Are Black churches apostate?

"If the church was being the church, Troost wouldn't be at the state it is today"

-An EPC minister at a Bible church, speaking about the "ghetto" in KCMO

"If the church is able to be the church, we can bring transform this city!"

-A PCA Minister

"Our vision is to see the body of Christ in center-city New York triple to 15%—which we believe might amount to a tipping point that does more than change individual lives, but enhances the long-term life of our city for everyone in it."

-Tim Keller, Head of Redeemer City to City, Former Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Gee whiz, I really hope those black ministers are listening. They should try harder so they can transform the city, even though there are a mix of issues as to why such a thing as the ghetto exists.

If you can't tell, the above sentence was sarcastic.

Those that know me well know that I am a rather consistent conservative. Indeed, I've been compared to Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, and it is a comparison I'm rather proud of. I am not one to speak of systemic anything and I am usually the first to speak against my community (Cubans and Latins in general) for fornicating and becoming a "statistic". Now, while those that know me well might disagree with how our peoples can best be lifted up, those that disagree with me would say "Our people need to be lifted up".

Where it gets awkward are when ministers want to play politics.

Specifically, so called "conservative" ministers.

Now, let me paint an image with my words. You are visiting a church in the inner city. It's black, or it can be a minority church. The pastor preaches a mediocre sermon (by your standards) but the people eat it up. The worship isn't quite your style, they're doing Gospel songs. The liturgy is subpar, at best, but darnit the people love it.

Unfortunately the neighbourhood around it shows no change, clearly this church is apostate.

Clearly.

Let's visit St. James' Episcopal Church in generic black part of down that is poor. The minister just said that it is a wonderful thing that God works outside of Christ in order to expand their kingdom. By the way, vote for Hillary/Stein!

Apostate, going to Hell, that priest is a false teacher.

By your standards anyway.

See, let's pretend that churches are able to transform neighbourhoods. Let's also pretend that it's part of the mission of the church to encourage "human flourishing". Will a progressive white person, saddled by theories of privilege and white guilt, go into a poor church and state that these churches are failures because the neighbourhoods haven't changed?

Of course they won't. Their multicultural education won't let them.

So why do they keep stating that churches can change neighbourhoods? And more importantly, why do people say churches should change neighbourhoods?

Now, I can't speak to the black church experience. I'm just using the example of the black church experience because being black will get you more media than being brown. And even than, I'm not brown. But that's a different post.

Now if minister wants to say "Christians should be involved in loving their neighbours and doing the best they can, with wisdom", than sure, I can agree with that!

But if a minister says that the church needs to change the city, I'm just going to assume that they think poor people churches are apostate.

That is the logical conclusion of that thought no?

I'm just some guy though.

Always Confused,

-SJG