I agree with Jasity on the concept of the Black church being critical of those that enter their doors, but even worse is the hypocrisy surrounding the church and inhibiting its growth. The Black church has always been somewhat of a social club where members could gossip and share the latest news, but when the church’s leaders are the topic of that gossip, it poses a large threat to the church. From infidelity, to domestic abuse, to divorcing and remarrying repeatedly, when pastors tear away from what is right, it has a great impact on the church. You must practice what you preach. Yes, we are all human, we all make mistakes, but when you act as the Sheppard of a church those mistakes could be detrimental to your congregation and leave some feeling misguided or, even worse, drawn away from the church. But even troubles of infidelity were apparent in the early to mid 1900s, although they were not as rampant nor as talked about as they are today. Something else must be in conjunction with hindering the Black church from assuming its former role as the hub of the Black community. By taking a retrospective look at the historical context centered on the Black church, one may find an answer to the dwindling belief in the church as the voice of the Black community.

The Black church no longer addresses the needs of the black population as it did during the years of Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement. During those eras the Black church aided in working toward racial equality, but today, as many Blacks feel that they have already accomplished the American dream, that aiding force in the time of struggle has deteriorated. In addition, the Black church of yesteryear, as a whole, was more conservative. As the complexity of society has changed, a shift away from the traditional ideals the Black church was built on has occurred. Take, for example, the issue of women not being allowed to speak, let alone preach, from the pulpit. This antiquated view on the roles of men and women in the church was acceptable during the first half of the twentieth century, but in modern society it only shows a lack of progress within the Black church.

With today’s generation having a different set of views from previous generations, it has led some of today’s youth away from of the church. Sadly, that includes some of the college educated population that is needed to help remold the Black church. Instead, they either find different outlets to occupy themselves or find other, more contemporary, religious institutions to practice their faith.

The structure of today’s common families also plays a part in the shift away from church being the community core. In previous decades, a nuclear family was the norm, but with today’s high rates of children out of wedlock and divorce, single mothers are the most likely church participant. Most people just do not worship as a family anymore. I think this has probably had the greatest negative effect on the growth of the Black church.

To regain its rightful place as the nucleus of the Black community, the Black church must learn how to address today’s societal issues rather than continuing yesterday’s traditions. While some tradition is good and greatly needed, in other areas it only proves as an obstacle to the evolution of the church. Essentially, the church needs to loosen up a bit! Open up to new ways of worship that would benefit the congregation including, but not limited to, outreach programs, more social activities, educational opportunities, family counseling sessions, and community service efforts that would once again have the Black church active in the community and reach the masses. I don’t mean to come down hard on the Black church, if that is how I’m coming off, but I say all this because growing up in the Primitive Baptist faith I feel that it’s important that these issues are addressed so that the Black church can once again be the strength that it once was.