Wednesday, March 20, 2002
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 |
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White ministers at state event ... color them 'not there By REV JOHN HATCHER Governor Roy Barnes and certain members of the State Legislature hosted the First Annual Clergy Appreciation Day at the Capitol Monday, March 18. Dr. James Willis, pastor of North Fayette Baptist Church, and I attended the event almost by accident. We had not received any legislative invitation, but had been alerted by Pastor Mamie Harris of the New Generation Christian Fellowship Church in Griffin. Well, Praise God, we went and were shaking the welcomed hand of His Honor, The Governor. Fervent prayer was offered for our governmental officials, for the clergy, for the family, and for the state and nation. At times, the official meeting took on the air of old fashioned revival. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, president emeritus of Southern Christian Leadership Committee regaled the crowd with great stories. Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, chabod of Marietta, told a couple of very poignant Jewish stories. Even Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, spoke briefly on the need for Godliness in America. Then, the Governor spoke of the importance of religious leaders in the life of the community. He called us the "touchstones" of value and morality for the state and nation. It was a good feeling to know that our elected officials cared enough to host us a day at the Capitol. I want to encourage more state representatives and senators from around the state to join in sponsoring the event. However, my personal thanks go to Senators Connie Stokes, Donzella James and David Stokes; also to Representatives Lester Jackson, Len Walker, Clint Smith, Arnold Ragas, Mitchell Kaye, Carl Von Epps, Carolyn Hugley, E. C. Tillman, Barbara Mobley, Terry Coleman, Ronald Forster, Ben Allen, Max Davis, Ben Bridges, Tyrone Brooks, and Randal Mangham. As anyone looked around the dining room, he or she could not help but see that the First Annual Clergy Appreciation Day was mostly African-American in hue. Surely white members of the clergy outnumber members of the black clergy. Why the disparity? Here's my guess. Too few white ministers get involved in the political process and therefore seem uninterested in these kinds of events. That's the kind of repeated mistake that has led our nation down the pathway of evil and moral perversion whereby we are able to refer to abortion as simply the "freedom of choice." I was surprised to discover that several members of the State Assembly are also church pastors and ministers. We white ministers should become more involved in the bills under consideration by state politicians. Remember, the African-Americans churches led our nation to sweeping civil rights laws, most importantly the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Most white churches did squat for the equality for African-Americans. Just the facts, jack! September 11 changed the language of our President so he often talks about evil. Now, more than ever, all members of the reverend clergy should and must come together to speak forth the Word of God in the halls of each state assembly and the halls of Congress. Bet your boots that hundreds of lobbyists were there Monday representing their causes. Is not our cause greater?
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive Fayetteville, Georgia 30215 770-719-0303 |
