Off to the NBJC Second Annual Black Church Summit

by: Pam Spaulding

Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 12:00:00 PM EST

Tonight at 7:30 PM there will be a reception at the Holiday Inn at 400 Arch Street in Philadelphia, where class act and freshly-minted out former NBA player John Amaechi will speak about his closeted-gay experience in the NBA and his spiritual and sexual reconciliation. Amaechi will take questions from the audience. It's open to the public; just RSVP to hedavis@nbjc.org.

The Summit itself take place on Saturday  (9:00 AM- 5PM) at the historic Mother Bethel AME Zion Church at 419 S. 6th Street. There will be workshops, keynote speeches, and a debate about homosexuality and the church between Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Bush-supporting Bishop Harry Jackson, Chairman of the High-Impact Leadership Coalition.

I've written plenty about Jackson and other black pastors who have made life so difficult for so many gays and lesbians in their pews; this offers a chance to peel back the layers of misunderstanding and see whether concrete progress can be made to dispel the myths and fears.

Here is some of the wisdom of Harry Jackson, just so you know what's coming:

"Gay rights is not an extension of the civil rights movement simply because there's no choice involved in our blackness. I think there is an amazingly militant group of gays who have made it their point to say, 'We're going to be out; we're going to be visible' -- that's their choice."

"We've got, I think, both a biblical lens in which I'm viewing this problem, and a sociological lens. Something that devalues the institution [of marriage] would take us to an even further level. The gay community is well on its way to getting many, many of [the] rights that they want. I'm simply wanting to protect traditional marriage."

..."I'm not against gay people; I'm not trying to bash them per se. I just think that we're in such a terrible situation in my community that I've got to protect the institution."

Some of the topics covered during the summit will include how to build effective HIV ministries; how to create gay affirming congregations in order to end spiritual homophobia; how to interpret scripture in regards to homosexuality; plus a special youth mentoring track focusing upon Black youth 25 years old and under.

In addition, two different church choirs and soloists will provide spiritual inspiration and entertainment for some 300 people expected to attend the Summit from across the nation.  "This will be a monumental weekend for Black church communities from across America and the world" says H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC Executive Director/CEO.

"The strategies learned at the Summit will be taken back to individual churches and effectively implemented within their local communities. We are very proud that NBJC is able to host this event becoming the instrumental catalyst for such dynamic cultural and socioeconomic change" Robinson added.

Saturday: March 10, 2007

8:15 - 9:15 
Registration

8:15 - 9:15 
New Metropolitan Community Church with Greg Satorie

9:15 - 9:30
Welcome: Sylvia Rhue

Opening Prayer: Elder Tonyia Rawls
Recognition of Dignitaries: Earl Plante
Governor's Proclamation: Stephen Glassman

9:30 - 9:35 
Musical Selection: Donald Dumpson

9:35 - 10:00 
Introduction of Rev. Deborah Johnson
Keynote: Rev. Deborah L. Johnson
"Keeping Pace with God's Grace" 

10:00 - 10:05 
  Introduction of Bishop Flunder: Donna Payne

Musical selection: Bishop Yvette Flunder

10:05 - 10: 40 
Introduction of Rev. Dr. Michael Dyson: Sylvia Rhue

Keynote: Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson: "The Theology of  Homoeroticism" 

10:40 - 10:45  Break

10: 45- 12:00 

Debate: "Homosexuality, the Church and Black Folk"
  Rev. Michael Eric Dyson, Bishop Harry Jackson,  Rev. Eugene Rivers, Rev. Ken Samuel, Bishop Y. Flunder
Moderators: Rev. Irene Monroe and Rev. Deborah Johnson

12:00-1:15  Lunch

  Breakout Sessions

1:15- 2:15

Workshop 1: AIDS/HIV-Phill Wilson: Black AIDS Institute 
Bishop Yvette Flunder, Rev. Renee McCoy

  Workshop 2: Creating and Nourishing a Welcoming and Affirming
Faith Community: Elder Tonyia Rawls; Pastor Ben Reynolds,
Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards

2:15 -2:30  Praise Break
2:30 - 3:30

Workshop 3:
Biblical Scholarship: Working Our Way Through Paul and Leviticus
Bishop Yvette Flunder; Bishop John Selders

Workshop 4:
Marriage Equality, Healthy Relationships and Creating A Pastoral Care Model for LGBT Couples/Families
  Samiya Bashir, Rev. Joseph Tolton, Horace Griffin

Workshop 5: 
Separation of Church and State Issues: Mike Smith
ACLU: 501© 3 and Your Church, Rev. Steve Baines, PFAW 

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YOUTH TRAK: 25 years and below

1:15 -  2:15 
A Dialogue with Rev. Michael Eric Dyson

2:15 - 2:30 
Break

2:30 -3:30
"Young, Gifted and Black" Rev. Deborah L. Johnson, Rev. Jeffrey Haskins, Deacon Moise, Moderator

3:30 - 3:45 
Break

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3:45 -4:15 
Panel (with audience discussion) Commission and Next Steps: 
"Continuing the Conversation: Organizing Clergy and Congregations" 
Mandy Carter, Bishop Yvette Flunder, Rev. Deborah L. Johnson,  Rev Ken Samuel
Moderator: H. Alexander Robinson 

4:15 - 4:30 
Final Words/Benediction

4:30 - 5:00 
Lavender Light Choir/Dorothy Bean