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(reprinted from 2/8/08 edition of The Christian Recorder)
1. EDITORIAL – THE BIGGEST “SIN” TODAY IN THE AME CHURCH:
*Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
In this editorial space we have dealt with the “sins” of a local church member, the “sins” the local church officer, the “sins” the pastor, and the “sins” of the presiding elder.
We have addressed the issue of gossip, innuendo, and rumors that run rampant both, on the Internet and in groups of clergy and laity gathered in the halls at our episcopal district and connectional meetings. Additionally, we have addressed the blame for many of the failures in the local church to weak stewards and poor pastoral leadership.
As big as those “sins” are, neither of them is the biggest “sin” facing the AME Church today. Unfortunately, the biggest “sin” facing the AME Church today is the biggest “sin” facing other churches, especially historically black denominations. So, the AME Church does not bear this “sin” alone, but that does not lessen the consequences of the “sin”; in fact, this “sin” afflicts the AMEZ, CME, the Baptists, COGIC and the other historically black denominations, and this makes the “sin” all the more insidious and deadly.
I cannot address this “sin” that afflicts the other denominations, only as it afflicts the AME Church.
The “sin” I am speaking about is the “sin” of the AME Church’s failure to consistently, aggressively and effectively address the HIV/AIDS pandemic at all levels of our Zion. More than 26 million people in the United States have died of AID since 1981 and 40 million more worldwide are infected. The number of people being infected with HIV/AIDS is on the increase and black Americans have the highest rate of the increase of HIV/AID in the United States. And in that number, black American women have the highest increase. HIV/AIDS rate in Africa is astronomical. HIV/AIDS is reaching epidemic proportions and the people in our communities and in our churches in the United States and in the overseas districts are not immune and will not escape the consequences of this malady. Ignoring it, will not eradicate or lessen its pervasiveness.
So, what is the “sin”? The AME Church is are not consistently, aggressively and effectively attacking the HIV/AIDS problem.
Yes, we had HIV/AIDS testing at the General Board/Bishops’ Council in Columbus, Ohio this past June; and yes, it was a start, and it made a big splash in several media outlets, but only a relatively few persons got tested. We should have had long lines, but we didn’t. We had a lot of hype, but the hype seems to have died down. I don’t hear of AME Churches providing HIV/AIDS testing. HIV/AIDS testing and education are keys to attacking this problem.
We have pastors who are focused upon parishioners “getting their praises on” and having long altar calls and choirs singing, “seven-eleven” songs; seven-word phrases, eleven times over and over and over again, while infected people are sitting in the pews and others are residing in our communities, many of whom, don’t even know that they are infected. Instead of parishioners “getting their praises on,” they need to be getting tested of HIV/AIDS virus.
Instead of pastors trying to get a “whoop,” more pastors need to be delivering encouraging, yet somber messages about HIV/AIDS, especially risk factors and the importance of testing; and other social issues that negatively affects the quality of life. And, pastors who really want to do something will coordinate with health professionals to provide HIV/AIDS testing and counseling as an extension of the worship experience. Instead of the “whoop,” pastors need to be “real” and deliver messages that address risky behavior: promiscuity, unprotected sex, failure to use of condoms if you are having casual sex, and the use of the use of illegal drugs; sermons addressing those issues will take work.
Pastors and teachers in our churches should not be afraid to appropriately address the issue HIV/ADS and its link to sex and illegal drugs. Young people know about sex and even young kids know about sex. Commercials on the six o’clock news are quite graphic in discussing erectile dysfunction, and believe me; the kids can put two and two together and they know that the commercial is addressing sex.
The AME Church, and other church’s “sin,” is failing to address the relevant issue of HIV/AIDS.
And, the especially sad thing about the AME Church is that we have been warned about the issue of HIV/AIDS for a long time. We have a prophetess, who, when asked, “Can these bones live?” responded, “Yes,” if we openly address the issue of HIV/AIDS, provide education and testing. The prophetess is Dr. M. Joan Cousin.
Dr. M. Joan Cousin has been leading the fight against HIV/AIDS
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Supervisor of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Fourth Episcopal District and the wife of the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend Philip Cousin has been the pioneer in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She didn’t want the Church to be saddled with this “sin,” but I am afraid, that like Israel and Judah, the AME Church is disobedient.
Dr. Cousin was an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and testing when she and Bishop Cousin were assigned to the 9th Episcopal District.
“Back in the day,” HIV/AIDS was not a popular subject to be discussed, especially in church, because it was thought to be a gay-oriented sexually transmitted disease and a disease that was the result of illegal drug use. Churches didn’t waste a lot of time focusing on HIV/AIDS because it was not “our” problem. Today, HIV/AIDS is our problem and everybody’s problem. It’s a heterosexual problem; and it will continue to be a killer in many of our communities if we fail to address this “sin.”
Studies show that the new HIV/AIDS infections have decreased, among the gay community, because of education, the use of condoms, and abstinence. So, the HIV/AIDS fight is not a hopeless fight.
Dr. Cousin, the AME pioneer and heroine in the fight against AIDS is still in the fight. She was the leader and the person who was instrumental for the HIV/AIDS testing at the General Board/Bishops’ Council meeting in the Columbus this past June. She was recently honored by Dr. Pam DeVeaux and the 6th Episcopal District Women’s Conference that was held in Atlanta in October 2007.
Dr. Cousin is nationally and internationally known for her crusade against HIV and AIDS; under her leadership, HIV and AIDS centers have been established throughout the world.
Additionally, while serving in the Ninth Episcopal District, she established the AME Mission Center in Birmingham for feeding and clothing those in need. In the Eleventh District she initiated the Sarah Allen Home to feed and clothe the homeless in Miami with special interest in the Haitians who were housed in prison in Florida. Under her leadership, eleven Care Stations were established throughout Florida and the Bahamas Islands. In the First Episcopal District, a Health Awareness Center was established in partnership with the New Jersey Housing Authority. In honor of her outstanding humanitarian services, the Center was named for her. Under her direction a curriculum guide, “AIDS Prevention through Education,” was written. The guide, edited by Dr. Catherine Walker, is being used throughout sub-Sahara Africa.
Dr. Cousin is presently serving in the Fourth Episcopal District where she continues her ministry of missions. The Bettye Allen Center in Chicago is the most recently opened one. In addition, she has established the More Excellent Way Project to assist women, children, and families affected by HIV and AIDS; and thousands of dollars have been contributed to the Mission in Lobatse, Botswana
Dr. Cousin has been the recipient of many awards and honors. Among those are citations from President Bush for AIDS education; a citation from the Center for Disease Control; Black Women’s Agenda; an invitation to the White House under President Bill Clinton to dialogue on issues impacting people and families affected by HIV and AIDS. She was also cited in the Congressional Record for her HIV and AIDS efforts. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Board Member of the Balm in Gilead, the National Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, a Life Member of the NAACP, she is also serving on the Board of the M. Joan Cousin Empowerment Center, in Lobatse, Botswana.
As an Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Cousin is a counselor to ministers’ spouses and a teacher for missionaries, preparing them for their roles in the Church. Her desire for women to tell their life experiences for future generations inspired, How I Got Over, a book of love, faith, hope and courage.
She is a mother of five sons, all of whom are AME preachers: Philip, Jr., Steven, David, Michael, and Joseph.
So, there is no reason, especially for the African Methodist Episcopal Church to be a participant in the biggest “sin” that exists in the AME Church today.
The Christian Recorder salutes Dr. M. Joan Cousin, a prophetess and heroine.
* Dr. Jamye Coleman William provided information for this editorial
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