Gospel Today 8-24-09

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President Obama & The Healthcare Crisis

This past week, PresidentBarack Obama led a nationalconference call with 140,000

people of faith to discuss the

healthcare reform bill that is

currently being debated by

congress.

While the issue of healthcare

has been immersed in partisan

politics since it appeared on the

agenda of public policy,

President Obama took time

during his conference call to

label healthcare reform as a

moral issue rather than a political

issue.

However, while the number of

participants on the call was

historic, everyone in the faith

community is not in agreement

with the President’s plan. a

Bishop Harry Jackson labels

the plan as “immoral and

unGodly.” He says that the plan

permits payments for abortion,

and argues that 75% of the

people who get abortions are

Black. Stay tuned...gt

47 millionAmericansare withouthealthcoverage

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BMW’s “No UrbanDictate”

Rev. JesseJackson RaisesQuestions...

On August 19, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson,president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition,

has sent a letter to BMW expressing concern

over the actions of one of the automaker's

advertising agencies in issuing a "No Urban

Dictate" for an upcoming BMW/MINI

Cooper ad campaign. The request to discuss

the matter comes after disclosure that BMW's

media buying agency sent an email to stations

requesting information on ad rates, but

specifically stated "No combos or urban

formats" should be included.

In a letter to BMW Chairman and CEO,

Jim O' Donnell, Jackson called the exclusion

of urban radio stations "disturbing." The letter

also said, "This issue, along many others,

continues to boycott communities of color and

excludes us from participating on a level

economic playing field even when we fully

embrace and purchase your vehicles."

Jackson also questioned BMW's

commitment to diversity by saying that the

automaker had ignored earlier Rainbow

PUSH requests for information and

participation in discussions. "Because

diversity and inclusion are so important to the

automotive industry, each year Rainbow

PUSH Automotive Project hosts a symposium

whose mission and programs include a

multitude of topics on diversity." wrote

Jackson. "The symposium's purpose is to

facilitate substantive dialogue, open

communication on diversity opportunities,

and to prevent this type of behavior recently

demonstrated by BMW. However, you have

repeatedly declined to participate in these

dialogues."

"This speaks to your lack of transparency

of your business practices as they relate to

diversity," added Jackson.

The letter from the civil rights leader comes

on the heels of a letter to BMW's O' Donnell

from the National Association of Black

Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) requesting a

meeting to discuss "a corporate culture that

condones discriminatory practices."

Both NABOB and Rainbow PUSH have

questioned the role of BMW's African-

American ad agency of record, The Matlock

Group, and whether it was using the expertise

of the agency to avoid the exclusion of urban

radio stations and other African-American

media outlets in the placement of advertising.

Thus far, both organizations say they are

still awaiting a response from BMW

executives. gt

“Congregants are attending church

every Sunday without having a life-

transforming encounter with God,”

laments Dr. Judy McAllister. She is

now the President of the International

Music Department of the Church of

God in Christ.

“The music ministries of our

churches must assume a large part of

the blame, because it is our job to lead

the people into the presence of the

Lord – the place where they c a n

find all that they need.”

Dr. McAlllister’s position gives her

liberty to teach and preach her

philosophy as well as to demonstrate

it through her amazing giftedness.

“Those who truly experience God’s

presence cannot remain the same; so it

is our responsibility as music ministers

to identify and eliminate everything

within our lives that hinders us from

ushering in a manifestation of God’s

glory.”

“Our music departments are filled

with individuals who have achieved

excellence in musicianship,

performance and music education; but

too many fail to walk in the holiness

that brings about the anointing for

effective ministry.

“Singers, dancers and musicians

must understand that a lifestyle of

worship is the prerequisite for

ministry, which will be pleasing to

God and edifying to His people.

“In my book, Worship As A

Lifestyle, I discuss the fact that our

lives must consist of the daily

experience of fulfilling the will of God

– as outlined in His Word and His

purpose for our lives. This is true

worship, and will make us fit vessels

through which God can minister to His

people.”

Dr. McAllister’s position was

popularized by the late Dr. Mattie

Moss Clark. Although there have been

others to fill the position, Dr. Clark’s

presence was indelible.

“I certainly realize that as President

of the International Music

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Dr. Judy McAllister: FirstLady of Praise & Worship

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entrepreneur’s

boot campPrepare your Mind, Body & Spirit for the next season of your journey!cHristiAn Writers | publisHers | AutHors

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Department, I stand on the shoulders of

great individuals, who have laid the

foundation for one of the greatest musical

aggregations anywhere, and brought it to

where it is today.

Although the IMD is most assuredly

moving forward and upward, we must

never forget from whence we have come.

We must honor the memories, celebrate

the legacies, and recognize the leadership

of International Music Department

pioneers - Mother Anna Broy Crockett

Ford, Mrs. Deborah Mason Patterson,

Evang. Emily Bram (Bibby), Mother

Ernestine Washington, Mother Jessie

Mae Renfro Sapp and certainly we honor

the memory of the legendary Dr. Mattie

Moss Clark.

It is also important for us to recognize

and salute the organizational genius of

Mother LuVonia Whittley and celebrate

the musical mastermind, the one and only

- Professor Iris Stevenson. Each of these

leaders is distinctive, and has labored to

pursue their God-given visions and

worked untiringly to make significant

contributions to the music ministry of our

great church.

I do not desire, nor can I walk in the

shoes of any of these great pioneers; but

it is certainly my endeavor to follow the

vision and path, which God has laid out

before me as President of the

International Music Department. As I

walk in obedience to Him, I am confident

that He will bring the IMD to the level of

excellence and effective ministry, which

ultimately brings Him glory and meets

the needs of His people. gt

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This Week

Gospel Uptown isa new restaurantlocated at 2110Seventh Ave, (btw.125th & 126th Sts),in New York City,that will celebrate its“Grand Opening” onAugust 26th and27th

The owner, Joseph H. Holland, aHarlem-based entrepreneur, attorney,writer, and ordained minister hopes tobring back the days of HarlemRenaissance supper clubs whilepromoting fresh new talent as well asestablished legends in their genres.

Executive Chef/Partner KennethCollins hopes to entice guests with“Signature soul cuisine” (Sweet PotatoRavioli, Brown Sugar Cured Sea Bass,and Beer Braised BBQ Short Ribs).

The restaurant accommodates up to225 guests in its dining hall, and plans topair its food with live performancesspanning disciplines including: Jazz, Hip-Hop, Blues, Latin and R&B to World Beat,Comedy, Poetry, Liturgical Dance,Musical Theatre and weekend Gospelbrunch.

Appetizers range from $8- $10; andentrees from $11- $24. Lunch service willcommence after Labor Day.

For more information: 212-280-2110. gt

new york’s got a new hot spot!

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On September 18th, Darwin Hobbs will

record his next CD/DVD project at the Oasis

Worship Center in Nashville, TN.

“I'm very excited about the upcoming

worship experience to say the least,” said

Hobbs.

The producer for the project will be Daniel

Weatherspoon.

“I'm determined that all who attend will have

an experience with God,” said Hobbs, “and not

just enjoy a live recording… My prayer is that

through this small but power-packed evening of

music, people will develop more intimacy and

relationship with the Father, which is where the

heart of worship really is!

For more information contact: (317) 479-

2343

DARWIN HOBBS to Record LIVE