Now Thinking.....What are you thinking about???

[blyempowered]

Just out of curiosity, what are some of the things you think plague the black church that are non-existent in the non-Black church?

1. Overemphasis on titles.
2. Competitive attitude (preaching, singing, etc).
3. Lack of focus on spiritual growth/change.
4. Affects of slavery on current church practices.
5. Anti-intellectualism

[LaylaMonroe]

1. Overemphasis on titles.
2. Competitive attitude (preaching, singing, etc).
3. Lack of focus on spiritual growth/change.
4. Affects of slavery on current church practices.
5. Anti-intellectualism

Wow. Surprisingly specific list. (#4 is a little broad, though. To what effects are you referring?)

I can't disagree on #s 1, 2, and 5.

I somewhat agree on #3, but I don't think it's specific to the black church. I think some black churches do emphasize spiritual growth and many don't. But I think that problem is prevalent in the entire BOC today, not just the black church.

With all that said, how many NON-Black churches have you experienced in order to ascribe all this stuff to the black church with such certainty?

[nessalynn77]

Wow. Surprisingly specific list. (#4 is a little broad, though. To what effects are you referring?)

I can't disagree on #s 1, 2, and 5.

I somewhat agree on #3, but I don't think it's specific to the black church. I think some black churches do emphasize spiritual growth and many don't. But I think that problem is prevalent in the entire BOC today, not just the black church.

With all that said, how many NON-Black churches have you experienced in order to ascribe all this stuff to the black church with such certainty?

Yeah, from my dialogue with either black friends who have crossed over to the non-black church or just non-black friends.  All of those points either have a counterpart or a separate just as irritating issue to replace them.  But... you'll find out should you make that move.

[blyempowered]

Wow. Surprisingly specific list. (#4 is a little broad, though. To what effects are you referring?)

I can't disagree on #s 1, 2, and 5.

I somewhat agree on #3, but I don't think it's specific to the black church. I think some black churches do emphasize spiritual growth and many don't. But I think that problem is prevalent in the entire BOC today, not just the black church.

With all that said, how many NON-Black churches have you experienced in order to ascribe all this stuff to the black church with such certainty?

I'll admit: I haven't had a lot of experiences in non-black churches, and therefore my opinion may be a bit bias. What I have seen in non-white churches is that (looking at the title issue) it's ok to refer to the pastor as Bro. so and so but if you do that in the black tradition it's seen as a sin. Before becoming a major part of my home church in the 90s I use to go to non-black churches riding the bus. Yall know what I'm talking about....LOL!

In regards to the spiritual growth thing, I agree with you. However, to add to that (which kind of gets to #4), a major part of black preaching focuses on encouragement, deliverance, empowerment, etc., and I believe that is the case because of the history of slavery and how it affected black people. The people affected by slavery had to be encouraged that God was on the side of the oppressed and that God would bring them out. Therefore, many come to church to receive a word of encouragement. It kind of goes back to this "unwritten" rule that Sunday is for preaching/encouragement while Wednesday is for bible study (I disagree with that....).

Honestly I have a "want my cake and eat it too" attitude because personally I love the empowerment/encouragement focus yet I'm very concerned that coming to church is becoming more of a "what's in for me and my life" thing vs "what can I get to apply to my life to be more spiritually focused" thing.

Overall I'm just fed up with our focus. On a personal note: our church has been without a pastor for about 1 1/2 years and it looks like the candidate that the church wanted (who can preach the heck out of the church) may not come (long story). But I was just thinking: maybe our focus as a church was wrong. Instead of looking for the best person to Shepherd our church, we wanted someone to grow the church (numerically speaking) and preach our socks off, which to me is the wrong focus. It's like we're almost conditioned to expect preaching a certain way instead of focusing on what matters.

Last thing: for some reason I'm beginning to embrace more of the teachers like Rick Warren, Church Swindoll, Charles Stanley, etc. I love whooping (part of my tradition) but it just doesn't impress me anymore....*shrug*

Sorry for going on a tangent.

[blyempowered]

Yeah, from my dialogue with either black friends who have crossed over to the non-black church or just non-black friends.  All of those points either have a counterpart or a separate just as irritating issue to replace them.  But... you'll find out should you make that move.

Interesting point.

[LaylaMonroe]

Yeah, from my dialogue with either black friends who have crossed over to the non-black church or just non-black friends.  All of those points either have a counterpart or a separate just as irritating issue to replace them.  But... you'll find out should you make that move.

Yeah, when I first came to ATL, I lived in Lithia Springs (which at that time was predominately white), and the closest pentecostal church was a white Apostolic church. At that time, the church was like 90% white and maybe 10% other. The MOM and I became well acquainted, and even after I found a church home, we remained in contact.

Today, they are probably closer to 50/50 or maybe 60/40, but the leadership and the organization is still white. They unquestionably had/have the same issues that we have in the black church.

I DO believe there are some issues that are more likely to exist in the black church than in the non-Black church, but without spending time in a non-Black church, it's kinda unfair to make those kinds of assessments.

[blyempowered]

Yeah, when I first came to ATL, I lived in Lithia Springs (which at that time was predominately white), and the closest pentecostal church was a white Apostolic church. At that time, the church was like 90% white and maybe 10% other. The MOM and I became well acquainted, and even after I found a church home, we remained in contact.

Today, they are probably closer to 50/50 or maybe 60/40, but the leadership and the organization is still white. They unquestionably had/have the same issues that we have in the black church.

I DO believe there are some issues that are more likely to exist in the black church than in the non-Black church, but without spending time in a non-Black church, it's kinda unfair to make those kinds of assessments.

Yeah you're right.

[LaylaMonroe]

I'll admit: I haven't had a lot of experiences in non-black churches, and therefore my opinion may be a bit bias. What I have seen in non-white churches is that (looking at the title issue) it's ok to refer to the pastor as Bro. so and so but if you do that in the black tradition it's seen as a sin. Before becoming a major part of my home church in the 90s I use to go to non-black churches riding the bus. Yall know what I'm talking about....LOL!

In regards to the spiritual growth thing, I agree with you. However, to add to that (which kind of gets to #4), a major part of black preaching focuses on encouragement, deliverance, empowerment, etc., and I believe that is the case because of the history of slavery and how it affected black people. The people affected by slavery had to be encouraged that God was on the side of the oppressed and that God would bring them out. Therefore, many come to church to receive a word of encouragement. It kind of goes back to this "unwritten" rule that Sunday is for preaching/encouragement while Wednesday is for bible study (I disagree with that....).

Honestly I have a "want my cake and eat it too" attitude because personally I love the empowerment/encouragement focus yet I'm very concerned that coming to church is becoming more of a "what's in for me and my life" thing vs "what can I get to apply to my life to be more spiritually focused" thing.

Overall I'm just fed up with our focus. On a personal note: our church has been without a pastor for about 1 1/2 years and it looks like the candidate that the church wanted (who can preach the heck out of the church) may not come (long story). But I was just thinking: maybe our focus as a church was wrong. Instead of looking for the best person to Shepherd our church, we wanted someone to grow the church (numerically speaking) and preach our socks off, which to me is the wrong focus. It's like we're almost conditioned to expect preaching a certain way instead of focusing on what matters.

Last thing: for some reason I'm beginning to embrace more of the teachers like Rick Warren, Church Swindoll, Charles Stanley, etc. I love whooping (part of my tradition) but it just doesn't impress me anymore....*shrug*

Sorry for going on a tangent.

Good stuff.

I totally agree with you on the titles thing. You don't see a lot of that in the non-Black churches. You can tell just by driving past them. LOL! Also, SN: after reading Pagan Christianity, I have even more of an issue with pastors prominently displaying their pictures and names all over church literature, marketing materials, billboards, signage, programs/bulletins, etc. I already didn't like that, but now I abhor it.

You raised a good point about the slavery/encouragement thing.

I'm in a bit of a Catch 22 myself, but I think I've figured out a solution that works for me and my life. The pentecostal church experience is really all I know. I am totally and completely weary/worn out/exhausted/bored with all the hype-preaching, hooping, hollering, screaming, running, falling out... and nobody going home truly changed on the inside. I'm tired of the cliche preaching and the rhyming and tuning up and riffs and runs and style without substance, etc. I'm at a point today where all I want is the word. You can type it up and give it to me to read on my own. You can read it to me without ever getting excited or tuning up. You can recite it in a low tone of voice. I don't even care. I just want life-changing word. Every time. I'm desperate for it.

But...

I'm still Apostolic.

Once in a while, I crave that HG experience. I miss it. So when I do, I'll just go visit an Apostolic church and have a good ole run around the church and go home. No strings.

[blyempowered]

Good stuff.

I totally agree with you on the titles thing. You don't see a lot of that in the non-Black churches. You can tell just by driving past them. LOL! Also, SN: after reading Pagan Christianity, I have even more of an issue with pastors prominently displaying their pictures and names all over church literature, marketing materials, billboards, signage, programs/bulletins, etc. I already didn't like that, but now I abhor it.

You raised a good point about the slavery/encouragement thing.

I'm in a bit of a Catch 22 myself, but I think I've figured out a solution that works for me and my life. The pentecostal church experience is really all I know. I am totally and completely weary/worn out/exhausted/bored with all the hype-preaching, hooping, hollering, screaming, running, falling out... and nobody going home truly changed on the inside. I'm tired of the cliche preaching and the rhyming and tuning up and riffs and runs and style without substance, etc. I'm at a point today where all I want is the word. You can type it up and give it to me to read on my own. You can read it to me without ever getting excited or tuning up. You can recite it in a low tone of voice. I don't even care. I just want life-changing word. Every time. I'm desperate for it.

But...

I'm still Apostolic.

Once in a while, I crave that HG experience. I miss it. So when I do, I'll just go visit an Apostolic church and have a good ole run around the church and go home. No strings.

LOL @ "I'm still Apostolic." 

Thanks for your insight!

[Fenix]

Now thinking about the seven string (low b) metal guitar that I played yesterday at the pawn shop... oh... so... awesome. I loved that low b crunchiness.. I just didn't know... I really didn't know it could be that amazing... even with a not-even-trying-to-sound-tubular Marshall solid-state overdrive sound, it sounded like something other than trash (unlike all the other guitars). And my tapping actually sounded good... I thought my tapping technique was bad, but it was actually my guitar.

Also, a great clean jazz sound, surprisingly, even with the hot pickups. The best jazz sound I've heard so far in the guitars that I've tried. Definitely going to go back so I can find out what type of guitar it was, and figure out what pickups it was using.

Thinking... thinking... I don't know how comfortable I'd be playing it for church, or even having it in my house (I know, it's silly to be concerned just because it's got pointy horns and stuff... but "image is important" goes both ways) but that low b... that tone... (°٢°)

Was it a Dean guitar? The Warlock maybe?

There was a time i wanted a Dean Warlock. The metal/distortion coming out of that thing, even with my crappy Fender Frontman amp, was just great!!

The only problem was it was quite evil-looking. Plus i know church folk'll be all spiritual on me if i buy a guitar called a "warlock". 

[blyempowered]

#nowthinking what is Obama going to propose in his speech on jobs September 7?

[LaylaMonroe]

#nowthinking what is Obama going to propose in his speech on jobs September 7?

I'm waiting to hear as well. But... then again... September 7th is a big day for me, so I probably won't be paying the Pres no mind.

[blyempowered]

LOL!

[keysrme2010]

CS: wondering why we stopped playing the word game *shrug*

[Hasmonean1]

Wondering who Country Mike is preaching to at this time.

[keysrme2010]

Wondering who Country Mike is preaching to at this time.

[under13]

Thinking that "doing what you love" is cool, but If nobody needs what you love, you aren't gonna make much money doing it.

[blyempowered]

Thinking that "doing what you love" is cool, but If nobody needs what you love, you aren't gonna make much money doing it.

 

[blyempowered]

#nowthinking why did Obama change the day he wanted to address congress from the 7th to the 8th of September?

[LaylaMonroe]

Because he saw my post.....