Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 October 2003 — Page 13

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Order of Service Religion

B SECTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2003

SPIRITUAL OUTLOOK

From milk To meal' By PASTOR DAVID A. HAMPTON

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I must begin by stating that I love my church family

at Zion Hope

Baptist Church. I am privileged to pastor some of the greatest people on the planet. Being a

leader is humbling because to whom much is given, much is required and expected. I realize that I must remain faithful because my members will be a reflection of who I am and what I teach. If I am not constantly focused on Christ, then I will be judged severely for misleading many lives. The highest level of leadership is actually servanthood. 1 Peter 2:1-3 says that we should desire the pure milk of God’s word, while iCorinthians 3:1-3 talks about the need to be fed with solid spiritual food. One of the greatest challenges of the church today is the same challenge faced by the apostle Paul - spiritually immature

Christians.

It is a shame that many individuals discuss where they attend church while in some nightclub and then see one another in church the next morning with a hangover. I guess one should not be so critical, after all, at least they are in church right? Well, as long as the church does not challenge Christians to grow, churches will remain full of members wearing spiritual

diapers.

Paul also said, in 1 Cor. 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. From a pastoral perspective it is quite embarrassing to hear that your members represent you, your teaching, and your church poorly concerning their witness in the community. I’m sure that if pastors can be embarrassed, imagine how Jesus must feel. The truth of the matter is, a church can only be as strong, healthy, and mature as its leadership. If the pastor is uninformed, members are uninformed. If the pastor is carnal, members are carnal. If the pastor is immature, members are immature. If the pastor is biblical, members are biblical. If the pastor is friendly, members are friendly. The people of any church become a reflection of their pastor. Also, to some extent, the pastor becomes a reflection of the people. What, then must take place to ensure a proper reflection of maturity? Jesus must be the standard of excellence upon which the pastor and people aspire to reach. The standard, however, begins at the top, with the pastor, then with the leadership, down to mem-

bership.

The reason many churches fall within the 80/20 statistic (80 percent of members do nothing while 20 percent do everything) is due to the fact that many members do not move beyond a certain point in their spiritual growth. I want to suggest that there are four levels of growth toward spiritual maturity in the church: (1) membership, (2) discipleship, (3) stewardship, and (4) leadership. Membership is the most basic level. At Zion Hope, simply joining church does not make one a member. Membership is attained upon completion of a 6-week EQUIP class designed to equip new members with the basic principles of the ► Sm OUTLOOK, Page B3

New radio broadcast focuses on Godly living

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer “‘It Is Well’ is devoted to reconciling the whole man unto Christ - body, mind, soul and spirit,”said Beverly Barney during her introduction to some new WTLC-AM programming. The 15-minute show, which airs Fridays at 7:45 p.m., was created by Reginald and Beverly Barney, long time members of Faith Tabernacle. ' “The mission of the ministry is to inform, educate, motivate and empower individuals for abundant living,” said Reginald during the first broadcast. The Barneys developed the concept years before now. They hosted a similar showyears ago, on WPZZ called “Personal Management Tips” before the broadcasting company was sold. “We felt like people needed personal management and we wanted to be there to help them,” said Reginald. After the first go around, the two went back to school to secure their bachelor degrees. Beverly now holds a degree in nutrition and consumer family science and Reginald secured his degree in management. The two felt a need to start up the program again, and went to Radio One for information about airing the program. After receiving approval the two began to seek out topics for the

Beverly and Reginald Barney, hosts and creators of "It Is Well" on WTLC-AM, listen to the playback of their new show. The show airs Friday's at 7:45 p.m. (Photo/J. Hurst)

show. The first broadcast aired last Friday and the focus was on patience. "We live in a fast-paced society and we wanted to touch on patience. We try to gear our ministry to everyday life,” said Reginald. A skit was even included in the first braodcast - to help listeners visualize the types of impatient acts that typically go unnoticed. “We need to develop patiencein our relationships, homes, families, friendships and work relationships,” said Beverly. The Barneys are not new at educating the community on a healthly living and faith. The two are the owners of Joyful Sound Production, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. They are also the creators and organizers of the annual Gospel Explosion during the Circle City Classic weekend. The Gospel Explosion has brought to the city major gospel groups artists such as Yolanda Adams, Lamar Campbell, Trinity 5:7 and many others. The next step in the development of the program will be to conduct interviews from national leaders, ministers and advisors. The Barneys also have a vision of creating a book club for individuals. "We want to establish a book club, but that will take some time ► See RADIO, Page B3

Compelling trilogy takes unflinching look at Black Mormon pioneers

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Jane Manning had been a servant for Mrs. Fitch, a financially secure Connecticut widow, for a long time. Jane looked at her mistress long and hard. “Yes ma’am," she replied in her own, strong, willful voice, no more restraints. She felt as peaceful and certain as just after her baptism. “I am going with the Latter-day Saint people." "Don’t you -" “This here be free country. And Connecticut be a free state even to the Black race, and my heart tell me -" “Please don’t finish that," Mrs. Fitch said. “Despite your decision, you must not backtalk me, girl. That is not your place."

Jane hugged her dresses so her hands wouldn’t go where they wanted to - around the miz/.us’ neck. “My heart tells me K<>” Widow Fitch looked skyward again. She wept for a full minute before speaking, her cries somewhere between hiccups and bird chirps. "Then, Jane,” she managed, “though 1 love you nearly .is well as if you was one of my own babies, I can only curse your steps." She sprawled her hand over her mouth and cried, "May God forgive you and put thorns in your way so you will feel the heat of his wrath and swing yourself full around." She turned and walked fast to her surrey, weeping like a mauled kitten. ► See MORMON, Page B3

IN THE SPIRIT

Mindful p Men

Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church recently held their annual men's day service, with the theme "God's Mindfulness of Men." The event's keynote speaker was Darryl Johnson (left), a professor of at Ball State University and former Notre Dame University championship football star. Vocalist James Mathis (lower left) joined the male chorus in a rendition of "If God Is Dead." Ulysses Coleman (lower right) placed a strong emphasis on the event's theme. (Photos/J. Hurst)