It is so easy to get wrapped up in what is going on in our church or our city or even our state so I decided to post links to stories dealing with religion and faith all around the nation and world so that we can make sure that we really know what is going on the world around us…

First of all, according to new study conducted by The Washington Post and The Kaiser Family Foundation, black women are the most religious group in the United States…that is no surprise to me…I’m just surprised that nobody called me…lol…Some of the results of the survey are below…(The only problem I have with the survey is that it appears that only black and white people were surveyed…)

• 74 percent of black women said that living a religious life is very important to them versus 70 percent of black men. Also, 57 percent of white women agree with that statement versus 43 percent of white men.
• 87 percent of black women said that religion or faith in God plays a very important role in helping them get through tough times versus 79 percent of black men. 66 percent of white women and 51 percent of white men agree with that statement.

There are some other interesting findings that have nothing to do with religion and faith. For more information, take a look at the complete survey results from The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Now on to other interesting news in the religion and faith biosphere….

2. I cannot believe this kind of stuff is going on in the name of Christianity…A whites-only Christian conference…From The Huffington Post – Whites-Only Christian Conference Held in Alabama By Pastor William J. Collier’s Church of God’s Chosen

3. This woman is actually selling her soul…Lord, help us…From The Christian Post – Women Sells Her Soul on eBay, Hopes to ‘Deliver Opportunity’ for Salvation

4. Retired Bishop Leontine Kelly, the first African-American female bishop in a major Christian denomination (United Methodist Church) has passed away at 92 years old. I interviewed Bishop Linda Lee of the United Methodist Church for my book. Bishop Lee is first African-American woman to be elected as a bishop in the North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church and one of three African-American women elected in jurisdictions across the United States in July 2000. According to The Huffington Post, Bishop Kelly was quoted as saying, “”Praise God, I’m no longer the only one.” From The Huffington Post – Leontine Kelly Dead: African-American United Methodist Woman Dies at 92

5. Just in case your dog needs a blessing…Can I get a woof, woof? I know I’m lame…lol..From The Washington Post – Prayers for Pets in downtown D.C.

6. Remember the first Claire Kyle on that hilarious Damon Wayans show “My Wife and Kids?” Well, the actress Jazz Raycole, is back as a pastor’s daughter in TV Land’s “The Soul Man,” the new show with Cedric the Entertainer. And she says she worshiped her way into her new role. From The Christian Post – Jazz Raycole, ‘The Soul Man’ Actress, ‘Worshiped’ Her Way Into Latest Role

7. Apparently, women givers in churches are being ignored despite controlling more than 51 percent of personal wealth in the nation according to a new survey…(Hmmm….have they been to Atlanta? I don’t think we are being ignored here in the A…Pass that offering plate one mo gain plz…lol…) From Newswise – Many Churches Overlook Women as Donors, Despite Their Growing Control of Personal Wealth in the U.S.

Any thoughts?

The post Black Women Are More Religious than Erebody and other religious news… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Obviously me and my soror and best-selling author Patricia Haley...

My apologies for not sticking to my usual blogging schedule, but you know how busy the summer months can get…Anywho, I’m back y’all and ready to blog it out…(corny, right? ) 

Sooo I’m back from Ponte Verda Beach (near Jacksonville), Florida where I attended the 2011 Faith & Fiction Retreat which was held at the luxe Sawgrass Marriott Spa and Resort!  I had a wonderful time hobnobbing with authors, reconnecting with friends, making new friends and – plugging my book!

Yes, you read that right! My new book “After the Altar Call: The Sisters’ Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God” will be published next year!!! I am being published by Nevaeh Publishing! And if you have read my blog for a while, you know I’ve been hoping, wishing, praying and working for this dream to come true for a looooooong time!

Apparently, the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is home to one of the top the PGA golf courses...

Below is my summary of my book…

After the Altar Call: The Sisters’ Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God is a fresh, real and relevant how-to manual for African- American Christian women who desire to move past the “church speak” and into an intimate relationship with their Creator. What makes this book unique from other “relationship with God” books is that this book is written from an African-American perspective and spans a variety of issues typically not included in one book – from being thrice-married to leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

As a seasoned journalist, Jacqueline has interviewed black women from diverse backgrounds to discover what having a personal relationship with God is truly about – beyond the initial “come to Jesus” moment typically associated with the altar call experience. She has given you a rare, personal look into the lives of these women, identified the precepts these women used to develop a personal relationship with God given their life experiences, and created a plan for you to craft your own relationship with the Father.

Y’all, I have interviewed some great women for this book! I interviewed Sherri Shepherd from “The View,” Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman elected to Episcopal office in A.M.E. history; Bishop Linda Lee, the first black woman to be elected as a bishop at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church;  and Valorie Burton, a certified personal and executive coach and author.

I also have interviewed many notable Christian fiction authors including Dwan  Abrams,  who also founded Nevaeh Publishing LLC; Tiffany Warren, who also started the Faith & Fiction Retreat; and LaTonya Mason Summers, who is also a licensed, professional counselor and the founding executive director of LifeSkills Counseling & Consulting.

Faith & Fiction Retreat founder Tiffany Warren & her husband Brent on the beach...

I have also interviewed some people who are well-known to us in the A including the Rev. Stephanie Bronner, who along with her husband, the Rev. James Bronner, wrote the book, Bedroom Talk: How to Turn Your Marriage Into a Lifelong Love Affair. Her husband is the youngest son in the legendary Bronner Bros. hair care dynasty. I also interviewed Melissa Summers, who was known as “Atlanta’s Girlfriend” as the former midday personality for V-103 and former host for KISS 104.1.

And y’all, I also interviewed 15 other phenomenal women for the book. I don’t want to give it all away in one blog post, but y’all will not be disappointed…

It was very special for me to tell everyone about my book at this year’s Faith & Fiction Retreat because I actually pitched my book to several publishing companies at last year’s Faith & Fiction Retreat, which was held in the A. Thankfully, Nevaeh Publishing wanted to publish my book. I feel sooo blessed! I signed my book contract in the fall of last year, and since then, I’ve been working on my book and trying to keep it a secret…

But now, I’m ready to tell y’all, and I intend to tell you what’s going on each step of the way right through to publication day. Right now, I’m choosing a book cover, and once that’s done, I will post it on the blog…Also, I’m fine-tuning my marketing and promotion plan…If you want to help me or have some great marketing & promotion ideas, don’t be a stranger. Comment and let me know…

Me & my Faith & Fiction roomie and author Leslie J. Sherrod on the way to the All-White Party...

Give Him Praise!!! Because the Lord Did It!!!

Any thoughts?

P.S. Friend me on Facebook (Jackie Holness) where I will be posting more pics from the retreat soon…

The post 2011 Faith & Fiction Retreat aka Debuting My NEW BOOK!!! appeared first on After the Altar Call.