Comments by Edward Samuel Bowen , Jr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

In Defense of my friend, Ernie Coleman..

I am compelled to rebut some very irresponsible assertions made against Ernie's character, and also on some very hurtful and unfounded statements made about the church of which Ernie is a member and serves as a deacon.

First the church issue, because that also affects Me, a fellow member. The word "deacon" comes from the greek word diakonos, which translated means "servant". I stress the word "servant", as opposed to "ruler" or "boss". A little kid walked up to me one day and said, "Are you the boss of this church?" With a warm grin I leaned over and said,"No...I serve the Boss, I'm just another helper" I've always hoped that stuck in his little mind.

Ernie is a servant, not a dictorial power pusher around the church. Nobody at Old Ford church is scared of Ernie, child or adult. We're a fellowship of brotherly love and service to our community and abroad to foreign fields of great need through our mission support all over the world. Ernie is one of many who serve and help with whatever the need is. We feel specially comforted to have him in our midst! Jesus said, "Whosever among you who would be great, will be the servant of all". Service is God's standard of greatness, and deacons simply serve.

Now concerning other false assertions, I state and will maintain that I have never in eleven years heard any ill or condescending reference come out of Ernie's mouth concerning a person with a different skin tone than his own. I have heard Ernie state, on the contrary, that he is appreciative of the non-combative and the gentlemanly good nature of his opponent running also for sheriff.

Two good men are running for sheriff...that's fantastic! Almost unheard of! I thank God for that. Maybe a new day is dawning! Eddie Bowen, minister (servant) with the Old Ford Church of Christ.

Commented: Thursday, October 30th, 2014 @ 11:54 am By: Edward Samuel Bowen , Jr.