The Devil? In Churches?

Traci Blackmon is an online friend, a colleague, and someone I greatly admire. It’s with her graciously expressed permission that I can share this with you here, with my highlights if you’re in a hurry, but let me warn you: buckle up —

Confession of a Woman who Preaches

As I read the comments and commentaries swirling around Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart’s historic moment at the National Baptist Joint Convention this week, I am reminded of a story Bishop John R. Bryant shared years ago during a gathering when I was a licentiate in the AME Church.

He told the story of his encounter with a parishioner who always pointed out what he saw “the devil doing” in the church. The congregant’s comments on worship, on outreach, on the ministries of the church rarely highlighted the good work, the powerful preaching, the moving of the Spirit (although the member didn’t deny these things), Bishop said: “…he was always distracted by the work of the enemy.”

One day he asked Bishop why he didn’t talk more in church about the devil’s antics. Bishop told the man he didn’t see the devil in the church with the frequency of this man because his focus was on what Jesus was doing in their midst.

That message has stayed with me in ministry.

There will always be disrupters anytime the Spirit is moving. There will always be those who employ every tool at their disposal to diminish the Power of the Holy Ghost. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. This moment is NOT about them. Set your gaze on what Jesus has done! That’s the story. That’s the Power. That’s the Point.

Surprisingly, for some, this was the first time they’d heard the Gospel outside of the baritone range…for some, it was the first time they’d experienced the Power of Pentecost…for some, it was the first time they fellt affirmed in their Call to ministry in their own house…for some, it was the first time they’d ever danced before the Lord. For some, it was the first time they’d heard a preacher speaking in unknown tongues under the undeniable and readily accessible flow of the anointing. For some, not only did they meet El Roi (the God who sees) but they also saw God. For some, conversion came. Some were set free!

To GOD be the Glory!!!

I’m going to keep my gaze on Jesus.

The devil be damned.