The Church In Transition: Moving From Triage To Transformation - August/2013 - A Presentation at the Progressive National Baptist Convention

THE CHURCH IN TRANSITION: MOVING FROM TRIAGE TO TRANSFORMATION "You sure are something else" My social location >>>Diagnosis -The modern day black church member wants to hear a sermon on how to manage their stress and their stuff rather than to hear a sermon about suffering, stuggling, and sacrifice. And most growing churches have come to realize that the easiest way to grow the church membership is to preach to their personality and stay away from their lifestyle. Some churches no longer preach about holiness, and sanctification, but instead focus on a series of "how to" sermons (how to be single and satisfied....how to be christian in an unchristian culture, how to fake it until you make it). With these models of ministry in this modern time, it has left a void in the connection to the black struggle, righteous living, and sacrificial giving. The "Black" struggle is not relevant in many "successful" African American Churches. The traditional black church struggle of civil rights, advocating, fighting, organizing, and standing up for causes is not relevant to our communities and colleges. The only struggle our people see themselves connected to is the struggle to pay the mortgage and car note, which many can't afford. We are serving a people who have lost the connection, urgency, and zeal to fight for causes and issues. These members of our culture do not know that they still are called niggers by the imperialistic white man. Most members are aware of the issues, but not aware of how it affects them as a race of people (Amnesty Bill). We have members in our church who don't know the branches of government. We have members in our church that all they know is Dr. Martin Luther King, JR. We have members in our church who believes everything is ok, and they get very uncomfortable when you speak confrontational to the systems of the world. They are not connected and out of touch with what we know as the issues that the black church must continue to be advocating against (@ goundbreaking ceremony vp says just feed them and they will stand out there all day). So how do we transition them from triage to transformation? How do we renew their mind? The organizations that once relied on the black church are now sponsored and co-opted by mega million dollar companies who pays big money to get their name on the program and behind the podium. They in turn muzzles the message, and have replaced the financial support drives and human capital investment of the baptist preacher and membership. These organizations only come to pimp the black preacher and church for support with promises of positions, projects and a press conference without any care to have a theological centerpoint that keeps our community as close to a moral and ethical standard as possible. The fact that these organizations are speaking on behalf of us on same-sex marriage, amnesty for illiegal immigrants, and labor union relations, I see detrimental to the black church. One of the most suttle but maybe the most detrimental difference between the historic black community and the 2013 community is that the starting point has changed. The starting line if you will has changed for the 2013 African American vs. the Negro from the 70's. There was a time in the black community that everything started with God, the church and the pastor. Folk wouldn't purchase a house or a car until they talked to their pastor. Folk wouldn't get married until the pastor counseled them. Folks wouldn't accept jobs until they talked to the man of God. But the starting point has change in 2013. Now members believe that they are wiser than the man of God and want to keep him as far away from their business as possible. Check the record. There was no major movement in the history of Black America that God and the prophet was not the driving force to victory. Sadly to say, in 2013, our community has made God and the prophet an "after-thought" socially, and personally. The detriment in this change of the starting point is that there is no real moral compass or moral barometer that keeps us saying and doing the same thing as a community of baptized believers in Jesus Christ serving this present age. So in looking at the diagnosis let's look at the men, the women and the children. And we must understand that we live in a time where chaos is normal. We make the mistake of assuming that our folk got the sense of our parents. But the truth about the truth is we live in a time where the people we serve see chaos as normal. Baby momma drama, drug activity, mental health issues, bankruptcy, health issues, etc. is normal in the lives of many of our people. Generation X, (1960 - 1980) brought a whole new set of values to the Black Church. They bring their own perspectives to everything, even religion and theology. Their major question that they ask to everything is the question WHY? ( ) The most important value to Generation X is to create change against the dinosaurs of our culture. President Obama is a product and benefactor of this group and why his campaign message was so effective and resounding. His message said two catch words that resonated into their minds, and those words were "CHANGE and DIVERSITY." Two words that have historically been problematic for the black church. Generation X has no real sense of civil rights, and struggle but instead of challenging leaders they tend to idolize them, learn the system and replace them. An until we can at least understand where they are we never can help them to take up their bed and walk. Let's look at the -Black Man - there is an attack on the black man ( ) >returning citizen (sentencing issues) - prison culture/taking from family/come home to a gentrified community/not really employable >unemployed - the jobs that once belonged to us are now being given to the latino population for cheaper labor. (living wages bill need to be passed) (a labor is making the same now that he made 80's and 90's) >no voice - because of economics and mistakes the black man has lost his voice and leadership role. He feels weak and finds comfort in other forms of unhealthy lifestyles -Black Women - are tired, hurt, scarred and need relief >they have had to become the priest, provider, and protector of the family which is not their natural role. >some feel that they no longer need a man because all a man has ever done was hurt them >the white imperialist purposely puts the woman over the man to further destroy the psyche of the man and the black family. Children - >There is no longer right and wrong, black and white but there is now a gray area. >Its all about me! >Sexuality >Who do they see as leaders? Do you know there are children who has never seen a man wake up and go to work? Another part of the diagnosis of the black churches illness is the growth of what I call the Church Walmart Syndrome. One of the biggest negative influences that the local pastor and church is facing is competing with the mega-church. I define the Church Walmart Syndrome as when a "mega-church" builds within a 25 mile radius of the local church and sucks all of the local churches best leaders, members, musicians, community influence, and future leaders away because of the attractive life and look of the mega church. In turn, because of the size and financial stability of the mega church, they have become the model of the work of ministry and mission. Unfortunately, their model for ministry works for a suburban, non-confrontational, comfortable group of people who could be classified as members and not disciples. And part of the issue is we as preachers sometimes are trying to fit a suburban ministry into an inner-city ministry. It just doesn't fit. The Prescription 1. The message of the 2013 traditional black church is a message that is not adaptive for these times. The mandate of the church is to go and reach the people, not for the people to reach the church (Go ye therefore....) I am not saying that the message change, but I am saying that some of the methods should. The society of people are moving, but the church is not. We have to connect the generations by teaching, explaining and providing opportunities for them to spend time and benefit from one another. We have to teach the need for accountability and community involvement. We are serving a generation who is less accountable and less involved. For example, we have a high rate of single mothers of boys and young men in our churches. These same mothers may not be affected by unemployment, the "Ryan Zimmerman's" of the world, or racial profiling, etc. So our message of the plot to destroy the black man might need to be preached and geared to a church full of mothers who may not be as aware of the issues that there sons will face or are facing. We have to teach how the systems of the world operates against their boys with the hopes of them seeing the struggle and getting involved. 2. The same way we built relationships with the old folk, we must build relationships with these "crazy young people." My father thinks, at times, I am crazy, ungodly, unwise, and foolish. But because we have a relationship no matter how mad I get at him and no matter how mad he is of me we don't give up on each other. We may not understand each others ways, but we understand each others intentions. And we must build that relationship with the entire church. We also must push them to get married (man & woman) and have healthy families. There was a time when the whole family came to church, but when crack hit the scene it broke up the family, but we have an opportunity to place emphasis on the need for that structure. This might lead to the survival of a thriving church. But we need a family church (not a movie theatre church). 3. Another prescription for the church to consider is the concept of "team building." We have to teach them to be fisher's of men, not just to follow us. Jesus stated, "follow me and I will make you fisher's of men." We stop at the follow me part. Every disciple should be taught to make disciples. Far too long the leader is trying to do all the work, and I can hear Jethro saying, "there is a better way to do this." There are some members at the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church where I serve my father, that will call me before they call him with their issues, or for leadership and wisdom, but because my father has taught me loyalty, being trustworthy and has trained me on what to do we don't have too many problems. Part of the reason our best disciples leave is because they want to do a work that might be their concentration of ministry but not the concentration of the pastor's ministry. The flaw with discipleship as we know it is we disciple but don't deploy. If we don't challenge them with something to do they are going to leave. Folks are fat and unhealthy because they are eating the meal but not exercising. For example, prison ministry might not be a pastor's passion, but it may be a passion for a leader in the congregation. When that member/leader comes to the pastor with the idea or the question about prison ministry, it might be an opportunity to expand without the weight of the work. My passion is the "hood." So I do ministry in the hood (getting guys jobs, mentoring, speaking out to politicians, going to community meetings, fighting against drugs, schools etc.) under the umbrella of the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, where I serve and it doesn't cost the church a dime nor does the Pastor incur added weight of ministry. And so when the lay leader has a heart for ministry we must put them to work, or we run the risk of them going to find work. This team should also ask the question why isn't something working and is there another attractive way to do this? We live in a time where we must attract their attention. What can we do to get the young adults to come to Bible Study? What can we do to get the youth more engaged? How do we incorporate emails, social media, technology, art, youth programs, etc. to be connected to the membership? We should ask what is important to them for the sustainability of their lifestyle and family? 4. Provide a place for men to be men. Real men like to hangout out with other real men. The church has not been a place other than for worship services, to allow men to just chill. Have discussion time with the men. Incorporate the young and the old. Allow for time where they can "let it out." Challenge them to do something. 5. The community is no longer listening to the Pastor for direction. How do we get them to hear. The weight of the world rest on the shoulders of the church. How do we get them to hear? It is my opinion that we have to raise up 1 voice from our leadership. They are listening to someone, but the problem is there are too many messages from too many black leaders. We need that one voice. Every generation through history had that one voice that sprung from the vines of the church. Nat Turner, J.H. Jackson, Gardner Taylor, Martin Luther King, Jr. all were voices of a specific time for the black church. Who is the voice today? Who is our leader. I have heard the argument that we will never have that again, and my answer is that may be why we are loosing ground. Everybody wants to follow and associate themselves with a strong leader. And with no disrespect to those who are trying to do a good work for our community, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that they aren't the voice because they didn't come from the black church which affords them the theological background to take uncomfortable stance on very popular issues and the strength to say, for God I live and for God I die. Every major city needs a general following the 5 star general. Every city should have a voice that is leading just as the national voice leads. Instead, we are so fragmented, and our people see it. We need the prophet to make that call to action. A convention was started and lives today because a prophet made the call. 6. We as preachers of the gospel need a continual hunger and thirst for God's righteousness. We need to develop and maintain a prayer life. The preacher must understand that relationship with God proceeds ministry. We must not rely on our gifts to move the people but must rely on God to move the people. The question that we all must ask ourselves is do we want to get a crowd or do we want to get disciples? At Holy Trinity we don't count the members, we weigh the members to see how much their worth is to the kingdom of God and the body of Christ. Young preachers need to know that unless you are willing to enter into and walk out onto a divine relationship with God then one is not ready for ministry. Jesus modeled this. On many occassions Jesus would still away to be with the Father. HE fasted and prayed 40 days and 40 nights. He told His disciples to get to the other side of the lake and he would meet them their after he spent time with God. He prayed at the Garden of Gethesemane. If JEsus needed time with God over and over again, surely the preacher needs to spend time. We truly need to be more than a servant with Jesus. We need a friendship. He needs to trust us with this work. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says we should transform our spirit into the likeness of His image. We have to be determined to look like Jesus. Instead of trying to model our ministry after Bishop this and that we should look like Jesus. God wants a friendship like Enoch, like Moses, like Peter, James and John. They knew God personally, and this only came from spending time with Him. My daddy taught me MUCH PRAYER - MUCH POWER, LITTLE PRAYER - LITTLE POWER. 7. We need the Holy Spirit to be upon us to: -Preach the gospel to the poor -send us to heal the brokenhearted -preach delivereance to the captives -recover sight to the blind -set liberty to them that are bruised If we took a poll and the house was a honest house you would say that none of these characteristics are truly the type of folk that you want or feel you need to join your church on a daily basis. If we are truthful, we really want givers and not takers to join the ministry, but the truth about the truth is most folk who join church are taking more than they are giving. but if we want a transformed ministry we have to work the work that God has placed in our hands. How dare we petition heaven for a better clientle? We are in the triage room. We are in the emergency room. Code RED! This work in monotonous. The Doctors in the Emergency room don't get much of a break. They don't get the nice stuff. They get the messy situations. They can't refuse anyone, and they have to give it their best everyday because lives are depending on them. And the reason the church is in the state that we are in could be because we are not taking the necessary steps with ministry and the people to get them healthy. Maybe we don't want to get too messy. In triage; the doctor has to do the following steps and prescribe future engagement: -examine the problem -assess the damage -treat the wound (stop the bleeding) -address the immediate danger -stabilize the patient -provide long term treatment -training and rehabilitation Pastors have become more managers than prophets. This puts the church at a great risk because we loose the authenticity of being lead by the Holy Spirit. There are a lot of uncomfortable members because we have uncomfortable leaders. When we don't follow the directions of the Holy Spirit, He will make us uncomfortable. The Holy Spirit must have room to lead and change the leaders direction. 8. A message to the Young Preachers. Young preachers don't spend enough quality time with their pastors to receive wisdom and tools to manuever through the pitfalls of ministry. As a matter of fact, they will even throw away the pastor that birthed them, and get mentored by someone else who is perceived to be the next hottest preacher out. The younger preacher must understand that you must be willing to run an errand before you run with the word. Too many preachers go out to pastor and lead a congregation without having a servant's heart or mind. Jesus might be calling you at this moment in ministry to just go get the jackass. He might be calling you at this time to go get the upper room prepared. We live in a time where everybody wants a title but but very little is getting done. Whatever happen to the time when everybody was brother or sister? We must decide whether we will be a servant, a priest, or king. The calling must be connected to Jesus first, and then he will connect us to the people. If we are connected to God then we will know what the people need and what approaches to take. Lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him. Listen, the older guys are tired and truthfully want and expect more from us, but are afraid to put it in our hands because they don't trust us. We can preach, we can think, but we are too reckless. The old man doesn't want to gamble the ministry with us and take the risk of us loosing a life of sacrifice. I asked a old pastor who is pastoring a great ministry, why does he still wake up every morning and deal with this burden of pastoring? Why is he still preaching every Sunday? Why continue to struggle with this ministry? His answer pierced me to my core. He said, "Because I keep dreaming. I dream that one day the young preacher will seee what the old preacher sees. Y'all are too interested in stuff, but it's all about God. He continues, " one day the church will drive the community and will be the center of attraction and the preacher will be once respected again. We are not chicken eaten, money hungry, pimps. We are the mouthpiece of God. That's why I stay around, because I keep dreaming." Story of the little boy and the speak and spell game... or boy reading superman book in daddy office (you sure going get it)