Inspirational and thought-provoking messages informed by my faith, ministry in education and community development
Dr. Flowers' Blog
Then, Now and Later
If you had the opportunity to select a commemorative candy to represent Thanksgiving, what would it be? During the homily in chapel at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, we pondered this question with our students. We came up with two candy titles. One of them is a fairly common brand: Now and Later. As we discussed being grateful for ALL God has done to get us to where we are Now, And the many blessings he has in store for us Later. Thank GOD for the AND!
For the second candy, we had to come up with something new, because it did not already exist. Lemonheads are similar to the candy we decided we should invent. We selected lemonheads because of the bitter sourness and the sweet sensation they provide. Our candy will be called THEN. We felt it would be perfect in reflecting on what God did for us last year, ten years ago, and way back then. A reminder that He brought us through the bitter and the sweet.
The ultimate blessing being the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ - a bitter death that allows us the opportunity for a sweet, eternal life. We decided that for Thanksgiving, Now and Later would be an inadequate candy title because we also needed to capture gratefulness for the past. Therefore, we will need to innovate a new candy called THEN.
On behalf of our students, parents, faculty, staff, youth, and the senior citizens we serve, I extend to you, gratefulness for the “candy.” We thank you for your blessings to St. Philip’s Then as well as the blessings Now and Later.
Have a glorious Thanksgiving!
Commanders And Chiefs
In 1988, Micheal Jackson’s hit album Man in the Mirror swept our nation and much of the world. Regrettably, the tune and the beat may have captured more attention than the powerful lyrics of the song. As we move deeper into another school year, I find it to be appropriate to spotlight a few of the words from his award-winning hit. It is my hope that a few of his words resonate, as parents and all of humanity wrestle with being true commanders and chiefs of our lives.
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways.
And no message could’ve been any clearer.
If you want to make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change”
At St.Philip’s we are unabashed in our assertion that it is not the school's job to educate children! The role of Commander And Chief belongs to the parents. Schools are simply tools to be partnered with to get the job done. We urge parents to look in the mirror deeper: beyond your daily three to thirty minute grooming regimens. In parenting there is no election, but there can be deflection. The principle job of the parental commander and chief is to serve as the primary influencer. This responsibility is broad. It covers physical, emotional and spiritual shielding, development and growth guardianship.
Far too often we abdicate our Commander And Chief authority as parents to social media, gaming, clubs, sports and various pastimes. As CAC, you have power and authority to disrupt anything that works to supersede the positive influence you desire your child to have. The CAC has to make demands that align with their child's best interests. They have to accept that their children will not like every rule, restriction or consequence established. The CAC must insist that their parental love reigns over children’s contentment. A great educational outcome is based on starting with the mirror and embracing the role and responsibilities of the Commanders and Chiefs of our children's academic pathways. We make the wold a better place when this is embraced by our student’s parents, along with St. Philip’s embrace of a never-ceasing open invitation for God, enrollment and perfect attendance in all we do.
A GAIN
As we march into another school year, there is an investment I encourage us ALL to make. Regardless of our background, I encourage us ALL to pray for our children and our schools. Schools like St. Philip's enjoy and cherish the privilege to assure our scholars that it's okay to pray AND make an A. This is not the case for the masses.
I am reminded of a lyric from a gospel song, “If Jesus had to pray, oh what about me?”
With the opening of schools AGAIN, let's go to God, lifting up our children, educators and schools. There will be prayer breakfasts and churches will call for prayer, however individual petition is God's ultimate desire for A-GAIN for our children.
Not only did Jesus have to pray when He used spit to restore the blind man's vision, He prayed twice. In Mark 8:22-25, He prayed twice because improved vision was not enough. He wanted excellence. Now, we pray because excellence is what we want for our children.
As the curtain goes up AGAIN for a new 2024-25 school year, let's all stand reminded that educating a child is not a rehearsal. Let us ALL pray for A God Anointed Instructional Nation.
The Ultimate Credit Score
In just two years, the ministry of St. Philip’s will celebrate 80 years of existence! The chronicle of our journey unfolds to two constant factors. From the time of its inception as a small Episcopal church, we have consistently remained responsive to the needs of the community surrounding us. Additionally, we’ve maintained the collaborative spirit of the small group of African-American Episcopalians, who forged relationships with other church members and organizations that sparked the “make away or find one” approach that continues to propel our success today.
We are blessed to be able to partner with entities who have spirits that agree. Those spirits nod affirmatively to the understanding that education is the elixir of the soul. They embrace the value of delivering services with dignity and possess the faithfulness to defy the odds by demonstrating the power of one.
The mighty title of St. Philip’s as a school, community center and neighborhood change agent, can only be explained by examining the legions of staff, volunteers, sacrificial parents, and partners, who all demonstrate the biblical encouragement of “to whom much is given”…….
Our ministry has long considered itself a king of collaboration. Our partnerships with over sixty organizations, who join forces with us to render services and promote change, is bringing about a transformation that is emerging as a national model. Our alumni are committed to serving the community and the world as their Creed compels them to. They are leading their own agencies and leveraging their professions to uplift communities across the country.
Our mighty impact is undeniable. However, collective resources, passions, and talents, do not adequately explain why St. Philip’s has been successful. All these factors have played a role, but the reality is, had we not given credit where credit is due, St. Philip’s would merely be a spec and not special. Join us in pronouncing the ultimate credit for our accomplishments thus far. To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory! This is where credit must be placed. As we continue impacting lives and uplifting community, let’s remain faithful that the same God, who got us to where we are today, has more than enough resources to get us where he wants us to go. Our best is yet to come!