MotivationWHAT MOTIVATES US?Edited 01 September 03 Our program seeks to elaborate upon the relationships among these concepts: Money Marbles Chalk Religion Education Health Edited July 23, 2003 OUTLINE FOR ENTERTAINMENT versus ENTERPRISE I. Survival Skills II. Scriptural Foundation Upon This Rock... Matthew 16:18 Greater Things ( works ) will you do because I go to my Father... John 14:12 Ye shall have power.... Acts 1: 8 For the work of the ministry ... Ephesians4: 7- 13 ; First Corinthians 12 : 4 - 30; Romans 12; 6-8 III. The Offices and the Gifts IV. The Power to Meet Mankind's Needs V. Entertainment v. Enterprise VI. The Tasks and the Tools VII. Religion Controls IX. Before You Can Help Others X. The Power of Money
[edited October Twentieth 02 ] THE KEEBLE DREAM..... THERE IS A NEED FOR MEMORABILIA. YOU CAN HELP!!! ADDRESS 2816 South Ellis Avenue TELEPHONE 312 225 6343 NOVEMBER 22 program at Christ Universal has been postponed. NOVEMBER 23 The Open House is still on target; CALL FIRST!
THE TAXES WE PAY!!!! When we pick up our pay checks, we have paid : federal taxes, state income taxes, medicare and or medicade, social security insurance, [ someone has paid federal unemployment taxes and state unemployment taxes] . When we buy gasoline, we pay a motor fuel tax. When we pay our telephone bills, we pay a long distance tax, a federal tax, an FCC tax and a 911 tax. There are taxes on our groceries, our clothes, our automobile purchases. If we rent equipment, we pay a rental tax in addition to the rental fees. If we go to a hotel or a motel, we pay an additional tax. Again, when we purchase a car, there is a tax we must pay in addition to license plate fees. We pay real estate taxes and it does not matter if we are the landlord or not.... With all of these taxes, how much of our paychecks is meaningful income??? WHERE ARE THE MEN a poem by Arthur Holland, Sr. Where are the men? Are they sleeping in cars? In the neighborhood bars? Were they killed in the wars? I have looked wide and far- and I cannot find the men! Where are the men ? Are they found in the court, Criminal Justice or sport? At a spa or resort? Where are the men? Have they hidden behind- shaded glass, are they blind? I somehow cannot find- a real man! Where are the men that You may have forgot, neither cold, neither hot being something they ' re not? Where are the men? Can the just ones be found? Is there any around? Oh, I know how it sounds, Maybe veiled in a gown? Perhaps out on the town? Are they dressed up in drag, being fairy or fag? I won't give them a tag-- if discovered. I continue to search, in the streets , in the church. Are they found in the lurch? Heaven forbid! Where are the men that are earning their pay, working yet while it's day, I continue to say, Where are the men? Are they out in Toledo working on their libido, or just plain Perdido? Where are the men. Are the art works of Greek, Can they act? Can they speak? Are they strong? Are they weak? Where are the men? The ones who stand, while the fires are fanned, Would not it be grand- if they surfaced? Where are the teachers? Are they all being Preachers, or just clowns in the bleachers? Are they all playing ball, just because that are tall, or boys of summer in the fall? Where are the men? Where are the men that will come to the dance-- and maybe take a chance-- on God ? Apply righteous correction, endure spiritual inspection, one who will not spare the rod. Who with justice and fear, will respect, make it clear, that a MAN must adhere to his gender. I see the women, more than a few, I see them-- but I don't see you, still I wonder who? Who will shine forth ? Who will do..? Maybe, just maybe, the search may end and be over and then Like a microchip being, though unable to see 'em,--They won't be in a disguise, they'll be easy to recognize, knowledgeable, understanding and wise. You 'll know they exist. In their absence they 're missed, and we'll not be tempted to ask-- that age old question : " Where are the men ?"
ARE YOU BEING CONTROLLED? The war is not a Holy War! What Time Is It? is a concern that we have because we are being told that we are in the last days, or the world is coming to an end, or that Jesus will make his return sooner than we think. The question of the imminence of Jesus' Second coming has a long historical history. The second coming is significant but we, here, find that most of us do not have a clue relative to the time table of events leading to the ultimate. Secondly, we have no idea as to how specific terms relative to the last days, etc., are defined. Please read then study these scriptures: Revelations 16 : 15, 16 and 17 First Thessalonians 4 : `16 Galations 4 : 4 -5 Matthew 24 : 3- 6; 13- 14; 31 Matthew 25 : 32
TAKE THESE MAIN IDEAS AND RE-ORGANIZE THEM INTO A
MEANINGFUL ORDER; i. e. , WHAT IDEA SHOULD COME FIRST, SECOND,
THIRD, ETC. TO TELL A LOGICAL NARRATIVE??? I. THE WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT II. APOCALYPSE OR THE REVELATION III. ARMAGEDDON IV. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST V. THE END OF THE WORLD/THE END OF TIME VI. EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES VII. THE RAPTURE VIII. THE SABBATH DAY OF REST IX. THE SIGNS OF THE TIME X. WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS XI. A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH
PRISON REFORM ???? What should happen to a prisoner while he or she is incarcerated? One would think that the prisoner should be rehabilitated, made ready to return to this society, a useful, functional citizen. You are apprised to the prisoners who have staged revolts just in this year. The prison stories of television are rather romantic and glamorized. We are finding that life in our prisons leave a lot to be desired! And that's an understatement. We have got to become concerned about the numbers of prisons being built; the skewed population; the behaviors the majority conditions us that drives us into these prisons; who gets the jobs, the contracts; who provides the services and/or need for free labor prisoners are being made to provide. The church and the community have roles in bringing
closure to the rehabilitation of prisoners,
Ergo, the Prison Action Committee develops the subject
of their concern, The C# Prisoners in Illinois in one of
the upcoming programs in March and in April. Carlos Vega,
Assistant Executive Director and co- founder of the
organization, Ra' Chaka, Director of Community Affaires,
La Tonia Richmond,, a daughter of a C# Prisoner, and
Allen Mills, Attorney from the Uptown People Law Center
are panelists in a discussion moderated
by Oscar Worrill. Their discussion calls for
an action. I made a prediction in 1974. It stated that by the year two thousand, businesses, industry and private agencies will control what we knew then as public education. Public education has been floundering for eons. It, as a political football, is subject to the whims of state legislatures. There have been inequities. Educational funding, in an age of such intelligence, has not provided for the least of these our brothers. Books, computers, ancillary staff are not available to make things equal. Commerce and industry, I predicted, will take over the role and function of public education because we are not graduating enough students in the minority communities who are able to go, because of their skills, abilities, backgrounds and training, into the worlds of work or higher education. I am not a fool, nor am I stupid when I talk about Michael Jordan and other African American athletes funding the three phases of what I am calling INVESTING IN OURSELVES. I am not delirious. Yes, it is ironic! Telling someone else how they should spend their money or spending someone else's money, even! Jim Brown is getting this kind of support for his program Amer-I- Can. The concept challenges us to explore the concept of transfer. Over the past thirty months, we have discussed facilities we can put into practice. Education, in its present state, needs mega funding. We are behind! Consider the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, poor housing, poor schooling, poor job opportunities and our disintegrating family structure. If you do not believe that there are inequities that we have to live with, drive down 47th street, 63rd street, drive into Roseland, into the Gold Coast, into Rogers Park. We see constantly the effects of discrimination upon our people, For some of our people, the riches of equality are so far from being attained that they are not concerned. Survival is the order of business. How can I own my own home when I cannot pay the rent on this vermin infested "hole" I have to call home. The American dream is a nightmare for many of our brothers and sisters. Some are just existing! Some of our people need the basics of food, clothing, shelter and hope. Some need a decent meal or diet, a good night's sleep, a secure place to raise a family. Going to college, investing in the stock market, running in a marathon may the farthest from their minds. They need basics. Do not get me misunderstand me. I talk not about pies in the sky. This race is on a continuum! We do have some millionaires and we do have some who live in conditions that should make us cry. I am glad that we resist suicide as a race. We need to help all of our race who do not benefit from the American Dream! Ergo, as the Scripture speak, " The strong must bear the infirmities of the weak." Those of us who have made it have need to help those who are not as fortunate as we who have not.... I ask that you find the poem "The Bridge Builder." We have to give back to our communities; we have to invest in ourselves. We cannot depend entirely upon the government to make our lives better. There are some things we can and must do for ourselves. At this point, we have two television programs of our delineations. EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO YOUR FUTURE! [ subjected to be edited ]
The church is responsible for more than just saving souls! fifty small churches in a ten block radius Generating income is one of the larger problems of any religious organization. I do not doubt what God can do with the tithe and free will offerings. I look at people with scarce resources: BILLS and PROBLEMS, cars, food, transportation, insurance, poor budgeting skills, and/or impulse spending. Food, clothing, shelter have devastating effects upon some and because of these, some make the church the last to benefit from their income. It bothers me to hear the schemes that have to be used to get financial support. I grew up amidst chicken dinners, barbecues. I abhor raffles because I know that God has definite methodology to generate income for His work.[ I do know that some of the finance houses are coming into the black community to ascertain what pastors have done with some congregations who have built large assemblies with little or no financial/economic training or money, just faith! ] I know that God takes care of His own. I believe in miracles. I have seen some fantastic occurrences take place in the baptismal pool. I do not doubt God! What I am addressing is the backbreaking obligations taken on by the members of these small congregations, least of all the leaders. I have heard that the founder of the Caterpillar Tractor Company gave ninty per cent of his income to the Church and lived on the ten per cent. He glories in how God blessed him. That is commendable. It may be the exception rather than the rule. This exegesis proposes that there needs to be much teaching/educational programming in congregations. That really is our focus! I am still reasonable enough to know that it is hard trying to pry some away from their money , especially if their survival is so demanding. You know, the wheel that gets the oil syndrome. Trust me, I know that God is able. Consider alternatives! The model we are generating advocates that each of the fifty present pastors of these small congregations in this ten block radius would develop and oversee a ministry in our new facility. One would have a full time job of communicating with prisoners. Another would develop and operate a full time ministry to persons confined to hospitals. If the power of communication is a catalyst of change, then the church needs a well defined public relations program: letters, newspapers, radio, television, that serves to keep the community, the city, the state, the nation informed about the role and function of the church in the life of the community. We do not get informed as to when sidewalks are being replaced, streets are being repaved, snow is being removed, cap meetings will be held, coop boards are being formed, teen-age counseling program against pregnancy or drug use are being held. "Jane" has decided that she will not seek re-election; "Oswald," having "paid his dues" wants the support of the constituency for the role in the school's community council. We argue constantly that Jane or Joe Official do not come around to inform us until election time. The Annenberg Foundation will contribute matching funds for the Roseland Project. The Church has spiritual and physical obligations to its members. Where will this proposed organization get its monies to operate above and beyond what it gets through tithes and offerings? There should be help from national church organizations, social and philanthropic organizations, state agencies and city agencies. Truly, I believe that the church in the community would perform facilities that would relieve the city and the state of responsibility. I, also, believe that other church organizations, who recognize the work that this community church accomplishes, would support regularly. Dr. Frederick K.C. Price stated that his church organization funded a church not of his denomination at the tune of over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. I, personally, know of a small church congregation in Gary, Indiana and two large church organizations herein Chicago that regularly support churches that have ministries called "Outreach Ministries:" alcohol rehabilitation, drug counselling, women treatment centers, halfway houses, and teen-counselling programs as examples. It is not all about teas, banquets and chicken dinners!! Day care centers for children, Adult day care centers, Prisoner rehab programs, Senior citizens Homes, Nursing homes and Hospitals are supported by churches to continue our list. It is more than a money thang! It is a faith and organization venture. Do you realize that if ten persons donated to a cause thirty dollars ( $30. 00 ) each, then we would have three hundred dollars ( $300. 00 )? If one hundred persons gave thirty dollars ( $ 30.00 )each, then we would have three thousand dollars ($ 3,000.00 ). If one thousand persons gave thirty dollars ( $ 30. 00 )each, then we would have thirty thousand dollars ( $30, 000.00 ). The Black Muslims at one time had a membership of two million members. Its leader taxed each member an annual fee of one dollar ( $ 1.00 ). If it were paid, that is two million dollars ($ 2,000,000. 00 ). What could you not buy or own??? : Properties, Busses, Juvenile Counselling Centers, Programs that would minimize the need for drugs, for gangs, for sexual experimentation. I have said that I wanted to present a program, a challenge to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Reggie Jackson and other successful Black athletes. They would be asked to underwrite teacher assistants in classrooms. The goal would be to cut down class room sizes thereby optimizing the time and attention a student receives from teachers. There are ministries in the church that the government has to fund because the citizens are provided a social service that the state must provide. I base this upon the child benefit theory that provides money any school system, public, private or parochial that provides books and transportation to the student. All persons called to the ministry are not pastors. All do not have to preach at all. Witness, develop their talent, their calling of God, yes! I am proclaiming that God does call but He does not call preachers only. Too many of us make that mistake. I reiterate that some whom God calls are not called to preach but are called to do a work, to develop a ministry. You may find this hard to conceptualize. God has many, many other jobs in the church besides pastors and preachers. If the church, a not for profit organizations, purchases real estate property, there is a strong likelihood that that property can come off the tax rolls. If members of the congregation provides a civic function, the church may be rewarded by being at the right place at the right time. Three instances come to mind where congregations were given abandoned property. They leave a bad taste in my mouth because the leaders would not share the properties. Kept them for themselves even though proposals were presented that would bring jobs into the community or educate or counsel members of the community. " You are black, but you are not a member of our denomination, so can cannot have. This was given to us and it is ours. " Nonetheless, we should be aware of human behavior. Our task here is to challenge and to tell you that there are churches developing these approaches. How many jobs are associated with a nursing home : doctors, nurses, janitors, cooks, security guards, orderlies, yard men, drivers, secretaries, accountants, lawyers, carpenters, painters, attendants???? Take the Black Muslims' tax. two million dollars for the development of neighborhood super market. No, we are not whistling in the wind! It has been done by a congregation here in Chicago. I cannot tell you what its membership is, two hundred, five hundred, one thousand. I was told that the money did not come from the congregation. It could have! What I want you to know is that for focused, cohesive groups, there is money to be found if you have the need, the purpose and the workers to manage the project. Sometimes, this model is difficult manage because of ego. Who is the boss; who is in charge! Organization, planning, setting, a division of labor with concomitant responsibility and authority will get the job done. It is all laid out there in the Bible. We don' t teach helps, government, administration, etc.., but they are right there in the Bible where the gifts of preaching and teaching are established. WE NEED TO STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED UNTO GOD...... If this put the church in business, then so be it. Let us go one step further. All churches have a benevolent offering or fund. For what should it be? Members in the church or community who have experienced a financial crisis or an emergency; such as, a debilitating fire or or a devastating automobile accident accompanied by little or no automobile insurance or the need of money until the insurance or social service kicks in, a medical prostheses not covered by insurance. Can this fund make money; can this fund provide other helps? Members of the congregation or church community, [ city wide, state wide or regionally ] could form a federal credit union. They could make weekly, or monthly deposits; the church could make deposits as well. When they, the members or the church itself, would need money, they would, in effect, borrow from themselves. AND , at a lower rate of interest. I would that you were in Chicago. On this Thursday night from seven to nine p.m. at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Thread the Needle will tape a formal presentation teaching church members to invest so that their monies work for them. Brigitte Douglas and Marlon Jones and the principle principals. Their pastor's philosophy instructs the congregation that a new church can be built debt free. They believe him and are working on the project. The presentation Thursday is part of the instructional, motivational program... I am not making a shot in the dark! These kinds of programs cannot be instituted by each of our fifty small congregations [ singularly ]. They have too few members and too little resources. It would take each individually over fifty years to generate such a status. Rent, lights, heating gas, telephone service costs are high and are devastating upon a small congregation that is made up mostly of relatives and friends. If each congregation had twenty members, fifty such should generate one thousand or so members. Shouldering the spiritual, financial and physical needs of a community can be met with much more responsibility and affect. jas byron subjected to be edited |
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