Re: February 28, 2006 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #191, ‘Glory to His Name’ and read scripture from John chapter 1:34-46. Devotion was closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ and prayer.
Rev. Dr. Carlton Eversley called the conference to order and welcomed the body to this week’s conference and business session. Dr. Eversley reported the WFU Divinity Dr. Phyllis Trible Lecture Series was underway with Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas as the Tuesday evening keynote speaker. Dr. Eversley provided the morning inspiration with a reflection on Black Theology through the sees of Dr. James Cone. Cones says black theology has to be grounded in scripture—in this way Christ is always transforming culture and not just being in culture, in the world or above the world.
Eversley concludes Jesus said, “We are to be in the world but not of the world.” That is all institutions are called be under the domain of our Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ—in the world not of the world.
The minutes of the February 21th conference were read and accepted with proper correction.
Rev. Nathan Parrish, Pastor Peace Haven Baptist Church provided the Theology and the Death Penalty order of the day last week. Bishop Todd Fulton, Pastor Mount Moriah Outreach Center is today’s order of the day. Rev. Chris Stackhouse is the next week’s Seminarian Order of the Day.
Dr. Eversley reminded the body to support the Griffith Alternative Education Character building initiative every Friday at 9am and 1:30pm.
Also, the Darryl Hunt Advocacy against Unjust Death Penalties is seeking financial contributions from the conference.
Chris Bauman, Organizer CHANGE, reported a retreat to share the community’s 2006 agenda and concerns were conducted with city council officials. However, there are challenges going forward with this year’s the Living Wage campaign initiative. Also, the summer youth jobs initiative will be funded at $145,000 level; and there appears to be inconsistencies in who know what as it relates to how programs are funded by the city officials.
Community Presentation(s)
Ms. Melanie Sink, Representative Prison Fellowship of NC introduced the “Angel Tree for Children of Incarcerated Parents” ministry. Sinks says this ministry has identified 800-1000 children of incarcerated parents who need a helping hand and support system while their parents are confined. The conference is invited to sign-up churches/members as mentors and caregivers to these needy youths.
Rev. Dr. Carlton Eversley introduced Rev. Nathan Parrish, Pastor Peace Haven Baptist Church as the order of the day followed by hymn “Pass Me Not.”
Rev. Parrish says in 1910 the state of NC took over the execution of convicted criminals taking away local empowerment. Over the years, the form of execution has changed from hanging, electrocution to lethal injection, today.
Currently, Patrick Moody’s execution is pending with a March 17, 2006 schedule date. The numbers of executions have decreased since the state took over capital punishment—in 1910 there were 402 executions with 294 or 73% being African American while 101 or 25% were white. The Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for a period of time. Once inconsistencies were resolved it was reinstated nation-wide.
As of February 21, 2006, there are 173 offenders on death row—96 or 55% being African American while 65 or 38% are white. This represents a 3 to 1 ratio of African American being sentenced to death than whites for similar crimes.
Parrish acknowledges that we all come to the issue of the taking someone’s life from a variety of presuppositions. However, in order to make wiser decisions when it comes to taking of life requires critical thought in four areas. In other words, one should consider the death penalty from the perspectives of: biblical precedence, legal relevance, sociological implications and the moral eminence.
For example, how does the scripture deal with a misdeed such as taking of one’s life? Parrish says the bible cites 36 accounts in the first five books of the OT but the most commonly spoken are: the Cane and Abel story, however, the important outcome here is God showing mercy on Cane not destroying him.
In Genesis 9:6 is a another commonly misused scripture, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” God initiated this commandment because of the disobedience of mankind. However, if taken out of context this scripture bring with it no limits or ways to deal with accidental deaths. Moses murder occurred after Gen. 9:6 and with it God gave Moses instructions on how to deal with his killing of the Rome soldier—go back to Egypt because now everyone of those who charged you are dead.
Parish acknowledges that in order the use Gen. 9:6 correctly, requires two to three witnesses before one can be put to death for the taking of someone’s life. This is certainly not the case today! Jesus came to put an end to killing and death—Jesus came not to condemn but to redeem the world.
We must look to the core of our faith—the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior was an execution of the righteous. However, Jesus died meeting the system of domination head-on—Jesus was actually resisting and dismantling the death penalty head-on.
Parrish concludes it is this same Jesus we called to conform our life to—the same life that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ lived!
The body rose to give Rev. Parrish arousing vote of thanks for his insightful and thought provoking message.
Attendance – 16 persons
Offering - $57.00
Membership – $ 0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and benediction.