Zera Today With Pastor Lorenzo Neal

Controversial Neo-Pentecostal Pastor Bishop Eddie L. Long has died from cancer. Long lived the life of the privieged preacher until scandal nearly collapsed his ministry empire. Bishop Long died Sunday morning after a bout with an aggressive form of cancer. Questions about his legacy have already aroused. Bishop Long kept the secret of his life and his death tight from those he pastored. What does his death mean for the black church regarding it's prophetic voice, transparency, and the mega church phenomena? Also talk about the new ministrels of black apologists leading up to the Presidential inauguration. Join Pastor Neal for this and other great topics

Zera Today returns for it's 7th season of broadcasts in 2017. We're kicking off the year talking about the Kim Burrell fiasco and the message of the preacher in the world. Also this new year brings new prophepcies so we'll see what people are saying that God is supposed to be saying for 2017.

Last week, members of a group called New Era Detroit interrupted the birthday worship celebration of Great Faith Ministries where Bishop Wayne T. Jackson is the pastor. This is the church where Donald Trump visited and gave remarks. The group disrupted the service calling for accountability for churches where the wealth of the pastor greatly exceeds that of the community where they are planted to serve. What does church accountability to the community look like? Is providing social and worship services sufficient for community empowerment? Join Pastor Neal for this and other fun topics on Zera Today 

While giving an interview last week, it was uncovered that Trump supporter Pastor Mark Burns was guilty of "exaggerating" on his official biography. Many clergy have exaggerated background stories, ministry highlights, and education as a means to gain followers. How can church members discern whether their pastor or minister is credible or fraudulent? Should systems be in place to prevent members from fraudulent preachers? Join Pastor Neal for this and other topics on Zera Today.

When I think of Black Church activism, aside from Martin King Jr, I think of Richard Allen, Morris Brown, Nat Turner, Benjamin Hooks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Leon Sullivan, and many others. There is indeed a long list of black men and women known and unknown who have shared thier love for Christ and His liberating gospel through acts of social justice. Today's black church is being forced to choose a side in the political sphere where both candidates are immoral at best and whites brothers and sisters are unsure of how to react to the racism of their own color. Does the black church owe a committment to this country that forced it to exist in the first place? Should black pastors demand their members to be liberated politically and unify for the purpose of black identity? Join Pastor Neal as he discusses this and other topics on Zera Today

Amidst racial tensions and BLM protests, Louisiana has experienced the worst flooding in years. North and South Louisiana have deep religious roots and  churches galore so could this be a sign for people to turn to God or just another natural enviromental event? How should churches respond following disasters such as this? Join Pastor Neal as he discusses this and other topics.

As the political parties prepare for their summer conventions, both are entering with a divided unity. For the Republicans, its a candidate with narcissitic and racist tendencies with unusual overwhelming support from evangelical Christians, and on the left, it's a possibly fraudulent former first lady, senator, and secretary of state. Both are pandering to the fears of Americans and both are also hoping to win the black church vote. Will the black church vote prove critical in this election and are white evangelicals hoping for the return of Christ following this election? Tune in with Pastor Neal for this and other topics of the day. 

As the summer approaches, many denominations will hold their annual, bi-annual, or quadrennial conferences and conventions. This is where denominational bodies battle out the details of their movements, doctrines, and leadership. The Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, and many others will be meeting across the country during the summer months. How much do these conventions and conferences affect the average Christian's behavior and belief? Join Pastor Neal for this and other lively topics.

In 1906, a religious movement led by a black man named William Seymour, swept across racial and social lines and changed the religious expression of the American Church. That movement became known as the Pentecostal movement and has spurred spiritual awakenings like none other since the Great Awakening movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. It has influenced how church services look and feel and is the fastest growing branch of Christian expression in Africa and Central and South America. Join Pastor Neal as he discusses the history and impact of this great Christian expression

Prince Rogers Nelson was a giant of a man and musician whose influence in secular and gospel music is being remembered since he passed away last week. Although he professed to be a Jehovah's Witness, he often expressed deep spirituality in his music. Many across the Christian church mourned his death, but some churches went beyond simply mourning, but "gospelized" his songs. Pastor Neal will discuss Prince's music and how spirituality is conveyed through music.

A historic black church in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sold to a developer that plans to convert it to a hotel. While many churches are closing their doors to Christian ministry, many are being repurposed for secular development. Although churches are tax exempt non-profit corporations, their presence in many cases hamper true development for many urban neighborhoods. Is this good for the church and communities they once inhabited or is a trend showing the decline of the church as a profitable entity for community development and empowerment? Join Pastor Neal for discussions on this and other topics of the day.

Several US States have some form of religious freedom/liberty bills as law on their books. These laws were set in place to prevent the government from infringing without compelling interests and if it had to do so, to do so in the least infringing way. But as the LGBT community gained more influence and eventually won the right to marriage, many states have passed laws to protect the interests of Christians who feel persecuted into forced service to LGBT and others against their religious beliefs. Should Christians be the voice of the oppressed and are such laws biblically justified? Join Pastor Neal for this and other topics

Creating disciples was the ministry Christ commanded for all of his followers. While men may be members of a local church, they may not be the men or the disciples they want to be. Dr. Joe Martin, autjhor, speaker, and educational consultant, and founder of Real Men Connect (RMC) joins Pastor Neal to discuss how good men can become great men through mobilizing, mentoring, and multiplying godly men across the country. To learn more about the work of Dr. Martin and RMC visit their website www.realmenconnect.co

Last week gospel music star James Fortune pled guilty to domestic assault charges against his wife. This was the second time he was brought up on said charges yet some gospel music leaders and pastors took the initiave to restore him to ministry after the first time. This news came after The Atlantic printed an article stating that the church helps black men be better men. Is the black church doing enough to address the issues of domestic violence among women and men in it's pews? What more can be done to be proactive and prevent things such as what happened to Mr. Fortune? Tune in with Pastor Neal to discuss this and other topics of the day.

The church is known as being a hospital for the sick, a house of hope for the desolate, and a safe place for many. Incidents of violence and spiritual abuse within the church walls are becoming more prominent. Two separate incidents in black churches this weekend have once again placed unwanted attention on black churches. One pastor was gunned down by his own brother during the worship service, and another pastor locked out his entire congregation. What can the church to be more proactive regarding church leadership abuse and endangerment? How culpable are members in ensuring the integrity of their church leadership? Join Pastor Neal for these and other topics on Zera Today

It is no secret that people are leaving the organized church in record numbers. There are a number of reasons for this but many are beginning to question their faith and belief systems. Author and documentary film maker Jeremiah Camara has chronicled this issue across the country. His documentary "Contradiction" addresses the issue of the over saturation of churches in black neighborhoods is contributing to the socioeconomic conditions that plague many of those same neighborhoods. Camara is also the author of the books "Holy Lockdown" and "Doubting Thomas." Jeremiah joins Pastor Neal to discuss these and other areas of doubt and faith concerning Black America. 

Blacks have spent centuries attempting to measure up to western Christianity's religious standards. Black preachers heralded high moral standards and strict religious observances that kept the idea of "heavenly rewards" ever before the eyes of their members. Has this desire for religious and holy legitmacy and legacy contributed to the black church's current condition of carnality and withdrawal. What role does black gospel music and preachers have in reaffirming the contemporary religious struggle in the black church? Join Pastor Neal for this and other topics of interest

It's Black History Month and many will be honoring our ancestors who impacted American life. For most this creates a dissonance between being African American, black, and American. It also is a time when confirmation bias is at its most complex in the black church tradition. Confirmation bias is a term most people are not familiar with but operate in everyday. There are things that we believe that no one can dissuade us from believing. Many times we surround ourselves with others who share similar beliefs, ideals, or values. The church is in the business of confirmation bias, but are preachers using it to reinforce negative ideas and practices. How does confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance work in today's preaching and church experience? Join Pastor Neal for this and other great topics.

Today Pastor Neal discusses the latest headlines in the world of Christianity and faith.

Everyone has lapses in judgment and moral failings that dot their religious existence. For centuries, believers lacked the power to be transparent about personal struggles. The ongoing verbal assualts between Supt. Earl Carter and Bishop Charles Blake in the COGIC faith, and Pastor Leandria Johnson's persicope misadventures are only a couple of the public examples of the dissonance of holiness and carnality in the church. What can be done when pastors and church leaders breach their call to sanctification and holiness? How can the ideas of sanctification and holiness be promoted in ways that are empowering and not condemning?