Fronse Pellebon Smith

Your update is appreciated Lou. Globally great needs arise everywhere and funds available are too often spread too thin.

I will keep praying for the people affected by natural disasters, floods, quakes, landslides, disease, poverty.

The statements made in the Banner article are to me the standard personal arguments arriving at the standard position of demoting the Belhar to just another interesting document. The wordsmanship to somehow say the Belhar using God vs our three confessions use Jesus is theologically confusing to me. And arriving at the standard conclusion that the Belhar will divide our church places a negative final conclusion that amounts (to me) the 'any change will change us and if we have to change then we'll split.' Division over Confessions has created our 'different' denominations historically. We are one body in Christ.

In Africa I have had experiences where I discovered that the Old Testament prophets are similarly reveered by Muslims.

I am praying that Synod 2010 will move positively forward in prayerful and serious consideration of the Belhar Confession.

I respect all opinions. The purpose of a confession is personal and communal. As such political views and general statements are not lifted up to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we confess our sins and are forgiven by God we can move forward together to build a better church, society and world.

Suffering: Is objective and subjective, physical, mental and spiritual. Suffering deals with all aspects of humanity. Most people agree starvation is suffering, yet today suffering is generically used when people do not have what they want. So parsing phrases and words can go on forever (as we do with Scripture). I believe we have to include God in our discernment prayers and be open to God's revelation in our life context.

I trust that God will guide our discussions and parsings. :0)

Favorites: 'Precious Lord, take my hand...' re: My supplication to acknowledge my need for God to be in my life.
'Just a Closer Walk With Thee' re: Walking with Jesus gives me peace.

The group of songs categorized as "Dr. Watts" re: they are call and response songs

I continue to pray and trust that God will guide our CRC Churches and Synods to find a way, lit by the Lamp of Christ to have the needed conversations about race and reconcilliation in an open, frank and honest environment. Guided by an olde Dr Watts songs :" I Will Trust in the Lord, Till I Die" and "I Know the Lord Will Make a Way, Somehow", The CRCNA can and will move forward God helping us.

Thanks Mark for raising this important question. We all have views of "normal" that we learn or is imposed on us. Different is emphasized sometimes too often. Having a prosthesis I have learned that folks focus on it, not me. Too often first reactions lean toward pity which is spirit-killing for me. Yet overcoming living barriers (walking, standing, etc.) too often is overlooked, unless I speak up. Sharing my struggles leads to me being treated differently just because I spoke up. It makes me avoid situations and communications about "disabilities." I want greatly to be treated as just another child of God, a man, a father, husband, grandfather and friend. 

Agreed, there is no one size fits all for 'African American' churches. If anyone takes the time to Google African American or Black Churches the broad spectrum of denominations, belief systems, socio-economic strata becomes obvious to the reader. Starting (or planting) a church in any community requires awareness of and planting strategies to attract believers and non-believers from the neighborhood / region the church will serve.

The great 'key' to success if an open-door "whosoever will let him/her come," willingness to embrace all who enter the church. We are one body in Christ.