Bishops Need Love Too

By Shannon Dougherty

Religion is a device used to take the place of spirituality. If slavery didn't exist, we'd never know anything about religion. Religion gave us the act of calling on a "God" publicly through the pain and agony of being abused. While the oppressor had us shackled and bound, we were mentally/ physically beaten into "Hell" verbally calling upon the source.

The source didn't have to appear because "IT" has always been there WITHIN. All we had to do was STAND UP!! Sad to say, "The FEAR still resides within our minds to this very day."

STOP calling upon what can't exist outside of ourselves!! The power of change begins in the minds of YOURSELVES!! - Lamont Burno

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483645292

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Shannon Dougherty.

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4836-5121-7

             Softcover     978-1-4836-4528-5

             Ebook         978-1-4836-4529-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 06/21/2013

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:   Just exactly what is a Bishop?

Chapter 2:   What are the facets of Love?

Chapter 3:   Where Was God?

Chapter 4:   The First Time I Saw The Face of God.

Chapter 5:   Incarceration

Chapter 6:   My Perception of Church is Changed Forever!

Chapter 7:   May Never See Freedom Again!

Summarized Benediction

Message from the Author

Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION

Bishops Need Love too, is a story based the life, the experiences, and the journey of a little boy entering into manhood. You’ll be able to see yourself through some of the things he endured in family life as well as the church. This story is just a glimpse of how he was able to overcome adversity and opposition to be the man that you’re reading about, the man you’ve communicated with, the man you’re visualizing, and the man that you’re friends with today.

There’s a Shannon Dougherty in all of us that’s tired of being confined or imprisoned by the chains of religion and waiting to break free into the marvelous light.

Your lives are valuable as the time you invest or give to SELF. Many people are followers/ believers of a God through their faith, by tradition or looking through the window of another persons house. In other words, you’re paying more attention to everything that serves as no value/ purpose to you than your OWN personal experience{s}.

The worst thing is to go throughout this journey called life (1) trying to make someone else’s dreams YOUR reality (2) looking at someone else’s situation and trying to make it your own, without having a clue what that individual had to endure to get there (3) confiding in a friend, not realizing they were an enemy the entire time (4) living in the shadow of someone else and YOUR true IDENTITY is never revealed (5) calling on a God that will NEVER make ITS presence known to you because IT

ONLY existed in the book that you read and YOU made a choice/ decision to be-LIE-ve it to be YOUR God too.

Every individual I’ve encountered have deposited something either good, bad or indifferent in my life. It was my choice to accept it, reject it, learn from it, conform to it or allow it to enter one ear & exit out the other.

I REFUSE to allow religion to keep me separated, enslaved or stuck in a place of bondage. I REFUSE to allow racism to limit the boundaries in which I can learn different cultures or travel the world. I REFUSE to allow IGNORANCE to build it’s fort in my mind that will limit anything I choose to do!!—Lamont Burno.

I’m writing this book to inform, educate, encourage, and enlighten others to realize that the office an individual holds within the church does not change their character. The title or position of headship shouldn’t be taken lightly; in the same respect people shouldn’t place these individuals on pedestals.

My name is Shannon Dougherty and this is my story:

I was sitting at home one day folding clothes and the television was on BET (Black Entertainment Television). I happened to look up and it was The Lexi Show. The topic was about Bishop Carlton Pearson’s book, The Gospel of Inclusion. On the show were a panel of pastors and bishops challenging Bishop Pearson’s perception of Christ’s message. Bishop Pearson went on to say, Jesus never excluded anyone, which brought him to spread the message that Jesus was an inclusionist. As I folded the clothes, really not paying much attention to the television I heard a question being asked and directed towards Bishop Pearson. One of the Pastors asked, Do you believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God? Bishop Pearson responded, Absolutely Not. I stopped everything I was doing and began to record the program. Since the channel never changed it would record it from the very beginning. It was from that moment that I began to really get the courage to teach and preach from my heart instead of being a puppet in someone’s reformation. It was from that moment that I began to openly challenge the thinking process of those who were my friends, who were a part of other churches. It was from that moment that I decided I would no longer enslave the people for money. It was at that moment that I really felt my ministry had begun. I believe I’ve always wanted to hear those words from someone who was in ministry much longer than I had been. I believe it was the Holy Spirit that directed me because it was time for a change from what the people had been receiving. It was time to rid my catalog of the recycled and repetitive messages that I had heard over the years.

It was at that moment, I remembered a quote from Frederick Douglass, I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.

All my life I was raised to trust and believe in Jesus because of Biblical scripture. I constantly heard, He’s an on time God, Though he slay me, yet will I trust him, The Battle is not mine, but it belongs to the Lord, and the never ending Don’t worry, the Lord will handle it. I became sick and tired of listening to those repetitive sayings because this imaginary being would never show up and it would be a huge let down. I’d be in the church as a young man watching the pastor giving out lottery numbers using biblical scripture. When the number hit the pastor was entitled to half for giving them the winning scripture. Don’t get me wrong; I do believe in a higher power of consciousness, I just don’t go along with the power of manipulation through the Bible.

You will get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in church. I’m not saying every church, but you’ll definitely have a clear idea of what it’s all about. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart or your mind, if red flags are thrown up to make you question yourself; that’s the beginning of wisdom.

This is not to hinder, harm or change anyone’s belief. It’s totally up to you whether to accept or reject the things I’m telling you. This book is merely based on the things that I personally experienced, have seen with my own eyes, or was manipulated into taking part of myself. What I’ve learned is that in all things someone is on the receiving end and someone is going to always be on the giving end. Recording artist/ actor David Banner said it best, This world is based on fear and finance. The more fear I can instill inside of you, the more finances I can generate from you. I will give everyone a closer, uncut glimpse of my life, my world, and how I learned to take the negative things and turn them into the positive.

"As you become clearer about who you really are, you’ll be better able to decide what is best for you—the first time around!"—Oprah Winfrey.

I finally understood what my purpose was, my calling, and my niche in life. I was placed in this universe as a HELP to teach, instruct, and direct each one on how to better fit in the Suit of life and humanity. I also found out that there’s a cost, a penalty and a blessing in helping others, yet placing SELF on the back burner. I’ve sat around for many years with a gift of Healing through inspirational and encouraging words. I believe in the power of a higher being through SELF that was able to allow myself to become used as a vessel for healing.

I can remember Janice receiving a phone call from her friend asking if she knew a minister that could meet her family at the hospital because the medical doctors said that it would only be a matter of time before the person would expire. Janice told me and we rushed to the hospital as fast and safe as possible. When we arrived there were four ladies in the hospital room crying. Three doctors came in to see if the patient had died yet. They glanced at the family in sorrow.

When the doctors departed the room a few moments later I immediately asked, If there was anyone present that had any doubts about this young man getting better, please leave the room. One lady, (his sister-in-law) left the room. I looked into the bright yellow pupiless eyes of the patient and whispered in his ear, I’m going to stand in the gap for you. I knew his body was deteriorating fast, but I believed within the power of a higher being healing through me. I’m not going to say Jesus because Jesus was a man prior to my existence, but I will say it was the power of my will to heal and the power of the individual to become healed at that very moment.

The man lungs and liver had shut down and he was in a coma. The respirator was doing a majority of the work to keep him alive. Janice, along with my niece, read a few passages from the bible, but I was more in tune to this mans spirit. I began to pray as I touched his forehead, his chest, his arms, and his legs while praying. When I finished praying, it felt as if power had gone through me because I felt light headed and a little drained. My family and I left the hospital, walked to the car and drove away.

We literally traveled two miles from the hospital when Janice’s phone rang. Janice answered the phone and it was her friend that asked her to get a minister to meet them at the hospital. The lady on the other end of the phone was crying. Janice asked, Did he pass? The lady responded, No! Was that your son that prayed for him? Janice said, Yes! She began to tell Janice that the doctors came back into the room after we left to check the vitals of the patient. They didn’t understand what was going on, but five other surgeons entered into the room.

It was a miracle the doctors proclaimed. It was as if the man had another chance. The doctors tested him and said, It’s like he had a new pair of lungs and a new liver. The man was a smoker and an alcoholic for at least fifteen years.

Janice told me the news, but I didn’t get excited. Janice asked me to go and minister to him, tell him that God had given him another opportunity to repent, but it’s not what my spirit lead me to do.

Needless to say, the young man went back into doing the same things, got back into the hospital, and they personally called me again. When I arrived this time it was a different feeling. I felt as if, one, God had given up on him and two, these people began to believe more in me then they did in God, but I never accepted the credit.

It wasn’t until Janice was diagnosed with a pancreatic infection that I began to really become concerned. Janice asked me to pray for her because she believed in me and my prayer. Janice specifically told me the doctors found three large masses on her pancreas. I began to hold Janice’s hand and sincerely say a prayer. When Janice returned home she was excited and said, The doctors did two separate tests because what they saw the first time wasn’t being revealed in those tests. Janice said to me, Shannon, get back into the church because you’re missing your calling. I responded, It’s not about the church, but the ministry. I don’t want the gift derailed because of the church and their misconception of true ministry. I’m tired of being part of a game of manipulation.

And the voice of the Lord came upon me saying, TELL THE PEOPLE THAT WHEN THEY CALL UPON THE NAME OF JESUS and THEY DON’T GET A RESPONSE, IT’S BECAUSE I HAVE EQUIPPED MY PEOPLE WITH THEIR NECESSITIES PRIOR TO ALLOWING THEM TO ENTER INTO THE WORLD. JESUS WAS SENT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO COULDN’T GRASP HOLD OF REALITY and NEEDED A HUMAN FIGURE TO ENLIGHTEN, EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE, and EDUCATE THEM. I HAVE EQUALLY CREATED EVERY INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT CAUSING DIVISION. I HAVE NOT PLACED ANY BOOK IN MY PLACE TO INTOXICATE THE POTENTIAL LEVEL OF YOUR THOUGHT. WITHIN EACH OF YOU ARE THE KEYS and ANSWERS TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE. STOP ALLOWING DEVICES and DECOYS TO ALLOW YOU TO DEVIATE OR DISTRACT YOU; CAUSING DIVISION IN ORDER TO SET YOU UP FOR DESTRUCTION! I HAVE SPOKEN—Voice of the Most High!!—Lamont Burno.

I respect everyone’s religious beliefs, views, perceptions, and interpretations.

Believe what you will, just understand the basis of your foundational beliefs.

—Lamont Burno.

CHAPTER 1

Just exactly what is a Bishop?

According to the Bible, A (Bishop, Overseer, Elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3:1-7).

In today’s churches, the office of a Bishop can easily be obtained by a woman. This, however, is not Biblical. I’m not saying that a woman doesn’t have any authority, but she cannot hold the office of a Bishop.

What many church goers, church leaders, and church officials don’t understand is that a Bishop’s support or significant other obtains the office of an Apostle. Just as Jesus chose his Apostle, which was Mary Magdalene or so noted as the Apostle of Apostles. Mary Magdalene was given this title because she was Jesus’ companion. She was present at His Crucifixion and Burial, and went to the tomb on Easter Sunday to anoint His body. She was the first to see the Risen Lord, and to announce His Resurrection to the disciples. Mary Magdalene served Him from her own possessions (Luke 8:1-3) and undoubtedly, shared with the Apostles the evangelic tasks, in common with the other women. Mary was faithful to Him not only in the days of His Glory, but also at the moment of His extreme humiliation and agony.

An Apostle is a messenger that is sent away to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ. I want people to take notice that I stated Jesus, the Christ and not Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus was the man that walked the Earth performing miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demonic spirits. The Christ was the enlightened being after the resurrection. Jesus was the hidden name, but Christ was the revealed name. Why was Jesus the Hidden name? It’s quite simple. First, there were no J’s in the Hebrew alphabet during the time of His tenure on Earth, but Jesus was Hebrew. The English language never contained the letter J however; Jesus’ name is approximately 400 years old. This is very important, because it says in the Bible by one name only shall you be saved. This becomes important because it is a recent name not known by THE ALMIGHTY. In fact the ORIGINAL King James Bible had the name IESUS. This is also a historical record of the fact the name Jesus is a very modern name in terms of history. The name of YAHshua has been replaced by the names of G-zeus (Jesus), and Ea-zeus meaning healing zeus (Iesus, and Iesous) which are pagan in origin.

In my very own view of a bishop: A bishop is a man that is a father, a mentor, a husband, a leader, an innovator or a creator that has successfully raised, taught or instilled greatness within others. The Bible asks a very important question, For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

(1 Timothy 3:5).

In most cases, the man or father is considered the head of the household, but the mother or lady is usually the brains or the wisdom that keeps everything in functioning order. This is why it’s important for a man to have what I consider Tunnel vision, which only means that he’s focused. It’s also important that the lady has Peripheral vision, which means that’s she sees things on a much wider range. As her husband leads and directs, she’s clearing the pathway so he won’t stumble and fall. This is what it means symbolically that God caused a deep sleep upon Adam and pulled a rib from his side to create woman. She’s not to be behind her husband, but at his side as a Help meet or companion to look on as a guide.

In my assessment of the meaning of a bishop: A bishop is a man that has experienced many trials and tribulations in life, not expecting everything to always be good, given, or in the correct perspective. He’s a person that will teach, instruct and direct from the knowledge or gnosis of trial and error. If married, he understands that his wife is very intelligent and has his best interest at heart. It is she that was sent to a particular Place of hiding for her husband to Find her. He who finds a wife, finds a great thing and have obtained favor from the Lord. (Prov.18:22). She (the wife) is considered The Apostle because it was her that was Sent. She was sent into hiding for her husband to find. The highest office that a man shall receive in the church is that of a bishop, but the wife shall be considered the apostle. It always takes wisdom to ignite or fuel the brains functioning desire, capacity or capability.

According to the Bible, The HUSBAND of one wife clearly removes the woman from this particular office or position. It also means that a man (bishop) should be precise in his choice of a bride. In other words, the woman he chooses as his wife should remain until a physical death occurs. The bishop is guarded in the church by his staff and is usually placed on a pedestal because of his position in the church. There are some bishops that have been divorced or remarried, but that only leads one to believe that there’s also problems in their marriages and they’re also human.

No one’s immune to the trials and tribulations of life!

—Martin Lawrence

Let’s take a closer look and dissect what the Bible is actually saying:

1.   He Must Be A Man (Male Gender)

The passage clearly establishes that a bishop must be a man. Verse 1, says "If a ‘man’ desires