The Crossroads of the Black Church

S. Say what you will about the Black Church. The one thing is certain and that is its staying power. However, the Black Church is also fighting a losing battle with Black America. In short, it seems as if the church is starting to outlive its usefulness. Gone are the days where Black people congregate to talk about voting rights, protest and struggle. Gone are the days where politicians would pay random visits to the church in hopes of soliciting votes. While I am sure there are pockets in America that still do some of these things, the vast majority of churches in the Black community have never seen a politician enter their church doors. The church has lost its way. The Black community and its tax base continues to move from place to place like herds of cattle, forsaking the inner cities for life in suburbia. It is the poor people who are left to struggle with a political base that continues to endorse gentrification and are being forced out by the builders who erect townhomes and cause the taxes in the area to skyrocket. While we all adore church mothers clapping their hands and singing the old songs, it is the new generation that need urban feel to the their gospel music. Songs that get occasional play in clubs. For some reason, people believe that these songs can save sinners in the middle of bumping and grinding under dark and multi colored strobe lights. Now don't get me wrong. I like some of the new brand of gospel but its no substitute for those old spiritual songs that have history and legacy attached to them. I enjoy Christian rap music but I know that it has its purpose and place but it will not ever become the standard in gospel music. This new generation of believers need to be able to express themselves. However, not at the expense of doing things like reality television and the like. The greatest show on earth is life but when preachers decide to let Hollywood into their lives, well that is problematic at best. What in the world am I saying? The Black church has changed. I do not think always for the better. Doctrinally speaking, there are churches that are sound. Many churches dance in legalism out of fear. Some churches have just put the bible down and are just doing what they think is right in their own eyes. The church has seen God do many wonderful things. However, for whatever reason it is not enough. Why are churches bowing out of the political atmosphere? Why preach and complain against a society that has kicked prayer out of school, embrace homosexuality under a guise of inclusion, and continues to shred the rights of Christians nationwide and not struggle against the powers that be. Why pray for leaders in the nation if are not going to even engage them to do the right thing? In the midst of prosperity and the doctrine, people have walked away from the political process. Social conditions are worse. Economically speaking, people are in financial strain. As much as we want people to tithe and they should, we should also be about making sure people have fair and equal treatment under the law and struggle against corporate greed that continues to ship jobs overseas. Many Black men do not fellowship at the church. Many of them have joined churches but they are not engaged. There are real reasons for that too. Men need to be engaged. Men need to struggle and if they do not see themselves in the struggle at large they will just withdraw themselves to their own devices because its like a warrior having no war to fight. As long churches are content to fill their pews with women, it will wink at the sadness that many churches lack manpower. As much as we should lean on Jesus, it takes people to do the work of the kingdom; especially when it comes to the natural work. The recent events involving the removal of certain policy in the voting right act is a sobering reality that Black folks still need to be vigilant in the struggle. Historically, the Black church was the meeting place of the people. It should be the place where we worship God. It should be the place where we sing praises and teach our youth the importance of knowing God. It should be the place where prophets are taught and teachers are made. Yet, it has to become more. After the scriptures teach us, much is given, much is required