BREAKING: Bernice King, Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Departs New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

URGENT: Bernice King, daughter of the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., departs New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Bernice King, daughter of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led her last altar call at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Sunday at the 11 a.m. service, where she served as an elder. It is not immediately clear if her departure has anything to do with the recent multi-million settlement paid out to the four men who accused Bishop Eddie L. Long of sexual coercion. The names of the men are Spencer LeGrande, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg and Jamal Parris. The lawsuits have also been dismissed. It is rather interesting that King has left the church. Bishop Eddie L. Long is toxic and I wouldn't want to be associated with him as another pastor. Black Media Scoop is reporting that King gave Long her resignation papers during the 11 a.m. service and was reportedly upset about the settlement. Why haven't the members of the church called for Eddie L. Long to step down and stop dragging down the name of the church? His arrogance in the face of guilt is stunning and bare-faced.

It's time for Eddie L. Long to stop down from senior leadership position at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Time to force him out!!!!

UPDATE#1: Bernice King will talk about her decision to leave New Birth and disclose what her plans are for the future on Rhodell Lewis' radio show on Praise 102.5 Tuesday, and on mypraiseatl.com between 4 and 5:30 p.m., according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The church is spinning this story, saying she left with Long's blessings and had been planning this move for quite some time. How ironic that she decided to jump ship right after the settlement was made public and the lawsuits dismissed. Sorry, but this story doesn't pass the smell test.

UPDATE#2: I caught the end of Bernice King's interview on Rhodell Lewis' show. She said she left on good terms with Bishop Long and thanked them for the eight years and eight months she served the ministry. She said she has left to launch her own ministry, which will include a church. She said she is seeking "true disciples" for the body of Christ. She also said her mandate from God is to "raise up kings for the Kingdom." Ms. King also plugged her Facebook fan page. Sorry, but I'm not convinced this is the real reason why she left. Seems to me Ms. King needs to stop beating around the bush and admit Eddie L. Long gave her some hush money to keep the real reason for her departure under wraps. Do we really need another ministry that has even the most subtle connections to Bishop Eddie L. Long?

According to WSB-TV, when asked about the timing of her decision to leave, since it came mere days after the settlement and dismissal of sexual misconduct lawsuits against Long, King said she provided Long with a timetable and that May 29 was the date she decided upon. Right. One thing I hope will come out of Bernice King's departure is that it will split the church leadership and others will jump ship.


Last Sunday's service at New Birth was a ghost town: