Last Friday evening, we got a look at the most important part of ministry. That is Stewardship to the people. Back in the Civil Rights Movement, White supremacists firebombed Black Churches. Not because Black folks were in them, but because those churches meant everything to the community. Those churches were the gathering places. Community news was shared. During the Civil Rights movement, all marches and protests were planned at the church. They were shelters in a vicious world. The Pastor ensured the churches remained safe havens where he tended to his congregation on a personal level.
As we see in Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, this can be a huge undertaking. Her schedule stretches her very thin. In the process, she becomes very tired and old wounds start to surface. With the help of her sister, a therapist, and reassurance from her daughter, Dorinda found peace to endure the road ahead. Pastor Shelby and First Lady Shelby deal with one of their own at Burning Bush International. A young woman named Christian who struggles with homelessness and addiction not to mention trying to raise a very young child on her own. Things started off rocky at first but they were able to get her the help she needs. Only time will tell if they were successful.
A successful community is the goal of all our Preachers. For Bishop Corletta Vaughn, success for her community will be imported from Peru. Multi-Millionaire Fernando Palenzuelo purchased the old Packard Plant which is walking distance from her church Holy Ghost Cathedral. Bishop Vaughn met with Mr. Palenzuelo and thought it will be a great idea to have a town hall. There, Mr. Palanzuelo can meet the community and outline his plans for development including jobs for the community. Bishop Vaughn also spoke to Pastor Bullock about the town hall. Pastor Bullock is known for his work in the community and bringing him in would be a good move. Pastor Bullock jumped at the chance when he found out City Council President Brenda Jones was going to be in attendance. This was his chance to make a political contact. A political contact he will desperately need if his hopes of getting elected to the Detroit City Council is realized.
I had the pleasure of covering the town hall and you can read about it on this site in the archives: “The Packard: An Answered Prayer for Prosperity” . On screen, we see what my spot at a table could not. I was dismayed to say the least. I know or met just about all of the community leaders and activists in Detroit through covering events and hosting a show on Urban Nation Radio. Needless to say, getting them all on the same page is difficult at best. Yet they all share one thing in common. They let their work speak for them. Self promotion is not more important than the causes they champion. I saw no such thing in Pastor Bullock. While the night was clearly for the community of East Grand Blvd and Mt Elliott, Pastor Bullock’s sole focus was on himself. Even left early when it appeared to him that meeting City Council President Brenda Jones seemed unlikely. He missed that opportunity as well as the opportunity to meet Mr. Palanzuelo himself and voice any community concerns he had. Youth and energy are great assets but often betrayed by a lack of patience. I like Pastor Bullock’s passion for the community but his lack of seasoning is getting in the way of him doing mighty things.
Oxygen network is already hyping the next episode as “Bullock vs. Vaughn”. The events of the town hall will be discussed. I hope Pastor Bullock really listens to Bishop Vaughn. Pastor Bullock has to become the key to Detroit’s future. He has to realize that after the last episode of this show airs, it’s his deeds that people need to see. The Pastor Bullock that he is currently showing everyone echoes the self-centered politicians that got Detroit in the mess it is in today. The people have seen enough of that. Holla if you hear me.
-K. Greene