Justice or Just Us: Where Do We Go From Here?

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 

All this week, I’ve been wrestling with the complexities of this moment. As a student of history, my mind wanders back in time as I recalled my Grandparents stories from the sixties and the blatant hatred and anger ignited during that era. This week, countless people all over our cities saw the video of another Black man killed ruthlessly in front of our faces. Other reports have continued to come in and now millions are frustrated, angry and some unfortunately, violent. 

Unlike years ago, because of technology our world has become a village and our cell phones a microphone. Giving us access to these atrocities first hand and not just through traditional news outlets. We have become instantly apart of the trauma and grieve instantly while grabbing our young men and praying for their safety and survival. While there are many solid, respectable officers in our nation, this issue of injustice makes me nauseous as I ask myself, “Are we really any different today than my Grandma’s generation? Was not the blood of Emmett Till enough to allow us to see the disparity that exists amongst our own people?” 

This past February, our church hosted a Justice Summit. Our theme was, “Black Lives Matter or Do They?” I was shocked by the response. We received threats, brutal hate messages on social media and ridicule. Shockingly, although the event was impactful and thought provoking, our attendance wasn’t near what we had anticipated. We hosted several community organizers and leaders who contributed to the discussion and have their insights. Unfortunately, it is not until something massive happens that everyone wakes up to something that many are fighting on a regular basis. Mass media is big business and strategically knows how to sell a story. Therefore rather than us knowing the truth of how many lives are lost regularly, we are lulled to sleep by entertainment than speaking truth to power. 

Every night I tried to go to sleep, I woke up thinking about some of my worst incidents dealing with the police here in my neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn. 

The first, was taking out of my garbage while letting the handyman out of my house. I had on a bathrobe, pajamas and slippers. Before I could throw my trash into the can, the cops walk up to me on my porch, say that they’re doing questioning around the neighborhood and stop and frisk me with my hands up in front of my porch. I couldn’t get my ID because it was in my house! And my neighbors started walking towards my house to tell them I’m a young pastor and an author and don’t get into any trouble. I DID NOTHING WRONG.

The second, when my grandfather was ill I preached three services almost every weekend and ran home in between my morning services to grab one of my Bibles. A cop pulls up to my house and starts screaming about a garbage can being too close to the curb when it was CLEARLY next to my house. He starts yelling in my face while I have a full collar on and a coat and says, “You trying to get smart with me?” I pleaded with him that it was a misunderstanding and he threatens me and writes me a ticket. I had a good relationship at the time with my precinct and I called immediately and they said they didn’t send any cars out that Sunday and did I get badge info. Of course I didn’t. I wasn’t going to attempt to pull out a piece of paper or pen with a screaming officer in my face. I prayed ran back to church and preached, NEVER heard back again concerning that officer.

Third, I’m coming off of the L train and walking home minding my own business and walk into the park. The sun was going down and it was a small neighborhood park so I quickly walked in to get out and go across closer to my side. I’m walking in and these cops stop me. Stop me, ask for my ID, and begin questioning. “What’s in your bag?” Books. I just came from Barnes and Nobles. “What do you do?” I help people, I replied. What are you doing around here? I don’t live far from here sir. Really? Yessir. I am a reader and I’m going home to enjoy these books. Okay. Well have a nice night then. And I walked off while I knew they were still watching and at first following me. I began to pray and walked straight home.

What am I saying?

Yes I understand that things do happen and I’ve heard all the political answers. Bottom line, Black men in America are an endangered species and if you’re doing the right thing you’re constantly questioned and almost given a strange look for living right! I NEVER expected to get stopped and frisked outside my house. And now as I’m older could only imagine what would have happened if I had resisted. This man was a father and had a family and to see their dad murdered on every screen in America will be something etched in their memory forever.

We have a responsibility to inform empower and educate our men to fortify themselves in an environment that does NOT see them for who they really are.

Anyone who cannot see how serious this is, I question if you really care about life. We’ve seen nothing but bloodshed in recent weeks and it is time for the men to RISE UP, Be BOLD and embrace their identity. MEN, ARISE! Stay Woke! 

The following are a few ideas to get the conversation started on how we can move from anger to action at a very local. We are going to host a Town Hall meeting at our church within the next week discussing some of what is outlined here. I would also love to learn and hear from you as well. 

Heal the Land Campaign (HTL)™

2 Chronicles 7:14
A. Gatherings 

“Where there is agreement, there is power.” 

-Prayer Rallies

-Strategic Access Points, hosting open prayer meetings throughout our city, where blood has been shed and lives lost. 

We could also band together and host a Solemn Assembly, where we repent for the atrocities of our nation. First of all, repenting for the hatred and killing of ourselves and the brutality of the present genocide by others killing us. 

B. Discussions

-Open Town Hall meetings.

People are hurting, angry, and wounded. They need to be heard, listened to and understood. We’re going to host several at our local church and with other pastors and community leaders. 

Encourage those in your network to write letters and create dialogue and relationships with: Congressmen/Senators, City council representative, State Assembly, Mayor/Governors, and others with municipal influence. 

If you cannot reach the individual, build a relationship with someone in their office and ask for a meeting or a contact email to voice your concerns as a constituent under their administration.

C. Execution/Retribution

If we want to really show were not playing, STOP feeding into it! STOP buying high priced sneakers, unnecessary items and supporting companies that do not advance your interests.

Economic Disruption through Reading and Listening. I’d recommend reading and watching the following: 
Dr. Claude Anderson, Powernomics 

Keith Cameron Smith, The Ten Top Distinctions between Millionaires and the Middle Class 

Thou Shalt Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

We have to understand that Blacks consume over $1 trillion in spending and OWN nothing.

Which is a major contributor to gentrification and other major social dynamics. We own nothing in the community and expect them to agree with us just because we patronage them.

We must create systems of wealth and recirculate the dollar beyond our present liquid money ideologies.
This will cause an economic disruption.

We can also host Spending fasts and 

Boycott major surplus holidays. Instead, teaching our people to contribute to their own community and the needs that they see in front of them. 

We must also teach budgeting, investing, and saving for rainy days. 

Another critical component is the 7 Mountain or Channels Strategy. Developing Millennials to understand worldview, our responsibility to influence culture: religion, business, education, arts and entertainment, government, family, and media. Check out Change Agent by Os Hillman for this. 

We have to Challenge the people to think and become agents of transformation in their communities, cities and nation.
We also have to have HONEST conversations between the community, the clergy, and the officers. Where they can hear the TRUTH about they feel and then they can also hear their heart. People need to be able to express how they feel. This trauma is overwhelming! 

Teaching our citizens to get to the POLLS and host Voters Registration drives and emphasize community involvement with local Community boards and their block association besides just hosting a Block party.

These changes cannot happen overnight but with effort and coming together, we can do SOMETHING and SOMETHING is BETTER than NOTHING!

To every Mother, don’t LOSE HOPE! For every Pharoah, God raises a Moses and for Herod, God sent his Son. Be not dismayed at what we see, God always has a plan! Speak life over your sons and daughters and model a life of character and integrity. 

These are just ideas. I’m open to anyone’s suggestions and I salute everyone for not being SILENT in a moment that matters! 
D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

Where Has All the Music Gone? Lessons from Prince

“It’s time for new education. The former rules don’t apply. We need a power structure that breeds production Instead of jacks who vandalize.” -Prince, Dance On Lyrics (1988)

Last week, I was blessed to attend the Q Conference in Denver. Before I could settle in my chair, my Twitter feed buzzed, “Sources confirmed Prince has died.” I couldn’t believe it. My first tweet in shock and response was, “Is it true, Prince died?” My mind couldn’t fathom that someone so iconic would leave us so soon. Although I’m a Millennial (born 1980-2000), I cannot deny the impact and influence that Prince Rogers Nelson had on ALL of us! Growing up, my parents would watch the Purple Rain movie and it was awkward learning that he was my Mom’s first childhood crush. Prince was a musician’s musician, and a BOLD artist, making his presence known wherever and however he could. With all of the news filtering in, the question now comes: where do we go from here? 

In an age of click tracks, auto tunes, and vulgar lyrics, where is music headed? Just as Philosophy claims as its greatest Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the Big 3 of our lives have been Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and now Prince. Prince was a LEGEND, and was not afraid to stand firm in what he believed. There’s a lot of lessons his life has taught me and I’m sure you can attest that we can all learn from the Purple Prince himself. 

1. You are called to someone, not everyone. Prince espoused this principle in everything he did. He was a musician, an artist and a humanitarian. He didn’t care who didn’t agree. He was himself! One of the most frightening things about our fast paced, social media generation is that we subtly become people pleasers, worrying more about what people think then being who we are! Prince knew who he was and what he stood for and boldly declared it to the world, no matter how strange it may have seemed to anyone. Are you authentically being yourself?

2. Never forget the people who believe in you. I was stunned by how many parties he hosted at his home and invited the public. He didn’t just treat his fans like fans, he HONORED them. He made them feel valued. You can see that he was just as excited as they were to create music and experiences that they would enjoy. Today’s narcissistic culture almost breeds entitlement. Too many artists and leaders forget how to walk amongst the people. Prince honored his tribe and they respected and admired him for it. Do you HONOR those who believe in you?

3. Fight for what you believe in. Prince was an artist. A real one. He didn’t take that art lightly. When he announced to the world that albums still matter, just like books and Blacks lives he meant it. He fought hard for his copyrights. I mean REALLY hard. He championed his cause and understood that the artist was still entitled to their fair share. It is unfortunate that he wasn’t able to work out deals across all of the streaming services, but you can see his passion in fighting. Our world is insanely singles driven. Most people just listen to one or two songs and toss out the concept of an album. However, Prince brought his best to the table and inspired new generations of artists. Do you have a cause BIGGER than yourself? 
In the middle of a hugely contested Presidential election, where Establishment and Anti-Establishment values are at war, Prince’s example rises amongst us. He boldly defied his critics, and created music that had meaning. 
Although I was not a huge fan, I respected his work ethic and contribution to our world. He was radical, even changing his name as a symbol. He knew the power of a brand and mastered it for all those to watch. 

As a Christian, his life challenges me. It is a clarion call to champion the symbol of the Cross to a world that is hungry and hurting and in need of a Savior. 
Somehow, I know music will rebound from this loss. His death will inspire a new generation of musicians and artists. He will NEVER be forgotten. But even for so, I pray that new voices would awaken who aren’t ashamed to speak truth to power and embrace the weight of criticism that comes with taking a stand. 
To the music world, I grieve with you and I hope that this lights a spark to capture authentic music that touches the heart and brings us all together again. 

D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

Spring Cleaning: The Power of Exposure!

“The illiterate of the 21st century are not those that cannot read or write but those that cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” -Alvin Toffler 

Wow!

This has been an explosive season of learning, growing and stretching for me. Ever since I was a little boy, I made the commitment to be a life long student. Growing up, my grandfather would tell me, “Your life is a university. Every day, take a class.” As a result, I’ve always started each year with a few attainable goals that challenge me spiritually, financially and socially. 

One of my goals for 2016 was to invest in personal development. As a pastor, I prepare content weekly to preach to a growing congregation. In addition, I teach two classes during in The Equipping Center (TEC) ministry school, as well as countless private messages for insights, problem solving and ideas. This is taxing and I find that the more I feed, the more I must be fed! With this in mind, I specifically looked up events and conferences that I’ve never been to and don’t know anyone. This forced me to meet new people, learn new ways of doing things and to find out what else is out there. 

Although it’s only the first quarter of the year, my heart is racing and my vision has been reinvigorated. I wanted to share a few highlights from some of the public and private events I’ve attended recently. These 10 nuggets have made a tremendous impact on my life!

Project Gideon – Dallas, TX 

A mentoring program by Bishop T. D. Jakes 

1. “In ministry, there will be fluctuations. Your ability to understand fluctuations determines the depth of your leadership.” -TDJ

2. “Every idea needs a strategy. If there is no strategy, there is no stream.” -TDJ

3. “Always be interested and not just interesting.” -Sundra Ryce

4. “I coach the masses, I mentor the few. I can coach a person that I don’t see. Mentoring is when I take a portion of my life and invest into that particular person.” -Holton Buggs 

5. “The power is in the WHY. Teaching tells you the WHAT. Mentoring tells you the WHY.” -TDJ

6. “Mentoring is MEN TOURING each other’s lives.” -TDJ

Q Commons – New York City 

A faith and culture event hosted by Gabe Lyons. 

7. “It’s not an easy to be a leader and it’s not an easy time to find a leader you can trust.”

8. “A leader increases others flourishing by their own vulnerability. The challenge of leadership is the proper stewarding of vulnerability.” -Andy Crouch, Strong & Weak

CAP Retool – Atlanta, GA 

An association of pastors hosted by Bishop Dale Bronner. 

9. “Let the changes you make be evolutionary and not revolutionary. Know your pace.” -Bishop Dale C. Bronner

10. “There are three types of people you need in your life to accomplish your mission. Doers, Donors and Door openers. Doers have time but no resources. Donors have resources but no time. Door openers have the ability to take you to the next level. Evaluate your life and see who is who.” -Bishop Dale C. Bronner

Who’s Next? The Power of Asking Questions

“With great power comes great responsibility.” -Spiderman 

 

Growing up, I attended a lot of funerals. Looking back, I now realize how powerful and prolific some of the people were who passed. Although I was young, my family would take me to watch great leaders speak and iconic artists perform. They believed that there was something about mastery that could never be duplicated. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell asserts that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. This means that it requires over 7-10 years to become exceptional in a particular field or industry. 

This often explains why we all get a numb feeling when a Master dies, we grieve the lost of such art. No one will ever forget the day Michael Jackson died, it’s as if time stood still. However, I’ve noticed that when someone great dies, we often hear people ask, “who’s next?” It immediately becomes a contest in which people try to claim the person’s mantle, influence or position. 

Nevertheless, I’ve been wondering if that’s even the right question to ask. In his book Zero to One, innovator Peter Thiel describes the difference between technology and standardization. Technology he says is doing different things. When we do the same thing, we move from 1 to n, but when we do something fresh, we go to 0 to 1. All major innovation in our world occurred not from standardization but from innovation, trying new ideas and creating new pathways. Every generation contributes something significantly different than the last. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates changed our world with hardware through Apple and Microsoft. However, Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey are changing our lives through software with apps for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Square. They were all effective but they accomplished it differently.

Maybe instead of asking who is the next ___________? We could ask what is the Spirit saying right now? Where are we? What is the best response to our times? Honestly, no matter what we think, what makes people iconic and irreplaceable is their ability to comprehend their moment in time. What made Billy Graham “Billy Graham” was his ability to passionately preach the Gospel, use television and build political and ecumenical relationships. However, Rick Warren and Joel Osteen have an even greater measure of influence and achieved it in totally different ways.

When Bishop Carlton Pearson started the Azusa conferences in the 1980s, no one predicted that they wouldn’t exist in the early 2000s. Nobody could conceive that MegaFest by Bishop T. D. Jakes would trump the Azusa conference meetings! My point of the matter is maybe we should be asking what’s happening right now? Then ask the Holy Spirit for a strategy to effectively steward our moment in time. Not just stand around using someone else’s formula in an entirely different time. 

For example, in the 1950s, tent meetings were the next big thing. People would gather and build strong churches from tent meetings. Today, because of urban renewal, tents are almost impossible to do in certain cities. Some cities zoning laws have changed drastically because of gentrification. Is it possible that what made some of the greatest preachers like Gardner Taylor, G. E. Patterson, R. D. Henton, and William Bonner so great was their compassion and care for souls? If that is the case, then our methodology must match the times we are in. How do we grapple with a world that is now blatantly Post-Christian and insanely narcissistic? How do we preach to a generation that sees the church as antiquated and irrelevant? Are we supposed to wear Saul’s armor and do it how he did it? Or will we be like David and slay our Goliath’s with a rag and smooth stones?

I don’t have any answers. I’m just asking questions. I remember attending Myles Munroe’s memorial in the Bahamas. It was absolutely incredible. I felt such a profound sense of loss and a moment of inspiration. I was grieved because such a brilliant mind was gone but inspired because his life is a testimony for me to run my own race. 

My grandfather passed away three years ago, he was my pastor and mentor. However, I’d be crazy to use some of the methods he used in our times today. Why? Because they just don’t work. Our city has changed, our demographics have changed and our culture has changed. Maybe we need to start asking, Lord, what are you doing right now? Where do you want us to go? What’s on your heart that’s not on ours? I think when we start asking questions concerning where we are headed, we will appreciate the past but anticipate the future. I pray that God will raise up a generation in our time not just trying to be good copies but great originals. There will always be resemblances to the past, but the future is much brighter and more glorious.

May we be the ones who serve our generation and, “turn the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6). 

D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently wrote his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

World Gone WILD: Politics and the Presidential Election

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
-Charles Dickins, A Tale of Two Cities

WOW!!! 

It’s election year again! 

And yet the excitement and the buzz is just not there… Unlike eight years ago or even sixteen years ago, there’s a lot of trepidation concerning the 2016 Election. As Millennials are getting older, there is a level of expectation that is arising which is clearly being ignored by the establishment. The recent upheavals stemming from the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, and recent Black Lives Matter movements signify that many are tired of humdrum politics and broken promises. However, media has created a circus with all of the candidates being summed up by sound bites and personal stabs at each other. 

From the outside looking in, we’re in an entirely different world today than ever before. As technology continues to advance, people are becoming smarter and the old tricks that once worked are no longer impressive. This year’s election cycle has caused me to reflect on the last eight years of our present administration. Our world has changed dramatically. Once upon a time, the Westernized worldview prevailed as dominant. Today, we are now immersed in a global borderless village, in which one tweet can cause a fire that even the evening news cannot extinguish! We are witnessing politics gone VIRAL, which has both benefits and consequences. 

Despite which view or candidate you’re looking at, it’s quite frightening that a nation which has prided itself on diversity and freedom is isolating its own foundational principles. For the most part, it appears to seem that if you’re a Democrat, you’re “progressive”, pro-abortion, believe in rights for the underprivileged and have a passion for the poor. However, if you’re Republican, you’re “conservative”and anti- everything. These views couldn’t be farther from true! Think about it. We are living in a world that’s moving from black and white to a real gray. There aren’t any candidates who can exactly pinpoint what we believe in, and also simultaneously stand against what we’re against! This fact alone is what makes this election cycle so challenging. We are realizing that not one candidate has the power to deliver on what we want. However, a choice still must be made and the mud slinging ensues. 

Interestingly, all of the candidates from both sides have made me think deeply. How do we deal with where we are headed? How do we handle issues of which we have no script? Once we were geographical, now the world is at our fingertips, how do we handle this? With the growing threat of terrorism both domestic and cyber, how do we navigate the terrain? With the rapid pace of technology, are degrees necessary? Before you fight me, think about it. Is classical education advancing at the pace of technology? We are living in an time of major upheaval. Corporate conglomerates are becoming bankrupt overnight and the once secure cushioned job is becoming obsolete. 

I was recently invited to participate in Career Day at a public elementary school. I was astounded by the questions the group of fourth graders asked me. Several of them inquired how do they find their purpose in a time with so many options. It’s almost hard to believe that for many ten year olds their jobs don’t even exist yet! Which raises the question, what do we do? How do we function in a world that no longer fits the container we thought it did? 

My objective is not to provide answers or to endorse anyone. I’m just asking questions to provoke thought. We’ve got a lot of issues both at home and abroad and it will require us to think deeply and strategically concerning next steps. As a pastor, I find my comfort from the Scriptures: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) 

In spite of all of these caucuses, candidates and sound bites, we must learn how to TRUST. Not one candidate can provide all of our answers. Christ is the ultimate redeemer for mankind. Candidates come and go but He is our refuge. Let’s try to look at things from both sides and allow wisdom to dictate our decisions this Election cycle. 

I have much more to say in the days ahead. Till then, Expect Greater! 

D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently released his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

Still We Rise! Highlights from the Justice Summit

“There is but one coward on earth, and that is the coward that dare not know.”                     -W.E.B. Du Bois, Dusk of Dawn

This year, Black History month has taken on a new depth of meaning. I’ve always endeavored to try new things but there are moments in your life that bring clarity to your calling and bring awareness to what you’ve been called to accomplish. Anything of significance was never accomplished with the masses but with a small group. Facebook was conceived in the dorm of Harvard. PayPal was an idea to play around with currency and Apple existed to make computers a necessity. They didn’t exist for the masses, but a few dedicated and passionate people. All of this comes to mind when I ponder about our gathering from last night. 
Around mid-2009, I began to pray and think about what’s next. I noticed that we were approaching a tipping point in culture and everything was changing swiftly. During my time of prayer, I began to draft a set of ideas concerning the future of the church. We were on the verge of the second decade of the second millennium and I sensed that there was a need to have more of a conversation that just wasn’t happening in my context. 

In 2010, our ministry launched something called the Kingdom Summit, which was a way to bring various thinkers and leaders together in a forum format and discuss ideas. Over the years, we brought College professors, pastors, emerging leaders and thinkers together to see how we grapple with faith and culture. This initial launch also resulted in the genesis of the Global Alliance, our network for ministry and marketplace leaders committed to cutting edge leadership and innovation. 

Last year, my team and I rebranded these sessions into The Summit Series, a gathering of thinkers. What we envision is a village where we share ideas, concepts and strategies that affect us from the neighborhood to the nations. When we first started GLOBAL, I was given the following mandate, “Your assignment is not to build a church in the city, but to establish a community in the world.” This catapulted us into maximizing the most feasible means of technology to touch the world. Today, the world is a global village and social media has enabled us to be in all the world at the click of a button. 

Yesterday, we hosted our first Justice Summit and our response was overwhelming. We were able to live stream our sessions and engage in Q&A via social media, providing equal opportunity for anyone to share from anywhere. Our theme was, “Black Lives Matter or Do They?” We used this as a canvas to discuss a myriad of issues pertinent to the times. We knew instinctively that we wouldn’t have all of the answers but we would provide our audience with questions, causing them to think critically about the times we’re in. This resulted in a powerful exchange of ideas and the ability to touch on issues in our every day life. What touched me was that over 90% of our audience were Millennials, under 35, engaging in thoughtful conversation. This blessed me as we embarked upon distinguished thought leadership. 

Here’s a few highlights from last night: 

“Your STATUS doesn’t change the status!”

“It’s time to ACTIVATE our Activism!” 

“As Millennials, we are self absorbed, self centered, and self driven.” 

“We have issues with Authority. What we need is a change of culture and to be a PROACTIVE community rather than a REACTIVE community!” 

“Progression has made us punks. We’re too busy on the treadmill. Moving fast, but going nowhere. The Gospel has to be social.” 

These are just a few tweets from our gathering. You can watch some of the footage here: http://youtu.be/ItbbzANODXE

We’ll be doing a follow up this Spring. 

Would love your thoughts, comments and suggestions! 

  
D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently wrote his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/).

The Power of Mentorship

The Power of Mentorship
“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 4:15)

Today would’ve been my Grandfathers 77th birthday. He was a senior statesman, a prolific preacher, and a devoted family man. He and I my grandmother were married over 50 years. But most of all, he was my hero and taught me so many things that have matured me into where I am today. Three years ago, he transitioned into Heaven and am so grateful for his Impartation in my life. His life and legacy lives on in my life and ministry, as I proudly teach the principles he embedded me since my inception. This year, I decided to dedicate a post in honor of his birthday. 

Sometimes you don’t realize how blessed you are until you look back. Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life is lived forward, but only understood backward.” Three years ago, I had no idea I would be where I am now. My grandfathers swift transition brought a swarm of challenges and struggles that none of us thought we’d be able to endure. However, by God’s grace we are now stronger than ever! Our ministry has emerged from the ashes and we are positioning ourselves to make even progress in the days ahead. Many people today watch my sermons and have no idea how I got where I am. I’m a fifth generation preacher and I remember climbing on my grandfathers lap as a toddler telling him, “Grandpa, one day I’m going to be the pastor.” He’d smile and laugh and we both watched in awe as that seed began to germinate. 

In 2002, at 10 years old I was licensed as a minister. This resulted in him driving around town and in the South conducting three and five night revivals. He always pushed me, nurtured me and cultivated my gifting. At 12, he encouraged me to take my studies even more seriously and challenged me to write a sermon a day. This task was grueling at times but by my 17th birthday I had written dozens of messages and had even began publishing books. We’d be up for hours and he would work with me on my timing, how to pronounce my words and to develop cadence in my delivery. Every weekend, we would “burn the midnight oil” as he would call it and watch CNN and other news outlets to watch how they would speak. He’d often remind me, “The call to preach is the call to preparation.” With that, if I scored under 80 in any class, my engagements were cancelled! This set me on a path to graduate high school a few semesters early and even enabled me to tour Europe as a student ambassador my junior year. 

In 2006, at barely 15, he called me in the kitchen one night and said, “The conference wants to ordain you.” I had NO idea that would happen and began another season of grooming and preparation to be tested for ordination. I passed and my entire council was over 65. Those seasoned men invested in me, encouraged me and pushed me in all of my ministry endeavors. After ordination, he sent me to Coney Island to aid a pastor who had cancer and wasn’t able to come to church. I became the pulpit supply pastor there and preached regularly, resulting in the growth of that church within a span of a few months. After that, he sent me to another church a few years later and I plowed there while helping him at home in Brownsville. In 2008, I sensed the Lord calling me to embark upon something different. At the time, I had no idea that it would result into a church. I just knew that I had a passion for media and wanted to share the gospel and my sermons online and through social media. This was unheard of in my context and although many were reluctant, he supported me. Eventually our meetings grew into services and he constantly supported and went everywhere I did. He pushed me to do what God called me to do and never neglected to say how proud he was. He spared no expense to sow into my ministry, sending me to conferences, classes, and seminars to enhance my gift. In 2011, he summoned me back home and asked me to be closer, ultimately resulting in me preaching for him full time until his demise. Out of that 11 year apprenticeship, I grew tremendously. Each time we sat, he would pour wisdom into me that carries me till this day. 

I remember when he was in the hospital and I knew his time was coming to a close, he told me to get my oil and anoint him and to pray over him. I was so humbled that I cried as I poured oil over him and prayed for him. That had never happened before. He taught me what a real ministry father is like. He modeled what integrity was like and he showed me what to do and what not to do. 

This June, I turn 25 years old and celebrate over 15 years of ministry. I’ve spent almost 10 years in a pastoral capacity, and I have been preaching since I was a toddler. I would NOT be where I am if it were not for his wisdom and mentorship. His wisdom has taught me so much and has guided me during a season of major change and transition. 

In honor of his legacy, I’m launching a new project specifically targeted for those with a calling to preach or to study scripture at a deeper level. We will share ideas, grow together, read books and develop a community. My grandfathers greatest gift to me was his library. I’ve found refuge and strength from reading his preaching notes, and learning from some of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. Mentorship is so important on this journey. His wisdom, insight and legacy live in me and in the lives I lead at GLOBAL. I am indebted to his sacrifice and because of it, his ceiling has become my floor. 

  If you’d like more information about The Masters Class, contact us directly at http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). We’ll be hosting our first Live Conference Call on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 7:00PM. Contact us for more details. Let’s learn together! 

D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently his new book, *Color Outside The Lines* this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

Maximizing Your 2016!

Welcome to 2016! 

Despite everything that has happened, it’s a Brand New Day! New Years is always exciting and special for me because it forces me to embark upon new challenges, ideas and strategies. Although I’m a stickler for goal setting, I know how painful it feels to look in the mirror after all the resolutions you’ve set and see that the weight didn’t drop, the money was still spent and some of the ideas didn’t come through. We all know how crazy it is to feel disappointed! 

Nevertheless, you still have to pick up the pieces and keep on fighting! Some things take longer to do and require extended timelines and won’t always be accomplished in a year. Therefore, I believe that in order to maximize your 2016, it’s better to be strategic than to allow things to just fall into place. We all will  live our lives by default or design. Once we become intentional then we will see results! Here are a few things to consider in order to maximize your New Year: 

1. What do you SEE? Vision is absolutely essential to sustain anything you intend on accomplishing. Do you have a Vision for your life? What is your intended destination? Have you done an internal audit? Oftentimes we’re still trying to complete goals that are totally irrelevant to our present season. Have you dusted off your old dreams and looked over your past mistakes??? What does success look like now for you?? Please be realistic. Some things require our due diligence to look at certain areas in our lives to determine, am I fruitful? In order to maximize your 2016, you must have a Vision for your Life! Vision trumps everything! It sets direction, builds consistency and establishes boundaries. A person with vision is arrested by it and establishes discipline to accomplish its agenda. 

2. How are your relationships? As a pastor, I’m frequented with Prayer Requests. When I took time to read through some recently, I noticed a pattern. Most of them dealt with either Relationship issues (Husband/Wife/Son/Daughter), Health issues or Money issues. Think about that. Relationships, Health and Finances. It then became apparent to me that if I tackle these issues we would see more people become at peace in their lives! Sooo what’s your vision for your relationships this year? Is your parent still alive? How many dates are you taking them on this year? How often will you call your aunt who is widowed to check on her? How often will take your children to do something new and experience it with them? If your married, when’s the last time you took a vacation to somewhere different? Or, went to a new Restaraunt? What about that sibling who doesn’t talk to anybody? What do you SEE in your relationships? Do you have a prayer list for your family and friends? Let’s not get too crazy with cutting people off this year and learn how to COMMUNICATE with the people that God sends us! A good friend of mines once told me, “God blesses us with some people and challenges us with others.” Are you throwing away a healthy challenge? Build your Relational Capacity this Year!

3. Do you have a vision for your Personal Development? What are you doing to ENHANCE YOU this Year?! How is this Year REALLY going to be different? What are the Top 3 books you will dissect in 2016? Last year, I read over 125 books. However, this year I’m going to read far fewer books but spend more time DISSECTING them. Skimming isn’t reading! You have to develop the discipline to extract principles and make them applicable to your life! What about your health? Your finances? A vision for your personal development is MAJOR because you’re able to track exactly how you made progress. For example, every 90 days I review, discern and check my steps. I’ve been doing this consistently the last 6 years. I’ve been journaling consistently the last 11 years. I document everything! I once read in a book that this is what separates the wealthy from those less affluent. Noted author and coach Keith Cameron Smith once said that the very poor think day to day, poor think week to week, middle class think month to month, rich think year to year, and the very rich decade to decade. Do you have a vision for your personal development???

In essence, I hope that this Year brings great favor and great lessons. Things happen. It won’t happen overnight but if you take these steps I guarantee that your year will be much sharper because of your consistency. And as I’ve said for the last few year, Stop making RESOLUTIONS and start a REVOLUTION! 

Take some time and craft a Vision for Your Life, a Vision for Your Relationships and a Vision for Your Personal Development. 

Happy New Year! Want to download the Vision Worksheet! Visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

It’ll be uploaded later today! Stay in touch! I’d be happy to serve you! 

D. A. Sherron is the founder and senior pastor of Global Fire International, and the convener of the Global Alliance in Brooklyn, New York. His messages are broadcasted weekly with a digital audience of over 75,000. A bridge builder, his ministry blends theology, history, and technology into a creative Kingdom enterprise. He recently his new book, Color Outside The Lines this Winter. For more information, visit http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/). 

The Force of Love

  This weekend, as we commemorate Father’s Day, it is indeed bittersweet. All week long, our nation has gone through a roller coaster of emotions. From the sound of celebration and frustration during the NBA Finals, to the horror, despair and fear from Charleston, all in less than 48 hours. 
We have been through so much in the last year, yet the question remains, “Where do we go from here?”
As I prepare to mount the pulpit tomorrow, my heart is riddled with so much anguish. So many are wounded, afraid and grieved at our current events. Every Friday evening at our church we gather corporately for a time of prayer, exhortation and testimonies. Last night was different. Before we did anything, I opened the floor for anyone who wanted to share about how they’ve felt concerning the tragedy that occurred this week. What began as a small discussion erupted into a flood of heartfelt and raw emotions, indicative that as a people, the wounds of racism, terrorism, and even persecution have resurfaced. In Kenya, we have several pastors connected to us. A few months ago, there was a shooting at a Christian school in Kenya which killed over 150 students. I’ll never forget the day one of the pastors called me crying and I couldn’t help but weep, trying to comfort as best I could. 

Little did I know that a crisis was coming so close to home. We have seen a lot in the last year, from Ferguson, to Eric Gardner, to Freddie Gray and countless others but this brings another degree of fear: the church. 

As a fifth generation African American preacher, the Church means everything to me. I’ve been in church my entire life, and have been preaching since a toddler, yet the horror of someone coming into a bible study or a prayer meeting with that intention is troubling. Similar to Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, I’ve done everything in ministry at a significantly younger age than most of my peers. This also caused me to be reflective, realizing that life is short, and we are here on assignment. I’m in awe of how God used him so strongly in a short span of 41 years. His legacy speaks a volume of words. In our context, bible study gatherings are significantly smaller than Sunday services and give people a chance to share and bond with each other. This was a time of fellowship, and it was interrupted by a strand of bullets. 

Looking ahead, my heart grieves for the Emmanuel AME Church, and the families all affected by this tragedy. There is a spirit of murder, anger, and rage that has escalated in recent times and it has reawakened our nation to the challenges that exist for public safety, prejudice and racism. It is also a clarion call for us to prayer. All week long, Psalm 91:1 has been my comfort and shield. We cannot and must not allow the seeds of hatred to cause us to build walls against each other and not bridges.  

In closing, I recently watched a movie in my seminary class called, *“Romero.”* It’s a powerful film chronicling the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was killed inside of his cathedral for boldly coming against the government for mass genocide in their nation. It’s been 35 years since his assassination and yet his words speak more relevant today than ever before: 

“For the church, the many abuses of human life, liberty, and dignity are a heartfelt suffering. As holy defender of God’s rights and of his images, the church must cry out. It takes as spittle in its face, as lashes on its back, as the cross in its passion, all that human beings suffer, even though they be unbelievers. They suffer as God’s images. There is no dichotomy between man and God’s image. Whoever tortures a human being, whoever abuses a human being, whoever outrages a human being abuses God’s image, and the church takes as its own that cross, that martyrdom.” -Oscar A. Romero, The Violence of Love

May we lift up our Crosses and boldly proclaim the Gospel to a world that is hurting, afraid, and wearied. This is a time for us to **LOVE** boldly, unapologetically, and forcefully. 
Tomorrow, I pray that on Fathers Day, we are reminded of the love of our Heavenly Father and how he is with us through it all. 

P. S. Last week, I shared a message entitled Unashamed. 

Expect Greater! 
D. A. Sherron

http://www.globalfirenow.com (http://www.globalfirenow.com/)

http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/) 

From Tragedy to Triumph: 24 Lessons I’ve Learned in the Past 24 Months

“It takes a long time to grow young.”
~ Pablo Picasso

Today is my Birthday! 
I am ABSOLUTELY blown away by the things God has done, is doing, and shall do in my life. 

This morning, I woke up with so much peace. I’m humbled to serve so many every day. Life is an adventure, everyday is a new destination, we grow moment by moment and step by step. As I get older, I’ve come to appreciate growing up here the adage,* “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.”* 
Every year, I reboot and I look over my life, personal dreams, goals, and aspirations. I look over projects or future ideas for the ministry, and I even re-evaluate my effectiveness. The paradox of social media is that we’re always busy, although it doesn’t mean that we’re effective. Therefore, at least once a month, every quarter, six months and a year, I do some hard reflection and ask tough questions. 

This week, I was privileged to sit in a lecture with Dr. A. R. Bernard. After the lecture, I had a chance to ask him a few questions privately. He is a Sage, and one of the main things he shared was, “Always define what success looks like for you. Think longevity. As you do, you’ll redefine it as you grow.” There was a lot more shared but that nugget forced me to think deeply. As a millennial, I echo the existential argument of my generation, “What is real? Does what I do matter?” Although I am a pastor and a student, I always return to this question every year on June 5. Does what I’m doing right now really matter? It is the desire for meaning that strikes all of us who seek to better our world. 

This last year has been a time of revolution, upheaval, and transition. We’ve seen Ferguson, Eric Gardner, Freddie Gray, the tragic departure of Myles Munroe, the swift passing of the legendary Andrae Crouch, and then during Passion Week the lives of modern day heroes Robert Schuller, William Bonner and Gardner Taylor. Think about it. All of that in less than 365 days! This has caused me to search deeply, to discern next steps and how I can serve my generation and other young African American men like me who exist to make a difference. 
Granted, I don’t have answers but I am asking a lot of questions. Questions that I believe will transform my life, ministry and the mandate God has given me. These last two years have tested me in ways I didn’t even think was possible. But God has been faithful, providing every single step of the way. So I’m humbled to know that I’m starting all over again, learning, studying, praying and searching for solutions to society’s greatest ills. 
In closing, I decided to include 24 lessons that have guided me these 24 months. Although these nuggets may seem elementary, they’ve helped me navigate the sifting tide around me. I’ve come to rely and pursue wisdom and it has served me well. I hope some of these nuggets touch you like they have me. 
24 Principles on My 24th Birthday
1. The world is BIGGER than your Box. EXPOSURE is KEY! 
2. The Box is an illusion and when stuck in one refer to rule 1.

3. Every new environment has its own rules: written and unwritten.

4. Just because someone says they’re happy to see you, doesn’t mean they are. DISCERNMENT

5. Be confident in who you are. Your identity is firmly rooted in Christ, not your reputation. 

6. Everyone who says they’re your friend is not your friend.

7. Sometimes those closest to you will not get it until they see it. Stay FOCUSED.

8. Your World is your Classroom. Every person has a lesson. Pay attention to them, and learn the lesson. Listen! 

9. People need to know you care more than anything else. Show Compassion. 

10. Your LIFE is the greatest sermon others will see. Make mistakes but do what’s right. Character. 

11. Learn. Unlearn. Relearn. 

12. There will be haters but don’t bark back. 

13. Read voraciously. Ignorance is a sin in a culture of information.

14. Your sermon is finished once you sit down. Go back to the drawing board. DILIGENCE 

15. Prayer is your lifeline. You’re an Intercessor first. Model it. 

16. Live simply, so that others can simply live. 

17. Be You and be proud of it.

18. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few and let those few be well tried before giving them your confidence.” -George Washington 

19. Tears isn’t weakness its humanity and mourn with those that mourn.

20. People fear what they don’t understand. Don’t question your calling because they’re confused!

21. Three things destroy a preacher: Power, Money and Sex. Know your vices and be careful.

22. It’s all about the Kingdom. You’re called to BUILD Bridges, not Walls. 

23. You’re young and got a lot ahead. Don’t trip if it doesn’t go as planned. 

24. Always stay humble! Humpty Dumpty fell because his head got too big!

Which ones touched you? Share it with me. You have any others? Let’s create a conversation. 

  Expect Greater! 
D. A. Sherron 

Pastor. Entreprenuer. Artist. 

http://www.dasherron365.com (http://www.dasherron365.com/) 

http://www.globalfirenow.com (http://www.globalfirenow.com/) 

Here’s one of our recent messages that blessed me! https://youtu.be/tGRFdDflaBI