Comments on: What’s in a Name

By: Epiphany

Epiphany — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:43:32 +0000

This verse was shared with me when I shared how I go SO tired of shimple (”simple people”) trying to silence the truth of the sin that is going on in our churches.
GOD COMMANDS THAT WE:

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins. Is. 58:1

By: Melody

Melody — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 03:15:06 +0000

Hi Melvin, this is a general statement about your site. I understand your chagrin and even share in some of your outrage. However, I feel like you are spending a lot of effort, money, etc. that could be spent on spreading the actual Gospel of Jesus… the Word says to go into all the world and spread the good news, not down those who have fallen short. Please don’t get it twisted, I by no means excuse impropriety in financial or any other dealings among Christians or anyone else, and I realize as Christians we have responsibility to help others be accountable, but this constant “brow beating” is not only pointing out the flaws, as you say, but ultimately hurting the body of Christ that mean to live right b/c the world can’t always distinguish between flawed and unflawed when they don’t know anything about it –they’re gonna look at us all like hypocrites…It’s ok to say–hey this is wrong, God’s not pleased, but then pray and let God handle them–but handle them His way. God is a God of mercy and wrath, it’s HIS choice when and how he dispenses both. You’ve taken others’ issues and magnified them, as if you’ve never done anything with which God wasn’t pleased. I will commend you though on being more respectful in your expression of disdain than a lot of those with similar opinions.

God Bless ya!

(MN: While I appreciate what you are saying, I would recommend that you do what you are telling me I should do. Or as the fellow said: I like what I’m doing more than what you aren’t doing. I also believe the backing of Scripture to do it is there.

A question - Do you think Paul ever did anything wrong, even after he became an Apostle? No. But he did exactly what he and others tell us to do. )

By: BlackTheologian

BlackTheologian — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:51:09 +0000

Melvin:

Jenkins allowed a Minister named Maurice Watson to stay in his home. I know because Maurice himself told me. In addtion to that, Maurice said that while he was speaking at the church for a two day conference on “Christian Stewardship”, Jenkins took up a “Love Offering” and gave him $ 25,000 dollars! I wonder if that’s being a good steward to pay someone that kind of money when there are clearly more pressings needs for a ministry. Thought you should know my friend.

Blessings!

By: Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:36:35 +0000

Besides, how do you apply the message if you don’t dissect it? Or are you saying I should also just have the pastor tell me how I should live and let him decide for me?

By: mrs. maverick

mrs. maverick — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:04:07 +0000

well said mel, and thank you for speaking up for all us plain ol’ godly ladies.

By: 1stlady

1stlady — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:52:41 +0000

I don’t understand how all of this came about. This is the 1st time I have read your website and your comments. I have heard Pastor Jenkins on several occasions and have found him to be an good speaker. Did you have a falling out with Pastor Jenkins to cause you to feel the way you do about his preaching and or the ministry? You did serve in the ministry for 7 years and from your email seemed to be a faithful member at one time. I am an older woman serving in the pentecostal church as a 1st Lady. The office of the Pastor is not an easy one as well as the position of the 1st Lady. I don’t know your nationality, but we as a people really need to stick together. That is what is wrong now in Christendom. Our African American culture seems to be the only culture that has extreme division. Our sons and are daughters are suffering because of this division. I pray that one day, whatever the problem is with you dear sir will be resolved. Yours Sistern In Christ, FBCC1stlady.

(MN: With all due respect as a fellow Christian, being a Christian in any function is difficult. Being a godly husband or wife is difficult. Being a godly parent is difficult. Being a godly child can even be difficult. None of these “positions”, as you call them, are easy. They all require a dependence on God working in my life through the Holy Spirit in order to do them successfully. It costs each person filling the positions a great deal to do them well and in obedience to Christ.

As I am sure you have seen in other postings, I reject the title of First Lady as unbiblical and encouraging people to differentiate between person, not based on their spirituality, but purely on a postion and the fact that you sleep with the pastor. It is arrogant and implies that all of the other women in the church are subordinant or in some way inferior to you. I’m not at all convinced that the wife of the pastor has a more difficult walk than the saint who is married to a man who regularly throws up barriers to her walk with Christ and her development as a Christian. Despite his behavior, Peter still calls for this woman to love her husband and respect him. This is what she is told to do. But try as I might, I haven’t been able to find a single verse that talks about a First Lady and defines her as the pastor’s wife. Maybe I’m missing it. If you would, perhaps you can point it out to me. As I look, I am not even able to find a verse that talks about pastors’ wives at all. Am I missing something? Or has the church created an entirely new office?

I’m not even convinced that the wife of a godly man who is not a pastor, but who has put Christ first in all he does, has any easier time of it than the wife of the pastor.

The title “First Lady” smacks of privilege, not servanthood. It smacks of arrogance, not humility. You say that you are an older woman. That means that as an older (not the pastor’s wife), spiritually mature woman in the church you are supposed to train the younger women in how to respect and love their husbands. But I suspect this will be difficult for you given that you seem to place “sticking together” based on race above being unified in the Truth. We are not called to stick together with other Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Turks, Persians, or Italians. We are called to worship God in spirit and in truth.

The people I call attention to present heresy as truth. They run scams on the people attending church. And some of them live lives that are more ragged than the worst drug abuser on the street. Some of them are white. Some of them are Black. Heck, a couple of them are even Hispanic. When they preach error with the apparent intent of fleecing the sheep, I speak up.

You may indded have heard John Jenkins preaching. Unfortunately, I suspect you have not ever listened to what he preaches or who he brings into the church to preach. If you did, I suspect you would not be so quick to assume that we have had a “falling out.” John Jenkins is a pulpit pimp, a small scale pimp working at making the big times. Give attention to what he says, who he hangs with, and who he brings into the church. Explain that and perhaps we can make some progress. )

By: Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:20:52 +0000

But Ashlyn, the message is the very issue. With these pimps the message is flawed. Why would I apply flawed doctrine to my life? Why not point out the serious flaws so others can avoid being damaged by them and hurt trying to apply it in their lives?

By: Ashlyn

Ashlyn — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:48:07 +0000

It’s foolish to fall for the devil’s trap and argue over words. I pray that you retire listening to sermons’ to disect and criticize, and start to retain and apply the message to your life. Yes, its obvious to see that you are a literary genius, but it breaks my heart to see how you misuse your God given talent.

By: Gridiron (ALM)

Gridiron (ALM) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:34:35 +0000

:lol:…Mel….12 WEEKS? …..cash or certified check?

By: Joshua

Joshua — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:47:41 +0000

That Church naming computer is so false. Jehovah’s Witnesses name all of their churches “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses” so that kinda discredits your whole outlook.

(MN: A couple of things: Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult. All bets are off with a cult. The church naming computer isn’t designed for them. It’s designed to help the pimps impress bible-illiterate Christians or Christian wannabees. Besides, how would what the JWs do or not do discredit my computer, which is available at the reduced price of 19.95 plus shipping and handling? We take cash and certified checks only. Allow 12 weeks for delivery. )

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 22:03:56 +0000

What is your problem Melvin. You really need to stop talking about every little thing that goes on at FBCG. You are no longer a member of FBCG so what goes on there is none of your business. If you are a so called Christian you shouldn’t be expressing your disdain for one of God’s children just because you don’t like the way he is running his church. In other words, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!!

(Melvin’s Note: Unless you have just started visiting this site, you know it is not a matter of not liking how John run’s his church. It is interesting though that you think of it in terms of his church rather than Christ’s Church. What I object to is his pimping the congregation. And according to the Bible it is certainly my business and the business of every obedient Christian out there. )

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 23:13:46 +0000

Deliorius, stop riding on Melvin’s back! Have you own opinions.
See ya in Mitchellevile!

By: Delirious

Delirious — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:45:03 +0000

Melvin you are too funny at times!! I agree with the comments of Concerned # 2.

Free to Serve sounds like a mad woman who needs therapy! I see she’s going through your sight attempting to bust-out everyone she doesn’t agree with. Who’s next?

By: free to serve

free to serve — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:12:16 +0000

Oh, Melvin, I’m sure you will be there, but no one would know its you.

(Melvin’s Note: What makes you think I want people to know who I am? But the trouble is, quite a number of people will know me. I was a member for the better part of 7 years, taught bible study (in the main sanctuary) a couple of times, drove a van for the van ministry, was an instructor in the Bible Institute, was a facilitator for Brothers in Discipleship, taught Sunday School, served as a cub scout den mother (no comments people), helped set up the tents and chairs for the tent revival, helped paint the interior of the new church when we moved from the little church down the street to the Hechinger’s building, discipled several men apart from the church structure (unfortunately two of them are now deacons), and took John’s place for a couple of Bible conferences. I still get helloes on the metro and just on the street and in stores - and it’s been almost six years. In all probablility, I won’t be there for the grand opening. It will probably be about as depressing as attending the Million Man March. )

By: free to serve

free to serve — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 18:10:42 +0000

Concerned #2, you are sure nosey and worried about a church that you are no longer a member of I assume. Guess what, I know you will be at the grand opening of FBCG Worship Center sometime next year. I know you will be on the job to take pictures, tells stories of what you heard and saw and convey those findings to Melvin who will place them on this website. You should be a news reporter! See ya soon over in Mitchelleville!

(Melvin’s Note: Concerned #2, if you are there, and you have a digital camera, take some pictures and give me a report. I will give you your own by-line and post your pictures. I’m kind of wondering what the clown lineup will be for this event.)

By: Concerned # 2

Concerned # 2 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 18:25:31 +0000

Yes! At the old church, guest ministers were housed by other saints. Occasionally, Sis Trina’s guests might stay at their home. The marjority of out of town guests are placed in a luxury hotel. (FBCG can spend money on non-poor saints, but they can’t house a homeless man or woman who comes in off the street!)

A year ago, there was a visiting preacher from Indiana. From the pulpit, he made comments about the nice hotel suite furnished by FBCG. It wasn’t Jeffrey; It was another guy. He was highly impressed with the 5 star hotel! He even joked about taking one of the towels. (Top luxury hotels usually cost over $3,000. ) (Melvin’s Note: Okay. And although it appears to be consistent with the rest of their behavior, I’m not sure it’s worth getting too bent ouf of shape over. )

By: Concerned # 2

Concerned # 2 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 16:56:29 +0000

If they took the $50 million and spent it in a godly way, how much longer would the members tolerate being in an overcrowded state? Surely PG County could use another homeless shelter, but the churchfolks are “too good” and self-centered to deal with the homeless (on a continuous basis).

Indeed, there’s a host of other unnecessary spending that occurs. Why is FBCG spending $2,000 to $5,000 in meals for guest receptions? Why spend $1,000 to $3,000 in hotel expenses on a guest minister, instead of housing him at someone’s home? (Melvin’s Note: Do you know for certain that they don’t stay at the pastor’s home? I often rail on Jenkins’ doctrine, but perhaps he uses his house for traveling preachers.)

By: Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 05:16:04 +0000

And it’s only going to cost $50 million. Some of you think the church organization should show our love to the community by providing for the homeless, the poor, etc. Have you any idea of how many meals could be provided to the homeless for $50 million?

Just a thought fou you folks who want to have your cake (we need to be like Jesus and show the world love) and eat it too (try to picture Jesus being unimpressed when a couple of His disciples got excited about the temple).

By: damagoh

damagoh — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 00:54:47 +0000

FBCG Worship Center…hmmm, That is ambiguous enough. Totally removed “Baptist” and “Church” in one clean swoop. I guess with the direction JKJ Sr. is taking the congregation, it begs the question, Worship of what? I guess “Center” allows them to open up the facility for all kinds of unrelated activities and charge money for them. FBCG Worship Center…sounds well thought out.

By: Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 06:03:15 +0000

Ask them?!?!? What’s the fun in that?

By: truthteller

truthteller — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 05:05:41 +0000

Hi Melvin,

I have an easier way to determine the name of the new sanctuary…Perhaps you could call FBCG and ask what the new name is. I did. They said it will be known as The FBCG Worship Center. I asked several months ago and I believe that is what they said.

By: Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 03:20:06 +0000

Confused,

Mormons are on point, sometimes. So are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhist, Zoroastrians, B’hai, and Animists. Are they any less heretical because they don’t promote a faulty teaching every single day? In fact, if they stop teaching it and never recant, what real good has been done?

Melvin

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 22:40:53 +0000

LOL…

Boy I swear you continue to top yourself…thanks for the humor on such a sad subject.

Paul

By: Confused

Confused — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:41:50 +0000

Melvin, you said “consorting with those who teach such things as Jesus suffering in hell for our sins and who deny the Trinitarian nature of the Godhead and who suggest that Jesus wasn’t God when he came to Earth, but that he had to become God and be born again along the way. ”

I have not heard such statements during my tenure. So what makes you certain that this heresy is still being taught? If you don’t have such evidence, it’s really not fair for you to insult the man.

I certainly don’t agree with everything especially “eternal security”, but Pastor is on point sometimes. I haven’t yet seen a pastor that’s “100% on the mark”. Only Jesus was that qualified……….

Many of your blogs or postings give the impression of one who’s just “nitpicking”. The above church name game is senseless.