Dr. Cynthia James at T.D. Jakes International Conference
Posted on 30. Apr, 2012 by SandraVarner in Sandra Varner
Clergy from around the globe will descend upon Orlando, Florida, May 3-5, for the International Pastors and Leaders Conference headed by Bishop T.D. Jakes. According to the conference website, www.pastorsandleaders.org, this leadership summit offers workshops, presentations and worship services that will balance business and spiritual needs and provide motivation and energy to keep going for God!
The website reveals that Bishop T.D. Jakes believes pastors and leaders should be educated on crucial issues that potentially affect them on various levels. Reportedly, since 1995, pastors and leaders from more than 25 different countries have attended Bishop T. D. Jakes’ Pastors and Leadership conferences to be equipped with strategies and resources to thrive in leadership and ministry in spite of the current challenging.
This year’s conference theme is “The Mission Is Not Impossible”. It means this conference will teach the necessary tools to help leaders do what God has called them to do. “I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.” – Isaiah 48:15
Conference topics are: Music & Fine Arts Ministry, Church Real Estate, Management, Data Management, Marketing, Social Media, Television Ministry, Administrative Support, Accounting Management, Armor Bearing, Technology in the Church, Public Relations & Media, Pastors and Ministers’ Wives, Women in Ministry and Church Security.
Conference speakers include Bishops Jakes, Noel Jones (Los Angeles) and Tudor Bismark (South Africa), Pastor Joel Osteen (Houston) and the Bay Area’s Dr. Cynthia James. Recently, I spoke with Dr. James about the Pastors and Leaders Conference. She is celebrated for a dynamic ministry and a biblical message of passion to women. Asked how would she defines today’s woman, particularly from a spiritual context and has the message shifted for today’s woman versus our mother’s and grandmother’s era, she commented, “Well, there is biblical foundation for that question. Scripture says, ‘…greater work that thee shall ye do.’ So I think there’s a suggestion in that text that while yes, the gospel, the good news is unchanging, the momentum for it should be increasing. Part of that is because there is more media; there are increased modalities to get the message out.
“There are more hooks into audiences. There are more failures at high level, people in high level positions with more visibility– people are looking for hope. Generally, I would agree. It just happens –in my own life– is my mother’s message. That message being, “Don’t’ prepare to serve just one segment, prepare to serve humanity.” That was her message to me from elementary school on. Prepare to serve humanity don’t lock into one group. That was before we really talked about global ministry but it’s applicable. I think the language wasn’t there but it is today. The presence of God hasn’t changed. Today’s woman has to know what our issues are and what are needs are that go beyond the drug dealer on the corner and food on the table. It is the mother’s message but it’s just on such a huge scale. Women whose mother’s design clothes for them to go to the prom now need to reach back and get those skills and begin translating those into a market. I think it is true when scripture says ‘there’s nothing new under the sun.’ But there is a new way of presenting it to a broader audience.
“For example, Bishop Jakes’ appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Network exposed him to new audiences, many who were astounded by what he had to say. Some seemed a though it was the first time hearing the message he gave. He was giving the gospel –things we hear every Sunday– and they were Tweeting about it. People were so excited because truth is truth and truth opens its own door and its own heart. There are people who have not heard our mother’s message but it was in a new arena, in a new audience and that’s part of what I hope to talk about at this leadership conference– how to take what we have to another venue. That’s what I’m hoping.”
More on Dr. Cynthia James:
Dr. Cynthia Rembert James has been described as having “a transparent devoutness, coupled with a glaring scholarship.” Dr. James seeks
to model the absolute importance of Godly consecrated study and preparation. She incarnates the admonition of II Timothy 2:15 and is a gift to the
body of Christ fervently and rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Pastor James is a Christian Psychologist who pastors two local congregations in Oakland, California and brings an intellectually sound yet fervent approach to ministry. She provides oversight for the credentialing, counseling, and pastoral care
of approximately 140 pastors and ministers serving 60 Church of God congregations in the Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Hawaii district.
Dr. James has earned two Doctorate Degrees: one in Psychology from Rutgers University, and a second Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of Divinity from the Southern California School of Ministries. Dr. James has held numerous Professorships in Psychology and served as the “Earl Lecturer” for the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She has published numerous professional articles including “Finding A Placement That Fits” (Sept 2006) and the most recent book release is “Perseverance: The Power Beneath the Surface,” a trilogy of sermons. In addition, Dr. James received The President’s Volunteer Action Award for community mobilization and conducted crusades in Finland, Sweden” Estonia, and Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as sponsored mission work in Lithuania.
Dr. James maintains an active schedule of preaching and conference training engagements but takes immeasurable delight in her family; Rev. Alvin James, her husband of 40 years, and their two sons and one daughter.
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