Category — Memphis

Memphis – Gay Christian Movement Watch is applauding a Memphis church’s courageous decision to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America over its wicked policy of affirming homosexuality.

Senior Pastor Dr. William E. White and the Lord of Life Lutheran Church decided they could no longer align themselves with leadership which held no regard for biblical truth.

Other Lutheran churches have fled with their spiritual integrity as the denomination installs more and more alien spirits in its midst. See this story and this one too.

Video courtesy of WREG Memphis.

When Jane Soffos isn’t singing in the choir you might find her singing the praises of her church’s latest decision. Lord of Life Lutheran Church voted to leave its denomination.
Members say the national body strayed from traditional worship when it started blessing gay clergy and same-sex relationships.

“We think the ELCA is not being biblical and we want to stay in accordance with our beliefs in the Bible, explained Soffos. “The scriptures are really clear that the only proper arena for sexual relations is one man and one woman in the bonds of marriage,” said church pastor Dr. William White.

Members of the 500-person East Memphis congregation voted a second time, Sunday, to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA. They’re joining hands with the more moderate or conservative National Association of Lutheran Church.

“We felt like the movement of the denomination we were apart of was moving farther and farther away from what it meant to be a confessional Lutheran and it was undermining the authority of the word of God,” said White.
There are more than 10,000 ELCA congregations nationwide Since 2009 when the national body changed its stance, 374 congregations have voted to leave. 70 new congregations have been approved .

“It’s a theological issue,” explained Dr. White. There’s a difference between theology and civil rights.”
Pastor White and his congregations say the vote was about being faithful to their Christian beliefs.

Predictably, the anti-truth spin masters dropped the oft repeated who Jesus “hung out with” lie.

The head of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community looked at it like this. ” The same people they’re trying to run from are the ones that Jesus would have hung out with and flocked to.”

Please add Dr. White and his congregation to your prayers and support especially if you live in the Memphis area.

Atlanta – The Church of God in Christ’s former presiding bishop Chandler D. Owens of Atlanta  has passed away at age 79.

Owens’ five year tenure as the head of the denomination was marked by tensions particularly in the leadership arena. He clashed on numerous occasions with current bishop Charles Blake over alleged “abuse of power”. In the summer of 1999, Owens and Blake were on opposing sides in an Orlando court case in which Blake supported political ally the Rev. Derrick Hutchins in a leadership controversy. Hutchins was later rewarded with a position as head of the influential General Council of Pastors and Elders.   But last year, Blake announced that Hutchins had “submitted his resignation” from his high profile position (due to adultery).

As profiled by religion writer David Waters in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Bishop Owens spoke out forcefully and often against homosexuality.

In 1996, he called on COGIC to “rebuild the walls” of orthodoxy to prevent the world’s unclean spirits from invading the church.

“I believe this is a time of spiritual repair,” Bishop Owens told COGIC members in Memphis. “The walls of the Church of God in Christ, in my judgment, are in bad repair. In many places those walls have fallen. We have allowed the church to be open and we have been invaded by all kinds of people. The church used to be a sanctuary. Now it’s a zoo. Everything from everywhere has crept into the Church of God in Christ.”

He said the church had strayed too far from fundamentals.

“We are against same-sex marriages,” he said. “I don’t care what another church does. In the Church of God in Christ, a man, a real man, a ‘sho-nuf’ man knows the difference between the smell of Old Spice and Chanel No.5 … COGIC won’t ordain sissies.”

Chandler Owens took over the denomination’s troubled Central Georgia jurisdiction after its bishop, General Board member John D. Husband was stripped of his office and excommunicated. Husband admitted to embezzling half a million dollars of church money and sexually abusing countless young men under his charge.

Employment Non-Discrimination: Sharpton supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Gender Identity Employment: Sharpton supports a federal bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression [that's men who pretend to be women and vice versa].

Hate Crimes: Sharpton supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the Federal Hate Crimes Law. Current law includes race, religion and national orientation.

Same-Sex Marriage: Sharpton supports recognition for same-sex marriage.

Family Medical Leave: Sharpton supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples. Sharpton supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.

Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Sharpton believes in giving gays and lesbians the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Sharpton supports a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.

Sharpton Comments:

On Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: “The military code of conduct should allow military people to live openly in the ‘truth’ rather than live silently or covertly a ‘lie’. On Same-Sex Marriage: “I believe in equal human rights, before the law, for all human beings, and race, gender, disability, class or sexual orientation should not be a factor under the law. Even though we live under the law in a secular democratic society, religious groups must still be able to maintain their spiritual and moral option to either give or withhold a religious or sacred blessing to such unions. However, the government should not have that option. It must affirm the human and legal rights of everyone.” On Gender Identity and Employment: “No American should be discriminated against on the job because of their gender identity or expression.”

You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours?
This is strangely reminiscent of Bishop Blake’s 2003 homosexual debacle where he invited Rev. Peter Gomes, a Harvard homosexual activist to West Angeles to “preach”. A former leader at West Angeles sent us the letter after Bishop Blake attempted to silence all those who opposed Gomes appearance. Read it here. Blake invited Gomes to West Angeles as payback for Gomes’ hand in getting him a prestigious award. When members of the church found out, an uproar ensued and Blake issued a letter saying he had no idea of Gomes identity even though he spent considerable time with him at his home. Strangely, he defended Gomes by saying that “75″ people got “saved” after he “preached”.

April 15th 2009, arch-hypocrite Al Sharpton decided to give  Bishop Blake another humanitarian award. It was the National Action Network’s  Keepers Of The Dream Award.  One COGIC leader issued a challenge to Sharpton to address victims rights on COGIC clergy sexual abuse cases, but to no avail. Sharpton was in praise mode and needed to get onto the stage at the Holy Convocation. As expected, in return for the effusive praise and awards he showered on Bishop Blake, it appears Rev. Sharpton  got just what he wanted.  As adamant as he is about not supporting homosexuality, he continues not only to support it, but to expose the people of COGIC to homosexual activists who make no secret of their agenda.

Its sad that we have to go into this again. After GCM Watch’s expose of Bishop Blake’s shameful involvement in the UDIHR, the Presiding Bishop used his bully pulpit at the denomination’s 2009 spring Call Meeting in Memphis to defend his actions to the COGIC faithful. In it, he compares the UDIUHR to the Bible. Watch the video of his remarks.

“I am a bible believing holiness preacher. I have always been and will always be a loyal supporter of the doctrines of the COGIC. Of course, I  oppose gay marriage. Of course, I oppose the adoption of children by gay couples. Of course, I oppose abortion. Of course, I oppose embryonic stem cell research and treatment. Of course, I do not approve of the practice of homosexuality. The bible teaches holiness and righteousness and I believe it with all my heart. But I also believe the bible teaches justice and peace. I believe the bible teaches compassion for the weak, the poor and the defenseless.”

Would that include the weak and defenseless victims of COGIC clergy sexual abuse? To deflect from his own leadership failures, he attacks GCM Watch and Pastor Foster (although he wouldnt call the names):

“Some individuals are so insecure, they feel that they cannot reach their goals by the power of their skills, their effectiveness and their relationship with God. Some individuals feel that they must assassinate the character and blemish the relationship of others if they themselves are ever to succeed. Some individuals, rather than projecting what they have accomplished and what they have to offer, focus on defaming and criticising even the good that others strive to do.”

Its interesting that he doesn’t accuse GCM Watch of lying. Bishop Blake seems to be upset by our telling the truth about his actions which dishonor the work and life of the Founder and dishonor the Word of the Lord. To be clear about “defaming, assassinating and criticizing” let’s just review:

I wont list them all, but look here, here and here to see what Bishop Blake was so upset about. Bishop Blake says “of course I oppose gay marriage.”  But then, he endorsed Karen Bass whose #1 political goal is gay marriage. Evidence right here.

Along with Bishop Blake’s endorsement, the nation’s largest homosexual political group said Bass was with homosexual rights 100%.

“As a member of the California Assembly, Bass had an impeccable record on equality issues, including her votes for [gay]marriage equality and for a resolution opposing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; Bass also worked to defeat Proposition 8.  The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has a staunch ally in Karen Bass.”

Bishop Blake tells COGIC that he is against gay marriage, gay adoptions, homosexuality but then invites a man who is for gay marriage, for gay adoptions and for homosexuality into a place of honor among the saints.  It defies logic as well as biblical leadership ethics.

Contrary to what Bishop Blake’s pulpit speeches suggest, GCM Watch has not defamed him nor “assassinated his character”. We have only documented his public actions and words. Such things continue to mislead the saints  despite the preponderance of clear evidence we’ve presented.

And now, here we are again.  It would be good if the bishop was like the king.  The spiritual well being of the sheep are at stake. The question remains, does he really care?

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting on a local controversy against Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines who refused to allow a lesbian to lead the church’s softball team. In the two minute video, Gaines explains to the congregation his decision but has refused to get into public debate about the situation.

First story in the CA
Second story in the CA

What do you think, was the pastor right or wrong to deny the lesbian a leadership role? He seemed to frame it in that context while saying that anyone is welcome to attend the church, but not in positions where their influence is seen as being approved of by the church.

COGIC, Inc. has crossed the hurdle of the last of four clergy sexual abuse trials which came to light in the last few years. The verdict: its a mixed bag for the denomination’s leadership.

On February 2, the 236th District Court judge dismissed the case against the church in the Sherman Allen trial. In a rather stunning (and brief) ruling Judge Lowe granted the church’s motion for “evidentiary summary judgement and motion for no-evidence summary judgment”. Click graphic for larger version of the judgment.

The ruling left open the option to appeal. Attorneys for the plaintiff will appeal the case. The case had experienced multiple delays as motions were filed back and forth and ruled on. Darian Kelley, husband of the plaintiff said that he was “shocked” at the ruling. We hope to have a fuller interview with Mr. Kelley in the near future.

In the second trial overseen by Washington State’s King County Superior Court,  four women had sued COGIC, Inc. for 10 million dollars. The church settled the case out of court for an estimated 1.6 million dollars.  GCM Watch was told the case was settled literally right before it was about to go to trial. The money had to be paid within 60 days of the ruling.

Sources close to the case from Washington told us that the national church footed the bill for the entire judgment but “loaned” part to the jurisdiction headed by Bishop TL Westbrook.  Washington State churches (about 25-30 in number) would be responsible for repaying some $650,000. But the “assessment” has caused some controversy among local pastors. According to our source,  “Bishop Westbrook believes COGIC should pay the debt not the WA Jurisdiction.  Most of the churches in WA are incorporated.  Although he disagrees he still assessed the credential holders in his jurisdiction.  People are very angry and some refuse to pay.”

The man at the center of the case Pastor Charles Smith is now deceased, but here he is in 2007 denying everything to a news reporter.

Related stories:
Sherman Allen abuse trial date looms

…but remains silent and inactive on another for sexual immorality. It appears the leader of the nation’s largest black pentecostal denomination is demonstrating that the love of money really is at the root of its dismal record on dealing with sexual offenders and predators carrying the COGIC name.

Case in point,  on March 9th, The Commercial Appeal reported that  Dickerson LS Wells, a Memphis based pastor and “senior executive administrator” to Presiding Bishop Blake had “resigned” but COGIC officials refused to say why he left.

But Thaddeus Matthews, a Memphis based radio talk show host reported on his blog that Wells had stolen $20,000 of COGIC’s money. That prompted an immediate visit from Blake who flew in to personally ensure Wells was no longer in position.

“Sources within COGIC state that Dickerson L.S. Wells pastor of Bethel COGIC here in Memphis who also serves as a trustee of the national organization was asked to resign his position of superintendent By Presiding Bishop Charles Blake after it was found that Wells had diverted church funds for his personal use.

As Superintendent here in Memphis Wells was the highest ranking official of the national church having control of church funds and properties. Its said that Wells diverted a $20,000 check belonging to COGIC for his own personal use.

Sources state that Bishop Blake flew into Memphis several weeks ago and ask the stealing preacher to step down.”

So why hasn’t Bishop Blake flown into Birmingham, AL and told Bishop Peter Wren, Sr. to resign? That’s very easy to answer. If an official in COGIC steals money, they’re worse than an infidel but if they are a sexual predator its not a big deal. Well, it is on paper but who cares what a “zero tolerance” policy says?  After all, its just a diversion tactic to stop people from asking questions and demanding truthful answers.

Business as usual?

So is this about protecting the “name, image and assets” of the organization while ignoring the hurt, pain and devaluation of the people of the organization?

In November 2009, COGIC officials stumbled and fumbled over whether to remove a local church minister who was arrested for rape of a 16 year old girl. The church’s pastor refused to remove the man claiming he could only required “pray and forgive”. After considerable outcry from outside organizations, church officials finally settled on an unusual resolution. They brought in the jurisdictional bishop to be the church’s CEO. Later, the minister was removed.  We daresay had the minister stolen money, the removal would have been swift.

If you think that’s stretching the truth, look no further than the case of  COGIC’s highest ranking homosexual sex predator, the late General Board Member John Husband.

According to reports by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Husbands stole $500,000 dollars of church money. But before any of that came to light, it was an open secret known by both peers and subordinates that the bishop was engaged in numerous homosexual sins. Yet, nothing was done. But when Husbands stole the money (reportedly to pay for medical bills) COGIC quickly moved in the discipline him. In fact, the discipline was the severest on record. Husbands was defrocked and [sort of] excommunicated from COGIC.

As COGIC Bishop Neaul Haynes of Dallas reportedly said in reference to sex weirdo Sherman Allen, “old habits die hard.”

Dear Bishop Blake:  please go back and listen closely to the November 2008 message of the man you fired for stealing money. You might just learn something about yourself and your leadership.