When I Say I Am A Christian

In many sites on the internet, you will find a poem entitled, "When I Say I Am A Christian," usually attributed to the multi-talented author and poet,

Maya Angelou at
Bill Clinton Inauguration

Maya Angelou (who recently passed away on May 28, 2014).  It goes as follows:

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."

I'm whispering "I was lost,

Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"

I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner

Who received God's good grace, somehow

However, it appears that Maya Angelo never wrote this poem - instead, she actually disowned it through her agents.  Before her death, the agents who booked her lectures, Lordly & Dame, Inc., posted the following statement on their website,

Please be aware that Dr. Maya Angelou has absolutely no affiliation with the "poems" entitled Clothes or I Am A Christian that are circulating the Internet.

The Epoch Times, an international newspaper which has won awards for human rights reports, confirmed this in a story entitled, "'I Am A Christian' Poem Not Written by Maya Angelou."  (May 28, 2014)
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/700549-i-am-a-christian-poem-not-written-by-maya-angelou/

Carol S. Wimmer

Instead, it seems the poem was originally written by Carol Wimmer in 1988, and first published in "Hi-Call Gospel Magazine" (an Assembly of God publication) in 1992.  The original version, very similar to the later modified version, reads as follows:

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting, "I am saved!"

I'm whispering, "I get lost!

That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I don't speak with human pride

I'm confessing that I stumble—

needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong

I'm professing that I'm weak

and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success

I'm admitting that I've failed

and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I don't think I know it all

I submit to my confusion

asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect

My flaws are all too visible

but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartache,

which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"

I do not wish to judge

I have no authority...I only know I'm loved

Apparently, it seems that an anonymous person took the original version, and modified it somewhat.  Then, apparently, for some unknown reason, it seems that person decided to attribute it to Maya Angelou, and then published it on the internet.  (It's not the first time a writing has been attributed to someone famous - the Prayer of St. Francis being the best example - something I may write about in the future.)

In any event, both versions reflect a humble version of following Christ, and are exemplary.    I simply hope to help to set the record straight on this.  The writings speaks on their own.