SBC-21- Event helps connect African-American congregations
More than 75 people attended the fourth convocation of the Conference’s SBC-21 group. SBC-21 is the acronym for "Strengthening the Black Church in the 21st Century," an action plan established by the 1996 General Conference. Hosted at OKC-Christ United Methodist Church on July 20, the program attracted people from most of the primarily African-American churches in the Conference, including young adults and children. They came from as far as Hugo in the state’s southeast corner and Anadarko in the west. "The Fig Tree Congregation" was preached by Emanuel Cleaver III, senior pastor of St. James UMC, Kansas City, Mo. He also led a workshop on the topic: Does your church have a pastor who leads or a pastor who manages? Directed by Erica Thomas and Anderson Harrison, a choir provided a stirring conclusion to the day. Ernest Jackson Jr., who chairs SBC-21, said a November program is being planned. In July 2014, the focus will be on two topics, "Transformation Station" and "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World." Other members of the leadership team are Debra Davis, Semaj Vanzant, Michael Frazier, and Carolyn Jackson. |
