Beeson Podcast, Episode #586 Reverend Dr. Harry White Feb. 1, 2022 >>Announcer: Welcome to the Beeson podcast, coming to you from Beeson Divinity School on the campus of Samford University. Now your hosts, Doug Sweeney and Kristen Padilla. >>Doug Sweeney: Hello, listeners, a brief program note for you, we don’t usually do this but we want to let you know that the podcast you’re about to listen to is wonderful and you’ll be able to hear all the words and you’ll be edified by them. But the recording conditions were a little bit difficult. So, this podcast recording more than most is a little rough. A little rough, but worth the effort. So, please stay tuned. Welcome to the Beeson Podcast. I’m your host, Doug Sweeney, here with my co-host, Kristen Padilla. Today we’re launching a four week series on the ministries of African American Beeson alumni. February his Black History Month. I’m sure you know. At Beeson this is also our third annual African American Ministry Emphasis Month. Its purpose is to shine a light on what God is doing in our African American churches – especially those pastored by the members of the larger Beeson family. Before we dive right into our conversation today, let me put two very important dates on your mind. February 15th and March 1st. February 15th is our tier one scholarship deadline for those applying to join us in the fall of 2022. Tier one scholarships cover 65-100% of tuition for students in the master of divinity or MDiv program. If you want to be considered for one of these scholarships you need to have submitted your application by February 15th. March 1st is our fall general admission deadline. We would love to have you join us this fall as you prepare for faithful, lifelong ministry. Learn more at www.BeesonDivinity.com/admission. All right, Kristen, let’s begin. Who do we have on the show with us today? >>Kristen Padilla: Hi everyone. We have the Reverend Dr. Harry White on the show. He is Senior Pastor of Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a BA degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and an MDiv degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. We are proud to say a DMin degree from Beeson Divinity School. So, welcome, Dr. White, to the Beeson Podcast. >>Dr. White: Thank you so much for the invitation and I am grateful to be a part of the Beeson family. Thank you so much for extending the invitation to be on the Beeson Podcast. >>Kristen Padilla: We are grateful that you agreed to be on the podcast. I had the joy of meeting you this past November at our alumni conference in which you delivered a sermon and we’re going to talk to you about that. It was wonderful and edifying. I’m glad that you’re on the show today and we always like to begin by getting to know our guests a bit more personally. Could you begin just be giving us a little bit of background into who you are? Where you are from? Your spiritual journey and anything you want to share? >>Dr. White: Well, I am a native of Baltimore, Maryland. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. I spent four years at Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital for my undergraduate journey. Then I moved to the state of Ohio. I lived in three different cities. Finally, in Cincinnati, Ohio, I pastored Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. I went to Ohio for my masters of divinity degree in Dayton, Ohio. I served at a church on staff in Columbus, Ohio. Then got called to a senior pastorate at the Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio where I met Dr. Smith, which led me to Beeson as a result of meeting Dr. Smith. As a native of Baltimore I grew up as a sports fanatic. I’m still a sports fan. I got saved at the age of probably 12. That growth ... I have an older cousin who was like a sister to me and she joined the church. I didn’t want to be outdone by her. So, I joined the church soon thereafter. My understanding of what salvation meant was very elementary, but grew as I become more involved in church life. During college I would say my sophomore year I had a spiritual awakening. I was always involved in church but during Campus Crusade for Christ. It’s now CRU and Baptist Student Fellowship were integral to my spiritual awakening. And my responding to my call to ministry. So, I preached my initial sermon on March 18th, 1992, but had a spiritual awakening maybe 18 months before that where I became more involved and more aware in attuned to the reality of salvation, the seriousness of salvation, and I attribute that to Campus Crusade for Christ and Baptist Student Fellowship. That were really involved on the campus of Howard University. >>Doug Sweeney: Pastor White, we’ve talked about already how you are the pastor of Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh. Can you tell our listeners just a little bit about how you felt the Lord leading you into pastoral ministry? And then we’d love to hear just a little bit more about your church as well and what God is doing there these days. >>Dr. White: Thank you. When I was called to ministry I served in several staff capacities. I served as a minister of youth, a minister of discipleship, served as executive minister, which is a title for assistant pastor at another congregation. Those experiences gave me a really [inaudible 00:06:21] understanding of the diversity of needs and staffing in church life. I also had the privilege of doing an internship with Congressperson Floyd H. Flate who is the pastor of the Allen Temple AME Church in Queens, New York during my junior year in college. So, serving on the staff via part time job my senior year in college. So, seeing his ministry up close, it was a hybrid ministry because he was a full time pastor of a mega church and a congressperson. It just gave me a real thorough understanding of the diversity of what ministry could look like, but always my call was to be a pastor. I think God gives us all gifts. God wires us uniquely. I knew my call was to be a pastor. So, I served as pastor of Mt. Mariah Baptist Church for eight years in Cincinnati. That was a great experience of learning. I owe that church a great debt of gratitude because they took a chance on a green, wet behind the ears preacher who thought with an MDiv he would change the world. All of us who have ever pastored, we know that we don’t change the world, God changes us in the midst of doing pastoral work. I’ve been here in Raleigh for 15 years. It’s been a great journey. We’ve experienced significant growth across the past 15 years. Prior to the pandemic we were preparing to launch a capital campaign. We were working with an architect because we have significant space issues, but those plans have been placed on the back burner as we are ministrying and doing ministry in a pandemic that nobody has been prepared for. But during the pandemic, every Sunday I thank God for God’s faithfulness and the flexibility and faithfulness of Watts Chapel. So, we’ve been upgrading our technological and digital technologies throughout the past ten years. Since the pandemic came we didn’t have to do a lot of upgrading. We had to make some pivots and adjustments but we pretty much had everything in place to become a hybrid congregation and we are now a hybrid congregation. Praise be to God. We have continued to grow during the pandemic. It’s different because we don’t have the face to face interaction, but through technology, through digital communication, we’ve been able to at least maintain, and I would say grow in ministry. We’ve also had to adapt and do some different things in ministry because during the pandemic people have different needs. So, we’ve been able to pivot and adjust during the pandemic. >>Kristen Padilla: Well, as Doug has already mentioned at the top of the show, we have you on this week as part of our African American Ministry Emphasis Month. In addition to being a pastor you are an author and I’m holding one of your books. It’s called, “What’s Your American Church IQ? Test Your Knowledge of the History and Culture of the African American Church.” You have questions about African American Christian leaders and preachers and about the history of the church. I just want to know what prompted you to write this book? And what should our listeners know about the history and the culture and the leaders of the African American Church? >>Dr. White: Well, I was a journalism major in undergrad. I was an African American studies minor. Prior to my call to ministry I planned to do a PhD in History. So, I have a love for history. And as a journalism major I like to write all the time. I was journalism, public relations ... thus, I love ... And you know when I went to seminary I thought about doing a PhD in church history. But God had other plans for me. I would go to used bookstores prior to the pandemic. One of my hobbies is going to the bookstore and [inaudible 00:10:46] used bookstores because you can find some gems and nuggets that are out of print and that you can’t find in Barnes and Noble or sometimes even on Amazon. And I was in a bookstore once, it’s a great bookstore if you’ve ever been to Raleigh, Steven’s Bookstore in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Not too far from the campus of Southeastern. Steven’s Bookstore is a gem because they have books that have been out of print for years. Long story short, I picked up a book about the IQ of [inaudible 00:11:23] confederacy. And God gave me a revelation on how the African American church is a neglected American gem and resources that has such a rich and diverse history that many people don’t know about. It was a providential revelation. I said, why not write a little book on what’s your African American church IQ? And I wanted it to be fun. So, my church, during African American History Month, we’ve had a little game, a little competition, and it was fun. So, that was really the genesis of it. My church does Awana and we have the Awana game every year. So, between the revelation of that book ... and I said this will be a great teaching tool to make it fun. So, that was the genesis and thought behind the book. >>Doug Sweeney: Yes, listeners, that’s a great book. Dr. White is really right about that. We’ve been working hard at Beeson to improve our offerings in African American Church History and church life, even recently. And we’re asking the Lord to help us as we move forward. Dr. White, lots of other things you’ve written. One other thing we thought it might be helpful to tell our listeners about, at least for now – it’s a contribution you made to a book called, “Fathers Matter: Changing the Narrative of Black Fathers.” And I think your chapter was called, “Fatherhood: Blessings, Burdens, and Breakthroughs.” Tell us just a little bit about what you did in that contribution. >>Dr. White: Well, I have a fraternity brother who is a deacon at a church in Prince Georgia’s County who tragically ... his youngest daughter was killed about five years ago. She was a great kid, in college, was home during spring break, the murder is still unsolved. As a result of that experience, he brought together maybe 12 persons to contribute to a book on fatherhood. His daughter was a great student, just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Tragically killed. As a result of that experience, a part of his healing was to communicate and demonstrate another side of African American fatherhood that in many cases the media neglects or does not give attention to. As a father ... I’m a girl dad. This just happens to be the day Colby Bryant and his daughter died two years ago with those other families as well and the term “girl dad” became popular. I have two daughters. I have a 19 year old and a 16 year old. I know many African American fathers who love Jesus, who are active and involved in their community, and active and involved in their children’s lives. That’s the side of fatherhood that is not portrayed by the media. Thus, this book wanted to paint a different image of African American fathers. My father lives in Baltimore. He provided a great example for me on fatherhood. I am seeking to provide a great example for my daughter by being an active and involved father. So, my chapter was really about the lessons I learned from my dad to become a good dad to my daughters. I don’t know if you know. My oldest daughter is a sophomore at Hampton University in Virginia. And right after her graduation she suffered an autoimmune ... she contracted an autoimmune disease called autoimmune encephalitis. So, my daughter was in the pediatric intensive care unit at Duke University Hospital for two and a half months. Right after she graduated from North Raleigh Christian Academy. Significant scholarship money to Hampton University. She developed a rare autoimmune disorder. There’s a movie on Netflix, “Brain on Fire.” We had never heard of this autoimmune disorder. My chapter talks about me as a dad walking with my daughter through that illness and how my father’s example helped me be there for my daughter in ways that I would never predicted as God healed her and Duke University Hospital contributed to her healing and recovery. >>Kristen Padilla: Well, thank you for sharing about that book and your story. I just want to encourage our listeners to visit your church’s website, which we can put in the show notes. There you will find a list of all of Dr. White’s books and you can order one from their website. In 2019, I understand, Pastor White, that you were inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. So, congratulations on that appointment. At Beeson one of our mottos is “preparing pastors who can preach.” So, we love training people for preaching ministry. I want to ask you about how you see the preaching ministry that you do in your church and how important preaching and the sermon is in the African American tradition. I wonder if you can share a little bit about your preaching and then preaching in the African American tradition with our listeners? >>Dr. White: Yeah, thank you. Preaching is the most important thing I do as a pastor. As a pastor, preaching is the most important thing I do. Through the preaching moment I’m able to cast vision. I’m able to contribute to discipleship, understanding of what it means to be a Christian, preaching involves teaching, discipleship, pastoral care in a pandemic, there’s no more important moment in the worship experience, I would say African American, any worship experience, the preaching of the gospel. I take preaching very seriously. Overwhelmingly, I’m always in a preaching series. Right now I’m in a preaching series called, “Unregrettable: Things a Christian Will Never Regret Doing.” So, you’ll never regret spending time with Jesus. You’ll never regret inviting somebody to follow Jesus. You’ll never regret apologizing or engendering reconciliation. That’s my preaching series right now. My approach to preaching, I am a student of Dr. Samuel [Proctor 00:18:14]. That was the book that we used in seminary, preaching about crisis in the community and Dr. Proctor used the Hegelian dialect opposition thesis, antithesis, relevant question, I took liberty with that because I consider myself a very textual preacher. The Hegelian dialect, if you’re not careful, can lend itself to topical preaching. It’s not a problem, but I think preaching ought to be biblically based, theologically sound, and practically applicable. So, that is my mantra for preaching. Preaching should be theologically sound, biblically based, and practically applicable. So, that’s my approach to preaching. I try to do that every Sunday that God allows me to preach. What a faithful ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ you are, Pastor White. And much less importantly, what a wonderful ambassador you are of Beeson Divinity School. We want to kind of brag on you a little bit and tell our listeners how pleased we are that you’re one of our own. You’re one of the Beeson family. I thought we’d take this opportunity maybe just to let you help us tell our listeners what’s so special about what the Lord is doing at Beeson these days. You were one of the featured preachers at our first ever alumni conference last fall. Of course, we’ve already told everybody you did your doctor of ministry degree here at Beeson. What’s your sense now that you’re in ministry in Raleigh and not with us all the time but kind of looking back on how the Lord used Beeson in your life? What’s your sense as to how the Lord has used Beeson and what the Lord is doing at Beeson these days? >>Dr. White: well, I’m a proud Beeson alum. I recommend Beeson Divinity School for any MDiv and doctor of ministry student. One of my sons in ministry is about to graduate Campbell this May and he’s already looking at DMin programs. And I put Beeson at the top of the list. So, hopefully he’ll be making his way there in three years. I am grateful for my tenure at Beeson. The model of education was great because I developed lifelong friends in ministry. I never knew of Beeson and Samford University until I met Dr. Smith. I had plans, as I said earlier, I was thinking about doing a PhD and Dr. Smith, you know, I got to know him and he recommended Beeson. I made a visit to Pastor School. That’s when Beeson had Pastor School. And I came down for a week, a friend and I, and fell in love with Samford. Applied and had a great experience at Beeson. I am a proud alumnus for persons considering a doctor of ministry, the program at Beeson will challenge you intellectually. You’ll develop lifelong friendships. And what I appreciate about Beeson is ... and I think evangelical gets a bad term ... Beeson is proudly orthodox. And it’s consistent with my ministry. You’ll be challenged, you’ll be formed, and I have no regrets. It’s one of the best decisions I made in life. >>Kristen Padilla: Well, thank you, Pastor White for your work of encouragement to us at Beeson. We always like to end our show by hearing what the Lord has been doing in your life. What has God been teaching you these days that would edify and maybe even challenge our listeners as we close out the show? >>Dr. White: Well, thank you so much for allowing me to come for the alumni conference and preach. Thank you for the great work you’re doing at Beeson. During this season I’ve learned the importance of flexibility in ministry. The pandemic has taught me ... nothing has taught me the importance of resourcefulness and flexibility in ministry. We never know ... we don’t know when this pandemic is going to abate. We thought it was dissipating but now this Omicron variant and the flurona, as they say, has put stuff on the back burner. So, I had a staff meeting today with staff persons who serve with me at Watts Chapel. And I commended them for their resourcefulness, their flexibility, and their faithfulness and commitment to the Kingdom. I’d also say the importance of developing relationships. The pandemic has ... I think ministry can be lonely anyway. You need good healthy holy relationships with other brothers and sisters involved in ministry to thrive in ministry. The alumni conference theme was resilience. We will never be resilient and thrive in ministry if we are isolated, if we are not flexible, and if we are not resourceful. So, those three are critical. And your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, just a daily devotional life, it’s nothing new, but it’s just so important. So, those four things. >>Doug Sweeney: Wise words. Listeners, you have been hearing the Reverend Dr. Harry White. He is the Senior Pastor of Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. We are proud to say he is an alumnus of Beeson Divinity School. And we’re grateful to him for his gift of time today. Thank you for tuning in. We love you. Keep praying for us. We say goodbye for now. >>Kristen Padilla: You’ve been listening to the Beeson podcast. Our theme music is written and performed by Advent Birmingham of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. Our engineer is Rob Willis. Our announcer is Mike Pasquarello. Our co-hosts are Doug Sweeney and, myself, Kristen Padilla. Please subscribe to the Beeson podcast at www.BeesonDivinity.com/podcast or on iTunes.