Zera Today With Pastor Lorenzo Neal

As we come to the close of Black Heritage Month, I've discovered a pattern of history that doesn't seem to be authentic. I am finding that the Black History/Heritage narrative has been usurped and mainstreamed. Is it an injustice to the legacies we celebrate when the black history narrative is whitewashed? What can be done to have authentic heritage presented in this short month? Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of the day.

It's Black Heritage Month and we are once again celebrating black firsts and historical moments allocated to us by the majority. However in the midst of this month, there have been problems of black identity with politicians, celebrities, and even in the church arena. Who and what defines Black America and what role does the church have in preserving an ever diminishing Black identity? Join Dr. Neal for this and other topics of interest.

In two week's time, two megachurch pastors have seen the fatality of ministry. Pastor Davey Blackburn of Resonate Church in Indianapolis abruptly resigns from leading the church and the leadership decide to close the church, and in California, Pastor Jim Howard fatally shoots himself after losing a battle with mental health. Pastors face far too many challenges within and outside of their roles that lead to many fatal outcomes. Dr. Neal addresses this dark side of leadership in this broadcast.

With the growing number of ethical and moral violations within its ranks, to many in the Christian faith community, church leadership has become as contaminated as secular leadership. In their book "Overcoming the dark side of leadership, McIntosh and Rima present Christian leaders with guides to help them avert potential risks to their professional and personal lives. Dr. Neal addresses some of the moral and ethical issues that are becoming far too prevalent in today's churches.

The Lifetime Channel documentary "Surviving R Kelly" once again brought the scars of sexual exploitation to the front of Black American culture. The problem of sexual exploitation of children, women, and even some men has yet to be fully addressed by black churches. How can the black church be proactive in preventing sexual predators from joining it's ranks of leadership? Join Dr. Lorenzo Neal for a live broadcast of the show as he discucsses the latest topics of the day

It is now 2019 and many have made their resolutions to do better for 2019. Confidently starting the year off can be a great thing if it is supplemented with discipline and continuiity. Join Dr. Neal as he disccusses spiritual disciplines that can assist you in going into 2019 with confidence and God's Divine Providence to help you.

As the Christmas holiday and the end of the 2018 year approaches, there is quite a bit to reflect on. Dr. Neal shares his holiday and year end reflections on this broadcast and reviews some of the top stories that shaped 2018. 

Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church recently made national headlines a couple of weeks ago when he allowed members to freely take money from offering baskets during a worship service. This week he made news again after gifting his wife a $200K Lamborghini vehicle and she gifted him a $4K Rolex watch. This has come across as hypocritical to some but I see it as one of many mistakes novice pastors make when trying to make a name for themselves. Join Dr. Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the da

The Advent Season has arrived and while many are preparing and planning for Christmas day, as believers we should use this time to reflect on the reason for that day of celebration. I have much to reflect upon this advent season and will share some of those reflections as well as my thoughts on some of the Christian news of the day.

This broadcast was originally recorded in May 2018 and uploaded. Tune in weekly with Dr. Lorenzo Neal for discussions on great topics on Zera Today. Visit www.lorenzotneal.com and order your copy of "A Breach in the Family" book today.

Recently a well known and influential pastor and ecclesiastical leader with the Pilgrim Assemblies of the World, Archbishop Michael E. Turpin made church news by being the subject of gossip regarding mental health issues many clergy face. Turpin and his wife are in serious conflict over her alleged infidelity and his mental illness. Over my years in ministry I have seen how clergy family relations affect churches. How can conflict between clergy families be addressed to best serve out the mission of the gospel in the churches they serve? Join Pastor Neal for discussion of this and other topics of the day.

The church has been called a hospital for those who need healing from whatever trauma they experienced before their conversion to Christ followers. There are however those who feel that the church is also a toxic environment for persons in recovery, those who've been abused, and those who are still questioning their faith. Is the church a trigger for trauma for some or a true place of healing for others? What should a trauma-focused ministry look like? Join Pastor Neal for this and other topics on Zera Today. 

The Bible is full of stories of heroes and villains, antagonists and protagonists. In the New Testament, we read of the Pharisees and chief priests' opposition to Jesus' ministry, and in some of Paul's epistles, we read of his oppostion to those he didn't like or didn't like him. This was prevalent in his confrontation with Peter in Galatians. Today isn't mnuch different. Social media has created platforms where Christians seemingly utterly despise or downright hate other Christians. What can be done to change the way we engage believers and non-believers that we don't agree with? Join Pastor Neal for this discussion

Today, hundreds are protesting the shooting of a black man in Chicago by the police. They seem to once again be crying out against an act of aggression to an unarmed black man. This month also marks the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Has the BLM and others like it had positive impact on relations between law enforcement and black communities or is it another missed opportunity to gain authentic liberation for black communities from all forms of oppression including self-oppression? Join Pastor Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day.

In 2 Corinthians the Apostle Paul gives a rant about his role as an authentic apostle and rails against those who opposed him in some capacity. He even discussed how his various tribulations and revelations give him the necessary authority to function in his role. Recently, gospel recording artist Leandria Johnson posted several live profanity laced videos about her contention with the established church that went viral and have many talking about "church hurt". What is church hurt and what should leaders do to counter those experiences in the black church and gospel music industry? Join Pastor Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day.

WIth the release of a single video this week, artist Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) created a frenzy that has the entire country discussing what is America really. The death of iconic scholar and theologian James Cone also reignites the argument of the need for a black liberation theology in the midst of our current socio-political atmosphere. Are we expecting our political and spiritual leaders to live in truth or be complicit with the highly charged American social climate and what role does the black church play in shifting the culture? Join Pastor Neal for this and other topics of discussion on Zera Today 

Fifty years ago while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was killed by an assassin's bullet. Dr. King's legacy has not gone unnoticed over the last 50 years. It was carried on by his wife and children and extended family and friends through the King Foundation and acknowledged with both a federal holiday and a monument and now a National Park on the National Mall. Today, I discuss elements of his final speech and it's prophetic message that lingers to this day.

While today is being celebrated by lovers all around, today is more special than Valentine's Day. Today marks the 258th birthday of Richard Allen, founder and first elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass, abolitionist,  ambassador, gifted orator, and Presidential advisor. Both men were key in the liberation of people of African descent up from slavery. Both of their legacies linger on and is more tpertinent now than ever before. Join me in celebrating their lives and ministries through their struggles and continuing legacies. To learn more about Richard Allen and the AME Church visit www.amec.com. To learn more about Frederick Douglass, his faith and family, visit  http://www.frc.org/university/frederick-douglass-his-faith-his-family-our-future for a live web stream event on February 15, 2018@ 12:00 PM EST hosted by the Family Research Council, the Frederick Douglass Foundation, and Douglass Leadership Institute.

It is once again Black Heritage/History Month. We will spend these short days reflecting on the struggles blacks have overcome in this country. One thing that has always stood out within black culture is a strong spirituality and religious expression. Some argue that this is a sign of one's authentic blackness. This is being challenged through afrocentric expressions, a growing number of black non-believers in religion, and a consumer driven church experience. How connected is religious expression and spirituality to one's blackness? Join Pastor Neal as he discusses this and other topics of the day.

It's a new year and new topics and news to be explored and discussed. Pastor Neal discusses some of the headlines of the new year and gives an overview of what to expect in this 8th season of the Zera Today broadcast.