Bishop of World’s Largest Black Church Denomination Makes Historic Visit to Israel

 

Bishop Drew Sheard

10-19-2022 CBN NEws Jerusalem

WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www1.cbn.com/sites/all/libraries/html5player/html5player.php?videoId=6313993380112&auto_advance=true&platform=CBNNews.com%20Video&appName=CBNNews.com%20Video&applicationId=CBN_NEWS_VOD_PLAYER&messages=true&v=1

JERUSALEM, Israel –The appointment of Bishop Glen Plummer and his wife, Dr. Ruth Pauline Plummer, to head the Church of God in Christ here two years ago marked an historic beginning, one that led to a first-time visit to Israel of Bishop J. Drew Sheard, the top official of the world’s largest Black denomination.

“The founder of our church (was) born at the time of slavery in the United States, and Bishop Sheard is the eighth in succession in leading our great church,” Bishop Plummer said.

“We have now matured to where we are in 113 countries. But three years ago, our church made the decision to embrace Israel in a very formal way,” he added.

Bishop Sheard’s visit to the Holy Land marks the first time the church has held a holy convocation here in Israel.

“In the 115-year history of our church, there has not been a presiding bishop that has made an official visit to Israel,” Plummer said.

“We are said to have six and a half million members. We are the largest Black church in the world, and we are so thrilled to have our leader here who leads the entire church,” he said.

Israeli dignitaries and bishops from around the world came together at the King David Hotel to welcome the bishop, including the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum.

“You are the spiritual power in the United States. And that is equally as important as the political power, because if the United States moved their embassy to Jerusalem, it’s because you, the spiritual power other United States of America, lobbied for Jerusalem to be for the embassy to be moved to Jerusalem,” Hassan-Nahoum told the crowd.

“So, thank you very much. Welcome to our city. Have a wonderful, wonderful experience. And please always come back because this is your home too,” Hassan-Nahoum added.

“This is really prophetic to see – Black America and Jews and Israelis coming together, in defense of our shared Judeo-Christian history and, and values,” said Josh Reinstein, who heads the Christian Allies Caucus.

“And this is a sign of the times. To Bishop and Lady Sheard, we’re so honored to have you here in Israel. It took over a hundred years for (a) presiding bishop to get here, but we hope this will be an annual event now, Reinstein added.

Former American basketball star and Jewish sports Hall of Fame member Tal Brody highlighted the close relations between the Black and Jewish communities in the United States.

“We’re very appreciative you’re here because we’re going through a very tough time of anti-Semitism in the world. Many of the Black people in the United States do know some of that history. The majority probably don’t know that history,” Brody said.

CBN News spoke with Bishop Sheard at the City of David archaeological site, his favorite Bible character after Jesus.

“I identify with King David. He’s always been a blessing to me,” Sheard told CBN News.

During our interview he shared how in the Upper Room, the traditional site where the Holy Spirit was first poured out, Sheard had a special experience there with another group.

“We started praying and we started seeking God, asking God for another chance to do what the early church had done,” Sheard explained.

“There was another pastor there who was leading a delegation. And then all of a sudden, the Spirit of God unified us. I reached out for the other pastor. He came, we began to pray [in] the power of God. And then we began to sing songs,” he said.

He says it’s important for the Church to connect with Israel.

“I believe that God is getting us ready for the return of Jesus Christ. I believe that in order to know where you’re going, you’ve gotta know where you come from. And so we are very studiously studying the footsteps of Jesus and this Holy Land,” he said.

“So that, as we prayed in the upper room so we can do what he has instructed the Church to do,” he added.

During the opening night, Sheard spoke of change that he believes is coming.

“Right now we’ve got white people, Black people, Jews, and Gentiles all together saying that we love the Lord,” Sheard told the crowd.

At the end of the evening, the crowd – Jews and Christians alike spontaneously began singing together “This is the Day” from Psalm 118:24.

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Did you know?

God is everywhere—even in the news. That’s why we view every news story through the lens of faith. We are committed to delivering quality independent Christian journalism you can trust. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. Help us continue to be a voice for truth in the media by supporting CBN News for as little as $1.

Support CBN News

Let's Trade Our Titles for True Humility - J. LEE GRADY CHARISMA NEWS

Today it seems we've developed a title fetish. (Edited by J. Lee Grady)

Let's Trade Our Titles for True Humility

8/10/2017 J. LEE GRADY  CHARISMA NEWS

Last week when I was preaching in the nation of Iceland, I befriended three young foreign students from Africa who were visiting our conference near Reykjavik. I noticed these guys were sitting in the back of the auditorium, so I invited them to sit with me up front. They later admitted to me that I was the first preacher they'd ever met who greeted people before a service.

"In my country, most preachers come into the auditorium after the worship, and they don't speak to anyone," one of the brothers told me.

When I told these brothers they could call me Lee, they were shocked. They expected me to demand a long-winded ecclesiastical title.

I'm often asked if I have a title, and my answer doesn't satisfy some people. I don't consider myself a pastor because I travel so much. All kinds of labels have been pinned on me: reverend, prophet, apostle, even bishop.

Once I was introduced to a church as "Dr. Grady," and I almost crawled under my seat. I only have a college degree. There are no letters after my name.

Today it seems we've developed a title fetish. For a while everyone in charismatic circles was becoming a bishop, and some were installed into this office with rings, robes and funny-looking hats. Then the same guys with the pointy hats started calling themselves apostles. Then the prophets got jealous and started calling themselves apostles too! I knew one lady who, not to be outdone, required people to call her "exalted prophetess."

Now the latest fad is requiring church folks to address certain people as apostles. As in, "When apostle Holy Moly arrives, please only address him as, 'apostle,' and then make sure he is seated in a private room while his two 'armor bearers,' wearing dark glasses, guard his door." I know of one popular preacher who sends his hosts a letter explaining that he must be called "apostle" anytime his name is used from the stage!

Some of these title-seekers have even invented an elaborate theology to go along with their ridiculous rule. They say you can't receive the true anointing from a man of God if you don't honor him with his right title.

Sounds so very oooh-oooh spiritual to the naive. But it's charismatic garbage.

Jesus didn't play this religious game, especially when he was around the grand poobahs of His day—the long-robed, nose-in-the-air scribes and Pharisees. After accusing them of loving the best seats in the synagogues, He pointed out that they loved to be called "Rabbi" by men (see Matt. 23:7).

Then He warned them: "But do not be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers ... For he who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt. 23:8,12).

People have quibbled over these words for centuries, insisting that pride is what Jesus was rebuking, not titles. I would agree that Jesus was going to the root sin. But He was also asking these guys if they'd be willing to ditch their labels and act like normal people.

When I was in China several years ago, I met some amazing leaders who had planted thousands of congregations. They had also spent a lot of time in jail for their faith, and they'd been beaten with iron rods for preaching the gospel. They were the bravest apostles I've ever met.

But when I asked them if they used "apostle" as a title, one guy said: "We believe in those roles in the church. But we prefer to call each other 'brother' or 'sister.'"

That settled the issue for me.

If these Chinese giants of the faith—and true apostles—don't require to be addressed with titles, then Your Worshipful Grand Master Rev. Dr. Bishop Big Deal Jones who claims oversight of maybe four churches shouldn't wear his ministry role around his neck like a tacky neon name badge.

If people can't see the anointing on your life through your character, then don't cheapen the gospel by wearing a title you don't deserve.

I'm not saying people shouldn't use reverend, minister or even bishop to identify their roles in the church. One of my mentors is a bishop, and he is one of the most humble men I know. But can we please dispense with the insecurity and the childish "I'm more important than you" appellations and get back to the simplicity of the gospel? Let's get over ourselves!

Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Son of David, the Prince of Peace and the Apostle of our Confession. Yet when He came into this world, He laid aside His heavenly glory and took on the lowly name of Jesus. He wore no fancy robes. He demanded no titles. He had no "armor bearers." He even bore His own cross until He was too weak to drag it to Calvary.

If we want to serve Jesus honorably, we must forsake our need for fame and cast our crowns at His feet. 

J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years before he launched into full-time ministry in 2010. Today he directs The Mordecai Project, a Christian charitable organization that is taking the healing of Jesus to women and girls who suffer abuse and cultural oppression. Author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, he has just released his newest book, Set My Heart on Fire, from Charisma House. You can follow him on Twitter at @LeeGrady or go to his website, themordecaiproject.org.

Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!

3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!