News From The Assembly

National Convocation Banquet Speaker Addresses Importance of ‘Words’
July 24, 2007 - Disciples News Service

Frank Thomas Sr. spoke at the National Convocation Banquet at the 2007 General Assembly. Seated next to Thomas is Joan Bell-Haynes, secretary for the Board of Trustees of the National Convocation.

From generation to generation, God never changes, said Frank Thomas Sr. to those attending the National Convocation Banquet at the 2007 General Assembly. Nor do His words, said Thomas, pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Memphis, Tenn.

Speaking before a large banquet gathering at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel, Thomas preached from Psalm 90, expounding on the words of Moses as he neared death and stood gazing over at the Promise Land that he could not enter.

Thomas repeatedly weaved thought-provoking vignettes throughout his sermon, which at times moved the banquet crowd to applause and a chorus of amens. He compared the fickle language of people today to the divine language of God. Thomas urged church members to pay more attention to what the language of the world was saying.

The popular language of the world is not the language of God, said Thomas. “God does not use language that trivializes women, language that tears someone down or words that cause injustice,” he said. “We need to get back to words like ‘May I, ‘thank you,’ and ‘please,’ and parents need to be knowledgeable about the language of their children.”

The National Convocation is a division within the structure of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to support and strengthen African American congregations' partnership in the total mission of the Church. Joan Bell-Haynes was mistress of ceremony at the banquet, which was attended by more than 200 people. Timothy James is Associate General Minster and Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation.

“God uses generational words that last the test of time,” Thomas said, “such as mercy, forgiveness, truth, love, justice, salvation and peace. Whereas, the world today gives heed to the cheap and the tawdry.

Referring to Moses’ final days in life as described in Psalm 90, Thomas said, “From everlasting to everlasting thou art our God; from National Convocation to National Convocation, thou art our God; from General Assembly to General Assembly, thou art our God. God makes it to every national meeting that is, will be and ever was.”

The Disciples minister concluded by denouncing the immorality that he said is beginning to permeate the church. He promised to continue a series of sermons on morality that he has begun preaching at Mississippi Boulevard, one of the largest Disciples congregations.

By: James Patterson, writer