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Last September, when the explosive charges came out about Bishop Long, I wrote some thoughts on the matter. "...We ALL know what to do when he is proven innocent. But if he is guility of these allegations, there is a long road of restoration ahead for Bishop, his family, the family of the young men and a church body that loves him so. I will not join in with the crowd who would shout "Crucify him, Crucify him." We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. When I sin it is measured THE SAME as this would be in the eyes of God. That is why we need THE BLOOD." Today, though there was not court trial (something he said he would do in order to get vindication), there has been a settlement with a gag order attached to it. smh... As public and as painful as it would have been, Bishop Long should have endured the entire process. Instead, he choose to go the quick, quiet route...to the tune of about 15 million some reports have stated. My understanding from some in the membership is that in order to protect his members from the glare of the media in their lives, he took the full body blow for everything. When Bishop Long's friends and mentors wanted to step up, he said no. Again, to protect them from the glare of the intrusive media into their lives....If he was innocent, that is what the court and the media would have found. If he was innocent it would have played out in front of the world that way...the media would have lost interest in the story because unfortunately, the media is rarely interested in something as boring as the TRUTH in the lives of the believers! The bible says: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:1-2 Whomever God has chosen for this time of restoration, I am sure they are on the way. I have books, CD's and tapes from New Birth. Whenever I visited the Atlanta area, it was one of my favorite places to go! The gift of preaching/exhortation that is placed in Bishop Eddie Long is without repentence. This particular vessel was marred in the hand of the Potter...as we all are! I am sadden by the events that have taken place, but the minute I step on my soap box to declare my indignation over what he did, God pulls on my shirt tails and reminds me that there have been decisions that I made that did not exactly reflect His Glory in me. All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. I have to put myself in that category, I am a sinner saved by grace. Yes, the Bible does ask the question, Romans 6 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? The Word asks us plainly, how can you live in it, if you are suppose to be dead to it? That is why we have to die daily! I am praying that the New Birth CHURCH, begins the process of rebuilding. It sounds like that is what they are doing. I am praying for everyone this effects...his wife, children, friends, Pastors who came under his leadership seeking a covering, single mothers who just knew God answered their prayers for a good male role model in their son's lives. All of us who have to fight the urge to be so MAD about this and just pray for healing and restoration..it is growth for us as well.
Posted By: Brenda Bradley
Friday, June 3rd 2011 at 11:57AM
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@ Sister Bradley,
[We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. When I sin it is measured THE SAME as this would be in the eyes of God. That is why we need THE BLOOD." ]
Amen to the scripture you quoted but the case for the Bishop is a different matter entirely that deals with accountability to church administration (board of directors and leadership ((deacons and elders of the church). Sure God will forgive him and hopefully his wife and children, but that has nothing to do with the resolution of this matter because this case may still go to court (as I'm hearing) which could lead to jail time. He is to obey all the laws of the land. This is not just a matter of the church leadership, but possible consequences of breaking the law.
In this wise I have to lovingly agree to disagree with your take on this matter simply because; A bishop is to blameless ( no one person let alone four should be able to accuse him of wrong doing; his record should be without reproach). That my sister is one of many requirements for being a bishop. [Titus 1:7] For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; [ Titus 1:6-8 King James Version (KJV) ]6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Friday, June 3rd 2011 at 3:25PM
Jen Fad
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Also....The scripture says we are to judge ourselves so that we won't be judged in
[1 Corinthians 11:31 (KJV)]...
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged....
[1 Corinthians 11:31 (Amplified)] For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment].
[2 Corinthians 4:1 (The Message Bible)] [Trial and Torture ] Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
In closing, sure God will forgive anyone of short comings. As public leaders and clergy of God, we are told to abstain from the very appearance of Evil so that no reproach will fall upon our reputations.
Friday, June 3rd 2011 at 3:26PM
Jen Fad
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@ Sister Lena,
[Why are we all feeling guilty about calling a spade a spade! He didn't go to court because the ugly truth would have come out for all the world to see.]
Thank you for being able to see beyond "religi-o-sity". The folk in the church like to hide behind religion so when they mess up, they default back to "This matter is between me and God" but when someone else messes up they (Leaders) think they have the God given authority to rebuke, correct, set in order, and yada yada yada others. Puhleeze! Bishop should be removed from his title. He has disqualified himself on all accounts.
Friday, June 3rd 2011 at 11:57PM
Jen Fad
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He should resign in order that the Name of Jesus can be lifted up when people come to the church without them having to be distracted by "What If's". That's the right thing and the most appropriate thing to do, but he want because New Birth Missionary Baptist Church isn't really God's Church where Jesus is the head, but its his own personal business empire which he feels he needs to protect.
Friday, June 3rd 2011 at 11:59PM
Jen Fad
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@ Jen! Hey Sis! I don't dispute the scriptures at all! We must contend for the faith! To whom much is given, much is required...you have to STAY above reproach in leading any ministry....x100 with an international ministry!
I believe that the Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Paul S Morton ordained him a Bishop. I don't know if they will defrock him ( take away the title), but he is going to pay for ths horrible mistake in more ways than one. He already is. I honestly believe that until he apologizes for what he has done, regardless of a court order, NOTHING is going to go right for him or the ministry. The numbers and finances at his church is already dwindling. Thanks for posting! I am loving the discussion!
Saturday, June 4th 2011 at 2:04AM
Brenda Bradley
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@ Lena, you are right! I have not heard him ask for nor act like he even needs forgiveness. Ultimately, New Birth, is going to have to request that he resign or sit down. I don't think that is about to happen. We can ask for it or demand it, but the church he serves at is the one who will have to insist on his resignation....THat is NOT going to happen any time soon. SMH
Saturday, June 4th 2011 at 2:08AM
Brenda Bradley
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@ Sister Bradley,
I know that many people in the church have been unknowingly brainwashed and don't feel free to talk against the leadership. I've been there and done that bit. One becomes the "Black sheep of the flock" or labeled rebellious to authority or even branded a "goat" rather than a sheep. Let me tell you when I say this... I've heard it all. There is no question in my mind that the Bishop's silence on this matter is a sign of guilt especially when he came out publicly to announce, "This thing I'm gonna fight". Where is the fight? He needs to do the right thing by the people he has been leading and that is to resign. Probably what is going to happen is a "church split". I don't know how it will play out, but there is no question that a "split" is in the making especially if the revenue is already dwindling. People usually take sides on a matter.
Monday, June 6th 2011 at 11:34AM
Jen Fad
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Bernice King Explains Why She Left Bishop Long’s Church
(VIA My Praise Atlanta) As My Praise Atlanta reported earlier, the Rev. Bernice King has announced that she is stepping down as an elder at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. King said her decision to leave her post is unrelated to Bishop Eddie Long’s recent settlement of four s*xual misconduct lawsuits. Bernice King spoke exclusively with My Praise Atlanta’s Rhodell Lewis on MyPraiseAtl.com today and explained why she is leaving New Birth.
Listen to the exclusive below!
http://praisecharlotte.com/charlotte/prais...
Tuesday, June 7th 2011 at 11:25AM
Jen Fad
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Sister Lena,
It's not what I thought she would say. She's being "politically correct" or should I say "religiously correct" saying that God has given her another mandate to go into the pastoral ministry which comes from fours generations of pastors. She apperenatly didn't resign but accepted the mandate and spoke with Bis. Long regarding her departure at the end of May. She says that there is a right way to leave a church and received Long's blessings to go forward. Hmmmm... I'm sure she had no ideal that he was going to settle out of court, eh!
Friday, June 10th 2011 at 3:16PM
Jen Fad
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@ Sister Lena,
I share your sentiments in regards to people in the church leadership leaving 'sleeping dogs to lay', but we all know that those sleeping dogs do come back to bite you, eh! It's sad that many especially women in leadership have been religiously 'brainwashed' instead of truly 'Bloodwashed' to speak the truth in love about the leaders in the church.
I don't suppose I can blame many women leaders, but in Sister Bernice's case she has inherited the responsibility to speak out for the disenfranchised to a degree by her Late father, the Rev. Dr Martin L. King. I'm really disappointed that she would make stands against Gay Rights, but will not make a formal and public stand against a Homophobe who now has turned out to be hypocrite, deceiver, defrauder, and a liar. That is hypocrisy in the highest order and she (Sister Bernice) should truly set the record straight for the people of New Birth because those people are waiting for an answer which they haven't gotten from their 'In the Closet' learder, Eddie Long.
Did you see the blog on The View's Sherry Shepherd speaks out about the Eddie Long s*x Scandal? If not, here it is. Sherri Shepherd of the View Speaks Out on the Eddie Long Issue, Check out the video.
http://blackwomenconnect.com/cgi-bin/blog....
Tuesday, June 14th 2011 at 1:47AM
Jen Fad
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