charles l allen |
Charles Livingstone Allen was an American ordained United Methodist minister most notable for his work as a Pastor. The son of the Rev. J. R. Allen and Lula Franklin Allen, was born June 24, 1913 in Newborn, Ga., raised in a succession of Methodist parsonages with six brothers and sisters, Allen came to Houston in 1960 from Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta. During his 12 years there, Grace Methodist became the largest Methodist congregation in the state. The church is located in Atlanta at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Charles Allen Drive, which is named for the church's former pastor. Allen, whose sermons at First Methodist were televised, often considered establishing a nationwide TV ministry but abandoned the idea. Allen served as pastor of Grace Methodist Church in Atlanta from 1948 to 1960 and as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, from 1960 to 1983. Allen was educated at Young Harris College (1930-32), Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina (1932-34), and Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta (1933-37). Admitted on a trial basis to the North Georgia Conference in 1933, he was ordained a deacon in 1935 and an elder in 1937. From 1933 to 1948 he served appointments in Douglasville and Thomson, among others. Leila Jane Haynes of Clermont became his wife in 1934. Allen was also a columnist for the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution during the 1950s and after that for the Houston Chronicle. He also authored inspirational books, including God's Psychiatry and All Things Are Possible Through Prayer: The Faith-Filled Guidebook That Can Change Your Life. He pioneered American TV ministries with his WSB-Channel 2 Atlanta Sunday night services beginning in 1956. In 1976, Allen was a candidate for bishop, but he decided against it, saying he preferred to remain at First Methodist. He retired in 1983. Allen's wife, Leila Haynes Allen, died in 1978, and a son, John Franklin Allen, died in 2001. Time magazine once wrote: "The story of Charles L. Allen is not the story of rafter-ringing oratory. He speaks simply, seldom raises his voice, and uses few gestures. He is inclined to say: 'You'll feel better if you live this way.' "
Obituary for Charles L Allen; September 4, 2005: Houston Chronicle
The Rev. Charles L. Allen, for 23 years pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Houston, which during his ministry was the largest Methodist congregation in the world, died Tuesday in a Houston retirement community. He was 92.
Allen also authored more than 40 books, including the best-selling God's Psychiatry, conducted more than 30 tours of the Holy Land, wrote a column for the Houston Chronicle and preached on five continents.
A statement from his family summarized his career:
"Those who heard him preach were blessed with a simple, honest message of love and encouragement. He brought a host of souls to the Lord, and is in fellowship with them today."
Time magazine once described Allen's style and message:
"The story of Charles L. Allen is not the story of rafter-ringing oratory. He speaks simply, seldom raises his voice, and uses few gestures. He is inclined to say: 'You'll feel better if you live this way.' "
During Allen's pastorate at First Methodist, the membership grew to more than 12,000, which made it the world's largest Methodist congregation.
At the time, Allen pointed out that 12,000 is a greater number of followers than John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had in his lifetime. At present, First Methodist has about 11,000 members
In 1976, Allen was a candidate for bishop, but he decided against it, saying he preferred to remain at First Methodist. He retired in 1983.
Born in Newborn, Ga., raised in a succession of Methodist parsonages with six brothers and sisters, Allen came to Houston in 1960 from Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta. During his 12 years there, Grace Methodist became the largest Methodist congregation in the state. The church is located in Atlanta at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Charles Allen Drive, which is named for the church's former pastor.
Allen, whose sermons at First Methodist were televised, often considered establishing a nationwide TV ministry but abandoned the idea.
"I've preached on TV longer than any preacher in the world," he said in 1981. "It's become too commercial now. You have to raise so much money to do that."
He said he never appealed for money, "and that's what would be required to get something going like that."
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, of the Texas Conference of the Methodist Church, called Allen "one of the most influential preachers in America for many years. Through his preaching and worship leadership in Houston and the nation, he deepened the faith of thousands of people and brought many people to Jesus Christ. We thank God for his life and ministry."
Charles Livingstone Allen, the son of the Rev. J. R. Allen and Lula Franklin Allen, was born June 24, 1913. He was a graduate of Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga., Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Allen was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary society.
When Allen was pastor at Grace Methodist in Atlanta and writing a column for the Atlanta Constitution, a publisher asked him to write a book.
The result was Roads to Radiant Living, and it sold well. God's Psychiatry, however, was Allen's greatest publishing success. "Rich's in Atlanta sold more copies of that than they did of Gone With the Wind," Allen said.
One of his books was the result of a leaflet containing 31 translations of 13th chapter of I Corinthians ("Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity ... "). Allen gave 5,000 copies of the leaflet to his congregation.
The response was so great that Allen was inspired to write a book, The Miracle of Love, the first of a series of books on biblical themes.
Allen's wife, Leila Haynes Allen, died in 1978, and a son, John Franklin Allen, died in 2001.
The Rev. Charles L. Allen, for 23 years pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Houston, which during his ministry was the largest Methodist congregation in the world, died Tuesday in a Houston retirement community. He was 92.
Allen also authored more than 40 books, including the best-selling God's Psychiatry, conducted more than 30 tours of the Holy Land, wrote a column for the Houston Chronicle and preached on five continents.
A statement from his family summarized his career:
"Those who heard him preach were blessed with a simple, honest message of love and encouragement. He brought a host of souls to the Lord, and is in fellowship with them today."
Time magazine once described Allen's style and message:
"The story of Charles L. Allen is not the story of rafter-ringing oratory. He speaks simply, seldom raises his voice, and uses few gestures. He is inclined to say: 'You'll feel better if you live this way.' "
During Allen's pastorate at First Methodist, the membership grew to more than 12,000, which made it the world's largest Methodist congregation.
At the time, Allen pointed out that 12,000 is a greater number of followers than John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had in his lifetime. At present, First Methodist has about 11,000 members
In 1976, Allen was a candidate for bishop, but he decided against it, saying he preferred to remain at First Methodist. He retired in 1983.
Born in Newborn, Ga., raised in a succession of Methodist parsonages with six brothers and sisters, Allen came to Houston in 1960 from Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta. During his 12 years there, Grace Methodist became the largest Methodist congregation in the state. The church is located in Atlanta at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Charles Allen Drive, which is named for the church's former pastor.
Allen, whose sermons at First Methodist were televised, often considered establishing a nationwide TV ministry but abandoned the idea.
"I've preached on TV longer than any preacher in the world," he said in 1981. "It's become too commercial now. You have to raise so much money to do that."
He said he never appealed for money, "and that's what would be required to get something going like that."
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, of the Texas Conference of the Methodist Church, called Allen "one of the most influential preachers in America for many years. Through his preaching and worship leadership in Houston and the nation, he deepened the faith of thousands of people and brought many people to Jesus Christ. We thank God for his life and ministry."
Charles Livingstone Allen, the son of the Rev. J. R. Allen and Lula Franklin Allen, was born June 24, 1913. He was a graduate of Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga., Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Allen was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary society.
When Allen was pastor at Grace Methodist in Atlanta and writing a column for the Atlanta Constitution, a publisher asked him to write a book.
The result was Roads to Radiant Living, and it sold well. God's Psychiatry, however, was Allen's greatest publishing success. "Rich's in Atlanta sold more copies of that than they did of Gone With the Wind," Allen said.
One of his books was the result of a leaflet containing 31 translations of 13th chapter of I Corinthians ("Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity ... "). Allen gave 5,000 copies of the leaflet to his congregation.
The response was so great that Allen was inspired to write a book, The Miracle of Love, the first of a series of books on biblical themes.
Allen's wife, Leila Haynes Allen, died in 1978, and a son, John Franklin Allen, died in 2001.
“The first purpose of prayer is to know God.”
-- Charles L. Allen
Prayer is not a means by which I seek to control God; it is a means of putting myself in a position where God can control me.
—Charles L. Allen
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you're slamming the door in the face of God.
—Charles L. Allen
-- Charles L. Allen
Prayer is not a means by which I seek to control God; it is a means of putting myself in a position where God can control me.
—Charles L. Allen
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you're slamming the door in the face of God.
—Charles L. Allen
"Why do people leave God out of their lives? It isn't because one is an atheist who does not believe. We can believe in God's existence and still ignore Him. Men do not leave God because they do not feel that they need Him. They leave God because they do not feel they need Him. They have resources sufficient; they can make their own laws and decide their own roads to travel. The prodigal is not necessarily one who wants to do wrong. The prodigal is one who feels sufficient with his own resources. "
--Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
"When the Prodigal Son comes to himself, he says, "I will arise and go to my father." In his situation, some people say "I will turn over a new leaf. I will do better." Some say, "I will become active in the church. I will make my life count for more." Those things are good but not good enough. That boy realizes he does not have the strength within himself. And blessed is that person who will settle for nothing less than the Father."
--Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
"Jealousy is not bad. In fact, it is normal and right. The Bible tells us that God is jealous (Ex 20:5). Jealousy comes from love and when love is cheated, it has a right to be jealous. Any person is jealous for that which it loves, and if one has the right to love, he or she also has the right to be jealous. But envy is a result of selfishness. St Paul tells us, "Love envies not" (I Cor 13:4). The envious person is always unhappy over the good fortune of another. It was envy that caused the first murder on earth. It was envy which nailed our Christ to the cross. "For he knew that for envy they had delivered him" (Matt 27:18)."
--Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
"The main reason for going to church is to pray. The fact is, prayer is the church's supreme business. Jesus said, "My house shall be called the house of prayer" (Matt 23:13). The most important part of the church is not the pulpit, not the choir loft, not the social hall, it is the altar. As the Bible tells about the building of the first churches, it is the altar that is emphasized. "And Noah built an altar unto the Lord" (Gen 8:20). "And there Abraham built an altar unto the Lord" (Gen 12:7). "And God said unto Jacob, Arise go up to Bethel...and make there an altar unto God" (Gen 35:1). "And Moses built an altar' (Exodus 17:15).. "
--Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
"I think of at least three reasons why it is wrong to pick out some fellow who has not done as well as you and feel superior to him.
1) You may be wrong because that fellow may be doing a lot better than you. God judges in light of the circumstances of one's life. Maybe, when everything is considered, that fellow is doing far better than you are. Jesus warns: "With what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged" (Matt 7:2). Be careful how you look at others.
2) Comparing yourself with someone who seemingly has not done as well as you, makes you conceited. Conceit is the most fatal of all spiritual diseases. When you go to the doctor he will ask, "How is your appetite?" He knows that if you lose your appetite, you will not eat properly, and your body will waste away. Conceit kills one's spiritual appetite. It will cause one to cease to feed on his soul and eventually he will die spiritually.
3) The main reason it is wrong to compare ourselves to with some less fortunate person is, it is an insult to God. We remember how Richard Baxter, as he watched some poor wretch go off to prison said, "There but for the grace of God, go I." Maybe God gave you more talents and better opportunities. Maybe He has poured His blessings more freely upon you. The very fact that you are getting along better than somebody else should drive you to your knees in thanksgiving.
If you feel any conceit, it is because you have been looking down. A mountain shames a molehill until humbled by the stars. Look up to God." --Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
1) You may be wrong because that fellow may be doing a lot better than you. God judges in light of the circumstances of one's life. Maybe, when everything is considered, that fellow is doing far better than you are. Jesus warns: "With what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged" (Matt 7:2). Be careful how you look at others.
2) Comparing yourself with someone who seemingly has not done as well as you, makes you conceited. Conceit is the most fatal of all spiritual diseases. When you go to the doctor he will ask, "How is your appetite?" He knows that if you lose your appetite, you will not eat properly, and your body will waste away. Conceit kills one's spiritual appetite. It will cause one to cease to feed on his soul and eventually he will die spiritually.
3) The main reason it is wrong to compare ourselves to with some less fortunate person is, it is an insult to God. We remember how Richard Baxter, as he watched some poor wretch go off to prison said, "There but for the grace of God, go I." Maybe God gave you more talents and better opportunities. Maybe He has poured His blessings more freely upon you. The very fact that you are getting along better than somebody else should drive you to your knees in thanksgiving.
If you feel any conceit, it is because you have been looking down. A mountain shames a molehill until humbled by the stars. Look up to God." --Charles L Allen; When The Heart is Angry; 1955
“It seems to be a general belief that the will of God is to make things distasteful for us, like taking bad-tasting medicine when we are sick, or going to the dentist. Somebody needs to tell us that the sunrise is also God's will. There is the time of harvest, the harvest which will provide food and clothes for us, without which life could not be sustained on earth. God ordered the seasons-they are his will. In fact, the good things in life far outweigh the bad. There are more sunrises than cyclones.”
-- Charles L. Allen
“It seems to be a general belief that the will of God is to make things distasteful for us, like taking bad-tasting medicine when we are sick, or going to the dentist. Somebody needs to tell us that the sunrise is also God's will. There is the time of harvest, the harvest which will provide food and clothes for us, without which life could not be sustained on earth. God ordered the seasons-they are his will. In fact, the good things in life far outweigh the bad. There are more sunrises than cyclones.”
-- Charles L. Allen
“If God says "No" to our prayers, it does not mean we should stop praying. It means that we keep praying until we find the prayer to which He can say "Yes." The supreme object of prayer is not the attainment of some desire, but rather it is to know God. Knowing God, we know His purposes and knowing His purposes, we desire them above our own. And desiring His purposes, it then becomes safe for God to entrust us with His power. But God will not give us power for unworthy uses.”
-- Charles L. Allen; When The Heart is Hungry; 1955
“If God says "No" to our prayers, it does not mean we should stop praying. It means that we keep praying until we find the prayer to which He can say "Yes." The supreme object of prayer is not the attainment of some desire, but rather it is to know God. Knowing God, we know His purposes and knowing His purposes, we desire them above our own. And desiring His purposes, it then becomes safe for God to entrust us with His power. But God will not give us power for unworthy uses.”
-- Charles L. Allen; When The Heart is Hungry; 1955
With more than a million and a half copies sold, God's Psychiatry shows readers how ancient teachings of the Bible offer timeless wisdom for a happier and healthier life today. Readers will acquire confidence, banish fear and worry, root out hate and suspicion, bring out the best in themselves, and face life with enthusiasm and inward peace.
God's Psychiatry shows you how to:
· acquire confidence, courage, and a new look at life
· banish fear and worry
· root out hate and suspicion
· bring out the best in yourself
· generate appreciation from your friends and co-workers
· face life with enthusiasm and inward peace
In this powerful book, Charles L. Allen explains the essence of God's psychiatry through the four best-known passages of the Bible: the Twenty-third Psalm, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Beatitudes. These "prescriptions" will cure discouragement and doubt and dramatically change your life for the better.
God's Psychiatry shows you how to:
· acquire confidence, courage, and a new look at life
· banish fear and worry
· root out hate and suspicion
· bring out the best in yourself
· generate appreciation from your friends and co-workers
· face life with enthusiasm and inward peace
In this powerful book, Charles L. Allen explains the essence of God's psychiatry through the four best-known passages of the Bible: the Twenty-third Psalm, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Beatitudes. These "prescriptions" will cure discouragement and doubt and dramatically change your life for the better.
Charles L. Allen delivers a sermon at the Appalachian Preaching Mission (APM) on Sunday, February 11, 1973 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Allen explains the meaning of Psalm 23 and how it shows God's love for us. |