‘Let nothing rattle you’
Columbia Theological Seminary president offers encouraging words during National Black Presbyterian Caucus gathering

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — There is plenty in the world to be unnerved about these days, but “let nothing shake you. Let nothing rattle you.”
That was some of the sage advice offered by the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, Columbia Theological Seminary’s 11th president, as he spoke during closing worship at the 48th biennial conference of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC).

Among the scriptures he quoted was Psalms 62:1-2, which accompanied a poignant story about Aloyo’s father being injured in a shooting when Aloyo was a teen. Aloyo’s father, who later recovered, kept Aloyo from running after the perpetrators and told him not to become filled with hate.
“Friends, I share this with you: God alone is your refuge,” Aloyo said. “Do not be greatly shaken. He is your rock and your strong tower,” and you can turn to him when the realities of the world crash down on you.
Earlier in the sermon, Aloyo referenced the NBPC gathering’s main scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:58, in which the apostle Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
“What an amazing and wonderful scripture verse for the gathering these past few days,” said Aloyo, who addressed attendees on Saturday, June 21.
The conference, which began Thursday, also included electing the Rev. Gregory Bentley, former PC(USA) co-moderator as president of the NBPC, singing and praying together, saluting outstanding leaders, and attending plenaries.

Before getting into the heart of his message, Aloyo made a declaration about the church.
“We are called for such a time as this to be a connectional church,” he said. “… What a joy to understand that we have been called to God's vineyard to serve God faithfully and know that we walk not alone but with each other, that in the midst of our own lives that are fractured, we know that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that guides us, that provides healing, that provides restoration, reconciliation, and gives us a purpose to live."
Challenges come in many forms, he said. Indeed, “the remnants of global health crises, socio- economic and political pandemics, climate change and environmental decay, hurricanes and deadly storms" sometimes weigh "down on the foundations of our being."
But, he noted, there are several reasons to have hope, notably, “we do have the power of the living word that sustains us and guides us, but the power of the living word also demands of us that we tap into our humanity, that when we are angry, we'll say we're angry, that when we are anxious, we need to claim that, that when we don't know the answers … we recognize that.”
Another reason for hope is the resurrection. The apostle Paul “articulates that the resurrection is fundamental to the Christian faith, asserting that without it, faith becomes meaningless. “Friends,” Aloyo said, “we are part of a resurrection people.”

He went on to say that it’s necessary to have a “solid foundation in Christ and a commitment to living out Christ's teachings” and to “uphold a strong and unwavering faith regardless of our circumstances.”
Aloyo later stressed the importance of being fully committed to the work, noting that the scripture verse does not say to give a 50 percent effort.
“Keep moving ahead,” Aloyo said. “God is always with you, ensuring that your hard work is meaningful. The actions you take today will bloom with the strength of the Holy Spirit.”
To read other stories about the conference, go here and here.
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