Everything to Gain
Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NRSVUE)
By Rev. Monica C. Jones, Ph.D., Contributing Writer
One of the proudest moments for me as an African Methodist Episcopal Church member (and I am sure many others) is when Dear Old Morris Brown in our Atlanta University Center rose from the ashes to once again take its place among higher education institutions.
For 20 years, we prayed; for 20 years, we raised much-needed funds; for 20 years, we kept the doors open; for 20 years, we were determined and faithful; for 20 years, we waited on the Lord. It was a divine accomplishment that will go down in history; it is a testament to the leadership borne out of Big Bethel and all of the support the connectional church provided us. More importantly, it is an example of what we are able to do and should do in the future as we work to save our institutions of higher learning.
The Challenges are there, but so are the Opportunities
Whether one considers the journey we have taken at Morris Brown, Wilberforce, etc., or presently Turner Seminary, we know that no matter how daunting the task may be, as self-sufficient, faith-instilled, God-fearing workers in the vineyard, we are not intimidated. We cannot afford to be. Our task should be to consider any setbacks we may have experienced as motivation to move beyond failure and regain our success.
The biblical foundation for this approach is evident. Deuteronomy 31:6, in the words of Moses to the people as he passed the torch to Joshua, we are to be strong, bold and have no fear. This command uttered by Moses is just as relevant for us today.
Be strong. These two words say it all; it was the theme of my church’s 176th anniversary this year, and it should be the message of the Church every year. We cannot allow ourselves to grow weary or to give up as we face various challenges, particularly those within our higher education family. We must, as we did for 20 years with Morris Brown and other situations, continue to fight, no matter how arduous the task may appear. We have everything to gain.
Be bold. Having the daring to do something innovative or unconventional is not what every congregation or member would support. Nevertheless, in part, it is innovation and unconventionality that have brought us this far. It works, especially when we put the process in the hands of our Savior. When we prayerfully approach the throne in the planning stage of a program or project, the Holy Spirit will direct us and give us surprisingly unthought-of solutions to our problems. It was bold for the Reverend Jarena Lee to declare herself a preacher long before the church granted her that license. It was bold for Bishop Henry McNeil Turner to declare in the halls of the Georgia legislature, “I claim the rights of a man.” It was bold for Sis. Rosa to remain seated on that bus. Yet, because each of them was bold, we are better people of God today.
Be unafraid. Moses was quick to say that in addition to being strong and bold, we can have no fear as we fight the good fight. Fear paralyzes. If we fall, we simply have to get back up. We have done thatthroughout generations in this church that we call African Methodism. Our future leaders, whose minds we shape each day within our classrooms, depend on us.
Today, institutional challenges still exist, including the task to maintain the life of Turner Seminary. As we face these challenges, we must keep this threefold mosaic strategy within our hearts: Be strong, be bold, be unafraid. God will not forsake us, as Moses so rightly affirmed. We have so much to gain! Let our history be our guide and inspiration, for if God is for us, and He is, who can be against us?
The Reverend Monica C. Jones, Ph.D., is the Director of Christian Education Ministries at Big Bethel in Atlanta, Georgia.
