Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Bobo, Sr. - Candidate for NBCUSA, Inc. President

The Rev. Dr. Ronald Bobo, Sr., pastor of West Side Missionary Baptist Church of North St. Louis and Florissant, recently declared his candidacy and began a campaign to become President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated.  This religious organization has the distinction of being the largest body of African American Christians in the world.  As a matter of fact, with an estimated 7.5 million members, it is the largest collection of African Americans on the globe.  The group has been led by The Rev. Dr. William Shaw of Philadelphia, PA since 1999.

“Change” for Bobo is a call to return to the Convention’s 1886 founding purpose, focusing on collective Missions and Education.  This fits well into his own ministry focus and service, which includes terms as Chair of the Foreign Mission Board for the Missionary Baptist Convention of Missouri and the Evangelism and Education…

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”
~Audrey Hepburn~

This election season has given rise to language that has been especially vitriol. And I am not taking about the conversation between the candidates, but between groups of neighbors, colleagues, church members, friends, family and acquaintances.

The presidential candidates during the most recent debate noted the heated climate, each candidate arguing whether their leadership in their respective parties has been enough to bring about civil dialogue amongst their supporters. 

Yesterday, while eating my bagel at The St. Louis Bread Company, I overheard the conversation between two men. I won’t say who they are supporting for U.S president — that is beside the point I am making here –  but they called those who were against their chosen candidate racist and hate mongers. Since the country is nearly divided on the issues and presidential candidates, I wondered if these men realized that they just wrote-off…

So after an unintentional summer long hiatus, what to write? What to write?

I’ve read some of the recent posts and it seems politics is a hot topic. Of course it is. With the election around the corner, and the juicy conversation that our candidates inspire, why not? 

Well, after the last election I learned a lesson. If you want to keep your friendships intact, don’t talk politics. Always up for the debate, the first to defend my candidate of preference, arguing policy reform…….not anymore! That was sooooo last election.

Politics and religion are personal. Deeply personal beliefs. So, you will never read what I think of Obama. Or my opinion of Sarah Palin. Joe Biden doesn’t factor in to my daily interactions and you won’t overhear me discussing McCain. Especially in this forum. For two reasons: First, who the heck am I to force my opinions on you? And second, I don’t…