Is the Black Church Dead ?

So i just got done reading this article which recently posted at politicsdaily.com, entitled   “is the black church dead ?”  This was a very insightful document with regard to the beginnings of generations of black Christians who expressed their frustrations and need for social justice and change in a society which was by far and wide segregated and divided even among religious lines. The Author brought in several other writers’ perspectives: in their view, many Black churches have forgotten about the principles and causes for which the black Church stood within the civil rights movement wherein preachers like Dr. king spoke on issues affecting the black community and rallying folks to stand up for what was just and true.

Some of the most interesting points that I found are as follows:

With regard to the black mega churches, some writers argue that some preach a money-centered “prosperity gospel” that traditional African American clergy consider betrayal of their faith’s legacy of sacrifice and social justice…

During similar discussions on this topic, participants lamented that they had found growing conservatism and anti-intellectualism in the black church…

And lastly, Eddie Glaude, Jr., a young  African American Professor of religion at Princeton states: “upwardly mobile blacks are continuing the process of assimilation and are therefore attending traditionally white churches, while African –Americans of all classes are drawn to mega churches led by white pastors such as Joel Osteen and Rick Warren. Entrepreneurial black clergy including bishop long and creflo dollar are also trying to create their own mega church phenomena, and are building on the legacy of flash-and-cash African American pastors of the past like reverend Ike and Prophet Jones”

I want to review the stated information in light of the Church of Christ as we know it today. The whole black church and white church seems to be getting better in terms of the number of mixed congregations we have—this should go without saying, because Christ died for the Church as a whole, and so we should be able to worship together as a whole—I understand that sometimes cultures are variant and folks might feel comfortable in going to a predominantly white or black Church, however, that should be the exception to the rule(based on culture) and not the rule itself (that is to have a white or a black church) .

Secondly, I believe that there is still a sort of anti-intellectualism encouraged within our churches (black or white).  Instead of seeking to build on knowledge, many seek to attain preaching school Certificates, to preach the same old sermons and continue the same old methods of evangelism, when our world has changed and is changing so very rapidly. In some cases, we have developed an attitude that says, we have the Truth, so we want the world to come to us and if they don’t, we will shake off the dust from our feet. Many in the Church see no need for apologetics; if they encounter atheists or folks’ who don’t believe in the Bible, some have actually said they won’t waste their time to try to minister to them or teach them the truth.

With regard to black Churches of Christ, I still see the struggle with regard to leadership modules. Many think they own the Church or should be the sole leader; you see many downplay the need for Elders or more transparency within the leadership itself. It’s not that they have mega churches in reality, but intellectually some retain the mega church mentality. they want to be “the minister” and rule “their ministry”. as a reaction against many white churches having elders, they see their role as African american preachers necessitating power, which should not be quenched by elders who employ docile preachers to operate through a contractual agreement. These are my considerations and thoughts thus far. Feel free to engage with this discussion…

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