Worship Experience Must Be Biblically Based
 

The 61^st Phillips School of Theology Founders’ Celebration and 9^th Pastors’ Conference was held January 3-6, 2005, at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel, Atlanta, GA. The theme of this year’s conference was “Refocusing the Church by Renewing the Local Church’s Worship.

Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Brown, Sr., is the administrative dean of the Phillips School of Theology; Bishop Othal H. Lakey was host bishop and is vice chairman of the Phillips School of Theology Board of Trustees. Bishop Paul A. Stewart, Sr. is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Phillips School.

After registration, Board meetings and a dinner during the day and early evening on Monday, the conference activities began in earnest later on Monday with the Convening Worship. The keynote address was given by Bishop Othal Lakey, prelate of the 6^th Episcopal District.

Using the title, “The ‘Talking’ Heavens,” “The ‘Clapping’ Trees”, “The ‘Shouting’ Mountains:” Biblical Illustrations of Praise and Worship, Bishop Lakey said that the Black Church should look to these biblical metaphors to find examples of what true worship and praise should be. He said that the Black Church is experiencing a crisis of worship, especially given a range of social issues that negatively impact and distort our reasoning for worship. Indeed, he suggested, this distorted sense of worship ostensibly has become the end result of our total experience with God. A study of the metaphors of worship as found in scriptures he cited would help us reconnect with the beauty and awe of the power of God exemplified in these inanimate objects.

Providing music for the evening was the College Park CME Church Choir, College Park, GA, where Dr. Thomas L. Brown is the pastor. A delighted praise dance team from College Park CME also performed.

On Tuesday, the conference was blessed by the teaching of Rev. Dr. William D. Watley. Dr. Watley is the pastor of St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ, where he has increased membership by more than 3,000 since his tenure as pastor began in 1984. Dr. Watley is also noted for increasing annual giving at the church by some 600 percent. An innovative worship leader, Dr. Watley expounded on the very fine points of worship in his presentations, explaining, for example, that “worship” and “praise” are not the same, but that the latter is n outward expression of the former.

Later that day, Rev. Woodrow W. Foreman, Jr., pastor of the Cedar Crest CME Church in Dallas, TX, delivered a spirited meditation. And in the evening Dr. Riggins R. Earl, Jr., professor of Theology/Ethics at the Interdenominational Theological Center, gave the first of his sessions on “The Arts and Preaching to this Generation.”

Monday was concluded with the evening worship in which Rev. John DeRon Johnson, pastor of the Phillips Temple CME Church in Los Angeles, CA, preached. Tuesday evening also was highlighted by the honoring of several ministers from around the Connection as outstanding pastoral leaders.

The highlights of Wednesday, in addition to the featured presenters, were meditation by Rev. Richard McDuffie, pastor of the Phillips Temple CME Church in Huntsville, AL, luncheon dialogue with Dr. Melva Costen on “Music & Worship” and “The Person of the Pastor and Church Renewal,” by Dr. Carolyn McCray, associate professor, Pastoral Care, ITC. The evening preacher was Rev. Marilyn Lightner-Briggs, pastor of the Beebe Chapel CME Church, Wrightsville, AR. Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., presiding bishop of the 4^th Episcopal District gave the closing message on Thursday.

Abbreviated History of Phillips School of Theology

In August 1959, the Phillip School of Theology was moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to become a part of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). This was accomplished by the leadership of many CME Church educators, including the late Bishop B. Julian Smith. Bishop Smith served as the first chairman of the Phillips Board of Trustees in its affiliation with ITC.

Also, in 1959, Dr. M. L. Darnell was elected Dean of Phillips and was a contributor to Phillips becoming a part of the Interdenominational Theological Center. Under his administration the Phillips Dormitory and office building on the ITC campus was constructed. Dr. Darnell passed on November 12, 1973.

On July 20, 1974; Dr. A. L. Dopson was elected by Phillips Board of Trustees as Dean of Phillips. Accomplishments made at Phillips during his administration included a new roof on the building and the redecoration of the downstairs lounge and classroom. Dean Dopson passed on December 5, 1979. The interim administration of Phillips was by Bishop C. Coles, Jr., the Phillips Board of Trustees. Bishop Coles was succeeded as Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1983 by Bishop William H. Graves.

When the Board of Trustees met in January 1980, it elected Dr. William C. Larkin, Dean of Phillips. Dr. Larkin began his administration as dean on February 4, 1980. Some achievements made under his administration include the liquidation of a $90,000 indebtedness, the refurnishing of the upstairs lounge, the establishment of the Phillips Voice newspaper and the Phillips Bookstore, the purchase of Graves’ House for PST female students and students with families, the establishment of the PST honor society, and a computerized record keeping and production system for the bookstore.

On May 27, 1990, the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Brown, Sr. was elected Administrative Dean. The Pastors’ Conference is one of his many achievements since being elected dean.