Gardner Calvin Taylor

Gardner Calvin Taylor

Senior Pastor Emeritus, Concord Baptist Church of Christ

The Reverend Gardner Calvin Taylor is senior pastor emeritus of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, N.Y. The “On Faith” panelist led the congregation from 1948 to 1990, as church membership grew by 9,000 and through a 1952 fire that necessitated a $1.7 million rebuilding effort. His role as pastor included oversight of the Concord Baptist Church Elementary School, Concord Nursing Home, Concord Clothing exchange, Concord Federal Credit Union, Concord Seniors Residence and Concord Baptist Christfund. Beyond Brooklyn, Taylor has taken the pulpit from London’s Westminster Hall to China to Copenhagen to Zambia. His publications include How Shall They Preach, The Scarlet Thread, Chariots Aflame and Wisdom. Among his awards and honorary degrees are doctorates from Oberlin College, Leland College, Wake Forest University and Howard University; a Star of Africa, conferred by Liberian President William Tubman; and the rank of Knight Commander, Order of African Redemption, conferred by President William Tolbert of Liberia. President Clinton awarded Taylor the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. Born in Baton Rouge, La., he now resides in North Carolina. Close.

Gardner Calvin Taylor

Senior Pastor Emeritus, Concord Baptist Church of Christ

The Reverend Gardner Calvin Taylor is senior pastor emeritus of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, N.Y. The “On Faith” panelist led the congregation from 1948 to 1990, as church membership grew by 9,000 and through a 1952 fire that necessitated a $1.7 million rebuilding effort. more »

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Religion & Politics Archives



November 14, 2006 4:30 PM

No Monopoly On Truth

The fact that some religious people believe they have a monopoly on truth does not mean that some of them, at least, under the pressure of persuasion cannot be changed.

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November 22, 2006 11:15 AM

Reflection on Thanksgiving

The word “Thanksgiving” appears in both the first and second testaments of the Bible, but is not one of the canonical or “appointed” feasts in the first testament, nor does it rise to what may be called a canonical observance in the second.

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December 18, 2006 4:10 PM

In Spirit, But Not In Letter

As to whether America is a Christian nation, one might well ask if any nation is Christian or any church or individual. In actuality, no. In aspiration, perhaps.

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January 24, 2007 9:09 AM

Sincerity is Key

I believe that anyone has a right to express his or her personal religious views at anytime, most appropriately when the expression is not obviously aimed at garnering votes.

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March 29, 2007 7:29 AM

The Mass Media and Religion

The American Mass Communications Networks honors religion in the same manner which prompted Jesus to say “. . . this people honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Mark 7:6). The prophet Isaiah much earlier reported that this same word was the indictment made by God (Isaiah 29:13).

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June 20, 2007 7:15 AM

Our Moral Imperative in Iraq

We broke it, so we have a moral obligation to help put Iraq together again. In the rebuilding of Iraq we need to take the role of partners rather than masters.


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