Sunday, November 11, 2001
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Sunday, November 11, 2001 |
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Men's Day recognized at Flat Rock AME
By CAROLYN CARY
"Saying I am a Christian," said the chairman of the board at Flat Rock A. M. E. Church, "is not shouting 'I am saved' nor saying I may not stumble or that I claim to be perfect or that I do not have my share of heartaches. I am not saying I am a Christian to judge, because I have no authority. I only know that I am loved." It was Men's Day at Flat Rock, one of the oldest black churches in Fayette County, dating back to the 1850s. The men led the prayers, responses, scripture lessons, announcements and the message of the day. The message was delivered by the chairman of the board, Timothy Goodrum, who chose to speak on the role of men in their homes and communities. "Men, you may not like some of the things that I am about to say. All I can say is, if the shoe fits, wear it," whereupon he placed a big shoe near the altar as a reminder of his message. "God created man for a reason with a purpose in mind. God meant for them to be fathers. If men do not understand or fulfill their God-given purpose, problems arise. Being a father is the highest honor God bestows on a man. The measure of a mans success is directly related to his effectiveness as a godly father. "The greatest example of the critical role of father was demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ himself. He spoke of his Father more than anyone else. He spoke of his Father at every opportunity, in his need, dependency and submission. He never hesitated to give credit to his Father for any activity or success in his life. He saw his Father as the source, resource, cause and purpose for his entire life. "How many men today speak of their father in such a way? In essence, the level at which your child refers to you, is the measure of your effectiveness as a father. So men, we now see that it's not what you make a week or how many jobs you have or what you buy your children, it's the level at which your child refers to you, that measures what type of father you are. "Now men remember, what I said earlier about if the shoe fits, wear it. This is the time to see if it does." Turning to his own father, Hugh Goodrum, who had introduced his son, Tim said that his father was the one person he respected the most, and many in the world cannot say the same. The church is at 148 Old Chapel Lane, which runs parallel to Hwy. 54 West. The phone number is 770-461-0283.
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