Below is an article I’ve posted from Clutch Magazine from an educated black woman who has several issues with the church and church folks. I read this article and was saddened because hew experiences are not what Jesus wanted when He died on the cross for her sins. The whole black church experience is intimidating and overwhelming to so many people, WE as Christians need to do a better job of educating non-Christians on what it is we do and why we do it. Because many people don’t necessarily grow up in a religious household (me being one of them) it is a different ballgame trying to explain what Christianity is to someone who doesn’t know Christ’s tenants. Let’s work this week on being more understanding, listening more and being better friends to our non-Christians friends so that they can know Jesus through us.
If you go to a large gathering of Black folks, say a funeral or a graduation, more often than not there will be an acknowledgment of Jesus Christ through prayer and song. Next time you’re at one of these events, sneak a peek around the room during that time. You’ll likely see a couple of folks shifting around awkwardly. Heads bowed in respect, but visibly out of their element and anxiously awaiting the return of the ceremony to a more neutral territory. Chances are those folks are non-Christians: very awkward and sometimes lonely club of those who for whatever reason don’t belong to the approximately 85% of African Americans who belong to a faith that claims Jesus as lord and savior.
As a lifetime member of this subset of Black America, I have a complicated relationship with the Black church. For starters, I think it would be incredibly unwise for any Black person to deny the debt of gratitude our community owes to the church for the work it has done for our people. From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, our Christian houses of worship and their members have done a great deal to fight for our rights and provide needed services ( childcare, homeless shelters, rehab facilities, etc.) to our people. I first visited my now alma mater on a college tour organized by Trinity Universal Church of Christ, led by Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Growing up in Chicago, I always admired him along with a handful of other preachers for being outspoken advocates of the needs of Black Chicagoans.
The impact of our churches on Black culture (or perhaps I should say, the influence of our culture on the church) is a great one and I am not immune to that either. I’ve certainly hollered out “Amen” and “Lawd!” or felt the need to “testify”. Though I’m not a subscriber to the main idea, as someone who is interested in who we are culturally and creatively, I see a lot of the beauty of Blackness in the church and I can appreciate that. The church has given many of us the opportunity to shine creatively though song and dance and though I don’t particularly like Gospel music, I am well aware that without it, a lot of my favorite singers would have never honed their craft.
I won’t get all the way into my reasons for not accepting Christianity, because I don’t think they have much relevance here. However, I will say that the proselytizing I get from Christians has been more of a deterrent than any sort of incentive to reconsider my beliefs. I don’t always feel that I’m given the same space to embrace my views that some of Christ’s followers demand for themselves. I’d never think to say to a Christian “You know, you should really consider quitting the church and trying to see the world my way…” and I’d like to be shown the same respect.
Visit Clutch Magazine to read more.
I’m a ‘PK’ also known as a ‘preacher’s kid.’ My life could probably be measured by the moments I created inside Oak Street A.M.E. Church and Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church, the two houses of worship where my mother served as pastor.
