On today, I want to build upon my response from last week to the last line of the following quote by James Cone, “…That is why they made the black church a disturbance in society.” I asked the question, ”Did you get that?” There was a time when the Black church was a disturbance to society; when the Black church lived out its calling and purpose for being where it was.
We know that the Black church was born and sustained during slavery. Slaves were forced to attend worship services convened by their white masters and officiated by white preachers. These services did nothing to deepen the faith of, and encourage hope in the lives of the slaves. Rather, these services reinforced the oppressive teachings of the system of slavery and further diminished the self-worth of the slave. Consequently, Black slaves created their own churches – the Invisible Institution, and provided a place where they could affirm their humanity and dignity, while strengthening their resolve to live through the nightmarish horrors of daily existence.
All of this occurred in the Invisible Institution, far away from the watchful eyes of white people. Only in their own cultural idiom and political space could black slaves truly worship God…They knew that God spoke to them in their own medium. Dwight Hopkins
In our churches, under Jim Crow, the significance of the Black church expanded. We excelled because God was Deliverer, Jesus was Savior and the Holy Spirit was Sustainer. That knowledge was anchored in what we received through the church and continually reinforced how we held the church as the citadel of our religious underpinnings and our relationship with God.
Despite our new worldliness, despite our rhythms, our colorful speech, and our songs, we keep our churches alive…for it is only when we are within the walls of our churches that we are wholly ourselves… Our churches are where we dip our tired bodies in cool springs of hope, where we retain our wholeness and humanity despite the blows of death. Richard Wright
Our wholeness and humanity was weekly reaffirmed. All week long, one may have been boy, gal, auntie and uncle. However, on Sunday morning, we had titles and positions; value and worth. On Sunday morning, we were somebody. As well, whereas, during the week many Blacks often had no voice or say in the affairs of their jobs or community, it was not uncommon to experience them boldly and confidently expressing their voices during church business meetings, and other gatherings where they would have opportunity to articulate their feelings and beliefs regarding the church’s affairs and direction.
Owing to the historical importance of the black church in the African American community, blacks, by and large, experience church not simply as a place to attend worship but as a way of life. Church is more than a once-a-week encounter; it is an affirming presence that shapes and molds self-understanding, self-worth, behavior and lifestyle… Cleophus LaRue
Indeed, the Black church was foundational to the affirmation of its members, and beneficial to the community through clubs, societies and other church sponsored activities. Today, the Black church must revive its historical significance and, make a conscious and intentional decision to do more than come to church and simply participate in ritualistic traditions that affirm us, pacify us and subsequently lull us off to sleep – keeping our heads sufficiently stuck in the sands of spiritual complacency, rendering us dim lights and flavorless salt. We must become the savory salt and illuminating light that Jesus intended us to be in our community and world.
When one considers the personal example of Jesus, it is evident that He did not spend a major portion of his time sitting in the temple. Rather, Jesus spent time out among the people for the benefit of the people. Jesus ate with the outcast. Jesus allowed the unclean to touch him. Jesus lovingly touched children. Jesus affirmed women. Jesus restored families. Jesus met the human needs of those who were otherwise rejected and ostracized by those in the broader community.
It would be unconscionable for the fairly secure members of these churches to gather once or twice a week for worship and fellowship among themselves and not find effective and creative ways to respond to the socioeconomic needs that are found just outside the door of their churches. Marvin McMickle
Disciples of Jesus read and study the Word of God to assist them in knowing and living the Word of God through Conscious and Intentional Ministry: This Is Why I Am Here.
MARCH 26, 2017
