Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
96b-17
March 15, 1996
MEMPHIS (DNS) -- Healing hands. That's what 150-plus African American clergy were given on the last evening of the 22nd Annual Black Ministers Retreat March 5-7 at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) here. The Rev. James Forbes, senior minister of Riverside Church, New York City, "commissioned" the gathering to heal the ills of American society. "The nation is sick," he declared. "Everybody is scared of something. "We've got trouble with a growing sense of powerlessness... we're a nation of victims," he said. What really troubles the U.S. is a dizzying array of "medical" problems including Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, and substance addiction. He used the maladies as metaphors for the social ills troubling American society. Alzheimer's is characterized by individuals having forgotten "how their ancestors lifted them," according to Forbes. No group in society has lifted itself entirely "by its own bootstraps." There are no self-made persons, he said. Earlier in the day Bible lecturer the Rev. Samuel Proctor reminded the clergy group to" remember that somebody helped you." Be sure to thank them, he said while addressing the topic, "Learning How to Live with Success." "AIDS" occurs when "the body can't convene its intensive care unit" to fight threats to its defense mechanisms, said Forbes. Legislation to end Medicare and other programs for children and the elderly are weakening the nation's "immune system." It's time to "announce that America has AIDS," he said. Proctor also had harsh words for strategies aimed at eliminating the national debt, which he said was created by militarism. Current tax reform efforts will "balance the budget on the backs of the poor," said the retired educator and American Baptist pastor. Materialism in American culture has created a lack of concern toward others, according to Forbes. Our greed or addiction to things has led to a loss of compassion, Forbes added. "We ought to be able to share with somebody." Proctor in turn blasted the antics of the "un-Christian Coalition" whose conservative agenda is "bad science." Black Americans, he said, can help "straighten out our understanding of compassion" or standing with others. "We've got to learn how to suffer with others," he declared. African Americans can teach the U.S. how to move forward, Proctor asserted. One way is by saving young people who are "beyond recovery." He proposed establishing National Youth Academies on deactivated army bases. These academies would rehabilitate troubled youth with a strict regimen involving academics, physical education, and work. In other action the ministers' gathering issued a statement supporting a National Council of Churches call for stepped up federal investigations into church firebombings across the South. These acts are "contrary to our understanding of love, justice, peace and community," read the document. The Disciples ministers joined the NCC "and others of goodwill," in calling for a "full investigation of these acts of violence resulting in the apprehension of the terrorists behind them." The yearly event also included several workshops to help the church leaders design effective ministry models. Workshop topics consisted of worship, evangelism, education, counseling and ministry to men, women and youth.
-- 30 --