NATIONAL RECLAMATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE
Bringing Brothers Back Home to Kappa
A Tribute to Our Senior Kappas “Take Us Back”
by Paul Robinson, National Reclamation Committee Chairman
by Rev. Dr. Tony C. Evans, National Chaplain
D uring this year’s Found- ers’ Day weekend, broth- ers "Pass[ed] the Loving Cup,” reminisced and shared laughs from days past, and rededicat- ed themselves to our beloved fraterni- ty. While it is unfortunate that the vast majority of these brothers are not active in the fraternity, nor affiliated with an alumni chapter, I see Founders’ Day as a tremendous opportunity to bring broth- ers back home to Kappa. It is every single member’s responsibility to serve as an ambassador for reclama- tion when coming into contact with a brother who is “not in good standing.” First, we should start with our line brothers. As the saying goes, “Sweep behind your own back door before you try to sweep around mine.” Are your line brothers financial with Grand Chapter? When you go back to home- coming or chapter reunions, is there a reclamation component where brothers are asked about their current fraternity activities? Dr. Marc Lamont Hill gave a rousing speech at the 2018 National Founders’ Day celebration. His speech focused on how much Kappa is needed in our communities and how we need to change the culture where we celebrate and focus on becoming a Kappa, but do nothing towards living as a Kappa. That What can you do?
message must be spread throughout our ranks if we are to bring about the positive change needed for the next generation.
go anyway he desires, but God tells him to ask for the old paths, where is the good way. Instead of just traveling blindly on, this traveler is to stop and ask for directions. Many are too filled with pride to stop and ask, and as a result, they waste much valuable time seeking their way. Of course, this is all in a religious context. The Lord wants his people to travel the right path. He wants them on a path that will lead them in His direction. While this word of correction was spoken to the Jews many years ago, there is a lesson in this verse for the people of today, and yes Kappas of today. It is my opinion that the Lord would still have his people to ask for the old paths. Let’s take a moment to consider this verse as we consider it under the theme “Take Us Back.” I want you to know that there is a right path and there is a wrong path. We must be sure we are walking the one which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, the one that honors Him. In this season, we honor our Founders and the Grand Polemarch has focused us on honoring our Senior Kappas, especially those that have reach the age of 75 years and older— the ones who may remember the old Kappa songs: “Give Me That Old Kappa Spirit,” or “Oh You Must be a Kappa Alpha Psi ® .” We remember the strong faith, persistence and determination they had in pursuing their education and career aspirations to deliver results of achievement in every field of human endeavor, under extreme situations such as the Jim Crow south. We salute you
for staying the course and weathering the storms! We need you more than ever to “Take Us Back.” Take Us Back to a time when we were not led astray by those brothers that introduce the damaging impact of hazing and the demeaning of men they would one day call brother. Consider the command that God is issuing to His people is for them not to allow themselves to be led astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day. They are to look back to men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they are to seek that path for themselves. God’s command is that they not just go anywhere, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way. I can recall spending some time with Founder Edward Giles Irvin and asking many questions about the early days of Kappa. What he shared brought tears to my eyes and redirected the type of Kappa man I wanted to be. Take Us Back. I challenge all brothers to link up with Senior Kappas and take a walk down memory lane. A journey that recalls uniting brothers on the campus of Indiana University to survive the attempts to stop their quest for educational degrees and establishing our fraternity. A journey that placed brothers in a bond of achievers in every field of human endeavor such as: Mayor Thomas Bradley, General Daniel
Next Steps
Chapter Reclamation Chairs, Keepers of Records, or Polemarchs should con- tact their Province Reclamation Chair to obtain a list of inactive members in their area. Some of the best out- reach practices include a personal letter from the Chapter Polemarch asking the brother to come home, followed up by a letter from the Reclamation Chair inviting the brother to upcoming events. Another best practice that casts an even wider net is the use of social media plat- forms such as Facebook ® , Instagram ® , and Twitter ® . In some cases, members have not updated their information with Kappa since graduation so their ad- dresses may be incorrect. However, a great amount of brothers use social media and may be inspired to come out after seeing a post from the local alumni chapter about a Guide Right, social action, or regular social event where brothers will fellowship. The bond of fraternity continues to grow stronger and stronger all around the world. Let this new year bring new opportunities to “Rebirth, Reclaim, Recommit, By Leaving No Brother Behind.”
B rothers all, I am reminded of the Book of Jeremiah 6:16: Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. In this scripture text, the days of Jeremiah’s ministry to the people of Israel were days of deep spiritual wickedness. The people had sinned against God to the point where he was ready to give them up into captivity. And, in fact, they did go into captivity in just a few short years. Yet, even while they perched on the edge of judgment, the Lord desired to see them turn back to him. In this verse, we are given the image of a traveler who comes to a fork in the road. He has the opportunity to
10 | WINTER ISSUE THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL WINTER ISSUE | 11
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker