Police officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department who posted racist and bigot Facebook posts are a “ threat to the public,” Reverend Spencer Lamar Booker, senior pastor at St. Paul A.M. E. Church, said during a press conference on the steps of St. Louis City Hall on June 13.
An angelic soprano voice took Agnes Marie Jackson from the choir of Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church to ministering around the world alongside gospel music legends. She passed away on May 12. She was 87 years old.
Have you ever wondered how the lawyer who knows his or her client is guilty but is able to get the person off based on a legal technicality feels? Legally, the person is innocent, but morally they are as guilty as, dare I say, sin.
This year marks many historical and notable 50-year anniversaries: the tragic, unforgettable assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., two Americans walked on the moon, and Woodstock. This year will also give a nod of honor and respect to one of St. Louis' most out-reaching, effective, an…
What started as a conversation over beers at a local tavern has led to more than $1 million in research funding for two members of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
For someone who grew up when and how I did, the question of Jesus continues to mystify many of my so-called friends, when it comes to my recognized newest superhero.
Greater Grace Church in Ferguson recently joined North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice by signing its Covenant Statement following President Rance Thomas’ presentation.
A minister friend of mine once told me that a person can have theology but no faith. He told me this because at one time I was considering going to school to study the Bible. My friend, recognizing that I was a rookie trying to crack the starting ,lineup for Christ, suggested maybe a diffe…
It is not always through guile and deceit that the devil works his evil. He can accomplish his goals if he can convince you that what is very important is of little matter and no consequence. This love thing is pretty well documented throughout the Bible and Christ certainly clarifies its im…
Hatred, resentment, white supremacy and victimhood are deadly political tools. President Trump wields them with no thought to the consequences – and people die.
Declining church attendance is forcing some religious leaders to make difficult decisions — namely, what to do with outsized or vacant places of worship.
They say no one can ever lead a perfect life. Flaws, faults and mistakes are the unavoidable consequences of being human. God lets us know through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that how we handle our imperfections is about as important as acknowledging that we do indeed have them.
Christ the King United Church of Christ is offering a Musical Tribute on Saturday, April 27at 5 p.m. for its Minister of Music Shamar Jordan, who is celebrating 25 years in the Music Ministry. Christ the King is pastored by Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon. The church is located at 11370 Old Halls Fe…
They say no one can ever lead a perfect life. Flaws, faults and mistakes are the unavoidable consequences of being human. God lets us know through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that how we handle our imperfections is about as important as acknowledging that we do indeed have them. Allow me t…
To Suzanne Palmer, music is everything. But so, too, is interacting with people from all walks of life.
Hopefully, this a different take on a familiar subject. Scripture refers to one’s faith, “the size of a mustard seed,” as a true indicator of its power. Faith, for all we talk about it, is probably one of the more misunderstood and unappreciated concepts in Christianity. I believe this becau…
United by common missions, Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) and Let’s Start have merged the two organizations, with CJM assuming operations of major Let’s Start programs.
How many of you have ever been too embarrassed to pray, too afraid or really just too ashamed? It is during very difficult times that to kneel down before the Lord (especially after you’ve done exactly that thing which represents the absolute worst in you) seems impossible.
Rev. Steve Jackson – the pastor of Mt. Joy Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest black Baptist church in Edwardsville – received the 2019 Spirituality Leadership Award at the 16th annual Leadership Awards Dinner hosted by the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability at Southern Illinois Un…
I remember as a high school senior going to a religious retreat and listening to a recording supposedly between the devil and one of his soul recruiters, who was having little to no luck at populating hell. The devil gave him one more chance to succeed before suffering the vilest of consequences.
Rev. Steve Jackson – the pastor of Mt. Joy Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest black Baptist church in Edwardsville – will receive the 2019 Spirituality Leadership Award at the 16th annual Leadership Awards Dinner hosted by the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability at Southern Illinoi…
I remember as a high school senior going to a religious retreat and listening to a recording supposedly between the devil and one of his soul recruiters, who was having little to no luck at populating hell. The devil gave him one more chance to succeed before suffering the vilest of consequences.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, Illinois. Reverend Marvin L. Morgan, interim senior pastor, will kick-off this year-long celebration with a jazz concert featuring Reverend Dwight Andrews of First Congregational Church in Atlanta, who…
One of the telling things about being a Christian, no matter how new the claim might be, is a newfound understanding and appreciation of being by yourself. I don’t mean being lonely or anything. I mean being alone with the Lord.
God made a covenant with His people. He made us a promise. If you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ve had many people make promises to you that they have no intention of keeping or they failed miserably while trying to keep it. I know I’ve broken a promise or two in my day.
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Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Blvd., will welcome its new senior pastor, Reverend Anthony L. Riley, to the pulpit to begin his pastoral leadership on Sunday, March 17.
Our community is plagued with a rash of unnecessary murders which occur nearly every day. They happen with such frequency that many of us have become insensitive to these occurrences, and some even look forward to reading or hearing about the next incident. It seems to have become a part of…
I saw something that literally made me stop and think: “Jesus, revolutionary!” The reason for my pause had more to do with how we define revolutionary today and its application in terms of Christ.
Ben Dawson looked at the program memorializing Demetrius A. Stewart during his homegoing services Friday, February at Westside Missionary Baptist Church, where her served as an associate minister; he also was chaplain for his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Stewart was fatally shot as an innoce…
As I get older I have become even more fascinated with the concept of time. I’ve always found time as it is talked about in the Bible to be an awesome concept if we can just grasp it and apply time and its value to our own lives.
St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition President Bishop Elijzah Hankerson III will lead a discussion on creating strong community leaders at a free public presentation on Tuesday, February 19 at Eden Theological Seminary.
St. Louis Oasis and New Northside Baptist Church will host a free Open House at the New Northside Family Life Center located at 5939 Goodfellow Blvd. in North St. Louis from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, February 15. Participants will be encouraged to engage in class demonstrations and health…
There is a perception (right or wrong) in our faith that our suffering is an integral part of God’s plan to ready us for the struggle of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Many believe that suffering in some ways is a prerequisite for strengthening one’s spiritual muscle. I think it is…
Terrell Carter, a bi-vocational pastor and full-time professor of practical theology at a Baptist seminary, will release his eighth book, “Learning to be the Church in a New World: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges to Organized Faith in the 21st Century,” this month through Pinnacl…
The bate-n-switch continues unabated in Missouri’s Republican-controlled government. In his January 16 State of the State address, Gov. Mike Parson requested a $350 million bond issue to replace or repair 250 bridges. This request is apparently in response to the smackdown delivered by taxpa…
The scant coverage by The American regarding the National Blues Museum continues, especially in the face of the recent “resignation” of Jeffery Hardin as the executive director. Although Bernie Hayes is a solid choice as interim director, I found it odd how the vitriol and controversy betwee…
As members of the Peace & Justice Commission of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, we are deeply saddened by the national conversation concerning immigrants and refugees, particularly those coming from south of our nation’s border. They are too often being portrayed as violent criminals who a…
With the world in such a tumultuous state, you could say that this is when faith can and is tested. For some, tragic world events just might make you question the existence of the God we profess to believe in.
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Rev. Ronald L. Bobo – who delivered his last sermon at West Side Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, January 13 after 32 years as its senior pastor and 40 years in the ministry overall – asked his son, Rev. Charles Bobo Sr., to join him on staff at West Side several years ago, looking towar…
Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Fountain Park and Lewis Place communities will host a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance, themed “Living the Dream – Dismantling Injustices in Community, Education, & Literacy,” at the sta…
“Blessed and highly favored.” I don’t know where this phrase comes from. But I do understand what it means and, by uttering it, some of us accept its responsibilities and yes, even its consequences.
Now-former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan reported that six Illinois Roman Catholic dioceses failed to disclose at least 500 sexual abuse cases involving priests. That is one of the first findings the office has released so far in its ongoing investigation of the dioceses.
As believers we really have a lot on our plates. From our perspective, however, that doesn’t mean we are challenged beyond our capacity to fulfill God’s destiny for us. It just means life still happens to us. It just does so with a purpose: God’s. The more we understand and internalize that,…
The year 2018 was a big one for St. Louis native Marabeth E. Gentry, the president of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. (founded by Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of gospel music), the oldest African-American gospel singing organization in the United States. In March,…
For someone who grew up when and how I did, the question of Jesus really mystified many of my so-called friends, when it came to my newest superhero.
Children and families from across the community will benefit from the generosity of Hazelwood North Middle School this holiday season. Students, staff, PTSA members, and parents donated $3,000 as part of a schoolwide effort to support those in need. Students used the money to buy clothing, t…
North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice’s Summons of Joy Program recently kicked off its fourth year.
Faith usually is a minefield to navigate. If you’re not careful, your faith will wilt from the constant barrage of just living. Be it grief, worry, betrayal or just hard times, life has a way of making you think it’s just too hard. Some things are just not worth it. The answer is simply, jus…
I am now in my 20th year teaching theology at Catholic schools in St. Louis. I have been asked what I need from Archbishop Robert Carlson and the church regarding racism. I need Archbishop Carlson and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to literally and loudly proclaim “…
As our nation prepared to bid farewell to its first African-American president in 2016, a public debate had already begun about whether race relations in America had gotten better or worse during his tenure. Leaders within churches and the overall Christian scholarly community were largely s…
Have you ever thought about just thanking God for being God? I know at times I must get on His last nerve, and it’s just nice to know that He forgives.
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