30th Mar, 2009

The Buck ‘Actually’ Stops Here!

Dear Friends,

In a recent press conference, the President of the United States quoted that famous line – “The buck stops here”. It means that someone is actually willing to take responsibility for tough challenges and not pass the tough decisions on to be made by someone else.

I also recently heard a report about how much tougher life is for African-Americans than it is for other races in our nation. The one being interviewed called  for President Obama to fix the alleged disparity.

Well, I am less concerned about arguing the validity of this report than I am about where some want to  “pass the buck “. THIS buck should not be laid at the door of the White House but laid at the door of the Church House.

The President has enough on his plate dealing with the economy. I think some pastors, church leaders and ordinary , sit-in-the-pew members can handle this – that is if we are STILL in the pews.

I believe a well-known secular prophet once said it best…”I don’t want nobody to give me nothin   – open up the door…” I believe our faith can open doors! Isn’t it time we get  back to that kind of attitude? TALK TO ME

Ed

Responses

Yes Dr. Ed
this is so true! When will the real church stand up, come forth and shew forth the Kingdom Principles that we preach about, sing about, talk about and claim to believe in! When those who are called of God, step out to make such changes, they often times are shut down by those who don’t want to take on the task of being responsible for Godly Teaching! Sometimes those who are in the highest leadership fear people leaving when they actually raise the standard and attempt to hold people to the accountability of being the church where God is truly experienced! When we do what we are suppose to do then we will begin to see an awesome move of God…right in our very midst!
Elder Deborah Fleming

When will the Church stand up, and be counted, we are too relax, behind church walls, while this country of ours, is slipping

When will the Church stand up, and be counted, we are too relax, behind church walls, while this country of ours, is slipping into eternal damnation, body of Christ WAKE UP!

Dr. Montgomery

You are right on. When is the Pastors, Deacons, Lay Leaders and True Believers going to take a stances and lead. I have heard this saying all my life. Pray to the Lord and every thing will be alright. Well it is time we get off our knees and starting doing something and start giving God something to work with. There is a lot of business that can be started, lot of talent can be use to clean up the neighbor hood.
Thank You again Dr. Montgomery for standing up. Anyone would like join me to making Dr. Montgomry’s conversation a reality send me an e-mail at rick505864@aol.com Title; Taking A Stances Let Take Action

You are certainly right Pastor Ed, this is a church house matter. And as a matter of fact, God is in the business of opening doors no man can close. Instead of looking for the government for help, we need to look to God for everything. President Obama is just a man, I believe that is driven by God in almost every aspect of his life. He is a God send, and God have not set him up for failure.

Just as President Obama continues to be blamed for the economy and everything else, I believe that the report about African-Americans having a tougher life is once again the Media groups that are Anti-Obama way of stating that “The African-American President is not helping African-American people. If this report is true, I feel that President Obama cannot be counted responsible. As for the buck stopping at the church, ALC exudes prosperity, when one attends this church life will be changed for the better. For under your leadership, we are prosperous mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Thank God for you (Dr. Montgomery) and Sister Sandra and your whole ministry. If your flock listens, your flock is well prepared for any change or challenge.

Good morning Dr. Montegomery

I could not agree with you more. If we want to really see “CHANGE” the church really need to get busy about our Father’s business. Knowing Him leave us without any excuse. Regardless of what the African American people believe they are lacking we are a people who are blessed by God and need to govern ourselves accordingly. President Obama does indeed have much on his plate, but he was called for such a time as this. We look for someone else to make a difference in our lives far to often instead of trying to make a difference in the life of someone else. To whom much is given much is required! Each and everyone of us as children of an Almighty God has a responsibility. My mother recently celebrated her 69th birthday and on a trip back down memory lane many of us began to look back over not only her life, but the lifestyle of the times. The overall summation of it all was that African American people had more “Joy” when they had lack. Crazy isn’t! I came to the conclusion that when we had lack, we weren’t worried for we serve a God that had all we needed. When many of us start to acquire things it takes our focus off the true source of our supply. Whatever it it we must do we need to do, Whatever it is that we need to let go of we need to give it up!, Where ever it is that God sends us we need to just go! We need to get back to trusting Him even when we can’t trace Him. Though we need things to fuction in society we need each other to survive! Relationship with God and with each other is more important now than ever before. We need to watch for ever opportunity to serve. The church has a great responsibility at it’s door right now, so what are we waiting on? Let’s open the door.

Pastor Montgomery,

The “Church House” is the place where The FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT dwell, therefore we BELIEVERS are “all” accountable to make a heart-felt difference, take an unshakable stand and bring down the walls of Spiritual ignorance going on in the world today.

The time has come to renew or Faith as BELIEVERS in the POWER of THE HOLY SPIRIT Of GOD and take control of every area in our lives that we feel inadequately prepared!

Your Brother,

Randle

Pastor Ed,

Thank you for presenting such a challenging BLOG this week. I totally agree “The Buck” really stops HERE! It is time for the church to rise up and support our Pastors’ direction and the churches’ visions. Too often we hear news within the world or announcements within our churches and rather than just receive OR accept the spoken word, we analyze before we allow it to take residence. We should not be looking to the White House to heal our land but to the church. As often stated, “The church is not the fill-in station,” rather it is the place of training. Members within the body can get more done if we do more than just “see the needs.” We must take action on the training we have received, we must embrace our ability to overcome, and we must change our carnal mindset and utilize our FAITH! There are so many opportunities presented before us today…Now is the time to move, take action… The Buck Stops Here!

Wow, Someone has had the Faith to say what needs to be said regarding the church and its responsibilty. We are in the world, but not of the the world. When we were created we were created with one body and many members. The members of the body work together no matter what. If a member of the body for some reason is not able to do its part, then the others member adjust and continue work. What has happen in the church is we have crossed over to being of this world and thus the rich get richer and the poorer get pooer. The President needs our help and prayers. I pray Dr. Ed Montgomery has started movement that will help the church humble itself and pray. I’m open to discuss this with anyone who is serious about helping others reach the abundant life

I was just thinking about how we need to change as the church. I recently attended a church service where we stayed all morning and most of the afternoon; it’s nothing wrong with that. But when our focus is off and our communities are suffering I think that is a problem. Yes I agree that it is time for the church to take it’s place to help heal our land. From what I have been experiencing the pastors like you Pastor Ed have been doing there part. It is time for us to put the teaching, preaching, and encouragement into action.

Pastor Ed
I agree it does stop here, with you an I. And everyoine that claims to be a child of the most High God. If we believe in what the word says, that if God be for US, who can be against us. but he also told us not to rail evil for evil but, overcome evil with good. there is always going to be hatred in the world,But let our hearts reveil the Love of Jesus Christ, he said who shall asend unto the hills of Zoin, those with a clean hands an a pure heart. We should make sure that our heart is pure in everything we do or say.My prayer is that I would love people with the love of Jesus Christ, and to treat people as I want to be treated. if the Church meaning all Diversity of peoples, and Denomination just work the Word, it will Work for You. You are right President Obama has his hands already full, just staying ahead of the game. People want him to fail but God has a differant plan. So I would say that God is still in charge.

Pastor Ed,
The Bible tells us in 1 Jn 3:17-18, “Whosever has this world’s goods and see his brother have a need and shutteth up his bowel of compassion from him, how could the love of God be in you? It is time for the Church to step up to the plate! It is time for us to more than Bible totin, scripture quotin’ Christians and show forth the love of God in our lives! The only way that the world will ever know that we are Christians is by our LOVE! I don’t care how much the government tries to step in, they will not be able to do it! It is time for the true Church to stand up and be counted! God is the world’s only hope! Not the government! People are looking to the government for a bailout, but they need to look unto the hills from whence cometh their help, for it will only come from the Lord! I solicite your prayers, because things are about to get worse! In a little while, even the government will not be able to do anything! If the Church does not pray, God’s hands are tied, for He wil not intervene and step in where He is NOT wanted. Pray saints! Pray!

In response to Pastor Ed it is time for the church to take accountability for living the word. It says in the word if those that are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray turn from their wicked ways I will heal the land. I came up in ministry as a child and I have saw the church make a turn as if it has to be like the world. Their arent many who carry that holy boldness like the saints of the old days which stayed on their knees for the people and the nation as a whole. Not just as was stated earlier no one will take a stand with the people to share the truth out of fear of loss of members and finances. The bible say my people parish for lack of knowledge. We need more people sharing the knowledge of economics and finances to make awareness so we can build the kingdom. If the church take it place in the nation just as God has ordained it to do, so things will turn around. Whats happening now is that he has let the all grow together and now he is seperating so that he can get his wealth in the hand of the just. The world has been consumed by satan trick Lust. Lust is a trick you see blinds the mind of reality making you think your choice are good yet setting up to destroy soon as it could. Most have misunderstood bondage as blessings. The blessing of the lord maketh rich and add no sorrow with it. So look around at the economy who was in charge in the past and know that God is now restoring the position of the just. So lets bond together and make a stand and stop fearing man because it has only crippled the church as a whole. We as a people of God have the power to make a major change with pastor like ED MONTGOMERY and a host of others but they need the support of the people so that if they speak out the people will back them just like the OBAMA Campaign. We cant let them stand up and we run and hide. It power in numbers with the Angels and the Saints.

I trully agree that it is high time that the Church take its rightful; place, for too long we have sent back and watched and prayed but did nothing. do you remember that thing that went around awhile back, “What Would Jesus Do”, He didn’t just watch as we faced eternity in hell, He said the buck stops here and paid the price for our salvation, so we should arise and shine for the light has come, and when we do the glory of the Lord will surely shine upon us.

Pastor Ed,

As a people we need to get back to the basics of the church taking care of the people and not looking for a hand out from the government. I have heard the church say this over and over. That they are taking back the city or country. It sounds good. But, truly who is really doing what they say. Where are the pew members? Are they hiding? Someone needs to come up to the plate and stop passing the buck. We need to feed the homeless and help the needed just like Jesus. We need to take a stand for whats happening in our communities just like Jesus and our grandparents. No one wants to be about the father businesses. They only want to be about their own. STOP sleeping people. Jesus is coming back and we all will have to answer to why we past the buck. And also lets pray for all of our leaders and churches everywhere. And don’t forget to pray for Israel God commands us to do so. We must pray for Gods will to be done.

off the subject…..keep the upbeat music going on sunday…we need it in this downward world..it’s a blessing to be lifted when all is falling apart around you….like Rihanna says, please don’t stop the music, music, music….keep the beat up!!

At the risk of sounding extremely religious I would like to share some scripture:
Eze 8:16 And He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S HOUSE, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
Eze 8:17 Then He said unto me: ‘Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here in that they fill the land with violence, and provoke Me still more, and, lo, they put the branch to their nose?
Eze 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury; Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.’
Scripture is clear that G-d is a jelous G-d. The Buck stops when G-d decides He’s had enough of Mixed worship to Him and pagan Sun Worship (Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas, etc). As christians we’ve provoked G-d and now He’s dealing with the “Buck”.

G-d has given HIS people HIS feasts which have profound prophetic and Kingdom principles but the “church” rejects them as not for them… Rather they adopt pagan worship and attempt to add a “christian” twist. G-d is not a fool and will not be mocked. It is truely time to turn back to Him and His ways if we expect to have His favor in this time.

Pastor Montgomery, I do agree with you that the church should take the lead in turning things around for this nation. The condition public officials say we are in should not be a surprise or new to many African Americans. When I hear people say we are in a recession, I ask them “what recession are you talking about.” African-Americans for years had to learn how to make things work in their favor regardless of the situation around them. This time is no different from any other time for African-Americans living in America. Those who moved away from God being the center of their source now realize that they must return to their original love. God has made a serious “shift” in things in America and globally; from the church to Wall Street. The people of God must be proactive and agents of change during this hour if they really believe God is speaking to the people in America and abroad.

Yes Pastor, Well written. I know that the church has an answer for the economic problems that are in the world. For us to give the answer we must understand how the economic policies work in the american system and how it will no longer support where america needs to go to be innovative and productive. There needs to be a paridigmn shift when it comes to our economic and monetary policies. Yes, just as there needs to be a paradigm shift of thinking in the natural, so it needs to be in the spiritual life of the church (kingdom). The monetary and economic policy of the church is tainted and corrupt with corporate wickedness. God has a whole new way he wants us to look at economics in the scriptures. What is the method to my madness? Most of us in the body should not even be affected by the economy.The corporate infracstructure must be driven out of the church. There is so much that I could say, but a new way of thinking will be revealed to us.

Dear Dr. Ed,
Yes this walk with Jesus is about taking care of and clean up our own house. To do that we must admit what has been done good or bad and let it go. We must not dwell in the past. We must live in the now. The question is not “What would Jesus do? We know what he did! He loved and forgave unconditionally. The question is “Do we have the courage going forward to do what Christ did? When we take steps in this direction the worst of times and people don’t seem as harsh as they once were. Faith without unconditional love and forgiveness is incomplete. Whatever one is going through, mentally, finanically, physically, or spiritually when we really turn our lives over to God, our heart is clearer and our patience is fortified. We don’t beat ourselves or anyone else up for miss deeds in our lives. We then prepare and await the abundant promise.

I agree Pastor, I just wish I heard more of this during the last 8 years instead of the first 100 days of a new administration who is frantically trying to lower expectations;)

We do not need the government. God is our supply. God is our standard.

We are supposed to be represented in our government, but if we aren’t–and I certainly don’t feel like government is representing me now, or much in the past, either–I can trust that God is in control as His Word assures us and He controls the hearts of the king, no matter if they’ve got a D, R, or I on the back of their “jerseys”.

I believe the church needs to stop this insanity and go about doing our Fathers business. As for Obama, I think he was a big mistake and America will come to realize that as the national debt keeps climbing higher and higher. We need to pray the Lord give that man some wisdom straight from God cause he needs it very deeply before all our rights as people are taken away and we are all lacking!

Dr Ed,
Shalom! I couldn’t agree with you more! And, when some say life for black people is harder than it is for most, that is true.

But why? It’s because we are the people being talked about in Deut. 28 (The Blessings and Curses). Vv. 15-68 functions almost as an ID card, especially v. 68, when “Egypt” is seen for the state of being it is used for: captivity.

What then is the solution? Deut. 30 points it out: Return unto Yehowah our power, and obey Him, and He will do us GOOD, and multiply us ABOVE our forefathers, and put all the curses now on us, upon our enemies. Those are not MY words, but of the Holy One of Israel.
It does my heart good that a pastor of your stature brings up the points you brought up, and pray for your continued acceptance of the leading of the Most High.

Shalom!

church was off the chain sunday, you were on fire….rev your singing ain’t half bad….you rock man!! oh, and by way, you must have gave mark a raise or something; he’s got some real cool jams.

easter sunday was a blast too!! – awesome
(sorry for the ebonics — )

Pastor Montgomery,

I look forward to your words of inspiration and encuragement. I would like to agree with you. Also, I have one practical solution to the foreclosure crisis that is happening. If the churches could come together in neighborhoods and collectively purchase some of these foreclosed properties on the courthouse steps, perhaps we could decrease the number of people that are actually losing their homes. Why not purchase these properties and keep the families in their homes with some real answers that will address their situations. This is only one suggestion. I know there are a myriad of problems.

God Bless You

This is great. I have been wondering about why Whites are racists, and no other race is……

Proud to be White

Michael Richards makes his point……………..

Michael Richards better known as Kramer from TVs Seinfeld does make a good point.

This was his defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act. He makes some very interesting points…

Someone finally said it. How many are actually paying attention to this? There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc.

And then there are just Americans. You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me ‘White boy,’ ‘Cracker,’ ‘Honkey,’ ‘Whitey,’ ‘Caveman’… and that’s OK..

But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink .. You call me a racist.

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you… so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King Day.

You have Black History Month. You have Cesar Chavez Day.

You have Yom Hashoah. You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi.

You have the NAACP.. You have BET…. If we had WET (White Entertainment Television), we’d be racists. If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month, we’d be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to ‘advance’ OUR lives, we’d be racists.

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that??

A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships… You know we’d be racists.

There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US … Yet if there were ‘White colleges’, that would be a racist college.

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists..

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you’re not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

I am proud…. But you call me a racist.

Why is it that only whites can be racists??

There is nothing improper about this e-mail.. Let’s see which of you are proud enough to send it on. I sadly don’t think many will. That’s why we have LOST most of OUR RIGHTS in this country. We won’t stand up for ourselves!

BE PROUD TO BE WHITE!

It’s not a crime YET… but getting very close!

Its not about race its about the people of God! Lets stop this insanity of poor me and live like we are loved by our Father. It is written we will all suffer injustice and wrongs for the sake of Christ, this issue is a spiritual one not a problem of race! All fall short of the glory of God and All can come to Him and receive His perfect love! Lets All just love each other as creations of our beautiful Creator!

Well said. I agree totally with my brother in Christ, that we all suffer wrongs and unfairness at some point in our lives. Whether it be white men who are destined to be rappers who can’t get their music heard or phone calls returned to the black professors being profiled and stopped by highway patrol. Its unfair, unbalanced and unjust. Yes! This is the world we live in.

Though we live in it, it does not mean we should serve with it and practice as it does. Our role model is Christ, the Lamb himself. Not Labrown James, not Barack Obama, not Sean Hannity nor Joel Olsteen, though all these men are loved and respected. Our goal is to be of the least of these through humility, servitude and love. Just as Jesus Christ himself did not come to be served but to serve.

Listen, sure these things are all true. Though I believe the effort set forth by many of these institutions, NAACP, Hispanic MBAs of America, Affirmative Action are all attempts by our society to balance the opportunities of our great land. The reality is that many opportunities have been and will be presented by people to people whom they believe share commonalities. This is not a bigoted or racist view, it is a human view, a human behavior. A black hiring manager may hire a black candidate over a more qualified Hispanic or white candidate. Why? Because he’s trying to be fair, looking out for his people, trying to hook a brother up, or could it be he’s a racist? No, to the contrary, he’s just acting out a form of psychological behavior that fits into his standing paradigm or way of thought.

Look, I’m from Brooklyn and when I was growing up we always played basketball after school. It was mostly a black school and you know what; every time one team captain had to pick his team, the last kid to get picked wasn’t the Hispanic or Indian kid it was always the White Italian kid! Was that fair? Did that upset him, do you think he felt wronged in some way? Sure, probably, who wouldn’t.
Though I tell you this, one day half our school class found out that this White Italian kid, (Chris) was jumped by some black kids from a neighboring school whom beat him up severely and broke his arm. Guess what we did? That’s right. We rounded up like the KKK and went hunting for these kids to lay down an unlawful, unrelenting, call the paramedics beatdown. Why? Well although day to day we all knew we were different, when a common enemy rose up, we just didn’t seem to be that different anymore. We were then one team, one group, one people with a common purpose.

So consider this, whether white or black or Hispanic or Indian, whether fair or unfair, or how so indifferent, our enemy is common. Our war is shared and the battle has begun! So what will you do? What role will you play in this eternal war? Whom will you humble yourself before so that the Father may be glorified?

To my white brothers, black brothers, Hispanic brothers, Indian and Asian brothers and sisters, will you stand with us? Will you fight with us? Will you serve in our eternal brigade, pleading an allegiance to Lamb of God? If the answer is yes, humble yourself and say AMEN!

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