Aww these episodes are so short! Just when we get to the good stuff it’s already the end. I look forward to watching these every week, any chance you could have longer discussions?
Agreed, they are much too short to be episodes. They should at least get a couple of questions in because there are so many issues to dive into, there is no need to make it one question per episode.
This generation might be the most "educated blacks" because of the exposure and availability of knowledge, but knowledg without the proper application of wisdom and understanding, can sometimes be of little value. The moral decay and destructure of the nuclear family must be addressed in the black community. The more we accept immoral behavior in our music, entertainment, life styles, etc., the more the church will appear irrelevant. Sometimes being well educated means acknowledging what you don't know.
The moral decay and breakdown in all families (white families etc) including violence on TV, Rock Concerts etc. needs to be addressed also. The church in America is broken. Not everyone calling on Jesus name belongs to him. Religion is what churches are giving not God.
@Value. I think that there is this myth that black people don't value family. This is grossly inaccurate at best. It is the fakest of news. First and foremost, the nuclear family is a capitalistic construct rooted in Euro-centrism. This idea of the nuclear family was perpetuated in order to sell single family homes to Americans and other folks all over the world. The nuclear family is not and never has been Biblical. Search scripture and you will see that folks always lived with extended family members. This was and is God's design and there is a ton of research that supports the fact that nuclear families are bad for our mental and physical health, when compared to multi-generation family living. Even if this wasn't the case, we need to look at why black families struggle. Black families aren't in "moral decay"; they have been poisoned by generations of oppression and systemic deprivation. Black families were never set up for success and the perpetrators of the sabotage, keep telling them that its their fault. Black folks are all about family and if given the opportunity to thrive, they would succeed. When black mothers and fathers are supported, they thrive. I refute the notion that somehow, black people are inherently defective and make depraved choices when it comes to family. I also reject the idea of a nuclear family because it isn't Biblical and sustainable. In fact, the nuclear family has caused more of us to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
@tracey brave I am wondering, however, in what sense is it valid? I think education and exposure can prove valuable for administrative duties, managing finances, and other practical applications. With that said I get the impression (though I could be wrong) that Lisa was implying that education and exposure should influence the most important function of the church which is teaching and preaching the word of God. When I say teaching and preaching the word of God I mean for example: expounding on what it means to be a Christian? And, what does living like an authentic Christian look like in the real world? I think higher education and exposure have the potential to influence these ideals in a negative way. What do you think?
@@danteb3949 the Bible dies address all those issues but during Grandparents Generation most "Church" Leaders didn't address it because they thought it was "worldly". And most of them didn't know "How" to apply the WORD of GOD to daily living and life issues. Today's Generation of "Church " Leaders like Lisa and that Pastor and many of Today's young Pastors are addressing various life topics and applying the WORD of GOD.
Until we embrace that the church isn't the building will always be lost. It's like how can I go to church if I am the church. How can we welcome the spirit in if you've already invited me there and the spirit lives in me. We so busy trying to be Churchy we miss God. There's a real lack of true intimacy and purpose because what we have is not what Jesus practiced
I think that because for so long faith was something that was done and kept secretly (slavery), and then having a church was so precious to us when we finally were afforded the opportunity to have that, then we needed them to help us gain our rights and build up our communities etc. that evangelism never played the true role it should have. Hence the only time it leaves our 4 walls is when injustice happens or our community suffers tragedies. Most black Christians of the older generation dont evangelize except to people they really love because Christianity became our means of making it and surviving instead of truly advancing the kingdom outside the walls.
That's like asking are you or we relevant folks. The Church is not a building or institution first folks, it's you and me. Glorious without spot or wrinkle...HALLELUJAH..Amen!
I’m confused. First you listen for 4 episodes then you are supposed to answer the hard questions. I don’t hear this being done. The relevance of the church should be the mission of Jesus Christ and the mission that he gave us. There is no pointing back the the truth of apologetics defending the faith of the Bible, the faith in Jesus Christ.
🙂 I think these conversations are more so about “black church” and black church culture no one’s complaints seem to be about Jesus, or about God’s word….
As I listen to these episodes it makes me appreciate my church because I have always felt loved and appreciated from day one till this day. My church is about 6 years old as well but my church is very active in the community . This is very informative to me .
Some churches have racial reconciliation programs, others have holiday giveaways, homeless services, etc. It's still there just depends on the church you go to the form it's in.
I here this topic in a lot places in noticing the range of questions. I drove deep researching every word to understand the message. A build is not the church but our bodies.
Great conversations and insights. however one thing i find ironic is that people want the church to be this great resource, but dont want to stick it out and help it become a great resource with their gifts and talents. And dont ask people to actually GIVE to a church! You cant have it both ways folks!
Part of what happened is the intense and INcorrect push of "separation of church and state", which is NOT in any of the founding documents. I absolutely LOVE the fact you talk about very real topics, example, is Christianity a "white man's religion", very cool you actually discuss this. The absolute bare bones honesty of this discussion is 2d to none. I'm a white guy, by the way who can't relate and will not insult ANY black people by saying I do relate. This video content was awesome. Please continue to do what you're doing Lisa.
They brush over topics to push believers back off the fence. They discuss these topics as damage control because information is available and black people are having questions. Every African Christian nation on the planet has been introduced to Christianity by Europeans. Older generations did not know this info so there was no need to try to address it.. But now people have questions that older church officials cannot answer. But they never have anyone on the opposing side to challenge them. Its just good info for the one who wants to believe but the info is weak for the ones who want to know.
The theology of social change also shifted in Black churches. Before it was visible and obvious that the State was oppressing us. Then it became redlining policies that created Black ghettos, international policy that destroyed trade jobs while allowing the inflow of cocaine, and policing policies that broke up families and shipped men away. The church wasn't savvy enough in its critique to understand these forces. So preachers focused on personal responsibility and 1-to-1 service to each other.
The problem I have w/ these brothers and sisters is they make very blanket statements about church in general when their issues are w/ the specific churches they have been a part of. How can that sister say “Aside from the mega churches, there’s a lack of community service within the Christian church”…. Where are you goingggggg? #respectfully
@@byronsmith1096 Ultimately, I can’t speak on what “the church” does generally (which is essentially the point I’m making in my previous statement) because the church is not a monolith in regards to how they conduct services. But if you’re asking about the churches I’ve attended personally, all of them have community outreach programs. Whether it’s pantry services, nursing home visits, or just a simple neighborhood outreach, yes, they all make concerted efforts to reach the community in some form or fashion.
@Ra what I heard the sister ask is , What impact are churches leaving in their surrounding communities? I know alot of churches food, clothing & back to school drives. But what hand are they playing in changing their communities?
I loved Lisa's answer here. I also related to the pastor's answer as well. My own grandmother is a church mother and I'm a young preacher that is highly educated. We see the world very differently and the lack of exposure makes the gap between generations so much more severe. I think to his point that many black millennials and even many of the x'ers were so used to the older gens (silvers) doing the bulk of the work and it wasn't properly instilled in us by our boomer parents to model ourselves after their hard work or their physical labors of love. I think boomers were at the crux: trying to make it out, make it to the middle class, hold down a decent job after segregation ended etc., overcome all the obstacles of crack epidemic, single parenthood, etc that the kids did not get the baton handed down. We also have to recognize that TV evangelist and prosperity gospel really hurt the black church in some ways, we took quite a hit. It affected us most because we needed hope and the greedy were lining their pockets. This turned off Millenials while boomers became victims of it, became more casual Christians and many didn't carry on the tradition of community in the black church because we were too busy watching so and so on the Word Network. It was no longer in to go to the corner church or the storefront churches. The focus was now big house, big job, big churches, mega conferences etc. Not to mention that seminary finally became an option for blacks and many of them never came back to the black church when white folks taught them that black churches had unsound doctrine. So the black church that did the community work lost much of their resources to help.
Love this answer. I'm a younger Gen X and I watched the Boomers around me put in the work. I learned so much by watching them. You're right in some respects the baton was not passed. I think they thought we were just going to do what we saw. At 44 as I reflect on what I saw growing up there was a TON of sacrifice that they did not speak about they just did it. I think about the older saints who would pick me up for church services, house/hospital visits, etc. Who does that now? Who's making the time to train in such a fashion? Honestly, this just dawned on me in the last few years and I have been trying to make those kinds of investments in the generations under me. I notice with some older X'ers (especially in their 50s) they brag on the training they got but did not turn around to do the same. Then they want to fuss about the generations under them....
@@taneyahunter8815 yep I agree. The baton wasn’t passed in many areas. For some it wasn’t passed all the way down to cooking and cleaning. For others that was passed but it stopped there etc. Silvers were so used to serving that they just served their hearts out until they died as we all watched, and boomers stepped in to just assist them. And since the gen before silvers were slaves, hard work was nothing for them. Life was hard and required it and a greater level of team work. But I wish the great disciplining (village raising a child), teaching and high standards for our children did not end, as this is something that was in our blood. It is very African. Now I feel like that has some how been lost and it bleeds into everything. I don’t want to blame but somewhere with the boomers the ball really got dropped with them coming into adulthood, having sex outside of marriage, having crack epidemic, new levels of independence and access that blacks didn’t have. So where in that things went bad and their kids were the fruit of that and the beginning of black kids killing each like they do.
@@siobhansyt I definitely agree that the ball got dropped. You raised so many good points. Many great things that were instilled in Boomers are gone. I don't feel completely lost though. All we can do is pass down what we learned to those we have influence with.
It's relevant when the church is a close knit community and you get to know everybody and they become your people. And new believers come in and the youth are welcome and supported and shepherded. It's not relevant if everyone just sits on Sunday and goes home and barely knows anybody. Or the new and the young are ran out of the place by rudeness and abuse.
What's wrong with marketing the good news? Facebook live helps services during the pandemic. Jesus used people to market himself in the bible. The heart behind why you're doing it is the issue.
The answer to the question has nothing to do with the various level of education in respects to the civic or community co-op! The church was displaced in any areas when the emerging independent community activists started connecting with other non religious bases! That forced alot of churches to become more focused on self(membership) rather then the community. Also, when you speak of support, when people become so offended that they rather leave the church all together rather then stick & stay. welll, resources become lost as well! Let's not forget Noah as laughed at until it started raining! Sometimes, your assignment prepping for the rain!
I dont think that's entirely true. It's just not as public. Churches pay folks bills, get them shelter, help the homeless, mission trips and ministries, etc. In fact, the majority of non-profits are Christian/church founded (over 73% of them) and if one day they decided to close their doors the world would literally collapse. Many of the orgs you've heard of and most you have not are Christian founded. But because the general person does not know that, they assume that the church is no longer holding up the legs of the table. They still do, just not in the same way they did prior to segregation. It's the younger generation's turn, but we also no longer seem to hold the same accountability and self-held responsibility that they did. How many millennials do you know actually do things in their communities? I personally know very few. My grandmother is a church mother and she still does a lot in the community. My uncle is a pastor, he knows the entire police force in our city and helps with many things. I can't say that about the millennials I know in ministry, it's much more unicorn-ish. They are too busy building "a following". They are helping, but much more digital-focused and individual character-focused, less economically focused.
Salvation, discipleship and the work of the ministry. Everything should branch off of those things. The church doesn't exist to make the world a better place but to make those in the world like Christ and be reconciled back to the Father. Have to start with the root of all issues and work from there out. Instead we try to work on the branches that have sprung from whatever issue is facing particular communities.
I'm beginning to suspect you. I loved your previous contents. I thought you were bridging the gap for apologetics space that is mainly filled with White folks. I suspect you.
for thoz who r enabled, i think we need to pray & ask G.O.D. wht's wrong wth th church systm...ask G.O.D., "is th church systm equivalent to th eklessia"-i blieve not... by G.O.D.'S will & grace, i contend some/many of us may b unified n rebirth by faith/grace n Christ Yashuah wth The Holy Spirit & presenting th gfts of The Holy Spirit, yet, it seems to me, tht much fewr of us r unified n The Holy Spirit wth truth...many of th church systm's basic teachngs & assumptions just dont make sense-r illogical as demod n isaiah 44 & 2thsln 2:3-13...i blieve th church systm & all of us r dilutd & don't know it... perhaps, we may pray tht G.O.D. lfts th powrful delusion...? perhaps, we may meditate on thez passags: jrmh 31:16-40 jhn 6:60-70 1crnth 2 psalm 5 2thsln 2:3-13
It didn't take me 2 degrees and working in public sectors to learn kindness. Compassion is innate. It doesn't take a wealth of knowledge and multiple counseling sessions to self-actualize that you are Mean, even babies and toddlers understand meanness and they respond to it or run away from it. What the Black Church is missing is Truth and not according to one's own understanding of others, but a true understanding of self... ✌🏾
Moreover, people are mean in the church because it is culturally expected and therefore accepted. We, the more educated/younger generation, are no longer making room for it in our lives. Our knowledge has liberated us and shown us that we do not have to abide by these types of abuses.
I am wondering, in what sense is education and exposure valid? I think education and exposure can prove valuable for administrative duties, managing finances, and other practical applications. With that said I get the impression (though I could be wrong) that Lisa was implying that education and exposure should influence the most important function of the church which is teaching and preaching the word of God. When I say teaching and preaching the word of God I mean for example: expounding on what it means to be a Christian? And, what does living like an authentic Christian look like in the real world? I think higher education and exposure have the potential to influence these ideals in a negative way.
Education is always a potential bad thing for religion.. With education comes knowledge and knowledge of history. Mythologies dont do as well when people start learning history. The belief in Santa goes out the window for kids who are in school amongst other kids.
@@whatshatnin4572 Hey, trying to understand...what would you consider a myth? And in what way do you think "higher education" and exposure could be potentially harmful to Christianity in particular?
@@danteb3949 I would consider a talking snake a myth. I would consider a lady that skipped childhood due to the fact that she was created full grown from a rib of a man. I would consider that mythology. I feel that higher education is harmful to all myths. A kindergarten child who believes her lil brother came here from stork is child enough to believe that a woman can come from a rib of a man.. But when that child gets to higher education or middle school, that child will get enough education to know that babies dont come from storks nor do women come from the ribs of sleeping men. Science and history debunk most myths. Example: The biblical patriarchs according to the bible timeline lived around 4,000 BCE to around 2,300 BCE.. And many of these men were living 900 years. There is no evidence for any of these individuals.. However, Egypt has pharaohs that existed during the same time.. Egypt has artifacts, literature, mummies and skeletons to prove the existence of these pharaohs. None of these pharaohs indicate 900 years of living. They all represent the same life spans that we have today. Those ancient Egyptians had made plenty advancements in science and in medicine.. The biblical patriarchs were goat herders.. How are the goat herders with no evidence of existence living 10x longer than the kings of one of the most scientific and medically advanced civilizations known to man. Tell me if that makes sense
@@whatshatnin4572 Yeah, creation account is a bit weird especially because it speaks of things that don't occur in reality now. And the Bible doesn't go into great length attempting to convince us of the creation account. So, If I may....I would suggest taking a look at what the Bible does speak of from its beginning until it's end. The Bible does exhausts itself addressesing the questions that are truly relevant in life such as 1) Who are we ? The Bible tells us that we as human beings are made in the image of God (which comes with a sense of dignity and sanctity of life) The Bible tells us 2) The problem. Why (at times) the world and life can be really messed up? 3) The Bible tells us what the answer to the problem is 4) And finally the Bible tells us when the problem will be solved. Are these questions and answers noticeable to you when you read through the Bible?
@@danteb3949 Let me answer your question and explain my answer. My answer is NO!! However, i am aware and in full support of the many wisdoms you find throughout the bible.. But these questions are not truly answered in the bible.. in my humble opinion The history is wrong.. The bible says we are all born in sin because of what Adam and Eve did.. But snakes dont talk nor do women come from ribs of men. So to try to answer the questions of today based on fake history is inaccurate to me. There is no evidence of heaven or hell.. In fact the concept of hell started with the Greeks and the Zoroastrianism religion. They talked about a hell before any bible was ever written.. Its mythology. The bible does have wisdom but you have to move in fear and in guilt and that is not a way to live. Fear+guilt=Control.. and that is the price you have to pay when you get your god from man
Revelation 3:15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 16So because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
If you look at what Jesus did for Peter is that he helped build Peter's vision to get fulfilled by getting fish in his boat. Before Jesus told Peter to follow Him to build His vision.The pastor is looking for you to build his or her vision but won't help you build what God has given you to do in the world you live in.
I can say it depends on the actual church. In my town there are a number of smaller churches that are actually involved with the community and are non political. However there are also bigger fundamentalist church that are political, racist, and hateful in general. Some getting in bed with Q-Anon. Sorry but the bigger and political churches need to start paying taxes.
Don't forget what Jesus Christ died for and what He told us to do. We give out food and help the community, but don't share the Gospel to the same degree. The Church has been co-opted to not be a threat to the status quo. Look at all of the Scriptures that talk about the poor and the foreigner within our gates and look at the churches that do not feel responsible. An unregenerate heart may not have what it takes to live a holy life, but living a holy life is a hallmark of being born again. We are concerned about worldly concerns aka 1 John 3 but do not prioritize the Gospel that truly changes the heart. I wonder how many January 6 insurrectionists are avid church members! If you feed people but let their soul starve & go to Hell, that is not love and not what Jesus died for.
This is why mythology and religion works so well on the poor. There is evidence that the body benefits from food. There is no evidence of a hell. We have evidence of what happens when the body starves but there is nothing in existence that supports the existence of a hell. Feeding people without pushing mythology to them is honorable.. But luring people in with food just to push mythologies and beliefs is a form of control.
When it comes to the church giving to the poor and the widows, there must be a priority in that we prefer one another. A man that does not take care of his own house is worse than an infidel. We should not neglect the members of the body in order to provide for those in the world. Put the church before others but don't exclude them altogether. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men. But at the same time the church should not be burdened, it is not a storehouse for the world. At the same time there must be a balance in our giving. God did not intend for any to give that he should lack. It is out of our abundance that we supply the needs of others. Moreover, church is for the body of Christ, and there should be no invitation for the world to attend. A little leaven leaves the whole lump, through the saved and the unsaved. The results of which is evident in the church today. Therefore, it can be good that some stay away, and that few remain. Jesus said, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. But we have said, Come visit my church. But he has said, Come out from among them and be ye separate. We receive power to witness after the Holy Ghost comes upon and are more than able to offer the testimony of Jesus Christ. If they receive it, invite them to church. Joy and peace in believing by the power of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
Course not. This is why we believe. It takes faith to believe. If we had that level of evidence we would know instead of believe. We always must apply faith when we have no facts
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Aww these episodes are so short! Just when we get to the good stuff it’s already the end. I look forward to watching these every week, any chance you could have longer discussions?
I agree! More pleaseeeeee
Agreed, they are much too short to be episodes. They should at least get a couple of questions in because there are so many issues to dive into, there is no need to make it one question per episode.
This generation might be the most "educated blacks" because of the exposure and availability of knowledge, but knowledg without the proper application of wisdom and understanding, can sometimes be of little value. The moral decay and destructure of the nuclear family must be addressed in the black community. The more we accept immoral behavior in our music, entertainment, life styles, etc., the more the church will appear irrelevant. Sometimes being well educated means acknowledging what you don't know.
"Sometimes being well educated means acknowledging what you don't know." Now that's a word! Blessings
@Value Agreed. And need wisdom..
The moral decay and breakdown in all families (white families etc) including violence on TV, Rock Concerts etc. needs to be addressed also. The church in America is broken. Not everyone calling on Jesus name belongs to him. Religion is what churches are giving not God.
@Value. I think that there is this myth that black people don't value family. This is grossly inaccurate at best. It is the fakest of news. First and foremost, the nuclear family is a capitalistic construct rooted in Euro-centrism. This idea of the nuclear family was perpetuated in order to sell single family homes to Americans and other folks all over the world. The nuclear family is not and never has been Biblical. Search scripture and you will see that folks always lived with extended family members. This was and is God's design and there is a ton of research that supports the fact that nuclear families are bad for our mental and physical health, when compared to multi-generation family living. Even if this wasn't the case, we need to look at why black families struggle. Black families aren't in "moral decay"; they have been poisoned by generations of oppression and systemic deprivation. Black families were never set up for success and the perpetrators of the sabotage, keep telling them that its their fault. Black folks are all about family and if given the opportunity to thrive, they would succeed. When black mothers and fathers are supported, they thrive. I refute the notion that somehow, black people are inherently defective and make depraved choices when it comes to family. I also reject the idea of a nuclear family because it isn't Biblical and sustainable. In fact, the nuclear family has caused more of us to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
Well said ,👏🏿
Lisa response on the educational, exposure, experiences and generational Gap is Valid.
@tracey brave I am wondering, however, in what sense is it valid? I think education and exposure can prove valuable for administrative duties, managing finances, and other practical applications. With that said I get the impression (though I could be wrong) that Lisa was implying that education and exposure should influence the most important function of the church which is teaching and preaching the word of God. When I say teaching and preaching the word of God I mean for example: expounding on what it means to be a Christian? And, what does living like an authentic Christian look like in the real world? I think higher education and exposure have the potential to influence these ideals in a negative way. What do you think?
@@danteb3949 the Bible dies address all those issues but during Grandparents Generation most "Church" Leaders didn't address it because they thought it was "worldly". And most of them didn't know "How" to apply the WORD of GOD to daily living and life issues. Today's Generation of "Church " Leaders like Lisa and that Pastor and many of Today's young Pastors are addressing various life topics and applying the WORD of GOD.
Until we embrace that the church isn't the building will always be lost. It's like how can I go to church if I am the church. How can we welcome the spirit in if you've already invited me there and the spirit lives in me. We so busy trying to be Churchy we miss God. There's a real lack of true intimacy and purpose because what we have is not what Jesus practiced
Wow, that's extremely powerful.
I think that because for so long faith was something that was done and kept secretly (slavery), and then having a church was so precious to us when we finally were afforded the opportunity to have that, then we needed them to help us gain our rights and build up our communities etc. that evangelism never played the true role it should have. Hence the only time it leaves our 4 walls is when injustice happens or our community suffers tragedies. Most black Christians of the older generation dont evangelize except to people they really love because Christianity became our means of making it and surviving instead of truly advancing the kingdom outside the walls.
That's like asking are you or we relevant folks. The Church is not a building or institution first folks, it's you and me. Glorious without spot or wrinkle...HALLELUJAH..Amen!
I’m confused. First you listen for 4 episodes then you are supposed to answer the hard questions. I don’t hear this being done. The relevance of the church should be the mission of Jesus Christ and the mission that he gave us. There is no pointing back the the truth of apologetics defending the faith of the Bible, the faith in Jesus Christ.
🙂 I think these conversations are more so about “black church” and black church culture no one’s complaints seem to be about Jesus, or about God’s word….
God carless about your culture. He holds you accountable based on his word. Why can't we understand that?
As I listen to these episodes it makes me appreciate my church because I have always felt loved and appreciated from day one till this day. My church is about 6 years old as well but my church is very active in the community . This is very informative to me .
The purpose of church is to spread the gospel and deliver the message of kingdom. That's what makes church relevant
I think pastor's analysis is off. In the 80s Black churches stopped focusing on community and justice work, especially as the Black middle class grew
Some churches have racial reconciliation programs, others have holiday giveaways, homeless services, etc. It's still there just depends on the church you go to the form it's in.
Yes, I didn’t agree with his analysis either.
I grew up in the 80's and many churches focused on the community and Justice. Especially churches that was in the hood.
Thanx, Team!!! Fantastic conversation🌹🌹🌹
I here this topic in a lot places in noticing the range of questions. I drove deep researching every word to understand the message. A build is not the church but our bodies.
Great conversations and insights. however one thing i find ironic is that people want the church to be this great resource, but dont want to stick it out and help it become a great resource with their gifts and talents. And dont ask people to actually GIVE to a church! You cant have it both ways folks!
Why are you planning a church right here on this corner if it is not to help the community? Powerful question.
Part of what happened is the intense and INcorrect push of "separation of church and state", which is NOT in any of the founding documents. I absolutely LOVE the fact you talk about very real topics, example, is Christianity a "white man's religion", very cool you actually discuss this. The absolute bare bones honesty of this discussion is 2d to none. I'm a white guy, by the way who can't relate and will not insult ANY black people by saying I do relate. This video content was awesome. Please continue to do what you're doing Lisa.
They brush over topics to push believers back off the fence. They discuss these topics as damage control because information is available and black people are having questions. Every African Christian nation on the planet has been introduced to Christianity by Europeans. Older generations did not know this info so there was no need to try to address it.. But now people have questions that older church officials cannot answer. But they never have anyone on the opposing side to challenge them. Its just good info for the one who wants to believe but the info is weak for the ones who want to know.
The theology of social change also shifted in Black churches. Before it was visible and obvious that the State was oppressing us.
Then it became redlining policies that created Black ghettos, international policy that destroyed trade jobs while allowing the inflow of cocaine, and policing policies that broke up families and shipped men away.
The church wasn't savvy enough in its critique to understand these forces. So preachers focused on personal responsibility and 1-to-1 service to each other.
Helpful insight with context there. The digital age has made it's mark, and not all in similar ways to all.
Did she say apart from mega churches? Smh
Sadly, it see that this is what's happening all too often.
Joel Osteen's mega church got blasted for keeping their doors closed when the flood hit in Texas. Mega churches are often the biggest offenders.
The problem I have w/ these brothers and sisters is they make very blanket statements about church in general when their issues are w/ the specific churches they have been a part of. How can that sister say “Aside from the mega churches, there’s a lack of community service within the Christian church”…. Where are you goingggggg? #respectfully
Ra, do you feel that the church is is doing enough community service? Or are being the example of community service?
@@byronsmith1096 Ultimately, I can’t speak on what “the church” does generally (which is essentially the point I’m making in my previous statement) because the church is not a monolith in regards to how they conduct services. But if you’re asking about the churches I’ve attended personally, all of them have community outreach programs. Whether it’s pantry services, nursing home visits, or just a simple neighborhood outreach, yes, they all make concerted efforts to reach the community in some form or fashion.
@Ra what I heard the sister ask is , What impact are churches leaving in their surrounding communities? I know alot of churches food, clothing & back to school drives. But what hand are they playing in changing their communities?
@@byronsmith1096 Can’t all those acts you mentioned be considered “hands being played to change the community”?
I loved Lisa's answer here. I also related to the pastor's answer as well. My own grandmother is a church mother and I'm a young preacher that is highly educated. We see the world very differently and the lack of exposure makes the gap between generations so much more severe. I think to his point that many black millennials and even many of the x'ers were so used to the older gens (silvers) doing the bulk of the work and it wasn't properly instilled in us by our boomer parents to model ourselves after their hard work or their physical labors of love. I think boomers were at the crux: trying to make it out, make it to the middle class, hold down a decent job after segregation ended etc., overcome all the obstacles of crack epidemic, single parenthood, etc that the kids did not get the baton handed down.
We also have to recognize that TV evangelist and prosperity gospel really hurt the black church in some ways, we took quite a hit. It affected us most because we needed hope and the greedy were lining their pockets. This turned off Millenials while boomers became victims of it, became more casual Christians and many didn't carry on the tradition of community in the black church because we were too busy watching so and so on the Word Network. It was no longer in to go to the corner church or the storefront churches. The focus was now big house, big job, big churches, mega conferences etc. Not to mention that seminary finally became an option for blacks and many of them never came back to the black church when white folks taught them that black churches had unsound doctrine. So the black church that did the community work lost much of their resources to help.
Yeah The older generation really worked hard and allowed us to become lazy and not fully aware of how much effort is needed... Agreed
Love this answer. I'm a younger Gen X and I watched the Boomers around me put in the work. I learned so much by watching them. You're right in some respects the baton was not passed. I think they thought we were just going to do what we saw.
At 44 as I reflect on what I saw growing up there was a TON of sacrifice that they did not speak about they just did it. I think about the older saints who would pick me up for church services, house/hospital visits, etc. Who does that now? Who's making the time to train in such a fashion? Honestly, this just dawned on me in the last few years and I have been trying to make those kinds of investments in the generations under me.
I notice with some older X'ers (especially in their 50s) they brag on the training they got but did not turn around to do the same. Then they want to fuss about the generations under them....
@@taneyahunter8815 yep I agree. The baton wasn’t passed in many areas. For some it wasn’t passed all the way down to cooking and cleaning. For others that was passed but it stopped there etc. Silvers were so used to serving that they just served their hearts out until they died as we all watched, and boomers stepped in to just assist them. And since the gen before silvers were slaves, hard work was nothing for them. Life was hard and required it and a greater level of team work. But I wish the great disciplining (village raising a child), teaching and high standards for our children did not end, as this is something that was in our blood. It is very African. Now I feel like that has some how been lost and it bleeds into everything. I don’t want to blame but somewhere with the boomers the ball really got dropped with them coming into adulthood, having sex outside of marriage, having crack epidemic, new levels of independence and access that blacks didn’t have. So where in that things went bad and their kids were the fruit of that and the beginning of black kids killing each like they do.
@@siobhansyt I definitely agree that the ball got dropped. You raised so many good points. Many great things that were instilled in Boomers are gone. I don't feel completely lost though. All we can do is pass down what we learned to those we have influence with.
Nice setup.
Have a bless, peaceful, and prosperous Sabbath.
Maybe I missed it, but nobody answered the question?
So good! Amen
It's relevant when the church is a close knit community and you get to know everybody and they become your people. And new believers come in and the youth are welcome and supported and shepherded. It's not relevant if everyone just sits on Sunday and goes home and barely knows anybody. Or the new and the young are ran out of the place by rudeness and abuse.
When the teaching pastor talks about marketing because he ignores that Jesus taught to not do your good works to be seen by men....
What's wrong with marketing the good news? Facebook live helps services during the pandemic. Jesus used people to market himself in the bible. The heart behind why you're doing it is the issue.
@@Nicole-vg9fz guess you don't know the reference either
@@jamesengland7461 the heart behind doing your good works is the issue. Don’t do it to be seen of men but to please God.
So good🙏🏾
The answer to the question has nothing to do with the various level of education in respects to the civic or community co-op! The church was displaced in any areas when the emerging independent community activists started connecting with other non religious bases! That forced alot of churches to become more focused on self(membership) rather then the community. Also, when you speak of support, when people become so offended that they rather leave the church all together rather then stick & stay. welll, resources become lost as well! Let's not forget Noah as laughed at until it started raining! Sometimes, your assignment prepping for the rain!
Yes a lot of pop up churches but no involvement
I dont think that's entirely true. It's just not as public. Churches pay folks bills, get them shelter, help the homeless, mission trips and ministries, etc. In fact, the majority of non-profits are Christian/church founded (over 73% of them) and if one day they decided to close their doors the world would literally collapse. Many of the orgs you've heard of and most you have not are Christian founded. But because the general person does not know that, they assume that the church is no longer holding up the legs of the table.
They still do, just not in the same way they did prior to segregation. It's the younger generation's turn, but we also no longer seem to hold the same accountability and self-held responsibility that they did. How many millennials do you know actually do things in their communities? I personally know very few. My grandmother is a church mother and she still does a lot in the community. My uncle is a pastor, he knows the entire police force in our city and helps with many things. I can't say that about the millennials I know in ministry, it's much more unicorn-ish. They are too busy building "a following". They are helping, but much more digital-focused and individual character-focused, less economically focused.
That’s a lot of words for a really simple question
What's the name of that pastors church?
Salvation, discipleship and the work of the ministry. Everything should branch off of those things. The church doesn't exist to make the world a better place but to make those in the world like Christ and be reconciled back to the Father.
Have to start with the root of all issues and work from there out. Instead we try to work on the branches that have sprung from whatever issue is facing particular communities.
I'm beginning to suspect you. I loved your previous contents. I thought you were bridging the gap for apologetics space that is mainly filled with White folks. I suspect you.
Okay why are you skeptical of this video? I think the series is very straightforward about issues and concerns in the church. I'm curious
🤣🤣🤣🤣
for thoz who r enabled, i think we need to pray & ask G.O.D. wht's wrong wth th church systm...ask G.O.D., "is th church systm equivalent to th eklessia"-i blieve not...
by G.O.D.'S will & grace, i contend some/many of us may b unified n rebirth by faith/grace n Christ Yashuah wth The Holy Spirit & presenting th gfts of The Holy Spirit, yet, it seems to me, tht much fewr of us r unified n The Holy Spirit wth truth...many of th church systm's basic teachngs & assumptions just dont make sense-r illogical as demod n isaiah 44 & 2thsln 2:3-13...i blieve th church systm & all of us r dilutd & don't know it...
perhaps, we may pray tht G.O.D. lfts th powrful delusion...?
perhaps, we may meditate on thez passags:
jrmh 31:16-40
jhn 6:60-70
1crnth 2
psalm 5
2thsln 2:3-13
It didn't take me 2 degrees and working in public sectors to learn kindness. Compassion is innate. It doesn't take a wealth of knowledge and multiple counseling sessions to self-actualize that you are Mean, even babies and toddlers understand meanness and they respond to it or run away from it.
What the Black Church is missing is Truth and not according to one's own understanding of others, but a true understanding of self... ✌🏾
Moreover, people are mean in the church because it is culturally expected and therefore accepted. We, the more educated/younger generation, are no longer making room for it in our lives. Our knowledge has liberated us and shown us that we do not have to abide by these types of abuses.
@@dcanty3122 Im glad that you guys are more educated and hopefully more willing to think for yourselves
I am wondering, in what sense is education and exposure valid? I think education and exposure can prove valuable for administrative duties, managing finances, and other practical applications. With that said I get the impression (though I could be wrong) that Lisa was implying that education and exposure should influence the most important function of the church which is teaching and preaching the word of God. When I say teaching and preaching the word of God I mean for example: expounding on what it means to be a Christian? And, what does living like an authentic Christian look like in the real world? I think higher education and exposure have the potential to influence these ideals in a negative way.
Education is always a potential bad thing for religion.. With education comes knowledge and knowledge of history. Mythologies dont do as well when people start learning history. The belief in Santa goes out the window for kids who are in school amongst other kids.
@@whatshatnin4572 Hey, trying to understand...what would you consider a myth? And in what way do you think "higher education" and exposure could be potentially harmful to Christianity in particular?
@@danteb3949 I would consider a talking snake a myth. I would consider a lady that skipped childhood due to the fact that she was created full grown from a rib of a man. I would consider that mythology.
I feel that higher education is harmful to all myths. A kindergarten child who believes her lil brother came here from stork is child enough to believe that a woman can come from a rib of a man.. But when that child gets to higher education or middle school, that child will get enough education to know that babies dont come from storks nor do women come from the ribs of sleeping men.
Science and history debunk most myths. Example: The biblical patriarchs according to the bible timeline lived around 4,000 BCE to around 2,300 BCE.. And many of these men were living 900 years. There is no evidence for any of these individuals.. However, Egypt has pharaohs that existed during the same time.. Egypt has artifacts, literature, mummies and skeletons to prove the existence of these pharaohs. None of these pharaohs indicate 900 years of living. They all represent the same life spans that we have today. Those ancient Egyptians had made plenty advancements in science and in medicine.. The biblical patriarchs were goat herders.. How are the goat herders with no evidence of existence living 10x longer than the kings of one of the most scientific and medically advanced civilizations known to man.
Tell me if that makes sense
@@whatshatnin4572 Yeah, creation account is a bit weird especially because it speaks of things that don't occur in reality now. And the Bible doesn't go into great length attempting to convince us of the creation account. So, If I may....I would suggest taking a look at what the Bible does speak of from its beginning until it's end.
The Bible does exhausts itself addressesing the questions that are truly relevant in life such as
1) Who are we ?
The Bible tells us that we as human beings are made in the image of God (which comes with a sense of dignity and sanctity of life)
The Bible tells us
2) The problem. Why (at times) the world and life can be really messed up?
3) The Bible tells us what the answer to the problem is
4)
And finally the Bible tells us when the problem will be solved.
Are these questions and answers noticeable to you when you read through the Bible?
@@danteb3949 Let me answer your question and explain my answer.
My answer is NO!!
However, i am aware and in full support of the many wisdoms you find throughout the bible.. But these questions are not truly answered in the bible.. in my humble opinion
The history is wrong.. The bible says we are all born in sin because of what Adam and Eve did.. But snakes dont talk nor do women come from ribs of men. So to try to answer the questions of today based on fake history is inaccurate to me.
There is no evidence of heaven or hell.. In fact the concept of hell started with the Greeks and the Zoroastrianism religion. They talked about a hell before any bible was ever written.. Its mythology.
The bible does have wisdom but you have to move in fear and in guilt and that is not a way to live. Fear+guilt=Control.. and that is the price you have to pay when you get your god from man
Revelation 3:15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 16So because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
If you look at what Jesus did for Peter is that he helped build Peter's vision to get fulfilled by getting fish in his boat. Before Jesus told Peter to follow Him to build His vision.The pastor is looking for you to build his or her vision but won't help you build what God has given you to do in the world you live in.
Age, Technology, Money and Education, you mean like the Pharisees and the Sadducees?😞
They that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth
#BIGFACTS
I can say it depends on the actual church. In my town there are a number of smaller churches that are actually involved with the community and are non political.
However there are also bigger fundamentalist church that are political, racist, and hateful in general. Some getting in bed with Q-Anon.
Sorry but the bigger and political churches need to start paying taxes.
Don't forget what Jesus Christ died for and what He told us to do. We give out food and help the community, but don't share the Gospel to the same degree. The Church has been co-opted to not be a threat to the status quo. Look at all of the Scriptures that talk about the poor and the foreigner within our gates and look at the churches that do not feel responsible. An unregenerate heart may not have what it takes to live a holy life, but living a holy life is a hallmark of being born again. We are concerned about worldly concerns aka 1 John 3 but do not prioritize the Gospel that truly changes the heart. I wonder how many January 6 insurrectionists are avid church members! If you feed people but let their soul starve & go to Hell, that is not love and not what Jesus died for.
This is why mythology and religion works so well on the poor. There is evidence that the body benefits from food. There is no evidence of a hell. We have evidence of what happens when the body starves but there is nothing in existence that supports the existence of a hell. Feeding people without pushing mythology to them is honorable.. But luring people in with food just to push mythologies and beliefs is a form of control.
@@nickjones1314 You don't know what you don't know. By the way, people take the food and never come back. That is another thing you didn't know.
When it comes to the church giving to the poor and the widows, there must be a priority in that we prefer one another. A man that does not take care of his own house is worse than an infidel. We should not neglect the members of the body in order to provide for those in the world. Put the church before others but don't exclude them altogether. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men. But at the same time the church should not be burdened, it is not a storehouse for the world.
At the same time there must be a balance in our giving. God did not intend for any to give that he should lack. It is out of our abundance that we supply the needs of others.
Moreover, church is for the body of Christ, and there should be no invitation for the world to attend. A little leaven leaves the whole lump, through the saved and the unsaved. The results of which is evident in the church today.
Therefore, it can be good that some stay away, and that few remain.
Jesus said, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.
But we have said, Come visit my church. But he has said, Come out from among them and be ye separate.
We receive power to witness after the Holy Ghost comes upon and are more than able to offer the testimony of Jesus Christ.
If they receive it, invite them to church. Joy and peace in believing by the power of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
The rudimentary question is, outside of the bible, with irrefutable evidence can anyone prove the existence of the so-called jesus?
Course not. This is why we believe. It takes faith to believe. If we had that level of evidence we would know instead of believe. We always must apply faith when we have no facts