Dr Boyce: Should Black Pastors Stay inside the Church?

As a college professor, I have regularly challenged black scholars to step outside the walls of the ivory tower to engage the black community. Sometimes, the purity of our chosen profession can lead us to feel that sharing our skill set with the world dilutes the quality of our work. I do not agree. Intelligence means nothing if it is not accompanied by courage, creativity and compassion for other human beings.

The same can be said about spirituality. Jesus was not a man who stayed inside the walls of his church, selfishly enjoying the spirit of God. He did not get so obsessed with the bureaucracy and goals of the church that he forgot about the infinite power that God provides when achieving a greater good. While many pastors yell and scream from the pulpit, some have forgotten that old expression, "What would Jesus do?"

Pastor Adepoju Oyemade brings such a spirit to the people of Nigeria and they love him for doing so.

I met "Pastor Poju" during a recent trip to Nigeria. I was immediately impressed with the manner by which the pastor has utilized recent freedoms in the country to take God to the people. But he has not only taken God to the people, he has used the power of free enterprise to introduce them to a whole new world. His semi-annual event, called "The Platform," is one of the most celebrated events in the entire country. The pastor brings together 20,000 citizens of Lagos, Nigeria and teaches them the value of entrepreneurship and tools for running a successful business. His work in the community earns him respect, and it is the kind of work that should be used as an economic development model for black pastors and business owners throughout the world.

Q: Tell us about "The Platform." Where did the idea come from and what gave you the passion to pursue it?

A: "The Platform" is a fair geared to challenge and stimulate our thought processes to recognize the vast opportunities available in the land. We believe that there will be a time whereby individuals come to see the gold mine lying at their feet in various industries.

The passion to pursue and drive it comes from the belief that we have a responsibility and that the body of Christ is meant to be a catalyst for change in society and to be reckoned with, not just a "religious" organization that is not relevant in present day society. With that at the back of my mind, we introduced "The Platform" as one of the projects of the church because we believe it will be an instrument of great change and revolution in our immediate environment and the community at large.

Q: What is the ultimate goal of "The Platform"? How do you feel it helps other members of the community?

The ultimate aim of "The Platform" is to introduce a new breed of entrepreneurs, executives, students, thinkers and the like into the society that operate on a higher frequency, thereby bringing the needed change and momentum into their fields and causing the necessary revolution in the arena of business, politics, economics and the larger society.

I believe that it helps members of the Nigerian society connect with businessmen and women that have had a tremendous impact in their various areas of specialty. It introduces them and exposes them to the necessary knowledge that provokes them to reassess their current positions and cause them to discover ways of doing things better but also of being better as individuals and in their areas of expertise as well. It introduces them to another world that they may have only dreamed about or imagined, but that is not as difficult to gain entrance into as they had earlier thought.

Q: How has Nigeria changed over the past 15 years? Is it better or worse? If so, how?

Nigeria has changed politically in that it has gone from a military style of governance to a civil one. This does not imply total democracy in the Western sense of defining democracy, but it is civilian governance intertwined with the culture of Africans. However, the more important factors are the changes occurring in the financial area, i.e. the way its economy is shaping out, the free market system and the development of indigenous corporations. So things are much better now.

Black Spiritual Leaders

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders
People around the world look to pastors, preachers, bishops and reverends for spiritual guidance and inspirational nourishment. In the black community, popular clergymen such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Rev. Al Sharpton are held in high esteem and have much influence over congregations and countless followers alike. Take a look at them and other influential black spiritual leaders.

FilmMagic / Getty Images

Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter's House
AGE: 51 HOMETOWN: South Charleston, West Virginia ABOUT HIM: The entrepreneur and chief pastor of the The Potter's House, a 30,000 member non-denominational megachurch church in Dallas. FACTOID: Jakes, who was named among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders" by 'Time' magazine, has recorded Grammy- and Dove Award-nominated music projects. He also produced the movies 'Woman Thou Art Loosed' and 'Not Easily Broken.'

Michael Loccisano, FilmMagic

Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Trinity United Church of Christ
AGE: 67 HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ABOUT HIM: For 36 years, Wright was the Senior Pastor of the Chicago megachurch -- which boasted around 8,500 members. Controversial remarks made during his sermon shed negative light on the popular church, and one of its most well known parishioners: Illinois Senator and U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. FACTOID: Named one of 'Ebony' magazine's top 15 preachers, Wright has received a Rockefeller Fellowship and seven honorary doctorate degrees, including from Colgate University, Lincoln University, Valparaiso University, United Theological Seminary and Chicago Theological Seminary.

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Juanita Bynum, televangelist
AGE: 49 HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HER: A former beautician, flight attendant and drug abuser, Bynum transformed herself into one of the most popular celebrity clergywomen after being introduced to the masses by Bishop T.D. Jakes. With a highly rated TBN show and a thriving television ministry, she gained national attention in 2007 when her estranged husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks, III, allegedly attacked her in a hotel parking lot. FACTOID: Bynum, a best-selling recording artist and author, has crossed over into entertainment. In 2008, she starred on episodes of the hit ABC Family network TV series 'Lincoln Heights' and will also appear in the big movie adaptation of the off-Broadway musical 'Mama I Want To Sing,' alongside Ciara, Lynn Whitfield and Patti LaBelle.

Chad Buchanan, Getty Images

Bishop Eddie L. Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist
HOMETOWN: North Carolina ABOUT HIM: He first served as pastor in 1987 for a congregation consisting of just more than 300 members. Now the Lithonia, Georgia-based megachurch's membership has totaled to over 30,000 members. FACTOID: Long has authored numerous books, including 'What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs' and 'The Blessing in Giving.' The bishop is also featured on rapper Ludacris' latest album, 'Release Therapy,' and appeared on the hit Bravo reality show, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.'

Johnny Nunez, Wire Image

Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network
AGE: 54 HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, New York ABOUT HIM: Mostly recognized as a staunch civil rights activist for people of color, the former James Brown tour manager is the founder the National Action Network, a nonprofit, civil rights organization with over 40 active chapters nationwide. FACTOID: A 2004 U.S. Presidential candidate, the divorced father of two daughters has written a memoir (with Karen Hunter) hosted his own TV show (on TV One) and nationally syndicated radio program.

Ragozzino William, Getty Images

Bishop Noel Jones, City of Refuge Church
AGE: 57 HOMETOWN: Spanish Town, Jamaica ABOUT HIM: In 1994, Bishop Jones founded Noel Jones Ministries (NJM), formerly known as Jesus Alternative Ministries, in an effort to address religion's inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. His Gardenia, California-based church boasts 7,000 members. FACTOID: One of seven children born to Bishop Robert and Marjorie Jones, Bishop Jones attended St. Jago High School and went on to attain a B.S. in Theology from Aenon Bible College. He is the younger brother of entertainer Grace Jones.

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

Jamal Harrison Bryant, The Empowerment Temple
ABOUT HIM: Bryant founded Baltimore's Empowerment Temple in April 2000, which became the fastest growing church in the A.M.E. denomination with over 11,000 members. Prior to his role as pastor, he served as director of the NAACP's youth and college division. FACTOID: Despite dropping out of high school, Bryant later obtained a GED and went on to further his education, receiving a degree from Morehouse College, a masters of divinity from Duke University and doctorate in ministry. Today, his 'Power for Life' broadcast is heard weekly across the United States, the Caribbean, England and throughout the continent of Africa.

Reggie Anderson, Empowerment Temple

Pastor Cynthia Hale, Ray of Hope Christian Church
HOMETOWN: Roanoke, Virginia ABOUT HER: Hale is the founding and senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, which has an active membership of 5,000 and an average of 1,500 in worship each Sunday morning. FACTOID: In 2004, Hale established a mentorship program to assist in the spiritual as well as practical development of pastors and church leaders. She has been recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the greatest black women preachers in America.

Youtube.com

Bishop Larry Trotter, Sweet Holy Spirit Church
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HIM: Since 1981, Trotter has expanded his congregation at The Windy City's Sweet Holy Spirit Church from 22 members to over 5,000. FACTOID: In addition to his preaching ministry, Trotter is also an accomplished musician who was nominated for a Stellar Award in 2003 for his rendition of 'Jesus is the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me.'

Douglas C. Pizac, AP

Q: Many pastors stay in the church and do not go into the community. What makes you want to step outside your church to do work that relates to economic empowerment?

I personally believe that knowledge is power and the right type of focused knowledge makes individuals powerful and relevant to society. Remember that wisdom is the principal thing and the Bible urges us that with all our getting we should get understanding. Right knowledge, rightly applied, brings us the things we need in our society.

Q: What do you think African Americans can learn from the experiences of Nigerians in business and in life?

The saying that the grass is always greener has been proven to be untrue. The conditions under which the entrepreneurs in Nigeria operate are difficult to say the least, but if you examine them critically, these businesses are thriving and also making their mark in the global community.

The "never say die" spirit of the Nigerian businessman is something that I believe that African Americans can learn from us because the opportunities that they have seized and are building on are not in the most conducive business, social or political environment. Yet they pursue them with passion.

I also believe that Nigerians in general have a passion for knowledge and seek ways in which to boost their knowledge base in whatever area of endeavor they find themselves.

Q: What can Nigerians learn from African Americans?

African Americans have achieved major feats at various levels and sectors of the American society. One of the areas of business that they have excelled is in that of creating a strong brand. After many lessons learned, they have discovered and developed these brands and taken it to another level of the mega-brand whereby it is not just the individual profiting from the skills and knowledge acquired, but they have created very profitable businesses. The likes of Colin Powell, Fifty Cent, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Russell Simmons, Michael Jordan, Sean (Diddy) Combs, Jay-Z, etc. have all moved from only making money to becoming role models that use their influence to affect society and shape the lives of the next generation.

Q: What are the biggest misconceptions that Americans have of Nigeria?

The biggest misconception that Americans have of Nigeria is that it's a nation of fraudsters as a result of the infamous advance fee fraud that some citizens are involved with. With this comes the perception that Nigerians are a lazy lot. They also think that we are not as savvy in our world view as we really are, or exposed in terms of being on top of the latest technological advancements and developments in various fields.

Q: Anything else you'd like to share with our audience?

I personally look forward to working with the African American community in the development of Africa politically and economically. I think the African American community will find a high sense of purpose and fulfillment in working with Africans in skill transfer.

To learn more about "The Platform" and Pastor Adepoju Oyemade, please click here.

Dr Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University. For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com. To sign up to receive Dr Boyce's AOL Black Voices commentary directly to your email inbox, please click here.