Hope in the Ashes
and burned to the ground. Out of the ashes the black church
still has hope and resilience to not let anyone turn them
around.
In my research I find that many reasons have been cited for
the decline of church attendance. A warning given by Paul
to the Thessalonians, speaking about the return of Jesus
Christ to earth. He writes, “Let no one deceive you by any
means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away
comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He then proceeds to ex-
plain this “falling away” in greater detail.
By Kimberly D. Davis
In my own personal conversations with youth, as an educa-
tor. Many have stated they see and feel a disconnect from
the church, that the church has demonstrated little concern
for their emotional and physical need. From their perspec-
tive the church fails to deal with social issues that impact
them directly. Some students have been bold enough to
share their personal stories of living in rat infested apart-
ments, sleeping on floors and dealing with the after effects
of the murders of family and friends. They want the church
to connect to their communities, to the issues in their com-
munities, the crime, the poverty and the sense of feeling the
black lives don’t matter.
Where can we go to find solace and strength? How do we
endure in times like these when it seems that everything we
hold dear or once stood for is now under attack? Many turn The black church must not be silent to the oppression that
to their faith in times of trouble, but what do you do when veils its people. Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who
the very thing that you turn to is under attack?
cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are
destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the
Muslim’s face mass murders at their mosque. While bod- poor and needy.
ies are kneeling in prayer someone evil seems to be lurking
there. The Catholic church concealments of the pedophiles In times past, the black church was not only a place of wor-
who preyed upon the innocence of children. The Jewish ship, but it was a place of strategy in the civil rights move-
people are not exempt from this horror for they are under ment, and a place to galvanize. Black churches must not for-
attack as well. While the cantor sings evil comes to silence get the economic power and value that they hold and must
their voices too. The Black Church has watched in horror, not relinquish what God has given to them.
while we slumber and sleep our churches have been torched
It is an honor to recognize Mothers on Mother’s Day.
We are especially honored to recognize First Ladies for the role they play in
their churches and in the community.