the ce interview and welcomed as I did then. Does worship in a black church differ from that of white churches? I really can’t say because I don’t get out much :-) I just know that there is something special about Sunday morning when the saints gather together for worship to express love and adoration for this awesome God we serve. I can only hope that others anticipate every opportunity and enjoy themselves as much as I do. I must say that at Mt. Ennon, we strive to create unparalleled worship experiences that people will not soon forget. www.MtEnnon.org
MT. ENNON Church ADVOCATES FOR DECENCY IN VIDEOs The Enough is Enough Campaign for Corporate Responsibility in Entertainment started after Pastor Delman Coates and several hundred members of our church reached a point of outrage with the corporate sponsorship of misogynistic lyrics and lyrics that portrayed Black and Latino men as pimps and thugs. This was not an issue of censorship; the programs in question were not in compliance with the guidelines for advertising standards but were sponsored by Fortune 500 companies that targeted children and youth with adult content that was graphic and inappropriate for the targeted audience. The campaign achieved national attention for the media advocacy work of our local church resulting in three out of four of BET music video programs being cancelled. We received national support from entertainers, businesses, civil rights groups and women’s advocacy groups alike, all who shared our concern and echoed the desire to see change. Through the campaign’s weekly rallies in D.C. and New York for eight months, a media study was conducted in partnership with the Parents Television Council called “Rap on Rap” that analyses the lyrical content on BET and MTV music programs. We held a press conference at the National Press Club to announce the results of that study and to initiate our advertiser accountability phase of the campaign. Pastor Coates was an invited speaker at two Federal Communication Commission hearings on media consolidation. The success of the campaign resulted in the appointment of Pastor Coates to the board of the Parents Television Council, a national organization that focuses on decency in television. We continue this media advocacy through the council. In other work, we rallied in support of President Obama’s Health Care Reform Plan. Also, Pastor Coates has met with elected officials at the state and county level to oppose the expansion of gaming in our community and frequently writes opinion editorials on a range of issues. We also provide opportunities for members to contact Congressional representatives to express their views on various pieces of legislation.
— Colette Rice
10 | Church executive | 02/2013