Fronse Pellebon Smith
I am an Administrative Elder at Faith CRC Holland My wife Germaine and I are advocates for education and counsel people from Africa seeking higher education. We have five children and fifteen grandchildren. I am 67 years old. Continuously we praise God for granting us peace and good will towards people.
Our FishingwithoutPoles? Projects in Africa include : Buikwe Full Gospel Ministries Poultry Farmers Groups in Buikwe Uganda
http://www.Linkedin.com/in/fronsepellebonsmith
Posted in: Do Trump’s "S---hole" Remarks Represent American Values?
WE need prayer that God guide us to learn who WE are.
Posted in: Do Trump’s "S---hole" Remarks Represent American Values?
The term “American values” is a broad brushstroke.
Old American values had enslaved and endentured people making America great.
All immigrants came here for a myriad of reasons, one being persecution because of religion.
There were and are millions who want to gain money, land, food and power.
Churches, businesses, well meaning people all are involved.
Our nation has tiers of socioeconomic classes and we seem to want to argue over anything at any time.
We must toil harder to encourage common agreement.
Posted in: Do Trump’s "S---hole" Remarks Represent American Values?
Your comments are good.
Matthew 7:1-5 teaches us to : “Judge not lest he be judged yourself.”
try as I might, this is not easy when we are living in an adversarial culture.
it is not wise for us to forget Love is Jesus message to us.
our churches must witness this Love in all we do. We can have positive debate about how we can better shine our Light. Our Light shines brightest with Grace.
Posted in: Kneeling in Prayer
Develop answers about the Black African History within the RCA.
Create a plan to teach this history within the Sunday School curriculum.
Center this effort explaining the role of prayer.
Posted in: Racial Reconciliation: A Letter to My Church
First I must be reconciled in Christ
The song “It is well with my soul.” communicates (to me) reconciliation with God.
Posted in: #CRClistens: Why We Need Robert's Rules
Great points.
civility is key.
Posted in: Why the DOD Task Force Report to Synod Should Make You Feel Unhappy
The meaning of Sankofa (African word) is looking back to know where we came from to understand today and know where we need to be tomorrow. I paraphrased this to say it is important to know what happened
yesterday to see where we are today, however more important is where we are going to be tomorrow .
thus a three stage process is vital for our successful future.
Our descendants will determine tomorrow's outcomes, so what we do today will be their "past."
Let us pray together that we do not stumble by only looking in the past too long.
Posted in: Organizational Framework for a New Mission Agency
An interesting conceptual word document.
Church and Classis are mentioned, yet who, what and how will the NMA blend information and recommendations into the structures of church and Classis?
Often I respect denomination presentations, only six months or a year later the communicated 'help' is time consuming.
Targeted use of email, messaging, Facebook is very effective and saves time.
I continue to not see reference to the 19th and 20th century planted churches as co-participants WITH our North American body of Christ.
I pray this New Paradigm will represent ALL of the global Reformed Body of Christ.
Respectfully Fronse
Posted in: John Azumah, a Presbyterian From Ghana, Comments on American Cultural Imperialism
Yes the theological thoughts of former Missional African churches need to be listened to, heard, recognized as we wrestle with our own responses to North American Openness Movements.
Posted in: Raising Up the Next Generation of Black and Reformed Leaders
Events in their churches relevant to Their life experiences should be at every church.
Youth born into the church can be brought along by their elders.
Posted in: Raising Up the Next Generation of Black and Reformed Leaders
Halfway through our 2018 Black History Month our challenges continue.
Better communication and smiles go a long way to reconciliation.
i pray God grants us patience, persistence and tenacity climbing Jacob’s Ladder?
Posted in: Raising Up the Next Generation of Black and Reformed Leaders
Rev Posie, This is a very challenging post and question. There are built in church structures to involve adults, fewer for youth. Each minister and council has opportunities to ensure Youth development.
How? From early childhood, parents and council can form youth to be leaders by including and encouraging youth participation in church events, planning and worship.
The greatest words to build self confidence are "You've done well." Children achieve when they have structured kindness based encouragement. Let youth plan an event, not be told what to do.
yes, constructive criticism is sometimes needed and should be done in love.
Cadets is the structured group that can be a base. Juneteenth, MLK, KWANZAA are cultural events for Youth and family participation.
one last comment: our children and Youth sitting in the pews hear adult tone and tenor very well. Thus we must prayerfully consider how WE speak and act around them. They take their ques from us.