politics from the eyes of an ebony momWWJD? Not this. Should pastors do a reality show? Reality shows are about manufactured drama. There is really nothing real about them, but in some cases the cast members become famous (NeNe leakes and Bethanny Frankel come to mind), but should you mix church into this kind of stuff? Share your thoughts.
A few years ago Juanita Bynum was fighting with her ex-husband in an Atlanta parking lot. She said after the attack that she would be the face of domestic violence, but that was short lived. Since that time Bynum has been on the speaking circuit sharing her life experiences. she has admitted to promiscuity and same sex affairs. Last week she was jailed for failure to appear in court. This stems from a contract dispute. The plaintiff contends she was supposed to appear in a production and she failed to do so but she also failed to return their money. My question is why to women continue to pay to hear this woman? I have heard her and she is a dynamite speaker, but she also seems to have alot of baggage that she needs to work out but despite that she still carries a crowd and it leaves me wondering are we simply drawn to the “bright Lights”?
BET has been doing the Celebration of Gospel Show for 14 years, and Steve Harvey has been their host. He used to have explain or justify his presence, but no more. The show features more secular talent now than gospel. It’s a show plain and simple. Share your thoughts.
Today I went to a funeral for a young man who would have been 18 tomorrow. He was not a casualty of the street. He was a young man raised by two loving Christian parents who happily went away to college, and died in a freak accident. He loved his church and he loved music. During the service people spoke lovingly about his wonderful spirit and how he loved to help people. He was a quiet tall, lanky young man who touched the lives of all the people in his orbit. He lived a rich life in a very short lifespan. So often in the church we speak of funerals as homegoings. A Homegoing is a joyous experience. As believers we take comfort in the fact that we are living to live again, but that joy comes when we think of someone who has lived a long life, but when an 18 year old dies you find yourself haunted by the what ifs. What if he had married, what if he had had children, what would his life be like? We feel like the life is incomplete, but we all are running our own course. We all are living our lives between the hyphens. The hyphens are the year you were born and the year that you die. We are here to impact a life, and not just the lives of the people who share your address. This young man did that. He will be missed not just for the life he lived, but for the people he touched.
Last night I watched The Undershepherd on TV One. The movie was the story of an ambitious preacher who had serious delusions of grandeur. As I have previously said I am a PK who grew up in the church. I have seen all kinds of preachers and all kinds of thing go on in the church. Traditionally in the black church the pastor is the authority figure and he often rules with an iron fist, but he does love his congregation and they love him. Last night while watching Isaiah Washington play LC Case I had to ask myself “where is the love?” Washington’s strong portrayal was devoid of goodness. He was charismatic, but that charisma ended when he walked out of the pulpit. He was unable to sustain any kind of meaningful relationship with anyone in his life. He treated his wife with true disdain; his mistress was purely for entertainment, his armor bearer for his clandestine endeavors and his best friend with disrespect. In a word this preacher was despicable. He was a caricature of a pastor. The worst aspects embodied in one man. His wife was tragically and brilliantly played Malinda Williams. Williams thrived to be the perfect wife to this very imperfect man. She had an untreated eating disorder that her husband used as another tool in his toolbox that he used to crush her spirit. As I watched the movie I read comments and made comments on Twitter and so many people said this was a true representation of church. Some said this is why I don’t go to church, but this was a movie. It was from one man’s point of view. Yes, there are many dysfunctional churches, but there are also many loving churches. There are many egomaniacal, conniving ministers who think they are God, but there are also many ministers who love God and his people, but their stories will go untold because they simply don’t make for good television.
Tonight Lifetime will premiere a new reality show, Preachers Daughter. Last month TLC aired a 6 week series, The Sisterhood featuring the lives of pastor’s wives (first ladies). That show was a hot mess, but the ladies were adults, but this new Lifetime series will be looking at the lives of teens and that is a very different story. it starts tonight so the jury is out on whether this will also be a hot mess.
The mini-series the Bible was the most watched show on cable televsion this week. If people are turned off by God and religion what is the fascination? Share your thoughts.
Michael Winans Jr., son of one of the legendary Winans Brothers was sentenced yesterday to almost 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of a Ponzi scheme that defrauded people out of millions. he used his influence in the church to get many of the members to purchase fraudulent bonds. He ruined the lives of many and now he will spend the next 14 years in prison. Let the church say Amen. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130227/METRO01/302270397/Winans-family-member-sentenced-nearly-14-years-Ponzi-scheme?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
“PASTOR JAMAL BRYANT REBUKES EBONY”
For 67 years Ebony Magazine has been the drum beat for culture in the African American community. John Johnson its beloved founder dedicated his life to safe guarding our image with great integrity. The March 2013 edition has left a hole in my heart. On page 124 they published that it’s alleged I impregnated a 17-year-old member of my church. This accusation is categorically and completely untrue. To publish this with absolutely no source lends itself to reckless endangerment to my children, my congregation and my community. Ebony is not the National Enquirer. A higher standard is required and the statement jeopardizes my ministry to the youth in my church and community. So it is on moral grounds that a retraction is necessary. In 2007 I participated in an extramarital affair that resulted ultimately in the termination of my marriage to my incredible wife Gizelle. NO minors were involved but my minor children have been affected. I don’t want them to have to live through any further unnecessary pain. Matthew 18:15 say’s if your brother has sinned against you go and tell him his fault. I solicit your continued prayers for my family, forgiveness for myself and accountability from Ebony magazine. Flawed but faithful. I remain, Jamal- Harrison Bryant (A Father and Pastor)
