Below is a statement from the Church of God General Overseer (Presiding Bishop) regarding the situation in Ferguson, MO. I hesitated to post anything regarding this issue...but I have remained troubled by something in this statement since its posting. I will note my concern at the end. If I did not feel the Lord leading me to address the issue...I would remain silent. Here is the statement made...which is available for viewing on the Church of God website. FERGUSON, MISSOURI STATEMENT Tonight (Monday, November 24, 2014) the grand jury investigating the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. announced that police officer Darren Wilson, the shooter, would not be indicted in the incident. The declaration followed a three-month examination of charges and evidence following the confrontation. Tonight I join my sentiment with that of the father of Michael Brown Jr., the young man who was killed, who declared few days ago that no matter what the grand jury decides, he does not want his son’s death to be in vain; he wants it to lead to positive change. Elaborating, he affirmed that hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. Even in his time of grief, he has become the spokesperson for clear-headed, reasonable people. In a spirit of camaraderie and love, I call upon all peace-loving people to set an example of calm, reasoned response to the grand jury announcement. In recent weeks, clergy and church members in that area have been meeting in joint prayer gatherings—diverse in composition—to seek God for a fitting resolution of the unfortunate tragedy and to lead to systemic change. I lift my voice with theirs to implore the God of creation to keep His hand upon the situation, and I ask godly people everywhere to join in this intercession. I further urge thoughtful people who are truly concerned for mending relations between the community and law enforcement; improving race relations; inspiring a young generation to seek the peace of the city where they live; and eradicating the hatred and hostility that exists in many places, to seek justice and systemic change using nonviolent means. Please lift up in prayer the principals in this case: the Brown family visited by death, the Wilson family and all the law enforcement community, and members of the grand jury, that peace and justice will prevail. I agree with many sentiments expressed by the General Overseer here. This country does need healing. Regardless of race...regardless of view...the division is polarizing, painful, and profound. We cannot allow past wrongs to cloud our present way...nor to continue to taint our future hopes. But...I am troubled by the presentation which reads: Elaborating, he affirmed that hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. Even in his time of grief, he has become the spokesperson for clear-headed, reasonable people. These words are spoken regarding the Father of Michael Brown. Are these words truth? No. The parents of Michael Brown lost a son...and that is tragic. But...TRAGEDY should not allow us to skew reality regarding what has transpired over the past months...and what we witnessed last night...and what continues even tonight. The parents of Michael Brown have shown neither clear-headedness nor reason...and...although they made an attempt to sound reasonable...those words are swallowed up in NUMEROUS and CONTINUAL words to the contrary. Today...we now can view video of the parents of Michael Brown...and these video clips sadly show ANYTHING BUT someone who is clear-headed and reasonable. Last night...as the Grand Jury decision was being given...the parents were DEFIANT...ANGRY...and clearly began to incite violence. The Father of Michael Brown...using extreme profanity...began to angrily declare that things should be burned to the ground. The Mother of Michael Brown...also using extreme profanity...spoke in ways that were in direct contradiction to someone clear-headed and reasonable. All of this greatly troubles me regarding the official statement above. Too often, Christians are quick to jump on the bandwagon of those who say something that SOUNDS good...all while these statements they are PRAISING are inconsistent with so many other aspects which are evident in the lives and words of those they give credence to. The great sounding statement by the Father of Michael Brown has been OVERWHELMINGLY discounted by his words and actions BEFORE and AFTER his attempt at POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. The Church has trumpeted statements by celebrities who even MENTION God in public...whether award shows or other venues. Yet...the words and actions of these celebrities often are anything BUT Christian...and the EVIDENCE is clear. Today...I watch OVERWHELMING support being given to Carrie Underwood as she mentions Jesus and her faith in statements and in her songs. Yet...how does the Church IGNORE the fact that Carrie Underwood has come out in support of GAY MARRIAGE...as she also has now stated she believes there is nothing wrong with two people of the same gender being in love? What we are witnessing today is the ACCEPTANCE of a MIXED...and, thus, PERVERTED...gospel. Pulpits today declare words of truth...then they wrap that truth in false doctrines so deceptive that the TRUTH becomes nonexistent. Be sure...the POWER of TRUTH is in its PURITY! TRUTH can NEVER share the stage with LIES and somehow remain TRUE! Wisdom says that bandwagons should never be jumped on when they are still in perpetual motion! Church...quit pointing to MEN...to MINISTRIES...to anything OTHER than Scripture!! Was there wisdom in declaring the Father of Michael Brown as clear-headed and reasonable? No. Why? It simply WAS NOT and IS NOT true in this case. Whether due to GRIEF or ANGER or RACISM or PERSONAL GAIN...the Father of Michael Brown has been anything BUT an example to be followed. I must say the same about Carrie Underwood. The Church needs WISDOM and DISCERNMENT...not political correctness...and not statements which appear to ignore the TRUTH. Let bandwagons pass us by...and let TRUTH be established by MORE than an easily-made statement which has no basis in reality. But...most importantly...the Church must protect its PULPITS...never being drawn in by the high-profile aspects of issues...nor by the FAME of those speaking. Being on the bandwagon of someone with DUAL CITIZENSHIP...as they declare TRUTH with one breath while declaring FALSE DOCTRINE with the next...is nothing more than building a house on the sand. God will not reward us for proclaiming SOME truth...He will only reward us for proclaiming ALL truth. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways...and PULPITS that seek to UNITE truth with lies are destined to fall. Sadly...it will take many followers with it as it crumbles.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:43:06 +0000
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