People are hurting. They are tired of going through the same old traditions and rituals that don’t seem to produce transformation, (individually and collectively). People are looking to you for change. Many of our Black churches have become weak and ineffective because they have given into what society deems as being acceptable. The cry of the people is becoming louder and louder each day.

People in the church are tired of giving all of their money to support the lavish lifestyles of their ministers without seeing them on the front-lines standing up for justice. Look at the neighborhoods around some of the churches and ask yourself the question – how is the pastor living it up and flossing and the community they serve is broken? People are tired of hearing about prosperity without seeing prosperity in their own lives.

People are not attending church as frequently because there’s so many programs such as Pastor’s Anniversary, Church Anniversary, Deacon and Deaconess Day, and Ushers Day just to name a few. Can we be real and honest for a moment – these programs have no purpose in getting people ‘saved and sanctified.” If you want people in the church, stop having so many services and start having programs that teaches people how to become financially literate, how to own their own business, and how to own their own home among other things. Talk about relevant issues. I’m sorry Black church but I need to tell you that all of the hooping and hollering ain’t doing much good. I know the Bible says, “Let everything that have breath praise the Lord.” However, it’s time to control all of the yelling and start doing something effective and productive.

People in the church don’t need to hear people speaking in tongues every minute of the service. In fact, the Black Church needs to teach people about speaking in tongues. People in the church can speak in tongue at the drop of a hat on Sunday morning and/or during mid-week Bible Study but can’t speak up when there’s a problem in their community and in the nation. Please encourage them to use their voice, not just on a voting ballot but at their city council meetings and school board meetings.

People in the Black Church are looking for leaders who are led by the power of God and not sucking up to politicians. It’s time for leaders to have a spirit of being more prophetic. Leaders should set the example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I know leaders have it hard, but I want to remind you that ‘no weapon formed against you shall prosper.’

People in the Black Church need to know they should be proud of ‘being Black and Christian.’ Now I know this may crush your theology but I need you to remove the picture of the ‘white Jesus with blond hair and blue eyes’ from your church walls. Know your history. Jesus was a person of color. For too long, the Black Church has been looking to a white savior for deliverance, and today is the day to tear down that image from your mind. Stop looking to a white Jesus and white people as a whole to be your savior. It ain’t going to happen.

People in the Black Church must be encouraged and empowered to ‘DO.’ Prayer is powerful and I will never dismiss it. Please and I’m begging you to please understand that God has given all of us His Spirit on the inside to deal with all the hell on the outside.

I conclude with this – the Black Church should never be discriminating. It should welcome people from all walks of life. However, it (the Black Church) must never sellout to the teachings of Almighty God nor should the church ever apologize to other races and/or political party’s for being authentic.

Source: allchristiannews.com

Date Posted: Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 , Total Page Views: 1452