God, Help Us!: An Anthology of the Mind of Humanity, Body of Christ and the Soul of the Movement

By R.J. Chandler Sr

God, Help Us! is an anthology of writings that explore the many challenges of the universal church as it wrestles with its relevancy in a fast-paced ever evolving and diverse culture. Has the church moved away from the tenets of Christ? Many Christians have redefined the Ten Commandments, holiness and true faith to suit their personal needs. Therefore, each chapter in its approach deals with some of the ills of the world that have infiltrated the ranks of the church, such as (but not limited to) mental illness, dishonesty, sin, church hurt, misguided leadership, narcissism, poor fiscal management, and sexual indecency. Im afraid that each topic has led to the decline of church attendance, quieted its prophetic voice in the community, and drastically reduced the effectiveness of saving souls. This book provides recommendations for going back to our first love, which is Jesus and His mission, purposeful living, balance, and wellness. It is my hope that this book transcends denominational affiliation and touches each generation to win the world for Christ one soul at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512786446

R.J. Chandler Sr

The Rev. Dr. R.J. Chandler Sr. is the organizing pastor of Transformation African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church located in Dover, DE and Liberating Power African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Bridgeville, DE. He is the Faculty Senate President and Lead Faculty of Architecture Engineering and Construction Management at Delaware Technical Community College. He is a husband and father of four children.

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Copyright © 2017 R.j. Chandler Sr.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8643-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8645-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8644-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907611

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/16/2017

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)

Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Encouragements

Prologue

The Mind of Humanity

Chapter 1 Domestic Terroristic Demonology

Chapter 2 Killing Me Softly

Chapter 3 Powerfied Pieces of Purpose

Chapter 4 10 Principles of Treeology

Chapter 5 Just Do it

The Body of Christ

Chapter 6 Post Traumatic Church Disorder (PTCD)

Chapter 7 Flip this Church

Chapter 8 Leading from Behind

Chapter 9 The Green Church

Chapter 10 When the Church prays

Chapter 11 In the Meantime

The Soul of the Movement

Chapter 12 Millennial & Z Ministry 101

Chapter 13 Young Adults, the Struggle is real!

Chapter 14 Black lives matter too

Chapter 15 What’s in your temple?

Chapter 16 Show meh da money

Chapter 17 Burn baby Burn

Acknowledgements

References

This book is

dedicated to my sainted grandmother Helen Dingle Frasier who encouraged me to never be a jack-legged (corrupt) preacher, but be the best preacher that I could be for Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

One of my favorite stories in the bible is about Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-34) and how they were able to overcome the odds that were against them. Regardless of the adversity, they were determined to be triumphant. They caught on fire as they sang hymns, uttered prayers and shared psalms with each other. The fire that burned in their hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit spread to the other jail cells. No longer were the other prisoners in the dark because now they could see because of the Light that they received from the witness of Paul and Silas. The souls of the inmates were enlightened, a new path was illuminated, and a movement was created.

God, help us is an anthology of writings on various issues and topics that are impacting the church, the believer and their ministry for Christ. It has three sections: The Mind of Humanity, The Body of Christ and The Soul of a Movement that is comprised of different and unique chapters. Each chapter in its approach deals with the ills of the world that have infiltrated the ranks of the church such as, but not limited to mental illness, integrity, holiness, church hurt, misguided leadership, narcissism, fiscal management and sexual indecency. I’m afraid that each topic has led to the decline of the church attendance, quieted its prophetic voice in the community and drastically reduced the effectiveness of saving souls. This book provides recommendations for going back to our first love which is Jesus, His mission, purposeful living, balance and wellness. It is my hope that this book transcends denominational affiliation and touches each generation to win the world for Christ, one soul at a time.

The story of Paul and Silas (Acts 16) serves as an introduction to each section because it embodies the theme of this book. They could not preach, survive the torturous mistreatment or save souls without God’s help. They could not remain sane, maintain their integrity or speak life to power without God’s help. They could not worship, praise, or keep the faith without God’s help. So it is with the Church of God. Without God, we can do nothing, but with God, all things are possible!

ENCOURAGEMENTS

God is good! The Reverend Doctor R.J. Chandler Sr. hit a home run with his new book, an exciting and important book for church leaders to read.

Dr. Harry L. Williams, Ph.D.

President

Delaware State University

Dover, Delaware

Finally!!! As one of his peers among a cadre of other next generational leaders in our beloved Zion, Dr. Chandler’s anthology is the perfect handbook to new or aspiring leaders looking to enhance their knowledge in the area of wholistic servant leadership. The issues discussed in his works proves that a cyclical cycle of dysfunction has continued to raise its ugly head among those who are called to be change agents in this society, now we have someone who was able to articulate our voices to enable us to ring the alarm for the generation we are called to serve. The very person who feels that they have all the answers and don’t need any help is the very person that deserves an autograph copy of the book. If God was still looking for one person to intercede on this generation’s behalf, I am so glad God heard Reggie’s prayer and plea. He just may have been the one to spare yet another life and this book gave them the tools to survive.

The Reverend Dr. William Leon Ward

Chief Executive Officer

The WillPower Motivation Group, Inc.

Unleashing His Power Within

Washington, District of Columbia

God help us is an on time and very inspiring book today. In light of the recent events and the uncertainties of what will happen over the next four years, the author encourages us to look to God for help. This is a must-read book. Great job!

The Reverend Dr. Linwood Robinson

Senior Pastor

Greater New Hope Baptist Church

Baltimore, Maryland

PROLOGUE

In every walk of life, there are twists, turns, successes, and failures. The journey itself more often than not has the power to send one deep into despair if the tools of success are not in an individual’s arsenal. What are those tools? Where are they obtained? What are the instructions for utilizing those tools? Life does not come with a blueprint or a map to Easy Street. Unfortunately, the yellow brick road only exists in the Wizard of Oz. While the Christian walks along his path, he must first discover where his arsenal is located, and next identify the tools required for his journey, and ultimately, make sure the instructions are clearly understood. Success often depends on how well one can adapt to failure, and how well one can ask for help.

In reflecting on the contents presented in this text, I am reminded of the many lessons that I have had to learn, and more so, the trials I have endured on my journey. Although the bumps have been painful and the bruises numerous, they have been well worth it in order to propel me into my divine destiny. There is one thing that I know to be true, although every Christian has a unique journey, Faith, Praise, and Obedience must always be tools in one’s arsenal.

What is the purpose of your journey? Do you know who you are, and where you are going? Have you identified the pitfalls, and will you trust the process? There are numerous guiding principles that one must embrace in the spiritual walk – principles such as demonic terrorism, self-hatred and internal turmoil, growth, harmony, and balance. Furthermore, the most important part of this journey is self-reflection and fighting the negative recordings that can often play over and over in one’s mind. What is the root of those negative recordings? Could they stem from some form of past pain that has caused Post Traumatic Church Disorder (PTCD)?

In comparison to the individual’s journey, what is the relationship of the body of Christ to the success or failure of the individual? It is a sad, yet true fact that many parishioners are suffering in silence and turning away from the church altogether because of negative experiences from fellow parishioners, auxiliary boards, or the ministerial staff. The burden of those lost souls effects all in the Kingdom of Christ. If one is suffering with feelings of inadequacy, how can they go to God with a spirit of boldness, or have faith enough to believe in that which cannot be seen?

If you believe in the power of praise, and the power of prayer, you are yet on your way to spiritual enlightenment as you journey through this text. There are areas in all of our lives that can be flipped, lessons to be learned about leading from behind, understanding to be obtained from knowing the soul of the movement, and power to be gained by simply asking that God, help us! If you can clearly provide yourself with answers to the aforementioned questions, you are well on your way to moving powerfully and purposefully in the body of Christ. The purpose of this text is to ensure that your arsenal is full and that your tools are ready for the journey. Have the grace to finish, and fight the good fight, what you lack in our own strength, God will provide with his imminent "finishing grace’.

The Reverend Dr. Brian R. Thompson Sr.

Simon Temple AME Zion Church

Fayetteville, North Carolina

THE MIND OF HUMANITY

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5 NASB)

Prayer

God, help us to renew our minds and not be conformed to the pattern of this world. Help us to bring our thoughts under the subjection of the Holy Spirit. Help us to understand that if we take authority over our minds according to your word, our bodies must come into subjugation. Help us to think on things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable and excellence. Father, help us to yield to holiness because you have favored humanity with power, love and self-discipline. Teach us how to acknowledge our sin, take responsibility, ask for forgiveness and grow from our mistakes. Help us to hide the word in our hearts so that we might not sin against thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As long as the Lord allows you and me to live, we will be confronted with drama, confusion, trials and misfortune. And the only way to deal with the mess and mayhem of life is to realize that you are blessed and not to stress. Paul and Silas (Acts 16) were victimized, mistreated and beaten. Moreover, they were embarrassed by the court of public opinion, dragged through the mud, and thrown into prison. Contrarily, they were still free. The enemy thought that he had them by shackling their hands and feet, but he couldn’t shackle their minds. The enemy prevented them from moving and running, but he could not stop them from praying and singing. The enemy thought that he could prevent Paul and