Bishop Eddie Long delivered his first Sunday sermon at his Atlanta megachurch since he reached a settlement out of court in the sexual misconduct case.  Multiple media outlets are reporting out of Atlanta that the settlement was $15 million dollars split between the four accusers.  At New Birth the crowd still cheered for Bishop Eddie Long as he took the pulpit Sunday, but gone was the air of defiance that defined his appearance eight months ago when he rallied his congregation to battle amid lawsuits accusing the megachurch pastor of sexual misconduct.

Just days after settling the lawsuits filed by four young men who used to attend New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, the message was one of progress and prosperity to the several hundred gathered. The choir opened the two-hour 8 a.m. service with the gospel hymn “Moving Forward,” which began: “I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead. Here to declare to you my past is over.”

Long addressed a far smaller group than the one gathered back in September, when he compared himself to the Bible’s ultimate underdog and vowed to fight like David versus Goliath against accusations that he abused his spiritual authority and coerced four young men into sexual relationships with gifts including cars, cash and travel. Then, thousands of supporters and observers packed the 10,000-seat sanctuary, which took on the atmosphere of an arena.

After Sunday’s opening hymn, the service was decidedly focused on the church, not its controversial leader. For months, the scandal tainted Long’s reputation as an influential spiritual leader who transformed his suburban Atlanta congregation of 150 into a following of 25,000 members and an international televangelist empire that included athletes, entertainers and politicians.

Long did not address the allegations or the settlement from the pulpit. Details of the resolution have not been disclosed.

In a statement released last week, New Birth seemed eager to begin a new chapter.

“This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” the statement read.

Goldie Taylor, a social commentator on African-American issues who lives near the church, said the subdued atmosphere came as no surprise to her.

“He has fractured a body of Christ,” she said. “He continues to lead what is a declining congregation. I think he owes it to them to participate, if he can, in their healing. Whether he can or not is really up to his congregation. Leading sometimes means walking away.”

Long, who has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage, built his empire with charisma and a prosperity Gospel message that told followers God would reward the faithful with wealth. It was an idea he embodied, sporting jewels on stage, living in a mansion and driving a luxury car.

The bishop was well-regarded in Lithonia, just outside Atlanta in DeKalb County, home to one of the most affluent African-American communities in the U.S. His presence at the church projected an image of strength and fatherhood.

Given that reputation, the out-of-court resolution comes as no surprise. Long likely wanted to avoid a trial that could have kept him in the spotlight, said Jessica Gabel, a Georgia State University law professor who specializes in trial strategy.

“Nobody wants their dirty laundry aired in court,” she said. “Every day there would be fanfare. This is not something you want in the media.”

Gabel said that attorneys try to keep the terms of any agreement confidential, but that it’s noteworthy that Long was not required to apologize or acknowledge any wrongdoing.

The case has not been investigated criminally because Georgia’s age of consent is 16. The young men were 17 and 18 when the alleged sexual contact occurred.

The agreement also holds advantages for the plaintiffs. J. Tom Morgan, a former DeKalb County district attorney, said men tend to be particularly reluctant to take the stand in such cases – which they would have likely been required to do if it had gone to court later this year.

“I’m sure they wanted to settle if the defense offered a reasonable sum of money,” he said.

Taylor said it is Long’s flock that is paying for whatever transgressions may have occurred.

“If it’s a dollar or $15 million, it is coming from the community that supports that institution,” said Taylor. “Those community stakeholders deserve to see you prove your innocence. By and large, people are interpreting this decision to settle as guilt.”

Hello Fear, the latest release from Kirk Franklin, celebrates its ninth week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #39 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Mary Mary‘s latest release Something Big holds to the #2 position this week. The album also sits at #21 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #93 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The WOW Gospel 2011 compilation moves to the #3 position, while Becoming, the brand new release from Yolanda Adams, comes in at #4. The Love Album, the new release from Kim Burrell, rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Love God, Love People: The London Sessions, from Israel Houghton moves twenty places to #17, while James Hall & The Voices of Citadel‘s latest Won’t It Be Wonderful moves six places to #19. 

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its seventh week at the top of the radio charts. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” holds to the #2 spot while “Walking” from Mary Mary moves to the #3 position. “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon moves to the #4 spot while “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed rounds out the week’s top five songs. 

Oprah Winfrey ended her show after 25 years on Wednesday by addressing her audience solo from her studio in Chicago, recounting the life lessons she learned from the show through a mixture of laughter and tears. So what did the critics think of her farewell? Needless to say, there were mixed opinions about the amount of religion that infused her final address.

“The hour perfectly embodied how complex it is to analyze or critique the woman behind the message,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodman. “On the one hand, it’s hard to argue how deeply Oprah has touched her massive audience and how much good the self-help emphasis has done for so many people, celebrities included. On the other hand, for those outside the sphere of influence that Oprah holds over her worshippers (they are too numerous to be a cult), it’s impossible to miss some of the God-complex patina that she wears so proudly.”

The New York Post’s Michael Starr also called out Winfrey’s religious undertones. “And On The Final Day, she wept,” he wrote. “Oprah Winfrey signed off yesterday after 25 years as TV’s reigning daytime queen — sounding more like an evangelist than a talk-show host. Coming out to a standing ovation from her rapturous, squealing studio audience, Oprah held court on stage, alone, for the show’s full hour, striding back and forth and spewing fluffy, New Age-y aphorisms offset by occasional clips from past episodes.”

The Washington Post’s Sally Quinn lauded Oprah for her religious leaning. “Oprah’s final show was a sermon. She finally came out as a true religious leader, an image she has skirted around for these last 25 years. She is America’s high priestess. …This is ministry at its best and something that more religious leaders should pay attention to. She managed to touch something in a lot of people and changed countless lives by giving her audience a spiritual message that they could apply to their own lives. Her message was inclusive and pluralistic rather than exclusive. Everyone belonged. Everyone had value.”

“The pope couldn’t have done better,” Quinn concluded.

Meanwhile, the U.K. Guardian’s Hadley Freeman didn’t think Oprah spent enough time on “any of the new age baloney she has increasingly peddled” — and she was grateful for that. “The celebrity dazzle might have brought more media attention but that is not her true appeal,” Freeman also noted of her decision to not have guests on her last show, which aired after two-days of major celebrities wishing her farewell in Chicago’s United Center, packed with 13,000 audience members. “There were plenty of needlepoint truisms – ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you’ – but she keenly emphasized the social issues she has focused on over the years (sexual abuse, alcoholism) and the words ‘Jonathan Franzen’ were not mentioned once, nor, thank heavens, was any of the new age baloney she has increasingly peddled,” wrote Freeman.

Path MEGAzine publisher Kris Patrick cautions “On one hand Oprah tells the world that her God is the God of Jesus, but on the other she’s been a proponent of the notion that Jesus is not the only way to salvation.” “It’s these conflicting views that makes me caution people who look to Oprah as a spiritual leader.”  “Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life, no one goes to the father but by me.” 

The sign over the old historic Ebenezer Baptist Church shines a lot brighter, now that the make over is finished in the church where the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. launched the civil rights movement.

Visitors recently entered the refurbished church for the first time in four years. It has been closed since 2007, when the National Park Service – which controls the facility-decided to invest around $8 million in federal and private funds to restore it back to how it looked in the 60s, when King was co-pastor along with his father.

“He was a man of God,” said King’s daughter, Bernice. “He was a minister. He was a pastor. So this restoration is about the pastor.”

Remodeled Church Picture

Ebenezer Baptist, a national historic site is considered one of the top churches in the nation along with National Cathedral in Washington and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

“I was in awe of the beauty,” said Judy Forte, the superintendent of the site. “I am excited that the American public will be able to experience Ebenezer the way it was meant to be experienced.”

The once-white walls are now coral. Light shines through stunning painted glass windows. The only new items in the church are the organ and the choir stand chairs, although they remain vintage.

Pews have been refinished, but the nicks and marks of age remain. The baptismal tub is operational. The old green and white-tiled floor of the fellowship hall floor is back. Workmen upgraded the roof, wiring and air-conditioning.

Many dignitaries attended the recent reopening service, including Martin L. King III. “The greatest memories are positive and overwhelming and wonderful,” he said.

Before setting to work, the restoration team analyzed paint chips to recreate the exact shade of paint. They studied old photographs of the fellowship hall in the basement.

Now visitors can walk near the pulpit where Dr. King gave his last sermon, Drum Major Instinct. Visitors can also see the microphone he used, and a communion tray he passed. A recording of Dr. King’s voice loops through the sound system. Schoolchildren smile. Foreign tourists snap photos in front of the pulpit.

About 12 years ago, the Ebenezer congregation moved to a larger, more modern church across the street. The newly remodeled church will keep its doors open seven days a week.

This is some good ole’ fun right here! Mathew Knowles, founder and CEO of Music World Entertainment took his Gospel family on a trip to New York City to an outing in Central Park. On the trip was Angel Taylor, Chanelle Haynes of Trin-i-tee, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley and Pastor Rudy Rasmus. Like any other family outing, this group of close friends enjoyed each other’s company and shared some laughter. It as all caught on camera. Check it out below.

After talks reportedly broke down last week this news comes as some-what of a surprise.  Atlanta megachurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long has reached an out-of-court settlement with the four young men who accused him of sexual misconduct, lawyers for both sides of the case said Thursday. Eddie Long was accused last year of coercing four men he mentored into sexual relationships.  

Both sides of the case would not comment on the details of the settlement but said the lawsuit would not move forward to trial.

B.J. Bernstein, who represented the plaintiffs, confirmed Thursday that the lawsuit has “been resolved.”

Long’s lawyer, Barbara Marschalk, also confirmed the suits were settled and said they would likely be dismissed by the end of business Friday.

The settlement in the Eddie Long case comes three months after attorneys in the lawsuit between the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor and his four accusers began mediation.

Art Franklin, spokesman for Long, said in a statement that both sides of the suit decided to resolve the civil cases “after a series of discussions.”

“This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” said Franklin.

“As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential.”

Long’s spokesman called the resolution “the most reasonable road for everyone to travel.”

Jamal Parris and three other young men alleged in their lawsuits filed last year that Long lured them into sexual relationships by using his position and lavishing them with gifts.

The Lithonia, Ga., pastor had officially denied the allegations stating in response to the suit: “The Plantiff’s claims to sexual misconduct are not true.”

Long had admitted to mentoring the men and sharing rooms with them while on trips, but denied any sexual activity took place.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Long Fellows were also named as defendants in the suit.

In September, when the accusations went public, Long stood before his 25,000-strong congregation and promised to fight against the charges.

“This thing I’m gonna fight,” he told his congregation on Sept. 26.

“I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the television.”

In a news conference following the Sunday service, Long said he wanted the matter to be resolved in court.

“I want this to be dealt in the court of justice and not by public opinion. I will say that I am going to fight, fight very vigorously against these charges.”

The case is over but the speculation as to how much the accusers got in the settlement will undoubtedly go on.  It will be interesting to see if Bishop Long wins in the court of public opinion. 

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin surprised Oprah Winfrey with a special rendition of Amazing Grace during Oprah’s farewell show at the United Center in Chicago.  The slimmed down Aretha looked and sounded great.

Oprah could be seen tearing up in the video shouting “Sing Aretha!”  I think Aretha made up for not granting Oprah the first interview after her announcement that she was battling pancreatic cancer.  Oprah was reportedly upset that Wendy Williams got the exclusive interview.  

Lets continue to pray for a healing for Aretha Franklin.  Click the picture below to watch the performance on the Oprah website.

Check out the new one from J.Moss called “The Prayers” featuring Hezekiah Walker.  J. Moss is getting ready for the release of his new album titled “V3: The Other Side of Victory” due out this Summer.  

J MOSS — THE PRAYERS (LYRICS) written & produced by PAJAM

VERSE1 CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ WHAT I NEED CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ A WHOLE LOT ABOUT ME CAN N E BODY PRAY WHERE THE PRAYER DON’T CEASE THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

(DA DA DUP DO DA DA DAA DUP DA DA DUP DO DA DA DO)

VERSE 2 CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ WHAT I NEED CAN N E BODY PRAY UNSELFISHLY THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ A WHOLE LOT ABOUT ME CAN N E BODY PRAY WHERE THE PRAYER DON’T CEASE THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

HOOK (I BEEN LOOKIN’ 4 A PARTNER) THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILETH MUCH (3X) (I CAN’T DO IT BY MYSELF) NO NO NO NO NO MORE NO NO NO NO NO MORE

BRIDGE MEN SHOULD PRAY THAT THEY WILL NOT FAINT FATHER IN HEAVEN IN JESUS NAME PRAY 4 EACH OTHER THAT WE MAY BE HEALED PRAY IN FAITH AND HE WILL
 

Kirk Franklin and American Idol finalist Jacob Lusk perform “I Smile” on one of the biggest stages in television Wednesday night.  American Idol put a solo Gospel artist on the big stage for the first time along with Gladys Knight who sung the second verse of the song.  Kirk donated the song to those effected by the deadly tornadoes. I think Kirk did a wonderful job.  Take a listen below!

Gospel star Donnie McClurkin announces the “Delta Call” benefit concert for Birmingham storm and flood victims.  The concert will feature CeCe Winans and VaShawn Mitchell.  The concert is FREE!  Kudos to these artists for doing something FREE that will inspire those who’ve lost everything in the storm.  Tornadoes have ravaged cities in recent months like Joplin MO, Jackson Mississippi, Birmingham Alabama among others.  We pray for rebuilding and the healing of the families impacted by these tragedies.