Be An Original...Well, An Original Copy! (Part Seven)

As last stated....my major disappointment came in April of ’97.....

In April of 1997, a letter from Morehouse College, stating that I had NOT been accepted!  I felt as if all of my dreams had been shattered.  By then, I just knew that I would be accepted, especially after being accepted into Baylor College.  This was not the case.  It took me years after to publicly admit that I had not been accepted.  But, yes, I was NOT accepted into Morehouse!  Then I seemed to receive clear direction.  The idea of Dallas Baptist kept popping up.  However, I had no desire to attend such an unpopular, ‘boring’ school; and saw no way how this would fit into God’s ultimate plan for my life and ministry; and how this would even connect to my intended plan of attending Princeton.  Plus…I HATED Dallas!  But along the way, doors began to open at Dallas Baptist.  It was clear to me, if no one else – that is where God wanted me!

Just after graduating high school, and being accepted into Dallas Baptist University, our city (Corpus Christi) hosted a City-Wide revival.  Interestingly, the preachers who were on to share that week just so happened to hail from Dallas.  One of the evangelists was Frederick D. Haynes, III.  When I finally heard him preach, I thought he was good, but different.  After a while, his preaching began to grow on me.  While I didn’t connect with his exposition at first, I was blown away by his linguistic ability, his use of words (which sort of reminded me of A. Louis Patterson) and his seeming ability to touch the heart of the hip hop culture.  One of the things that fascinated me, when it came to the preaching of Frederick Haynes, is that he seemed to get a very enthusiastic response and dialogue from the crowd without ever utilizing the ‘hoop’.  In fact, it seemed to me, the response was even stronger!  It was then, that I began to develop atleast a momentary confidence and comfort in my ability to ‘tell the story’ and use my mind to speak to and capture the hearts and minds of the hearer.  During that season of my life, this is when Haynes became very instrumental in my use of illustration and introductions in my sermon delivery.  For me, Haynes’s preaching never failed to provide me with anecdotes, word pictures and heart-wrenching questions that would help me to build my own sermons and content.  Unfortunately, it somewhat became a crutch along the way.  I began to study less and listen to tapes for insight and enlightenment.  I discovered at the moments when my study would outweigh the listening aspect, my preaching would be more empowering; and when I listened and copied more, studying less…it had the opposite effect. 

As I prepared to go off the school in the fall of ’97, I was very excited about attending some of the churches of the preachers I had grown to admire.  Unfortunately….my parents didn’t allow me to take my car that fall.  Incidentally, the only church within walking distance of our aloof campus was The Potter’s House of Dallas, where Bishop T.D. Jakes served as the founding pastor.  At that time, Jakes was somewhat of a stigma, seen as highly charismatic and highly misunderstood.  For many, he was very new; and had yet to gain the crossover title of ‘The next Billy Graham’, friends with presidents, renowned publisher, Dr. Phil consultant, Oprah friend, etc.  To say the least, I had to sneak over to his church.  This was during a time when Saturday services were quite new.  I left my dorm room at about 5:30pm, and walked over to The Potter’s House.  Whatever I had seen regarding a ‘church crowd’ paled in comparison to what I saw that night.  Of course, this would be the beginning of what I would encounter in Dallas, but this was ‘epic’.  Imagine coming from Corpus Christi, where things were a little ‘simpler’, entering into a church with thousands of people there, on a Saturday night, with screens, music that could rival a Michael Jackson or Madonna concert, and ball players within you eyeview.  I guess you can say that it was ‘culture shock’.  Interestingly, this was my first experience seeing an epilogue leading up to the worship, and an actual countdown to the opening of the worship experience.  What seems so commonplace now was quite astonishing to me then.  During this first-class worship experience, Jakes comes out!  I don’t know how I remember what the people wear; but I actually know he had on a mauve suit with a curved lapel jacket.  I noticed that, as he stood in the pulpit, he seemed to be in a modus operandi of CEO; checking out the staff, musicians, crowd, etc.  Then he stepped to the podium and welcomed everyone to worship.  After his welcome, he actually came down and shook hands.  Somehow, he and I shook hands.  Tough I would come to know his children in the coming years, that was really the only encounter I’ve had with him personally.  One thing is clear….he preached!  Though different from most of the preaching I’d grown accustomed to; I vividly remember being a little shocked that he preached a solid message.  Don't ask me why I was shocked...I guess during that time many only knew of Jakes as a Pentecostal preacher who hollered and screamed.  Somehow, I played into the hype.  But there was and is not doubt in my mind that, even in listening to the sermon today (I somehow managed to purchase the sermon), the quality and content of his sermon was solid and strong.  He preached, ‘Christ in Crisis’, from an obscure passage in Colossians, dealing with the all-sufficiency of Christ, along with the familiar story of Christ in the boat with his disciples.  I remember walking back, as all of those nice cars left the building…uplifted by the message; while also saying to myself, ‘I can’t do that!’?.....

Be An Original...Well, An Original Copy! (Part Six)

During the course of the E.K. Bailey conference, I was most intrigued and impressed with the up-close-and-personal encounter we had with Dr. Bailey.  At the hotel, we were eating lunch between sessions, and Dr. Bailey came over and sat with us.  I was always impressed by all of the ministers who seemed to know Rev. Miller; and also my father.  

Interestingly, I wouldn’t know until years later that Dr. Bailey was actually the best of friends with my uncle, Rev. Monty Francis, of Waco.  Bailey sat with us for at least one hour or so, sharing his experiences of putting the conference together, his congregational life, T.D. Jakes’ recent move to Dallas, etc.  I found it impressionable how he had no issues or qualms with Jakes’ presence in Dallas; and that he had seen no problems with those who would decide to leave and become a part of his growing congregation.   I couldn’t believe how personal and down-to-earth he was.  As impactful as that experience was for me, nothing during that time matches another experience I had at that particular event.  We were in a general session; and in walks the late Manuel Scott, Sr.  By that time, I had read his two books; and had really grown to love his preaching.  My Uncle Monty, my father and especially Rev. Miller had developed a deep respect, love and closeness to Dr. Scott.  I was amazed at how he seemed to be so genuine, even in that passing and fleeting moment that lasted all but one minute.  I remember, as he walked, he was apparently going blind at that time…he was impeccably dressed in a black suit, white shirt and black tie.  He reached out to touch my head, grabbing my hand and, after asking who I was and following my response, he said, ‘Son…I know your family.  I love you, son.  Don’t you ever forget where you came from.’  That would be the only encounter I would ever have with such a great man and venerable sage, who has proven to be one of my favorite preachers of all time.  It became surreal when, years later, I would stand to preach in the place he proclaimed the word for many years, at the historic St. John Church of Dallas.

By the time I would enter my final year of high school, I had worked up to being a young, itinerant, teenage preacher.  I was preaching regularly in revivals for my mentors, the late R.L. Sanders (of Fort Worth), my uncles...Monty Earl Francis (of Waco, Tx) and Lloyd A. Pullam (of Denton, Tx).

A funny thing would happen to me on that same summer, after attending the Bailey conference.  I was scheduled to preach in revival for my uncle, Monty Francis, at his church in Waco, the Pleasant Olive Church.  As fate would have it, there was also another revival going on down the street, at a neighboring congregation.  The evangelist there was none other than the highly regarded C.A.W. Clark, distinguished Pastor of the historical Good Street Baptist Church of Dallas!!!  I will never forget stoically staring at the Waco Tribune-Herald local column seeing my picture plastered next to the legendary Caesar Clark.  What a humbling (and for me at that moment….humiliating) experience for a 17-year old kid with private insecurities.  One night my uncle took me over to meet Dr. Clark.  Clark had finished preaching, and was standing up front to greet the local parishioners.  I was immediately struck by his height.  He was short in stature, but possessed a quiet serenity and coolness that seemed to shine through taller than a high mountain.  As I approached him, I had the opportunity to ask him to sign my Bible.  I told him that I was in revival down the street; he shared a few words with my uncle, whom he knew.  All he said to me was, ‘….bless you!’  That was enough for me.  It made my day!

I most enjoyed preaching at my home church, St. John 1st in Corpus Christi, at Friendship (where Rev. Miller served as Pastor), and for my preaching mentor, Earl Jackson, in Kingsville, Tx. and the late E. Thurman Walker, of San Antonio, Tx.  These men, among many others, willingly allowed me to share from their pulpits, even when I often failed to do the best.

Their kindness, advice, counsel and confrontations are something I’ve never forgotten; and always consider to be a mark of God’s own faithfulness to me.  So many of these ‘servants’ and ‘angels’ were a blessing to me spiritually and monetarily.  Not just these men; but many others with whom I would encounter along the way.  Just one example of this came just before my sophomore year in high school.  My parents and I were traveling to take my elder brother, Keith, to Prairie View, for his freshman year of college.  Staying over in Houston on Saturday and Sunday, I simply had to go by and see the preacher I had grown to admire, Gary (G. Emerson) Scott, of the Trinity Fellowship Church.  He had left a congregation in Houston and planted his own church, in the Southeast section of Houston.  As a result, it was difficult to locate where he would be on Sunday.  However, my Dad (in some way) found his church, and there we were!  He and his congregation were meeting at a Holiday Inn in Houston.  We were late; but simply being there made me feel like a kid at Disney World.  After service, Pastor Scott took us to his little portable office in the hotel, and personally let me see all of his books.  I was quite astonished to see that he liked many of the same authors I was reading at that time, namely Max Lucado, Frederick Buechner and Paul Tillich.  He then asked his secretary to write me a check for $150, and instructed me to invest in my ministry, but to also pick up a Greek Lexicon published by Baker.  I was on cloud 9!  This continued throughout my young ministry; and has never failed to impress upon me a desire to invest in the lives of young ministers that follow.  
     

I really enjoyed my senior year of high school.  Though in a relationship that somewhat put a damper on the experience, I must admit that I had a great year!  My experience at the Bailey conference solidified my growing desire to be a student of ‘expository preaching’.  In addition, I knew one thing up to that point: I had to go to school.  At that time, I had the plan of attaining my doctorate by the age of 30, no later than 35.  By this time, I had begun to communicate on a regular basis, in written communication, with Cleophus J. LaRue, a native of Corpus Christ who had become quite successful in the world of Academia and, by then, had become adjunct professor at Princeton Theological Seminary.  My entire plan included one day attending Princeton as a graduate student.  By my senior year, I had already envisioned my purpose, calling and the route I desired to take in life: to preach, to teach preachers, to teach in seminary, to write and to pastor.  I had no desire to do anything else.  That was it!

Over the course of my senior year, my major disappointment came in April of ’97.....

Be An Original...Well, An Original Copy! (Part 5)

Following our mid-winter board, the Summer prior to my senior year of high school, in 1996, my Dad and Rev. Miller took me and one of my high school classmates, James Mosley (also a preacher) to Dallas for the annual E. K. Bailey conference.  At that time, I knew very little about Bailey.  I just knew that, in all of the sermons on those tapes my dad would bring home from the convention, those preachers would often mention 'E.K.', either in a quote, acknowledge his presence in the audience (he was in the same convention) or some word of respect and adulation.  I had come across his messages, but never really connected with them.  I thought he was old and irrelevant.  Its amazing how things can change!  To say the least, he wasn't a favorite of mine.  Little did I know that he would one day be my college pastor, and I would cry for days after his passing, often thinking of him now before I mount the pulpit.

One thing I did know - that preacher Bailey (whomever he was) knew how to put together a first-class conference. I will never forget the level of excellence, detail, manpower and preaching lineup, which included many of the preachers I had both read and heard.  Warren Wiersbe was there. Gene Getz and A. Louis Patterson were there.  Tony Evans was there.  And a preacher who had become one of my favorites, Melvin Von Wade, was there in the flesh!  I had come to learn that Wade and Bailey were best friends; and that it was Wade who, on the campus of Bishop College, introduced Bailey to his future wife, Sheila.  I remember in the conference, getting on the elevator at the Fairmont Hotel, E.K. Bailey stepped on the elevator as well.  I never will forget he said, 'Young man, I'll give you a run for your suit!'. That was it. He stepped off, and that made my entire day!  As conferences go, I was going to my room, reading voraciously.  I really wanted to see where those guys (especially Patterson) got all of his information from.  By then, I had already become a very voracious reader, especially in the languages.  I loved to read a guy named Calvin Miller, and also Max Lucado and Charles Swindoll.  And while at the conference, there were many names dropped from all of the preachers who spoke.  One of my Dad's favorites (John MacArthur) was often mentioned, along with John Piper.  Interestingly, E.K. Bailey, in one of the general sessions, told the 700 or so ministers, '...if you came to the conference, and can only make one purchase, you need to go to the resource booth and get. John Piper's 'The Supremacy of God in Preaching.'. I got it, along with some other resources, courtesy of my father.  By this time, I had also began to preach a large portion of Melvin Von Wade.  It goes without saying, I loved this guy's sermon preparation and delivery.  To this day, the guy's sermon structure and organization is so solid, concrete and genius that it blows me away.  Little did I know I was developing a sort of 'crutch' for me.  So much of what I preached became such a part of my study and preparation and prayer life...that I'd forgot the original sources often.  

I remember one incident at the close of the conference,  it wasn't the final night, but the night before.  Stephen Olford, a guy who became known for his sermon preparation and delivery, was on to preach that night.  Initially, I thought he was originally from Britain, in that he had an English accent, but was actually born in Zambia to Christian missionaries.  What set the place on fire was his closing story, in which I've never forgotten.  He was a young man who, at that time, had become a young pastor and preacher.  He had made it his practice to have quiet time prior to his morning message on the Lord's day.  This Sunday was no different.  His father had been sick, in the hospital, and had been in a sort of coma for some time.  Olford's mother called Stephen on that morning, insisting to speak with her son.  On the other end, she explained that his father had done something quite strange.  She said, he came out of his coma, sat straight up in his bed and shouted, 'Tell the lad I said 'PREACH THE WORD!''. After he uttered those words, he laid back on his bed, and went home to be with the Lord.  Stephen Olford, since that day, said that he would all the more commit to the Biblical exposition of Scripture, because of the admonishment of his father, and moreover, his Savior!  At that time, Bailey called all of the preachers to the altar; and it was there, that you could feel a sense of conviction amongst that aggregation of preacher's who were there as a re-establishing of priorities in the proclamation of God's infallible, inerrant Word.  I was at that altar!  

Of course, there would still remain within me a sense of my own inadequacy in not having the 'hooping' gift and the close.  For me, this would be a struggle I would continue to grapple with long into my adult years.  But something did intrigue me.  Many seemed enamored with a guy there by the name of Kenneth C. Ulmer.  It didn't take long for me to discover that this one guy was a gifted preacher, on many fronts.  Only years later would I discover that Ulmer actually began preaching under Melvin Von Wade, the guy whose preaching I'd grown to love and admire.  I sat In a few teaching classes of Ulmer.  The guy clearly knew his stuff.  Though I had not heard him preach up until that point, I did admire his style, and obvious intellectual prowess.  Admittedly, he seemed a little strange (in ways I will not mention here) but he knew the languages (which I liked), but he also knew how to make those languages relevant (which I liked even more), and he even did something that had become my practice by the time I actually went to college and seminary, learning Greek, Hebrew, etc....he was giving the mood, person, etc. of the words.  I learned later in college this was called 'Parsing'.  The guy was good, to me.  Interestingly, by that time, I had discovered Paul S. Morton on BET, and had seen Ulmer on the Full Gospel scene.  This did confuse me after hearing him, in not seeing that level of depth or biblical exposition in many of the Full Gospel clips I had seen.  I didn't know if this attributed to why I hadn't heard him speak on any of those televised clips, but the man was very insightful and helpful.  I walked away knowing that, at least for Patterson and Ulmer, it was at least possible to have some ministerial clout and relevance without the typical 'gravy.'. Yes, they had their own way of closing, but nothing akin to the introductions of this form I had received via Jasper Williams and Jerry D. Black.  

Be An Original...Well, An Original Copy! (Part 4)

The preacher's name was Jerry D. Black; he looked, in my view, nothing like he'd sound.  He appeared as a thin, straight-haired, pretty-boy, middle-age guy with hazel eyes. But as he stood in the pulpit, I was immediately struck by his baritone-bass voice, coupled with his role in the service.  He seemed to inadvertently direct the choir, the band and the entire experience flowed at his direction.  He possessed a perfect blend of a country/city preacher. He was clearly intellectual, but also emotive and 'down-home.'. I would find out years later that he grew up in the back hills of Arkansas, and actually got his start as a church musician, and then became a prominent preacher, coming to Atlanta some years later. It all made perfect sense - he had the gifts to touch both head and heart. With all of the energy, detail and effort that was dedicated to the worship experience, everyone seemed to know that the central purpose  was to hear the preaching of the Word of God.  Jerry Black, the preacher, read from Luke chapter 13, the story of a woman bowed down for eighteen years and encountered Christ and eventually healed.  He titled the message that morning, "The Crooked Made Straight.". As he preached, I began to alternate between the hats of being a young teenage Christian and a student of preaching.  I could be biased, but I will say that I've heard Jerry D. Black many times since that day, but on that occasion he seemed to be in rare form.  Actually, that has been the only time, even now, I can recall a preacher literally shouting while preaching. He preached.  Clearly, whatever insults we young preachers made to Rev. Miller and my father behind their backs, it was all worth it.  As we climbed back in the van to head back home to Corpus Christi, we were all quiet, some even crying.  We were simply blown away, as probably some young basketball novice who would see MJ for the first time on court.  As we returned, I had determined in my heart and mind that I would certainly follow in MLK, Jr. and Miller's footsteps, and attend Morehouse College. (More on that later!)

As a sophomore in high school, my Dad took myself, along with his other preachers, to the Prairie View A & M's Minister's Conference.  I was most excited about hearing G. E. Patterson, who had been slated to speak at the banquet. Unfortunately, he did not show!  Imagine my heartbreak...  Nonetheless, I had some very good experiences there at the conference.  Most notable was being introduced to the preaching of William D. Watley, among others.  It was my first real experience of seeing preaching across denominational lines.  It was still good preaching, nonetheless.  On Tuesday night of the conference we played hooky and traveled with Rev. Miller to Brookhollow Baptist Church, aka 'The Church Without Walls.'. It was a midweek service, but I never will forget being on the Bingle location campus, remarking how many people were there. In fact, it wasn't just a lot of people for a midweek; it was just a lot of people!  The worship was exciting and alive, led by V. Michael McKay.  Then the pastor, Ralph D. West (a guy who I remember seeing at the Prairie View conference, seeming to be a little cocky) took the stage. I'd never heard of him before, but everyone seemed to listen to his every word. Admittedly, I wasn't impressed. No one, including myself, would have ever thought that he would one day be my most favorite preachers in the world. I was there to hear Charles Boothe!!!  Finally, after that 'West guy' was done 'talking', Charles Boothe was up.  Again, he had preached. I would later hear him at the conference later that week.  I seemed to be in my element when listening to the message of the preacher. Somehow, I loved the emotional side, but my should leaped in the content the way many leap at the 'close'.  Needless to say, I really connected at that conference, and was enriched by the experience.

During my junior year in high school, I never will forget that our city hosted our national convention's mid-winter board.  This was a great experience for me because I would finally get to see all of these preaching legends I had heard for years on tape.  James Dixon (who had grown to be a favorite of mine) was there, the Sampson boys (F.D., Asa, etc) were all there, along with C. L. Harvey and Isadore Edwards.  All of these guys had different styles, but by then I had grown to appreciate them all.  No vivid memories stand out, aside from one night when I was at home.  Rev. Miller insisted my Dad make contact with me to be at the meeting that night in the general session.  Miller conveyed the message, and my Dad co-signed and agreed, that I wouldn't want to miss the preacher.  It is ironic, as I reflect...after arriving there, the preacher Miller and my father were insistent upon me hearing, I had heard once.  It was L.K.Curry, the Chicago preacher I had heard years before that played a part in starting everything!  The one who preached on being inadequate and an underachiever.  As I sat there in the back of this packed house, this guy's presence was simply vintage.  He even 'looked' like a preacher.  I never will forget he had on a nice black, 3-button suit, a white shirt, a grey satin-looking tie and a white handkerchief.  As soon as he spoke, I made the instant connection.  Interestingly, I didn't really want to be there that night! But Miller, who was like a father figure to me and had been such a blessing to me as a young preacher, let alone my Dad's instruction, I was there out of respect.  I must admit that I don't remember his text, but I remember the title of Curry's message was 'Divine Closure'.  I remember him telling the story of being a little boy when his mother passed; and that as others were wailing the death of this young woman, he sat there in quiet content and peace, knowing that his mother was in good hands and safe keeping. He said that he unknowingly had 'Divine Closure.'. Again...Miller, nor my father, steered me wrong.  That one message has gone into the archives as one I continually replay through the virtual IPod of my mind. 

Be An Original...Well, An Original Copy! (Part 3)

On the night of my Trial Sermon, I was very nervous.  I had remarked to my older brother, Keith, as we sat in my father's study that I was scared.  He, being a young up and coming sax player in the church world told me that fear is merely Satan's attempt to neutralize my faith, and cause me to move away and turn back.  He said that it is okay to be nervous, not afraid. I've never forgotten his admonishment and advice.  As I walked out...I couldn't believe how many people were there.  Everyone seemed to be there.  J.R. Miller was there, along with many of my uncles, including my Dad's brother, Lloyd A. Pullam. Cleophus J. LaRue, Harold T. Branch and most of the local pastors were present.  It wasn't until years later that I realized that their presence there was not only because of me, but more out of support and esteem for my father.  It speaks volumes to me, even now.  I shall never forget, after preaching, Dr. Joe. S. Ratliff, of the Brentwood Church, in Houston, mailed me a book on ministry and preaching, along with a note of encouragement.  To this day, I still have that note and book somewhere in my library.  After preaching, I can vividly remember something Harold T. Branch said to me.  He said, 'Son, the greatest gift God has given you, after the cross..., is your mind.'. I didnt know if this was a generic, hyperbolic statement that Dr. Branch gave to every young preacher he would come across, but that is what he said to me.  And while his words seemed minuscule to my 15-year old mind, I remembered, and ran with it!  I remember my dad raised an offering for the church that night.  He said that the offering would be used to build my library and for the sole purpose of 'sharpening my ax.'. I never will forget that the offering was $347.00!!!  My first purchases from that offering were A Broadman Commentary Set and a Thompson Chain Study Bible.  My father also encouraged me to purchase a concordance, bible dictionary and a few other books for my fledgling library.  He also did something else. With the little money I had left, he took me to the bank, and made me open up an account. My first check was my tithe check!  

After preaching that night, my aunt 'Renee' (who was a member of the prestigious Antioch Church of San Antonio) said that she thought I would love a preacher who came on BET on Thursdays by the name of Frank M. Reid.  She was right; I DID!  For me, Reid became (after my father and Miller) my first real model for preaching. He definitely became my first portable preaching seminary.  From his demeanor in the pulpit to his preaching style, to his close....it all seemed planned though spirit filled.  His preaching changed years later; but I really fell in love with his preaching from the mid-nineties to early 2000's.  I loved it because I could SEE him preach, juxtaposed to all the guys I had only heard via tapes.

Several years later, Rev. J.R. Miller, who attended Morehouse, got word that some of us were curious about attending Morehouse one day.  So...one summer, he and my father drove us young preachers into a church van and took us to Atlanta.  Man....up to that point, I had never seen a city like that, in that way.  Miller took us by Salem Baptist Church (all of us wanted to see the place where Jasper Williams preached!). At that time, prior to the emergence of T.D. Jakes....Jasper Williams was the go-to guy in black preaching.  We also had a chance to go by Rev. Miller's home church there, Antioch. We met his college Pastor, Dr. Cameron Alexander, and was able to tour his church facility. That was my first up close encounter with a church that ran like a full-fledged business.  I can still remember seeing so many people, and being amazed that so many people were at church, in professional attire, working in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week.  

We also had a chance to go by the Atlanta malls, see the sights and the girls, and also ran into TLC, a girl-singing group.  They were walking through the mall, without a crowd or entourage.  It was just after one of the group's member, Left Eye, had burned down her boyfriend's house in an Atlanta suburb.  After noticing we were following them, I never will forget Left Eye remarking I was cute.  I guess she meant as a little boy, but for some reason I thought she was trying to get a date.  I had to let everyone know that Chili was my girl, and that was it.

That Sunday, for some reason, my father and Rev. Miller didn't take us to Salem, where we wanted to go.  We were very upset, but he promised us we would not be disappointed.  This was my first test in taking Miller at his word, when it came to preaching.  We were ALL upset, to say the least. He took us to a Beulah Baptist Church.  I will never forget that as we drove up to this school-looking church, people were running to get into church.  Though the church was packed, Rev. Miller had an old classmate who was a member there, who had arranged for all of us to sit together towards the front.  What I experienced next....far exceeded what I had heard as a little boy on that golden-looking tape......(To Be Continued)

Be An Original...well, An Original Copy! (Part 2)

As I listened to Jasper Williams, I couldn't believe the energy, style and intonation given in one single sermon.  This one preacher made me feel as if I wanted to be sitting there in the very building in which he preached.  His style was boiled down to an actual science, an actual art form, if you will.  As I listened, I felt as if I were in church, though in my room in our home on Trojan Drive.  I said to myself, "I can't do that!". This, however, did not diminish my love and appreciation for his style. Interestingly, Jasper was an exception to what I would hear later in my adult years to many who tried to emulate him - he had style AND substance!  Until maybe a few years ago, I could probably quote verbatim Jasper Williams' sermon 'Who's the Greatest'.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) my Dad had no other copies of his messages that I could find. But I did come across messages on old wax records of W. Leo Daniels and C. L. Franklin. Apparently, I would conclude Jasper Williams had been cut from these guys' proverbial ecclesiastical cloth.  

So, it goes without saying...that when I began to sense a strong sense of calling at 14, I was frightened because of my human limitations.  Somehow, I equated preaching greatness (amid so many others) to that of Jasper Williams. While the others were good and great, somehow his charisma shined through stronger than all of the others. But as I began to pray, have private meetings with my father, his reading assignments, our praying together...I somehow happened upon a manuscript and tape of a Chicago preacher, Dr. L. K. Curry.  It was a recording of him preaching at a Minister's Conference in Dallas at Bishop College, a message entitled, "The Blessing of Human Inadequacy.". This one sermon actually changed my life.  It became the catalyst that would push me over my human reservations for not obeying the call.  Curry stated that it is the very mundane, human deficiencies within us, that attract a surrender which inevitably causes a dependence and reliance on the sovereign ability of God.  I never forgot that. At that point, I became serious, knowing that at least God could call someone like me, amid my obvious deficiencies.  

In the midst of all of this, I found myself heavily reading MLK Jr's messages, speeches, lectures and writings.  During this time, A. Louis Patterson became a stronger influence on my development, prior to announcing my call.  I would write out many of the phrases and words of Patterson, and commit them to memory.  I also found myself waking up earlier on Sunday mornings to hear a Pentecostal preacher, Gilbert Earl Patterson, come on at 7:30am.  I remember always wondering if these two Patterson men were related, in some way.  After about a year of private meetings with my father, in December of 1993, I would publicly acknowledge my call into Christian Preaching ministry.  I was 15, and a Freshman at Richard King High School.  One of the things my private conversations, meetings and prayers with my father did....it solidified my call.  When I stepped forward to acknowledge my call, I had no single doubt, then or even now, I had been called by God to preach His Word.  I clarified that this was not a human call.  My mother, father, family, the church nor anyone else was responsible for this heavenly call.  I am eternally grateful to both my heavenly and earthly father for earnestly settling that for me, without my knowledge, at that time.  Interestingly, I already had several sermons under my belt by the time I professed my call publicly.  Admittedly, the best seemed to be a sermon I had re-crafted, re-structured and studied, making my own, out of a message I had heard preached out of Philippians 2:12-16. I would then study this particular passage left and right, backwards and forwards, in and out....for the next several months.  One of the books my father gave me to read was Al Fasol's 'Steps to the Sermon.'.  To this day, this is probably the most valuable book I have in my library, after the Bible.  This is a book I use now, not only in reading every year, but also in a graphic form to clarify my sermon structure and direction.  Last year, a dear colleague of mine who is good friends with Fasol, took this book that my father gave me after graduating college, and had Fasol sign my book with encouraging words.  That made my year!!!  

I preached my 'Trial Sermon' on March 27, 1994.  The day before, I preached this message to an empty sanctuary, with my Dad sitting in the middle of the church.  Almost 20 years later, after preaching in various settings to hundreds and thousands in churches, hospitals and colleges across the states and I'm Africa, I can honestly say that that moment was the most frightening!  As I preached to my father, he actually said nothing.  He had no expression, anything.  I've never asked him, but I think that was intentional, I letting me know that the message goes beyond him to One sitting in the audience Who is far more significant, and Who's approval is most meaningful. That night was the beginning of a continuing quest for discovering who I was in the vast sea of many ecclesiastical preaching whales....(to be continued)

Be An Original...well, An Original Copy! (Part 1)

Prior to entering ministry, I was a very unusual child.  My parents were avid attendees on the convention scene, especially their beloved National Baptist Convention of America.  My father thought it strange (though I didn't know it at the time) that I, as early as 8 or 9 years of age, would ask him to bring me tapes of the preachers at these conventions.  He would!  At that age, I would listen to the preaching of Asa Sampson, Gardner C. Taylor, Isadore Edwards, E.K. Bailey, A. Louis Patterson, Jr., Terry Anderson, Albert Chew, Manuel Scott, Sr. and many others.  Early on, I somehow knew these guys were the best at their craft.  Early on, I became struck by the oratorical ability of many of these preachers.  Little did I know that my father apparently didn't bring me the hooping giants; but those preachers who seemed to harness within me a singular appreciation for the content of the message.  To this day, I do not know if it was intentional or not. I seem to think it was unintentional since, even now, one of my Dad's favorite preachers is A. L. Patterson, Jr.  Nonetheless, I studied these guys, wrote out their words and often memorized their styles, expressions and words. This, at some point, led do a desire to learn more.  I remember wanting to write down the words I heard from Patterson, Bailey and especially M.V. Wade...until finally, I saved up enough money to get a dictionary.  I would learn them, and study those words. One day it dawned on me that I needed a thesaurus!  

At 10 or 11, I was heavily into Martin Luther King, Jr. Admittedly, I was more in tune with his oratory and charisma than I was the understanding of his cause among the plight of my people, at that time.  His words seemed to flow and just roll, like an art form of sorts.  He heavily reminded me of Gardner Taylor, but a younger, sharper version.  At some point I learned that they were colleagues in ministry and the Civil Rights movement.  

During all of this, I was unknowingly exposed to some of the best preaching through my father's pulpit ministry.  While my father was not an oratorical or hooping heavyweight, I would discover in college that he was a homiletical genius! I later realized he is one of the best teachers when it comes to sermon structure, delivery, simple communication, pulpit decorum and pastoral preaching.  His good friend, Rev. J. R. Miller, was also a huge influence on my preaching ministry.  I'm convinced that Rev. Miller was and is not only one of the best there is in preaching; but, like Kobe Bryant, he knows his craft like it is a natural instinct.  I have always believed him to be able to stand on the same stages as all of the aforementioned preachers, with ease. In fact, he has!  We as young preachers, looked to him as young basketball novices look to MJ. My Dad and Rev. Miller would often have Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff to Corpus Christi to preach.  Instantly, he became one of my favorites.  He seemed to entail the oratory, the charisma, simplicity, intellect combined with a Pentecostal yet religio-conservative touch.  I didn't realize until many years later that Ratliff did this by intention, but simply made it seem like it was second nature.  As I reflect, I think of many preaching giants in my own world who influenced my life and later preaching: Cleophus LaRue, my uncles (Joel A. Ward, Monty Francis and Lloyd A. Pullam), my grandfather in ministry, Rev. A. L. Kennon.  Other influences were Harold Branch (the younger brother of E. Stanley Branch) and H. C. Dilworth, who heavily influenced J. R. Miller, my Dad, Cleophus LaRue and many others.  

At the age of 12 or so, I remember our city had a citywide Spring Break revival, held at my Dad's church.  They brought to town a young preacher, Gary Scott.  He sort of reminded me of Ratliff, but was also a little like Rev. Miller...but also had a voice and could sing.  I liked him a lot; but that was also a red flag for me.  I said to myself, "I can't do that!". This somehow stuck in my mind.  I had not earthly idea that the enemy of my soul was beginning to work in my mind then through comparison, feelings of inferiority and even fear.  Simultaneously, I remember one day going through my Dad's tape collection, when I came across a shiny, golden-looking tape.  (Whether this was a divine appointment or a scheme of Satan working in a little boy who shouldn't have been snooping through his Dad's stuff, I don't know). I went to my room, put that shiny golden tape from a place called 'Salem Baptist Church' in 'Atlanta,GA' with a message entitled 'Who's The Greatest' by a preacher with an equally shiny name as that cassette tape, "Jasper Williams.". And what I heard next literally floored me....this is a long blog, I'll have to continue with a part 2! Stay tuned...