The Black Church: Dead or Delivered
by Rev. Darryl K. Fields | March 7, 2014
Beloved,I read an article by Princeton Professor of Preaching Dr. Eddie Glaude in the Huffington Post a while ago declaring, “The Black Church is Dead.” This troubled me initially, but I was driven to the text of scripture. Here is what I found. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…” (Revelation 5:9) The truth of this text is tantamount to this faith fact. The redeemed are the church and the church is made of “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…”
Dr. Glaude set up and knocked over a straw man when He suggested that there was ever a “Black Church.” Indeed, the Black Church maybe dead because the Black church is not Biblical. In fact, if the “Black Church” is still alive. I believe we should take the “Black Church” off life support because the so called “Black Church” is not beneficial. Black communities are leading statistically in most negative areas of society. The question becomes do we need a “Black Church” that is not benefiting Black communities. I say let it die.
We need a church that belongs completely and whole heartedly to Christ. We don’t need Black, White, Red or Green Churches. We need Christ centered churches. We need Bible believing churches. We need churches that know they have always belonged to Jesus. Christ’s Church is eternal and ethereal. Christ’s Church is incapable of ending because it is sustained by the Savior. Christ’s Church is intimate with Immanuel, satisfied in the Savior and mimics the Master.
While Dr. Glaude was erudite in his examination of the Black Church, he was fooled in the fallacy there was ever a Black Church. We are Christ Church! Christ’s church is called to change for Christ (II Corinthians 5:17), conform to Christ (Romans 12:1-2) and comfort the world for Christ (II Corinthians 1:4). Let the church, be the church.
Sincerely yours and Securely His,
Pastor Darryl K. Fields
