Here recently I have noticed a trend that perhaps has always been around but now due to social media it seems at an all time high or at least more visible. What I speak of is the unmerited rage, illogical dissatisfaction and unrealistic criticism of The Black Church. As a disclaimer I am fully cognizant of various failings of the Black Community and recognize that there is always room for growth and development. However I am of the opinion that many of us hold the church to a standard that GOD does not hold the church too. Many of us never gave the church a true chance let alone truly studied The Word, then we join these cults or false religious groups and give the lies of satan much more effort and attention than we ever gave GOD and the church. Some learn new languages, give absorbent amounts of money to leaders, get a new style of dress even change our names but when we were allegedly in church we got mad if service lasted too long, never attended Bible Study and if he collection plate was passed around we were simmering with anger. Some even refused to where dress clothes but could afford $300 plus jeans.
Many allege that we worship a "white Jesus", that we steal money and are a haven for homosexual men and loose women. In honesty in a church you are prone to find a variety of individuals from different backgrounds with baggage from where they came from. Why is this? Because we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of the Coming of The Lord! Would you go to a barn and not expect to find feces? So why the hell are you going to church thinking that you will find perfect people? The point is that we are imperfect people serving a perfect GOD! Does the church ask for money? You better bet on it, why you may ask. Because we live in a world of balance sheets and bills, none of your would want to go to a church with no electricity. Whilst I will not lie and say that there aren't wolves in sheep's clothing (I will post on the false teachers on another article) and I will not lie we need to clean house but more importantly the people need to know GOD! If one knows GOD themselves they will not fall for the Barnum and Bailey charlatans fleecing them for the few dollars that they earn.
I understand that due to "Jim Crow" and Slavery the black church has had to play a role that no other church has had to play for its people, however the church is no where commanded by GOD to build the economic structure of the community, no where in scripture can you tell me that Jesus commanded the church to dabble in politics nor to accept the worlds standard of tolerance and alleged equality, no where does scripture say that we are promote so kind of Black Power revolution and espouse bigoted ignorance. No where is sacred scripture are we told that Christ is white.
Here is what we are commanded to do:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”And also:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”We are to receive power, personal power and GOD transforms our lives and in turn we change the world around us. How does that relate to the aforementioned ideas? well empowered people control the economy of their community, empowered people choose life and life perpetuating behaviors, empowered people are able to organize their community politically and be conscious of their history and place in society and if dissatisfied we have a greater power and can and will overcome!
Let the attacks stop, and let's cut the malarkey! When we en masse attended church our community was safe, when we were in church we had families (though imperfect), when we were in church we respected women and brothers had a semblance of dignity. For all the critics of the church; here is my question is the community better off now than when we by and large attended church and believed GOD?
