Allo Mate…
I’m having mixed thoughts right now. So im on the Cross Movement Records website just browsing as i do. If you don’t know about Cross Movement Records, they are a Christian label who deal with some of the biggest names in Christian Hip-Hop – one of the big names being ‘Ambassador’.
I was browsing the website when i came across the following statement…
It is with much grief, severe disappointment and an overwhelming fear of the Lord that Cross Movement Records is sad to announce that we will be discontinuing the forwarding and promotion of the Artist and Minister, The Ambassador AKA William “Duce” Branch, due to recent findings of moral failure in his marriage. It is CMR’s past, current and prayerfully, future position that living in moral compromise is unacceptable and never allowable in the lives of any of the ministers that we co-labor with. We continue to hold up the teachings of Christ as the standard for all Christians and especially those in Christian leadership and public ministry. Although it is a rare find these days, discipline is still one of the true marks of the true Church.
That being said, we also know according to Hebrews 12:6 that “whom The Lord loves He disciplines.” So we know that our beloved brother Duce is under the Lord’s loving care (Hebrews 12:5-11). We at CMR solicit your prayers for him as he begins the uphill climb of restoration through the process of repentance. We also ask that you remember his wife and children in your quiet time with our Lord as well. We are reminded by Galatians 6:1, that we are to work toward the restoration of our dear brother in due season and also to do such in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted.
WOW!!!
This is a bold statement. Now i believe its valid but im not too sure i’m a fan of how they named and shamed him in such detail. Obviously if he’s not practising what he’s preaching or he has certain issues then he needs to take time out and deal with them, however im not too sure CMR would have helped by naming and shaming.
I think a statement saying Ambassador is dealing with some issues and hence forth isn’t working with CMR anymore, pray for him woud have been better! Nobodies perfect and im sure most of the Christian artists in the limelight have done things they wouldn’t want named and shamed. Ya dig
What I can say is that it seems CMR have made the statement in love and keep Ambassador in your praers because it aint easy doing what we do!
1 Corinthians 9:27!
STANDARD
i dunno what to say..i hear what they trying to do but im hurt ! im hurt bro!i dunno mannn!
I’m on their mailing list, so I got this intriguing email yesterday, so I went to the site, and I saw it there.
I’m with you and Icie in not being sure about the way they’ve done it…
But I’m sure you’ve read the following extract from the same statement. It seems like there was a bit of external pressure because there were suggestions that CMR were trying to sweep things under the carpet:
‘Lastly, some that have had this circumstance announced to them through other sources have begun to suggest some type of cover-up or a sweeping under the carpet by CMR because of a slight delay in this statement versus the announcement that has already happened in William Branch’s church’
In the light of that it seems like CMR decided they had to act decisively.
Only goes to show: we’re all human, and we continue to need God’s grace and mercy in this walk…
I dnt think its a naming and shaming thing. There is no shame in open rebuke and confession. Its discipline, and it did not happen like yesterday and they just put it up. Its been weeks now, so they have spoken about and no doubt felt it necessary not to sweep it under the rug but to publically tell people.
Good point, S.O.
But I think what Guvna is looking at is if there was another way of doing it, rather than the detail he thinks they’ve gone into…
For me, I actually think the opposite. I think it’s a big vague…
‘Moral failure in his marriage’…? what does that mean?
But then I started to think to myself: of what benefit is it to me to actually know the details, anyway…?
Best if I can just pray for them, man.
Ministry ain’t easy… The higher the profile, the more we need to remember to pray for everyone…
i don’t think its something they did lightly, for them to take this course of action to openly put it out like that, i’m assuming there was previous discussion and deliberation to get to this point, along with warnings to the artist and so fourth
if they wouldn’t of boldly put it out there why they dropped him and just did it with no clear explanation, it is high likely people would have been gossiping left right and center
i don’t think things like this are done lightly and this is a wake up call for many
This is far from a case of naming and shaming and is definitely not something that has been undertaken lightly. It’s painful fam.
But accountability has to do something in order to mean something.
The following 2 scriptures are the basis for CMR making the statement in the way they did.
FIRST:
1Ti 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
SECOND:
James 3:1 ¶ My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
There is much more to be said but in relation to qualifications of and Elder, Appointment and Accountability in ministry etc, but the bottom line is that this is the healthiest, God prescribed method of dealing with a very devastating situation.
Let’s keep the bible the main thing and not our feelings or opinions. Above all things pray for his family and his personal and public restoration.
Much luv, grace n peace.
Amen!
Amen, Pastor Efrem!
Amen Pastor E, no naming and shaming here.
Grace and peace, and let us PRAY for Duce as that is what is most important here, rather than saying what should have been done or shouldn’t. And rather than having “Name and Shame” as headings!!
Amen Pastor Efrem.
Guv, I think you blogging about it was fine. Discussing what should and should not be done is also ok. That’s how we develop precedent that the young church could fine useful. This blog’s thread has been way more sensible and productive than some of the stuff I have been reading. Thanks Guv. However, I get you on the headings issue musingsofalyricaltheologian.
One thing I want to add is that the only reason that CMR’s method shocked people is that we have become accustomed to Gospel artistes doing the exact opposite and never stopped to question whether their methods are biblical. If this was Verity or EMI this might have been (or has been for that matter) swept under the rug and the fallen would have continued to minister without full restoration leaving the rumour mill running. This is even happening in the UK gospel scene right now!!!
My question is, what do we prefer.
This is the start of a restoration process for Duce and the foundation of his future ministry. My prayers are with his local, church and family.
Greetings y’all from Chi-town!
A friend of mine passed on the link and, well… I am disappointed with the blog post name. This was not a “name and shame” exercise by CMR at all! Dude, this was the most biblical and loving way of dealing with this type of situation. Please do not let emotion and opinion be our guide when we have clear direction from scripture. If this makes y’all fearful of the hidden sins in your life, it has served part of it’s purpose, according to (1 Timothy 5:20).
This is a reality check for men especially (or should I say “males” because some “men” are still boys, frontin) . All those still battling with pornography & lust… turn to Christ, see the cross and repent becuase if your truly of God he WILL discipline you…
(Hebrews 12:4-8) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
On real talk though, openly rebuking a Pastor is very unlikely to happen in these times becuase we “feel” it’s too harsh. Like a typical excuse we hear is… “if we tell the people what happened some will turn away and not want to be with us any longer..”
Lets keep Dude in our prayers at this difficult time in his life, remembering also his family and church.
Lexi
i think he kinda got boyed.if the label wanted to drop him due to him not meeting there ‘spiritual’ requirements or standards there could of simply said due to personal matters ambassador has been droped from the label simple.
This really pains me. We really need to pray for our brother and his ministry.
Mannn.. this bugs me out… This saddens me, as I know it saddens everyone who has followed The Ambassador’s ministry. It goes to show ANYONE and EVERYONE is susceptible to falling. One thing I do know is that he did not just fall into cheating with his wife (assuming that is what they are saying he did), it begins small, lust, pornography, late night HBO, etc.
And I sorta agree with the writer of this blog, they should not have put him out like that, but maybe he allowed it.
Lets keep praying for this brother..
Blessings
Jay
P.S. i dont check this much, but if anyone wants to chop it up you can find me on myspace
http://www.myspace.com/yungdiice23