A  WORTHY  LESSON   TO  LEARN

                                                    Riad, "Ray" Saba

                                                       Nov. 10, 2007

In the past two years, Memphis TN. became the final resting place for two globally recognized and respected religious leaders: Dr. Adrian Rogers, Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson, pastor of Temple of Deliverance Church of God In Christ.

As the people of both churches tried to cope with their grief there were certain dynamics working that shaped both the present state as well as the future of both these two great churches.

One cannot ignore or deny the paradox in the way these two servants of God were esteemed by their own congregations, leaderships and more importantly their successors; both before and after their home going. It is there in print, on television, and on the internet. This paradox intensifies when we take into consideration as to what agenda and how their successors pursued their own transitional strategy.

While I am not privy to the operations of T of D, I, after 30 years in Bellevue, am aware of the workings and developments that took place there after the home going of her beloved and unforgettable pastor, Adrian Rogers.

The other day as I was driving East on I-240, passing the downtown neighborhoods, I saw a billboard that attracted my attention. On it was displayed a rendition of T of  D, a handsome colored photo of the new pastor on the forefront, and right behind him, in black and white, an equally handsome and tasteful picture of the smiling face of its founder, the beloved and unforgettable Bishop G.E. Patterson.

The designer/s of that billboard skillfully depicted the sage as one looking gracefully and watching zealously over his successor, as if saying: "Continue the Stewardship"!

After a minute or so of silence and contemplation, I abruptly said to my wife: "Did you see that billboard of G.E. Patterson and their new pastor?"!...

Many thoughts went through my mind as I considered and compared the situation of both these two wonderful churches. One thought blatantly stood out: One church honored her prophet; the other church killed her prophet! The result is certainly obvious!

One last thought: Bellevue Baptist Church, the once teacher and mentor of churches should now, with her new pastor, sit in the pupil's desk and learn a worthy lesson from the new teacher, Temple of Deliverance Church of God In Christ.

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