By Rodney Beard
I read an article today by “TJ” of Church Folks Revolution, pimppreacher.com which he titled, “Dear Jim Crow I Think We Need You: What Happened to Black Preachers After 1965.”
“TJ” is an advocate…let me rephrase that. “TJ” is the only activist for social justice within the church that I know of, or ever have known directly. While I don’t agree with the wrath, anger, and searing harsh judgments that he passes on to all of us preachers…the Brother has some very good intentions, and most times I agree with him. His site is a daily expose’, unfortunately (or fortunately) of the underbelly of the modern day church, and he always has his facts straight. I check.
His site posts news reports on the corruption, greed, collusion, theft, arrogance, manipulation, and more than anything…child abuse and sexual scandals in the church. He doesn’t believe we should tithe, or that the Pastor should be paid and, I guess because of that, we shouldn’t have buildings with pews, lights, etc., but maybe meet on the street corner.
His bent is obvious, his focus quite clear, and his manner and method leaves nothing to the imagination. “TJ” along with his other writers like “Ms Justice” not only report the ugly news, but gives an incendiary and scathing personal commentary as a side dish. Honestly, reading their stuff is much like watching “Scandal” or “How to Get Away With Murder,” and now maybe, “The LA Preachers!” All of that is fiction, right?
Sadly however, what he prints is very real and easily verifiable even if it turns our stomachs. His is the true “reality show” and not what you see on TV, unless it’s the nightly news and who watches that? What? We all know that all news is bad news, and who wants to hear it even if it is true? But these stories are there in glaringly factual forms. We just don’t want to talk about it.
His latest indictment against the “Black Church” (and he doesn’t discriminate) is that it has lost its way since the end of the Jim Crow era because Black preachers have sold out, basically. “TJ” reminisces about what he feels were the good old days of harsh racial discrimination, the shameful marginalization of our people, and thusly, the catalyst that created many activist preachers.
While I do not agree with how he presented his argument, I do agree with his assessment of the matter. He is right, and I must admit that I am guilty as charged and should have known better being born, raised and educated in the heart of the Movement.
“But what happened was that” in my case, I wanted to be a multi-racial church in this “new day” of Christian brotherhood and love in the church that we all now shared together. I did all that I could to have a racially mixed church, even merging with one. Because of that I stopped having Black History Month celebrations, professing my Liberal political views from the pulpit, and being very careful to not tell our people the truth about social issues that directly concerned us. Why you may ask? I wanted to assuage “their” sensibilities and did that at the risk of not directly addressing our own.
I was wrong, have repented, and urge all Black and Liberal Pastors everywhere to come back to the battlefield for social justice. Here’s what we all should and can do right now:
- Express your party affiliation openly. That will carry a lot of influence without having to endorse any candidate.
- Educate yourself on political issues, correlate those issues with the Word and Heart of God, and then teach your members what He taught you.
- Encourage your members to make sure they are properly registered to vote and register them if they aren’t. You can do that at your church.
- Empower your congregation. Help them to understand the strength and necessity of “our vote” in bringing about the “just society” that Christ died for.
- Early voting is essential and our people need to go and vote right now, and take someone with them. Do it as a church group, or in neighborhood groups.
I think that even “TJ” would have “approved this message.” Enough is enough.
Let’s Stand Our Ground!
GO VOTE RIGHT NOW!
Rodney Beard
pastorbeard@comcast.net
.