This week a series of special events are being held for Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin Jr., who is celebrating 40 years as senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church.
A spiritual and social leader with national acclaim, Benjamin has successfully led his congregation through some of the most intense times in the history of America and Indianapolis, from the Civil Rights era to the global Internet age.
Always ready to speak out against injustice and social dysfunction like the biblical prophets, Benjamin is known for his vocal efforts to combat street violence, fight against discrimination and police brutality and promote the stability of the African-American family unit.
Benjamin accepted his call to ministry 43 years ago and has learned many lessons along his journey, which he shares with new generations of pastors and ministers. One of his greatest achievements is having trained 45 seminary graduates who serve in the world church community as pastors, speakers and missionaries. They have all earned master degrees or doctorate degrees.
Benjamin was consecrated to the Bishopric by an ecumenical group of national bishops in 1996 at the Indiana Convention Center. He has earned honors such as the Sagamore of the Wabash, the NAACP Pathfinder Award, the Distinguished Preacher Award from Morehouse College and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee’s Whistler Award. He is also the author of several books, including Boys To Men, The Home Alone Syndrome, Mama’s Boy, and It’s All In Your Mind.
This week the Recorder sat down with Benjamin to ask him about the future of his ministry, and to get to know a more personal side of the popular clergyman. Here are excerpts from that discussion:
How do you feel about reaching the milestone of 40 years?
Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin: It has really been an incredible journey for me and I have enjoyed each of these years with Light of the World. I haven’t really been counting the years or the days because I’ve had so much fun. It feels like I just started yesterday. People have been extremely kind, generous and loving and I truly appreciate that.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned over the last 40 years?
That it’s not about me, but about serving God and giving him glory by serving others. It’s like a cliché, but the fact of the matter is the longer you live the more you realize that everything we have God give us, and everything we are God made us. Once you come to that conclusion it’s nowhere near an ego trip, it actually becomes a focus on serving. I appreciate the recognition I’m receiving this week, but that is credit, not glory. The glory belongs to God. I’m not diminishing the contributions that I or any other human being can make for the kingdom of God, but it is his grace that allows myself and others to do the work that we do.
Occasionally, like other human beings, some ministers have fallen to acts of temptation that have been sensationalized in sexual or financial scandals. What has given you the strength to avoid being caught in those traps?
Actually, I don’t consider myself a model of perfection. On one shoulder, I have God whispering in my ear, saying “Do not yield to temptation.” Then I have my grandmother on the other shoulder saying the same thing. The key to overcoming temptation is focus. Lost focus is the cause of many people falling from the faith. When you keep your focus you will continue to go toward the spirit instead of the flesh. But we have to remember that ministers are human beings just like everyone else who needs to be corrected and forgiven. So when they do fall, they need to be corrected and then forgiven so they may continue the purpose God has for them.
You and Lady Benjamin have been married 42 years. What has made your marriage successful?
The success of our marriage can be summed up in me saying two words: Yes, dear. The success also includes submitting to my wife as she submits to me. It’s like the lyrics to the old song “Glory of Love,” ‘You have to give a little, take a little and let your poor heart break a little. That’s the glory of love.’ The key however, has been having a Christ centered marriage. Christ has been the glue that has held our marriage together. So whenever we would drift apart, that foundation in Christ would bring us back together again because we are equally yoked.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Well, I really enjoy playing golf. I think it is very relaxing and a great opportunity for fellowship. I also love music and have a very extensive collection on my Iphone.
What kind of music do you enjoy? Do you have a favorite artist or style?
Well, my taste is so eclectic that it’s really hard for me to narrow it down to just one artist or genre. My favorite gospel singer and songwriter is Donald Lawrence. There is also a young lady, a gospel musician I enjoy hearing named Lisa McClendon who has a very soulful sound. But I also like to listen to performers such as Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Raphael Siddeeq and B.B. King. I especially love music from our African-American heritage, whether it be gospel, jazz, blues or R&B.
What are some of Light of the World’s future plans?
We have a three chord stand under three leaders who each address different age groups. We have a senior pastor for the Abraham generation, an executive pastor for the Moses generation and our newest addition, Pastor M.E. Drane, for the youth and young adults. Pastor Drane is a dynamic preacher who can help gather and develop the interest of youth both in the church and the community. It is our goal now to build an army of young adults for the Lord Jesus Christ. What we are missing today is a dedication to volunteer service and giving back what the Lord has given us. We need to wake that up again in our younger generation so they are not just blessed, but are being a blessing. Our goal is become a balanced church that is strong in worship, but also strong in volunteerism. We want to lift a hand in praise, but also lend a hand to those in need.
