Love Makes the Difference: Remembering Bishop "Bob" Thomas

(The following is a reprint of the Obituary from the Home Going Celebration of one of our beloved leaders)

Bishop Robert Thomas, Jr. The Journey

April 20, 1925-August 18, 2007

The Early Years

Robert Thomas, Jr. was born April 20, 1925 to the union of Reverend Robert Thomas, Sr. and Missionary Lucille Shorter Thomas, in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated in the public schools of Chicago. He attended Roosevelt University and Chicago Theological Seminary. Young Robert was an outstanding musician and was known throughout Chicago for his gift of playing the trumpet. He was born into African Methodism and spent his childhood at the feet of his father, who was the pastor of Coppin African Methodist Episcopal Church and later became a Presiding Elder in the Chicago Conference. His mother was an avid missionary leader and served God and the church as an Episcopal Supervisor and Second Vice President of the Connectional Women's Missionary Society. She was the President of the Chicago Conference Women's Missionary Society. Their unusual commitment to God and to the African Methodist Episcopal Church inspired Robert Thomas Jr. to always give his best in service. This was clearly demonstrated in how he served as a Pastor as well as a Bishop.

His Ministry as a Pastor

Bishop Thomas accepted the call to the Christian Ministry in April 1946, and was admitted on trial to the Chicago Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop John Andrew Gregg. He was elected and ordained a Deacon in 1948 and an Elder in 1950. Both ordinations were by Bishop George Wilbur Baber. H is Pastoral Ministry was set in motion and "Love Makes the Difference" become his personal and professional credo.

His appointments were:

Bethel, Hammond, Indiana, 1949-1953. Under his leadership the membership increased from 29 to 90. He led the congregation in the building of new a church arid the purchase of a parsonage.

Trinity, Waukegan, Illinois, 1953-1960. During his tenure the membership increased from 143 to 502. He led the congregation in the building of a new edifice and the purchase of a new parsonage.

Arnett Chapel, Chicago, Illinois, 1960-1963. His three-year tenure was characterized by his involvement not only in the church but in the Morgan Park Community.

Bethel, Chicago 1963-1972. Historic Bethel Church welcomed the thirty-eight year old pastor with open arms. Together pastor and people completed the task of remodeling the church and the building of a new educational facility, which boasted a huge multi-purpose room, offices, commercial kitchen, and classrooms. While serving as the pastor of Bethel, Reverend Thomas, affectionately known as Pastor Bob, served as President of the NAACP and was appointed by Mayor Richard J. Daley, Chair of the Chicago Commission on Youth Welfare. He also established a very successful day care center that served children of mothers and fathers who needed a safe place to leave their children. This agency provided employment for many people.

Ebenezer, Detroit, Michigan 1972-1988. Ebenezer, the great church in the Motor City, was a challenge for Thomas. It was a huge gothic structure. Ebenezer, at the time of his pastorate, paid the highest General Budget in the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church. In spite of large obligations, this great church worked hard to fulfill the dream of their pastor in his desire to serve as a Bishop of the Church. After 16 years of pastoral care to Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Robert Thomas, Jr. was elected and consecrated the 107th Bishop of the Church at the General Conference of 1988 in Fort Worth, Texas.

In every community where Pastor Bob served, he had a commitment to making a positive difference. He was intimately involved with the people and he was dedicated to lifting fallen spirits. His influence led to young people turning from a life of crime. In one instance, there was a break in and much of the church's office equipment was stolen. When the young people in the neighborhood discovered the "goods" had come from the church Pastor Bob served, they returned all the equipment. "Love Makes the Difference."

His Ministry as a Presiding Bishop

Immediately following his election and consecration as the 107th Bishop, the now Bishop Thomas, was assigned to the 15th Episcopal District which encompasses the Cape Province of South Africa, and Namihia in Southwest Africa. He and Mother Beverly served there from 1988-1992.

Bishop Thomas moved to Cape Town and hecatne the Chief Pastor. He was appointed at a time in the history of South Africa when the people were struggling with apartheid. He insisted that his people be treated equally, whether "coloured" or "black", and never backed down from things he knew to be wrong. He was the man for the hour. "Love Makes the Difference."

In 1992, he was assigned to the 8th Episcopal District, which covers the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. In this assignment, as in all others, Bishop Thomas gave untiring leadership. He developed a major stewardship initiative that led to the expansion of Bonner-Campbell College. The much improved facilities enabled the district to hold many educational activities on their own property. His dedication and wisdom led to many church expansions and greater youth involvement. Under his leadership the 8th Episcopal District hosted many very successful connectional meetings. "Love Makes the Difference."

In 1996, the Episcopal Committee granted the wishes of the 4th District and assigned their favorite son to his home district. Bishop Thomas did not disappoint the people who had worked for his election. He presided fairly, justly and always with love. The people responded in kind and the church grew. It was his custom to always share with the less fortunate. He met the needs of the people whether it was a new roof for the church or books for a class. "Love Makes the Difference."

His Ministry in Retirement

When Bishop Thomas ended his active years of being pastor and Presiding Bishop, his ministry did not end. He was given the opportunity to preach for many districts and churches.

When he was not preaching, he could be found in his pew at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a faithful member and an ardent supporter of his pastor, the Reverend H. Michael Lemmons. Throughout his Pastoral and Episcopal Ministry, he dedicated himself to proclaiming the gospel of love. "Love Does Make the Difference."

His Family

Robert Thomas, Jr. was united in marriage to Deressa Jones Thomas, December 25th, 1946. She shared in his ministry until December 28th, 1979, when the Lord called her from labor to reward. They had one daughter, Patricia Rayford, who died in July 29, 2001. Blessed be her memory.

The Lord blessed Bishop Thomas with another partner in ministry in the person of Beverly Adams Williams. Mother Beverly is a gifted musician, artist, educational administrator and committed missionary. It was the faithfulness of Beverly that added additional years of joy and happiness to the life of Bishop Thomas. It was also her care and commitment that made Bishop Thomas' last days peaceful. They were husband and wife for twenty-five years.

The Bishop leaves to rejoice in his memory his wife, Beverly; three grandchildren, Robert Hendon, Rev. Robyn Henclon (Marcus) Tabb, and Jason (Tasha) Rayford; six great-grandchildren, Maxmillian, Marcus Jr., Michael, Jaylen, Dorian, and Lauryn; sisters-in-law, Opralee Beatty and Cynthia Adams Carter and a hosts of extended family and friends.

"And now abideth faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

I Corinthians 13:13 Love Made the Difference

The Stage or the Pulpit?

(The pulpit and the altar shortly after being "discovered" by the demolition crew.)

Recently, our congregation undertook the task of renovating our Fellowship Hall. Macedonia AMEC is the oldest Black church in the city of Camden, N.J. (1833) and the present building sits on land that was purchased with the help of Bishop Morris Brown. As the construction crew began the demolition by removing the stage, they encountered an unexpected find. Hidden beneath it was a pulpit surrounded by a beautiful mahogany altar! Not even our oldest members had ever heard that there was a pulpit buried beneath the stage in the Fellowship Hall.

Since this “discovery,” I’ve been troubled by a nagging and persistent question: How does a congregation forget that there is a pulpit and an altar buried beneath the stage?

Then it occurred to me that this discovery is not too different from the experience of Josiah and the builders in II Chronicles 34. In the text, renovations are underway in the Temple when the workers “stumble” upon a scroll containing the Word of God that had been lost. Think about the irony of that statement: The Word of God was lost inside the Temple! How do the priests and the lay leadership ever get to a place where the Word gets lost in the building where the Word is to be proclaimed?

What did they preach in those days when the Word was lost? Maybe they preached the prosperity message of Baal. Maybe they preached the situational ethics put forth by the Ashteroth poles. Maybe they just preached what people wanted to hear. In any event, when the Word was found, Josiah had enough good sense to lead the people back to God by following the precepts found in it. At least for his generation, this discovery led to a time of spiritual renewal.

Could this be a Word for African Methodism today? Could this historic find be God’s way of communicating to us? Could it be that in too many places, we are not growing because we have built stages over the pulpit and the altar? On the stage, humankind is the central player, humankind writes the script, humankind gives the direction, and humankind plays the tune. In other words, when we put stages in the place of pulpits, we elevate our needs and wants, while God is pushed aside until the Word can no longer be found in the Temple.

If it was true for Josiah that spiritual rebirth occurred only by returning to the old landmark, then possibly our resurrection as a denomination in places where we are currently experiencing drought and stagnation, is just as simple: tear down the stage and put back the pulpit! In the pulpit and the altar, God is central, God writes the script, God gives the direction, and God plays the tune. In the pulpit and the altar, the power is not in fund raising via chicken dinners and fish fries, slick P/R campaigns, nor annual days. Empowerment, instead, is found in trusting in the power and the presence of an almighty God, represented by the pulpit and the altar.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,

Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary.

Announcement as Candidate for AMEC Historiographer

(The following was posted in the Online Version of the AMEC Christian Recorder on August 8, 2007)

STUDY OF HISTORY IS NOT DEAD AND DRY, SAYS DR. MARK TYLER:

Thank you for making these few lines available to share my passion for preserving the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) with the readership of the Christian Recorder. Unfortunately, too many people in our society regard the study of history as a dead and dry science. However, the study of the history of the AMEC is not dead nor is it dry. In fact, it is the story of God’s saving activity among a people, often with their backs against the wall. One cannot tell the story of African Methodism in the United States, Africa, and beyond without telling the story of God continually bringing us out safely.

The problem with spiritual amnesia is made clear in the Book of Judges. Throughout the book, the people of God continue to find themselves in trouble because they forget. When they forget, they worship strange new gods, they adopt the wicked ways of their neighbors, and they become powerless over their enemies. Each time they forget their own divine history, they are led into disobedience and rebellion. Yet, they are saved by remembering. Whenever they remember to call on the name of the Lord, their God, they are delivered. Forgetting leads to destruction, yet remembering leads to salvation. Mr. Editor, this is a word for African Methodism.

In order that we might remember, I am running for the office of Historiographer of the AMEC. If elected in 2008 at the General Conference, with God’s help, I plan to implement the following program:

1. Build the Official Archives of the AMEC to house our most important documents, including a special holding for the papers of our Bishops, General Officers, Pastors, Laity, and other notable persons (The artists rendering in the photo above is one proposal for an archive generated by Rev. Jeffery Leath and the members of Mother Bethel AMEC, Philadelphia)
2. Commission the most exceptional scholars to write the most current volume of the History of the AMEC
3. Produce a DVD/VHS series documenting the history of the AMEC that will be available for use in New Member Orientation, Black History Month, and for other appropriate usages
4. Make the AME Review available in an online format
5. Create an ongoing dialogue with scholars concerned with the history of the AMEC

Many of the problems we face in our Church today can be tied directly to our collective amnesia. Maybe, we are so ready to preach the newest and latest theology from what we’ve seen on television simply because we’ve forgotten that before prosperity theology, we believed in a theology of Black Liberation (that would ultimately lead to a greater prosperity for all the people, not just the pastor!). When we forget, we rely more on fundraising than tithing. When we forget, we close our doors to hurting communities and become selective on whom we seek as new members. When we forget, we run the risk of rebelling against God and being alienated from God’s power.

But when we remember that we have not come all this way by ourselves, but that it was by the strong hand of God, then God becomes an active agent on our behalf. When we remember to call on God, our pews will fill again. When we remember to call on God, we won’t be reliant on the fish fry and the chicken dinner to bring us out. When we remember to call on God, people will have to compete for parking spaces in the lot and seats in the pews. If we, as a denomination, are to remain relevant and effective in this new millennium, we must remember to call on the name of the Lord!

If the AMEC elects me as the next Historiographer, I won’t forget!

Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D.
Candidate for the office of Historiographer, 2008
Pastor, Macedonia AMEC, Camden, New Jersey