Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120261
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE RELIGION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I don't intend to let the Lord be this good to me and not show my love for him in return."
Green was speaking Wednesday to the 70th annual meeting of pastors, missionaries, evangelists and other leaders of the Second Virginia Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.
About 2,000 men and women are attending the weeklong conference, which includes a Saturday night concert and Sunday morning services at the Roanoke Civic Center.
The "workers' conference," being held at Holiness Tabernacle Church of God in Christ on Melrose Avenue Northwest, is for congregational and other church leaders. This year's theme is the Beatitudes of Christ.
Green, who has been a bishop in the predominantly Pentecostal denomination for 20 years, is pastor of a Newport News church as well as a leader of one of three non-geographical dioceses in Virginia.
He also serves on the 12-member general board of the denomination, which guides the body between annual national convocations.
This winter meeting is held annually in Roanoke and includes speakers, most of them pastors, from throughout the western part of the state.
This is an opportunity to learn new techniques for ministry, new music "and have a great fellowship with each other," Green said Wednesday. "This is where we solidify our ranks" by becoming reacquainted with each other and introduced to new people.
Green said recent scandals involving religious figures, especially those who are associated with Pentecostal denominations that emphasize speaking in tongues and other "gifts of the spirit," have had repercussions on all of Christendom.
He said an unexpected benefit of the war in the Persian Gulf was that it "restored a lot of credibility back to the church," following those years of derision.
The religious faith and practice of the armed forces received a significant amount of positive attention during the fight, he said.
Green knows a thing or two about the media as chairman of the board of the only black-owned Christian television station in the country. Channel 49 in the Norfolk market broadcasts a variety of programming, but all with "a wholesome, decent family" flavor.
The station broadcasts movies, sports and educational material as well as religious programming.
The station is not targeted to a black audience, Green said, and includes programs by both black and white ministers.
While starting the station, he worked closely with established religious broadcasters Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who helped provide some initial programming.
Green also sought the assistance of several prominent Republican politicians - among them Sen. John Warner - during the licensing process.
In broadcasting as in church, Green said, he is concerned about "the image of Christianity" to the rest of the world.
"We want to show that Christianity is not just for one race of people or two races, but for everybody."
by CNB