Our leaders met this past Thursday to discuss and discern what God would have us to do corporately regarding the tragedy that rocked Haiti.  Although there are some conservative Christians labeling this as “God’s judgment,” we, however will take the high road & pray prayers bold enough to “WAKE… GOD UP.”   Please click the link for more information & join us!

MHBC Response to Haiti Tragedy 2010

What specifically will you do to respond to this tragedy?

Congratulations on making history as the first African-American President of the United States of America!  I admire you for your courage, passion, and tenacity.  Additionally, you have proven that you are an effective leader because you assumed leadership when our country was on the brink of collapse.  However, with these achievements, there is also some not so good news.

Mr. President, we have seen billions of dollars wasted on useless ‘future’ projects like green energy that will not result in jobs for years.  If the current administration and Congress wanted to pass an unread ‘emergency’ stimulus bill it should have focused on cutting the unemployment rate NOW.  Mr. President, may I suggest you table the “green stuff” and focus on our nation’s most pressing challenge.  UNEMPLOYMENT!

According to the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the differences in unemployment rates are even more dramatic when broken down by race and age.  For example, white men’s unemployment rate in June was 9.5%, while black men’s was 17.8%.  For white women it was 8%, and for black women, 13.1%.  Additionally, teens have a harder time during this recession.  Here’s a sampling of unemployment rates in June for various groups:

1. Black men 20 and older: 16.4%.
2. Black women 20 and older: 11.3%.
3. White men 20 and older: 9.2%.
4. White women 20 and older: 6.8%.
5. Black males age 16 to 19: 50%.
6. Black females age 16 to 19: 40.6%.
7. White males age 16 to 19: 26.5%.
8. White females age 16 to 19: 23.5%.

Mr. President, teens get hit because they are less educated and are competing for jobs with older, more experienced workers.  However, educational differences do not completely explain the black-white unemployment rate gap.  Some studies show that part of the gap is correlated with residential segregation: Blacks, on average, are more likely to live in neighborhoods where there are fewer jobs available.

Mr. President, some suggest President Bush’s and your most recent stimulus package was a red herring.  The jobs produced for the most part were those that only lasted as long as the funding was there.  Those jobs were like taking antacid; it works for a while and does not solve the root problem. Mr. President, the only way this is going to turn around is to create long term jobs which requires retooling American manufacturing to be a world competitor.  We both know this is not a popular option, but, we have to take back jobs outsourced to China, India, and other emerging nations.

In closing, here’s a question I often ponder when I face tough decisions which may help you and your administration.  “In light of my past experiences, current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams – what is the WISE thing to do?”

Best regards,

Pastor Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

Racism still exists (even in the church)
That’s right, I said it!

Americans may be poised to elect an African-American as president, but it’s segregation as usual in U.S. churches, according to the scholars.  Only about 5 percent of the nation’s churches are racially integrated, and half of them are in the process of becoming all-black or all-white, says Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-author of United by Faith, a book that examines interracial churches in the United States.

Personally, I do not believe integrated churches work.
(when they are led by Black pastors)

Having a determined pastor is not enough.  Interracial churches can also implode on issues far more explosive than worship styles — like interracial dating & power.  Some scholars and leaders who deal with interracial issues say it’s not unusual for parents in racially-mixed churches to leave when their teenage kids begin dating.

Some parents talked about the importance of a multiracial church, until their kid became attracted to someone from another race within the church.  As kids began to date, some things get revealed.  They (both Blacks and Whites) don’t want their kids involved in interracial dating.

Next, accepting black leadership is another touchy subject.  Most interracial churches are led by white pastors.  A congregation typically becomes all-black if a black pastor is hired, says DeYoung, the United by Faith co-author.  As long as the top person, the senior pastor, is white, power sort of resides with whites.  But when that shifts, it does something psychologically to people.  White people usually leave.

Black pastors who do gain the acceptance of interracial congregations still have to watch themselves.  Some white parishioners, even progressive ones, get uneasy when a black pastor gets too fiery in the pulpit.  A black church sermon that could be understood as impassioned might be interpreted as angry and defensive by a white congregation.

Most Black preachers who minister in predominately White congregations must modified their preaching style to appeal to all sorts of people.  Many abandon the pulpit pyrotechnics they learned growing up in the black church.  They also carry their authority lightly, dressing casually in the pulpit and consulting with church committees before making decisions.   In conversation, they’re relaxed and accessible.

Honestly, I’m quite comfortable serving the congregation God prepared for me.  Each Sunday I preach with passion and enjoy how we “do church.”  I have no desire to modify my preaching style (White preachers don’t modify theirs) to appeal to all sorts of people.  As the point-man at Mars Hill Baptist Church, I don’t carry my authority lightly or dress casually so I can “fit in” with everyone.  Quite frankly, I “do me.”

Holla back!

AM I THE ONLY ONE COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW?

According to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the chief proponent of the big bank bailout, flooding the banks with taxpayers’ money was supposed to get them to start lending freely again. And that, in turn, was supposed to stabilize the markets and prevent the downturn from being worse than it otherwise would be.

Given the way, that is, that Paulson had decided to use the first installment of the $700 Billion bailout money to recapitalize banks instead of buying up their toxic securities, which he had then sold to Congress and the American people as the best and fastest way to get the banks to start making loans again, and help prevent this recession from getting much, much worse.

(Stowers Translation: give banks back the money they lost

through greed, corruption, arrogance, & incompetence)

HERE’S THE BANKING INDUSTRY’S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET:
THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF USING THE BAIL OUT MONEY TO MAKE NEW LOANS OR HELP PEOPLE IN FORECLOSURE.

The real issue is that banks continue to refuse to lend money to consumers who so desperately need it and who just bailed out their greedy rear ends.  Instead, it’s business as usual.  The level of greed, stupidity and arrogance is stunning for a bunch of people who just drove the rest of the world to the edge of financial oblivion. You can’t get 10 cents from a bank right now.

HERE’S WHY:

I personally believe the banks that had received money are holding on to most of it so they could buy out other banks that might fail down the road.

GREED…GREED…GREED

Personally, I feel sorry for President Obama because his administration is left to clean up a HOT MESS!  Please continue to pray for our President and his cabinet.