Charlotte's Rev. Clifford Jones, Sr., will be a 2014 candidate for president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Jones, who pastors Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, is hosting the National Baptists' 133rd annual session this week in Charlotte.
The National Baptist Convention USA is America's oldest and largest black Baptist organization, with about 7 million members.
The election will be next year, when the National Baptists meet for their 134th annual session, Sept, 1-5, in New Orleans.
This week, Jones and his megachurch have kept a high profile: On Sunday, current National Baptist president Rev. Julius Scruggs, gave one of the morning sermons. Then, on Monday, the church hosted two concerts for conventiongoers.
Scruggs, elected in 2009, has said he will not run for another term next year.
On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary -- and former Charlotte mayor -- Anthony Foxx greeted the National Baptist gathering at the Charlotte Convention Center. Foxx and another former Charlotte mayor, Harvey Gantt, both call Jones their pastor and have long attended Friendship Missionary Baptist.
On his campaign card, Jones touts his various church assignments over the years, including former president of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc.
-- Tim Funk
Posts
9 comments:
Jones is just in it for himself. He's a fake just like the "Bishop" down Beatties Ford Rd. Most of the sheep are blind and don't see what goes on behind the scenes and the ones who know what does go on are scared to say anything from fear of retribution.
Its easy to throw a rock and hide your hands because you never know who's watching. Instead of making a coment and not spreading the word of negative views.
Why don't you ask him about why he got rid of a couple of the ministers who dared to cross him? Why don't you ask him about why he got rid of the the white organist the church had for over 10 years in order to hire a black musician who is not nearly of the same ability and lied about it from the pulpit? Jones won't listen to the deacons for any advice and he is glad that the old ones have stepped down or died. Deacons like Deacon Caldwell and Deacon Ligon are rolling over in their graves knowing what he has done with their church. They used to butt heads with Jones. I won't call him Pastor because he is not one. That is why I left the congregation. It's a one man show that he is going to run his way for his own power and glory and to provide jobs for his two children.
Surely that is the type of quality leadership the National Baptist Convention needs. Friendship went downhill when it became the "bougie cathedral" and forgot where it came from. It's merely a tarnished facade that could crumble at any time because the foundation is not built on stability but glitz and glamour. Pastor Kerry would be so ashamed of what it's become under the current regime.
It is very easy to hide behind a computer and type one's opinion (just like I'm doing) however one prospective is just that, "one's" prospective. The great thing about this country is that we have the right to worship where we want and be led by whom we choose. Obviously Anonymous at 11:02AM was not getting what he needed from FMBC but it also appears he/she/you are not getting what you need from your current place of worship. If you've left the Christians Church then the remarks would be more understandable since they don't come across very "Christ like". Being an "active" member allows one an opportunity to see these personal attacks as untrue but that isn't important. What is so disappointing is that such remarks does harm to the body of Christ and the mission of all Christian Churches. Jesus had critics as well, the hung him on a cross. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
It is very easy to hide behind a computer and type one's opinion (just like I'm doing) however one perspective is just that, "one's" perspective. The great thing about this country is that we have the right to worship where we want and be led by whom we choose. Obviously Anonymous at 11:02AM was not getting what he needed from FMBC but it also appears he/she/you are not getting what you need from your current place of worship. If you've left the Christians Church then the remarks would be more understandable since they don't come across very "Christ like". Being an "active" member allows one an opportunity to see these personal attacks as untrue but that isn't important. What is so disappointing is that such remarks does harm to the body of Christ and the mission of all Christian Churches. Jesus had critics as well, the hung him on a cross. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
I didn't leave the Christian church, I left a very un-Christian church to join another one. What was disappointing was how Jones treats his members and the staff. I'm sorry you find the truth harmful to the body of Christ, but sometimes the truth isn't as beautiful up close as it is from afar.
I should add that the church I joined is much more Christian-like and the ministerial staff is much more humble. Maybe Jones should remember where he came from and how people had to buy his family clothes when he moved to Charlotte. He can't be bothered with those people now, Jones only wants to play with "the big boys" and forgot about those who helped him get started. That's why I have a problem.
Interesting comments. One person's opinion of a person does not make it the truth. Maybe the truth in their eyes but it is only from their vision whether it be clear or cloudy. Like Anonymous above (9/10/13 12:09AM) I attend Friendship and don't share this negative "opinion" of him. It does sound like a lot of bitterness towards him mentioned above and based on the negative comments it appears those negative feelings haven't been dealt with. If you were a member under Pastor Kerry's leadership that would suggest that you aren't wet behind the ears and have had a chance to see FMBC change through the years. Pastor Jones has been a blessing to my family and has led many to Christ but it sounds like you may have a problem with that. People are different and that includes pastors. The Bible didn't mandate each pastor to function in the exact same manner. You think he wants to play with the big boys, most of his "current" members don't or they wouldn't be there. Perception is not always reality inspite of negative comments made by people attempting to tear others down. So sad, but I'll pray for your heart. It doesn't sound like Jones is the only person you have this type of issue with.
No need to pray for my heart, pray that Jones won't be so two faced. Pray that his private personality will match his public one. There are two different people. The heavt handed dictator who runs the church is different from the one that people sees in the pulpit. Although, for the past 4 or 5 years his daily presence has been less and less as he concentrates on his travels and book writing and less on the congregation. I know that in a large congregation there is no way that a minister can know or deal with every member, but it has to be all or none, not only the select few. That is what leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many people because it looks like certain families are better than others because they have money or power in the community (Chambers, Foxx, Alexander)and the regular members don't get special VIP treatment if you are not in the inner circle of Jones-ites.
Post a Comment