Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyB06
Welcome back, Cushite,
I think the primary purpose of the black church is the preaching of the Gospel and the saving of souls. Secondarily, it’s about how to live more abundant lives while we remain here – more abundant spiritually, socially, economically, politically, which is where the “liberation” part comes in.
I found the “accomodationist” and “entertainment” working definitions too rigid. Cannot an “entertaining” church also urge its members to vote, to work for better community schools, and reinvest in its own community? While these “styles” may take root in some places, I think it’s more the fact that people come from varying walks of life, so, if they’re doing anything besides a drive-by on Sunday morning, then their resultant work in the church will reflect that. What draws people to a church varies with the people themselves. For some it’s “the family church” for others maybe it was a ministry that met a need at a critical point in life. Who knows?
Because I don’t think the black church is any more monolithic than the black community itself, I don’t know how much credence can be given to the claim of a direct attack on the black church. Mainstream media has yet to accurately gauge and reflect black culture. It is perpetually a beat slow, yet always claiming to lead the band. (nothing new there.)
Whether the preaching style is fiery and confrontational or professorial and analytical, if you’re about yours (II Tim 2:15), then the preaching style is just a matter of what you like. I’m the grandson of a Baptist preacher/Pastor and have seen many styles. The key is not the delivery, but the message. And how that message, properly interpreted, delivered, and received in the pews, inspires people to live, and work, after the benediction.
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I totally agree. The church that I belong to now as well as the church that I grew up in has always challenged its members to be involved in the community and to say what you mean and mean what you say.
If a messanger from God were to curtail his message because of fear of what others may say about them, then they would not be doing their job or living up to their call from God. I mean, people thought that Jesus was crazy and didn't agree with what he said and he is the Son of God.
I really don't see this "black liberation theology" as something new. Of course, people take notice to things when you give them a fancy title, but within my community, the church has been the biggest advocate of the community and expressing what it is to be black in America.
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