Several individuals like to say Black Westchester airs Mount Vernon’s dirty laundry out for the public to see and never writes anything good about the city. One if they read Black Westchester they would see plenty of positive articles about the City of Mount Vernon and its residents. But two not calling out the bad won’t make it go away because we do not discuss it. Working on the print edition of BW I have been focusing more and more on the county, and less of the daily soap opera in Mount Vernon, but there are somethings that should not be overlooked and persons that should be called out. Like, say a Black Pastor who used to be the President of the United Black Clergy publicly making fun of a sitting State Senator’s lazy eye on Facebook and then laughing about it on the phone when questioned about it. That’s one of those things that should not be overlooked and someone who needs to be called out.

24 hours after endorsing County Executive Rob Astorino for re-election, Bishop Collie Nathan Edwers, Pastor of Friendship Worship Center (261 E Lincoln Ave, Mt Vernon) responding to criticism that he ‘sold his soul,’ on Facebook, he responds, “What you do about cross-eyed George, sir?” Now he has the right to support who he wants, but when he does he should be man enough to take the criticism that goes with it. What I do not expect is to see him on Facebook, publicly making fun on an elected official who is running against the candidate he endorsed. We all say things in anger, maybe he didn’t stop and think what he wrote, that may have been more believable if he hadn’t got caught laughing about the statement on the phone when asked about it. You can hear the conversation below for yourself.

My brother, I call you out because you are a hypocrite. You preach the words of Jesus and then publicly do the opposite. I have had long conversations with you and you were quick to criticize others especially for their public negative statement about others, but then you pull this. You have shown yourself to be the reason why many people run from the church because of hypocritical pastors like you who preach one thing and do another. Do as I say not as I do, dos not work in ministry. Since you are quick in many of our conversation to tell me what the bible says on a particular subject, let’s see what it says about making fun of others.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV – Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Romans 2:1 ESV – Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Matthew 6:1-3 ESV – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

2 Kings 2:23-24 ESV – He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.

Proverbs 3:34 ESV – Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Proverbs 19:29 ESV – Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 7:12 ESV – “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

John 15:13-22 ESV – Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you so that you will love one another.

There are many other verses I could have included as well. The bible tells us not to judge one another, so in my expression of disapproval of your words and actions, I will try to keep that in mind. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say anything to you. My silence may be taken as approval and I do not approve of your actions. I was taught if someone errors in public they should be corrected in public.

I am left wondering, does the congregation approve of your comments. Does the County Exec who proudly should with you 24 hours earlier and accepted your endorsement, does he agree with you and approve of your actions? You have preschool, that receives money from the city, do those who you receive money approve? Do the parents of the children that attend your preschool, do they approve? What about the ecumenical community, do they view your actions favorably? What about the United Black Clergy that looked to you as their president, do they approve?

My brother and I will be sure you see these words via, email, text etc, I pray for you. I am displeased with your actions and they do not line up with your words you preach. I believe you owe the Senator, the democratic party, the public and your congregation and anyone else who has ever looked to you for guidance a public apology. I am not a saint by no means, nor do I pretend to be, no one who has ever walked this earth other than Jesus Christ is. But I am also not the pastor of a church and arguably one of the more prominent pastors in the city and county. The bible does tell us in Romans 3:23, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ So I do not expect you to never make a mistake, but now what are you going to do about it Man of God? Will you correct your error or continue from this point to be why people run from the church, the choice is yours?

Maybe next time, you can spend your Saturdays more wisely preparing the Word for Sunday service. I’m Just Saying… WE need to do better. REAL TALK!