. 15 for children age 5 - 15. The cost is $50 per week and includes lunch, field trips and other activities. Registration is $30 and weekly fees is $50 per child. For more information, contact Rev. Charles Reid at 523-6552. •Positive Directions for Youth Summer Enrichment Camp will begin June 16 and end Aug. 9. ’The camp will be held at Full Gospel Learning Center, 3641 Central Ave. Programs range from computer classes to drama and swimming. Registration fee is $20 and weekly fees are $50 per child. For more information, call 795-3566 or 563- 3383. Southmi hospitality suffers sdbacks in South Candina THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GREENVILLE, S.C. - While South Carolinians generally agree that arguments over race and religion have eroded the air of civility that once defined public discourse in the state, opinions differ on what the lasting impact of intolerance will be. Some say the recent spate of race-linked church burnings and com ments by a state education official to “Screw the Buddhists and kill the Muslims” show a bigotry that harkens back to pre-civil rights days. Others, however, see opportunity because people are talking, even at a shout. “South Carolina always has appeared as part of the Deep South rather than the more moderate, progressive South,” said Curtis Gans of the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate, a nonpar tisan research organization. That’s been changing.” A major catalyst has been the combination of new residents, the aging and dying off of a generation raised in a more openly racist cul ture and the moderating influence of expansion-minded business interests, Gans said. As an example, he said debate over whether the Confederate flag should be taken down fiom the Statehouse dome offers an encourag ing sign. See FLAG Page 13A Faith community welcomes three new leaders By Jeri Young THE CHARLOTTE POST Taking on a new pastorship is never easy. New faces to get to know. New ministries to be estab lished. A new way of doing things to be learned. It’s a time of learning and sharing. Several local churches have named new or interim pastors this year. They say the first few months are a time of get ting to know and becoming known. “The first month has been an exciting month,” says the Rev. Leonzo Lynch, the new pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Lynch “Things are on the ground and doing extremely well.” Lynch, a graduate of U N C Greensboro and Duke University Divinity School, recently received his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Lynch, tapped to lead 500- member Ebenezer in April, has already instituted several new programs aimed at developing new church leaders and a new vision for the 100- year old church. “The first Saturday in June we’ll Arrington ^ leader ship confer ence to bring in all deacons, trustees and officers of organi zations,” Lynch said. “We’re trying to use that method of presenting the vision and pre senting the plan of action for the leadership to come togeth er as leaders.” Pharr After the conference. Lynch has scheduled a meeting with the rest of the church body to discuss the ideas from the leader ship confer- “The first month has been full of planning events such as that,” Lynch said. In January, the Rev. Carl Arrington took the helm at Simpson-Gillespie United Methodist Church. Arrington, who has pastored seven churches during his career, agrees that a new pastorship is a challenge. “There’s so much going on,” he says. “Just trying to keep up with everything and carry out ministries I see that need to be done.” Arrington, a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University School of Divinity and Drew University, credits his family, wife Sharon and son Brandon, a sophomore at Drew, with helping the transi tion. Arrington says his first order See MINISTERS Page 13A
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 29, 1997, edition 1
12
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75