Unlike the typical church, the church you about to read about has BALLS. BIG BALLS! They are actually talking about sex; and they are unashamed in their approach. This minister has incorporated a sex sermon series. And, has the bold audacity to put the name of his provocative sermons on billboards. Wow! Thankfully, someone is final moving away from the restrictive traditional teachings that have shackled the minds of Christians for years.The church must begin to meet the worldly where they are: In the World that we have ruined!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1470916,w-alabama-sermons-031109.article
What do you think?
If you have an opinion please share with Muata. Also, read the conversation documented in the Comment section.
Shared by Brian E. Payne.
Shared by Brian E. Payne.
13 comments:
Reader Response:
Works for me. Sometimes you have to push beyond folk's comfort zone and present hard core truth and reality - especially when it is clearly supported by the word of God. (My opinion and view point.)
Unprotected sex and sex outside the marriage has impacted black women drastically - #1 group dying from Aids. In Atlanta, we have a high school that had the highest case of aids among teens in the nation. In Rockdale County, GA, they own the record for the highest STD cases among teens in the NATION.
Yep - whether you believe in Jesus, God, the Bible or ANYTHING - somebody needs to take a stand on this "free-will - my right" to have sex with any one I want and however I want and with or without protection. I teach & preach abstinence til marriage and monogamy once married.
Peace!
-Rev. Jennifer
Muata responds to Rev. Jennifer:
Do you believe the increase in HIV/AIDS across the board is increasing because the disease has somewhat been glamorized? Like, the more we see the so called positive stories of HIV i.e. Magic Johnson some may be thinking, 'Well, it is okay. I can live with it too.' That could be the mindset. Do we need more scare tactics to bring people back to reality?
-Muata
Rev. Jennifer Responds:
Lord, I certainly hope people are not thinking it glamorous. So sad if they do. I believe it is perhaps the same old mind-set trap that "It won't happen to me." - UNTIL IT DOES happen.
Not sure scare tactics will work because people are only afraid of what they feel is an issue or possible threat for them directly. So, not sure.
Peace!
-Rev. Jennifer
Muata responds to Rev. Jennifer:
I guess I am old school. I know scare tactics worked for me. I remember going to visit a maximum security prison when I was in high school. That scared the h*ll out of me. Time have definitely changed.
-Muata
Reader Responds to Muata:
As far as the scare tactics issue - I think most "young 'uns" these days won't be affected by that. They think they are invincible and feel that they cannot, and will not be affected. As far as the sex sermon in church, I think it needs to happen. Far too often, the church has shied away from talking about what is most important, and addressing issues in a real way. Also, I think that people are current, so churches need to address things in a current way. The use of billboards, the internet, text messaging, etc, is rejected by some traditional churches - but this is definitely the way to reach this current generation. You can't scare young people into acting right. You have to make the right thing cool, relevant, and hip. That's what happened with the vote. It became, cool, and the right thing to do, and young people jumped on the bandwagon. If these hip-hop/r&B and movie stars starting preaching responsibility - more young people would listen. If the church brings it in a way that is not condemning, but encouraging young people to do what is right - and speaking to them at their level - I think they would begin to listen. But not only them - many of the parents also need to listen. I say, preach on!
-MJ
Reader Response:
The African-American community has a history of not taking research seriously. It doesn't matter whether the research is verifiable biblical, historical, scientific, or medical. We just continue with our outdated, harmful, and destructive ways. The church plays a role in this foolish behavior. It continues to serve unhealthy meals and fails to address the need for exercise and weight control. Pastors with seminary training fail to share with their congregations anything that contradicts traditional biblical teachings. They do not encourage critical thinking. This makes it difficult for the church to have a genuine discussion about AIDS and other sexuality transmitted diseases, as well as the large numbers of young African-American unmarried girls and young women having babies without the financial resources to care for them and without the presence of their babies' daddys.
Everyone knows the traditional church believes sex is only for married heterosexual couples. However, everyone knows our churches are filled with gays and unmarried couples having sex and/or living together with no intentions of changing. It's time for the church to wake up. Yes, it needs to openly address the topic of responsible adult sex. But it needs to do so taking full advantage of the most recent and verifiable research even when the research disagrees with their outdated theology. This way, their recommendations will be taken more seriously.
And yes I agree with all of the recommendations that have been mentioned about ways of sharing with our young people. But I also think young people should be taken to see frightening AIDS patients as well as any other direct hands on frightening situations resulting from persons participating in unprotected sex. The church should provide them with constant conversations about age appropriate, responsible sex whether gay, straight or single.
-Preacher X
Reader Response:
On a side note did you hear about the Bishop Jamal Bryant (Jennifer you and I talked about how great he was), is filing for a divorce. Not that I am spreading gossip, but just a continuation of this conversation on sex in the church. It is alleged that he is very much into the women in the church, and supposedly got a 17 year old pregnant! If it's true, he needed that sermon in the pulpit just as much as the people needed it in the pews!
-MJ
Muata responds to MJ:
not sure if it is true or not.
'he is human.' ya know that's what we will hear.
michael, i really believe that i was 'called' to be a minister. even with my views on religion - but i decided not to go into that pulpit as a pastor because i was/am not ready. i am not prepared to leave my conflicting vices behind. many of these pastors know that they are morally bankrupt before they become ministers of the gospel. however, they move right on because they use the "I am human" as an out. as a way to justify their jacked morals and destructive behavior. and, they know that the church-goers will welcome them back without issue.
i am not special. grandma told me not to be a pastor if i could not represent God in way that pleases Him..and her!
i just wanted to share.
-Muata
Reader Response:
Sex is taught in the Bible and if the teaching lines up... GO FOR IT!!
-KH
Rev. Jennifer responds to Muata:
But Brian, you miss the whole point and mission of why Jesus is who HE is and why we can be who WE are and STILL serve God. We are NOT and never will be "perfect" or truly "Fit" to serve God. We serve Him on the coat-tails of grace & mercy EVERYDAY. God uses some of the most immoral people to bring freedom and deliverance to their lives.
We have to let go of US/ME/I and allow God to show what perhaps has always been right there in front of us. Who knows, your imperfections may just help an unbeliver start to believe, have hope and believe again. WHY? BECAUSE you perservered. And folk can fool themselves forever & a day into thinking they did it without God - but that simply is not true. Period. God is our strength and refuge. HE IS our covering.
Smile. Just kicking off the weekend! Smile..
-Rev. Jennifer
Muata responds to Rev. Jennifer:
I fear hypocrisy. I cannot stand before people knowing I am broken and middling in mess when in fact they are trying not to middle.
-Muata
Rev. Jennifer responds comment about Jamal Bryant:
And when he preached it - many were delivered and set free. He however is still entrapped - still trying to get out. Much prayer. Some of the best teachers teach well because of experience. THAT inside knowledge can deliver and free up some folk!
-Rev. Jennifer
Reader MJ responds:
I completely agree. Often we are all too quick to judge. Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." But at the same time, fallen preachers have caused some people to lose faith. I know, however, they need to put their faith in God, and not man, but you know how we hold our pastors up! We all need to be striving to do what is right, no matter what position we are in - preaching or not. Brian - I too, have had those thoughts/feelings. Not that I feel my ideas are so radical, but more that God wants to use me in some way, but my imperfection is keeping me from feeling ready. Nonetheless, I do believe the saying - He whom He calls, He qualifies! We have to rest in Him, knowing that He will be our strength in our areas of weekness. But we also have to let Him!
-MJ
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