The Christian Church, which was the foundation and rock for African Americans during their tumultuous history in this country, seems to have lost its luster and significance to a rising number of young people. Yes, the church that was once the bedrock and meeting place for Black towns and communities. It was led by strong ministers keeping their congregations abreast of political, social, and economic difficulties. But now it seems to be on a different mission.
It was the Black church that was the pillar of the community. It gave it members hope and led them in the struggle for equality and human rights. It instilled in its members Christian values, a roadmap to salvation, and a faith in a God that would never forsake them. It was the church that was a sanctuary for those lost, struggling, and seeking reassurance in a time when it seemed the world had deserted them. The church was the meeting place where its Black members found God and prayed for guidance, acceptance, deliverance, and love in a country where they felt forsaken.
The catalytic drum majors in the church were the courageous ministers who advocated for truth, righteousness and love in the face of the many adversities facing African Americans and people of color. The church was a place where its members could feel God’s presence, knowing their ministers were ordained by God.
But now we arrive at the present time, when many young people question the validity of self-acclaimed ministers they feel are making a mockery of Christianity—ministers who refuse to attack the real political, social, and economic issues that affect their congregations and the world as a whole. There is a growing number of well-educated and informed young people who refuse to believe much of what they have been taught. Their perspective on the church is based on what they have personally observed, where so called ‘die hard Christians’ are not practicing Christians at all. Many would argue that a large number of church goers are the main hell-raisers and contributors to hedonism and immorality. Ironically, many staunch church goers are quick to judge others and literally try to force their views on others.
Many young people of all races are leaving the church for a plethora of reasons. They feel too many ministers are self-appointed and not ordained by God. They are shysters, leading their congregations astray. Often this view is supported when you can go to a divinity or theology school. Those recognized as bonafide religious leaders often don’t measure up to that description at all.
Many ministers are flaunting luxurious lifestyles, while many of their members are struggling—like the elderly on fixed incomes, who nevertheless faithfully try to tithe. Many churches refuse to address uncomfortable issues for fear of running some of their members away. While there seems to be a church on every corner, too many communities continue to be inundated with poverty, crime and inequality.
The hypocrisy of so many church going Christians is overwhelming. Christian values (while taught) are not being practiced. Too many professing Christians seem to strive to defend those reeking with gross iniquities. Such Christians refuse to condemn immoral leaders. But adding insult to injury, they advocate for them. Remember many Christian churches advocated and supported slavery. They found ways to justify it by manipulating the Bible to support their taken stance.
Many young people will tell you the greatest insult from the church is the ‘prosperity ministry.’ It literally tells you that the more you give to the church the more you are blessed. It alludes that those who have less to give are not being blessed as much as those who give more. These ‘prosperity’ ministers are laughing all the way to the bank—or to their million dollar mansions.
Young people leaving the church say they love God and are probably more spiritual than most church goers. But they don’t have to go to church and collaborate with what they see as a bunch of hypocrites willingly drinking the tainted water of renegade ministers.
Many question how Biblical concepts are taught and interpreted in churches, especially when they are taught that God loves all people but favors a specific group over others. Also, many young people are not buying ‘loving and forgiving everyone’ no matter what they do to you. To them, ‘perfect religion’ simply controls and subjugates the masses.
Many of those leaving the church would argue that church leaders as well congregations have forsaken the church by catering to the shortcomings of this world—choosing hedonism over God’s will. The church (which should be holy) has become inundated with ‘pimps’ masquerading as spiritual leaders willing to alter or overlook true Christian values to appease their worldly congregations for self-gain.
There is a growing number of ‘awoken’ individuals who refuse to be gullible and engage in the hypocrisy they so vividly see playing out in many churches. They are opting to develop a one-on-one relationship with God, minus the fanfare they feel is found in so many churches. Christianity, for some, is not the reason for their exit from the church. It is the lack of practicing true Christianity, which results in hypocrisy within the church.
The churches that have ministers ordained by God and are doing God’s will should not be offended. Until the church, as a whole, truly recognizes its role and get back on course, it will continue to lose members.
