AUXILIARIES IN MINSTRY (AIM) CONVENTION
COGIC SCHOLARS FELLOWSHIP ACADEMIC FORUM
CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
JULY 5-9 | 2:00PM TO 4:30PM
Forum Schedule
TUESDAY, JULY 6TH
Presentation: “Practicing Tongues Prayer as an Edifying and Transforming Spiritual Discipline”
Presenter: Elder Oscar Owens, Jr., Christian Education Director West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Synopsis:
Although tongues prayer is controversial for some Christians, prayer in tongues should be practiced as a regular, private, spiritual discipline because it engages one in a spiritually edifying and transforming, albeit mysterious, interaction with the supernatural power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This interaction with the reality of the Holy Spirit within is a blessing for the Christian that can advance one in holiness, sanctification and Christ likeness. Holy Spirit baptized Christians with the evidence of speaking in tongues may neglect the powerful benefits of practicing tongues prayer as a regular spiritual discipline. Classic Pentecostals, like COGIC adherents, may believe that it is not appropriate to volitionally practice tongues prayer, understanding the phenomena more as an ecstatic utterance motivated by the moving of the Holy Spirit. Charismatic adherents may believe tongues prayer can be volitionally practiced, but not pray regularly as a spiritual discipline, failing to understand the spiritual benefit. Both classic Pentecostals and Charismatics can and should avail themselves on a more consistent basis to the beneficial result of tongues prayer called “edification”. My argument is that tongues prayer may be one of God’s mysterious activities of the Holy Spirit given with the baptism in the Holy Spirit to release the spiritually transforming power of God within the believer. This paper is an examination of the practice of praying in tongues or praying with one’s spirit through the power of the Holy Spirit and a theology that supports and motivates the practice as a spiritual discipline.
Book Presentation: Crockpot Preaching: Toward a Preaching Methodology
Author: Leonard Lovett, Ph.D., Ecumenical Officer of Urban Affairs, Alexandria,VA
Synopsis:
In Crock-Pot PreachingDr. Lovett argues for the dialectical methodology of preaching that appeals to the understanding, a clear conscience, and hungry hearts! The dialectical method of preaching reaches where the people are, and if appropriated this approach can be rewarding and can be the vehicle to bring about renewal, restoration, and revival. To be effective, preachers must appeal to the imago Dei[image of God] in humankind. It is out of the preacher’s finitude, his/her own crucibles of experience; that he/she addresses the hearers; for the preacher has removed the shoes from his/her feet, recognizing that those who preach the Gospel stand on Holy Ground! It is from the vantage point of this high ground that the preacher appeals to the soul of human beings with the noblest of truths, the most profound arguments, and the greatest opportunity to preach a healing and delivering Christ to a sin-sick world.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 7TH
Presentation: The Blessing of Ham: Exploring the Tradition through Tracing the Biblical and Intertestamental Literary Witnesses
Presenter: Elder Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of New Testament, Interdenominational Center, Atlanta, GA
Synopsis:
This paper will explore the transmission and recension history of Genesis 9:18-27, up to the early rabbinic period, with particular focus on the so-called curse of Ham. This curse, which is explicitly spelled out in early rabbinic literature, has been considered by some to be linked to the Genesis 9 account. I wish to explore pre-rabbinic literary traditions of this account in order to determine the origins and agenda behind the rabbinic readings. Two such accounts that I will examine are represented in Qumran and Pseudepigrapha literature in particular (i.e. 4Q252 – The Genesis Apocryphon and the book of Jubilees), which both reflect a late Second Temple Judaic tradition and witness. Along with the early rabbinic accounts, I also plan to investigate the transmission of this account in the early and medieval Christian periods, particularly in order to map out the trajectory of whether/how rabbinic and other possible related interpretations of this Genesis account may have been appropriated by Christian apologists for the subjection or inferiority of dark-skinned peoples; here Mark A. Noll’s, Civil War as a Theological Crisis (University of North Carolina Press) and other works might prove instructive. On the basis of this, I further seek to examine the ways in which African Americans in particular have tried to debunk these interpretations throughout their development in American religious and cultural society. With this in mind, I am interested in re-writing mis-appropriated biblical readings that appear to be based on racial and ethnic hegemony.
Presentation: Make Them One: Rediscovering Unity and Hope in North Africa from Among Fragmenting Early Christianities
Presenter: Elder David N. Moore, Jr., D.Th.candidate, University of South Africa, New Covenant Worship Center COGIC, Santa Barbara, CA
Synopsis:
Christian communities develop within diverse socio-religio-political contexts, and the Imperial Cult bears some responsibility for the multiple varieties of the faith in Late Rome. Roman Africa, the breadbasket of the empire, had often been troublesome and enigmatic for the powers, and progressively more so during Diocletian’s Great Persecution, in which he sought to unify a disintegrating empire via traditional Roman religion. Complications continued for emperors who embraced Christianity when seeking to standardize the church in the province. Very early in his reign, Constantine launched his campaign of repression against Donatists, who contended for recognition as the legitimate church in North Africa. The dispute between the Roman Empire and Donatists presented history with its first significant model for state church and non-state church relations. The rift would produce, over a period of decades, assassinations, riots, exile and massacres, all manifestations of state terror against a noncompliant sect.
Donatists’ rigorist tradition’s heirs are legion and include, in varying degrees, monastic movements, as well as Anabaptist and Holiness churches. Such movements are semi-intentional political forces usually considered to be schismatic in Christian societies. This paper explores, primarily, the vital critique that a rigorist movement provides to the coalition of not religion in general, although there will be generally applicable lessons, but Christianity specifically, and government. Secondarily, this study will investigate the umbrage possessed by the rigorist groups who have been discredited by those who have been socio-politically affirmed as orthodoxies. The spiral of indignation can eventuate in oppressive efforts at containment by the powers, and violent agitation by the outsiders.
Finally, this paper will examine Patristic-period efforts at conciliation and community that have been obscured by the polemic, which demonstrate the power of the Eucharist to subvert the hopeless model of Satanic rule over human relations wherever the Holy Spirit is granted his freedom to honor the mission of Jesus.
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THURSDAY, JULY 8TH
Presentation: “Barack Hussein Obama: Messiah or Antichrist? Towards the Identification of the Beast in the Book of Revelation”
Presenter: Elder Eric J. Gréaux, Sr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religion, Winston- Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC
Synopsis
The identity of the beast in Revelation chapter 13 has long perplexed readers and scholars of the Apocalypse. Suggested identifications have included the Pope, Martin Luther, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, and Ronald Reagan. The most recent proposal has been the naming of President Barack H. Obama as the antichrist. Is the latter proposal finally correct? Or is Obama really the Messiah – the ultimate political and economic deliverer that we have been awaiting since the end of the Clinton administration?
Because of the difficulty of understanding Rev 13:18 and its context, I will present a brief overview of the history of how this text has been interpreted. Then I will use grammatical-historical exegesis in order to identify John’s intended referent and his motive for writing a work of this genre to the inhabitants of Asia Minor.
I come to the conclusion that it was not John’s specific intent to refer to any modern-day persona. Rather, the gematria of Rev 13:18 clearly names Nero Caesar redivivusas the beast. I will close with some suggestions regarding how this text can be appropriated for the church, especially for contemporary exposition as we await the parousia of Jesus and the end of the age.
Book Presentation: For Such a Time as This: Re-Imaging Practical Theology for Independent Pentecostal Churches.
Presenter: Professor Antipas Harris, D. Min., Assistant Professor of Practical Ministry, Regent University School of Divinity
Synopsis:
The Pentecostal/Charismatic Studies Series is designed to explore the historical, theological and intercultural dimensions of these twin twentieth-century Restorationists traditions from a global perspective. This volume seeks to bring these dimensions to bear with focus on the practical theology of two composite congregations caricatured with elements from real congregations evaluated through participant observation. In each case, there is a breakdown in the relationship between the interpretation of scripture, experiences of the Spirit, and culture. Instead of this “trilateral” resulting in a liberating power of the gospel, it has led repressive measures, particularly as applied to women. The problem observed in this book maintains stems from inadequate critical reflection, often made unilaterally by a single male leader that is “imposed” upon a congregation. Using biblical models of decision-making such as illustrated by Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15, this volume is confident that these independent churches possess the resources necessary that will enable them to shape and reshape church practices that do not compromise core theological beliefs while at the same time remain open to redefining the church’s identity and mission in such a way that is truly liberating.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE COGIC SCHOLARS ANNUAL DINNER:
THURSDAY, JULY 8TH @ 5:00PM. THIS YEAR WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR 10thANNIVERSARY. SPEAKER: ELDER FREDERICK WARE, Ph.D.
Presentation: Embodied Agency and Spirit Baptism: Human-Divine Partnership in the Fulfillment of Life
Presenter: Elder Frederick L. Ware, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology, Howard University School of Divinity,
Synopsis:
Though Pentecostals have a history of significant involvement in social reform and activism, there continues to be a widespread perception that Pentecostalism is essentially emotionalism aimed at catharsis and escapism. One reason for this perception may be that Pentecostals’ reformism and activism often are not grounded theologically. Pentecostals believe but do not explain well how their work for justice is God’s activity in the world. Pentecostals’ justification of reform and activism tends to be oriented towards pragmatism, based on exigencies (severity of crisis and sense of urgency) of social situations. While Pentecostals have succeeded in justifying their reformism and activism pragmatically; they have not excelled in the construction of theological frameworks that explain and justify their participation in the public square. This paper constructs a theological framework for interpreting and assessing moral and social action.
