Back to Church

Church…

Going for the first time since I moved to Georgia seven years ago was not so bad. And, it really did not matter that I went to a United Methodist Church that’s seated one block from three retirement centers, a half a mile from my place of peace, across the street from the space that will soon house a super-duper Wal-Mart, and a mile from The City of Decatur. I learned fast when I relocated to Georgia from DC that it is critical that I am specific about where I reside/live…the area. So, I guess I have fully assimilated when it comes to Decatur Distinctions. Too bad for me.

Church…

During the service I was reminded of the AME Zion Church traditions…standing up to sit down again and again. Why can’t the Methodist reformat their method? All the rising to stand is annoying. Bryce just sat there like the majority of the congregates. While Bryce is a rambunctious little man, his church neighbors are not. They are well over 65. 

There we were, going through the religiosity motions. Me pretending to know the hymns, earnestly examining the selected scripture (Matthew 18: 15-22) - and Bryce pretending to be what so many of the elderly in attendance called him, ‘sweet’. My son has learned fast that church people are easily hoodwinked and brainwashed. 

Church…

I was hoping to be fooled Sunday. I wanted my walk back into church to be different from what I have experienced my entire life. Unfortunately, my past was vividly revisited on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at America’s most segregated hour. 

The Age Factor…

Including Bryce and I there were five black people - but that was not the major difference. There was only three other people around my age, 42. The remaining sixteen people were of senior age. Of course, I love and respect the elderly. They have a need for worship just like young adults – nonetheless the shortage of youthful participation in church attendance is reflective of my most recent church experience…when I was a member of a church. I was 26 years old. A lot of time has passed. Time and my former religious faith have passed. Faith today for me is acquired via the result of my dilemmas or lack thereof. 

A New Day of Acceptance…? 

I sat there intent on receiving a message. There was a PowerPoint that accompanied the sermon; and there he was a black man shepherding the church. A black man with a congregation of mostly white people. Sign of our times? I doubt it. 

He was sent there by the United Methodist Church Bishop and confirmed by the UMC Leadership. Definitely, an effort on behalf of the governance to identify with the geographical complex of the community. 

The church is seated in progressivism. The City of Decatur – and its yuppie inhabitants oppose the erection of the retail giant, Wal-Mart. The neighborhood streets are plastered with “Kids Live Here, Drive Slowly signs and Please Do Not Litter in Our Neighborhood. Cautionary and cleanliness measures taken because the parents actually care about where they live. The schools are completely different from The Dec’s (black Decatur) schools. Different as in better because the parents actually care. A parental demand because the city officials refuse to act. The coloration of many of the families are other than normal. The rainbow parental structure is non-heterosexual.

With those liberal additions, UMC –I am certain- thought North Decatur was ready for a black man…a black pastor. No, not the case. 

Caring Enough to Confront…the sermon title

The black pastor’s sermon was one of church conflict. In-fighting…a sermon that was delivered delicately.  A discourse that if received with the slightest discomfort would get the pastor evicted. A homily that was for the old money ears…the white men and women of senior citizen age. The foiling of a preacher’s efforts is a common occurrence within church hierarchies. Does not matter what denomination, ethnic demographic, or age breakdown. Church people can be ruthless, like Lucifer, if they feel or believe the pastor is not ‘feeding them’.   

It was apparent black pastor was addressing the institution of the church, the white elders. They are unquestionably dissatisfied with him being in-charge. Not sure what the United Methodist Church leadership was thinking…old white people from/living in the south do not listen to black men. Pastor only got an ‘Amen’ from Bryce and the lone black couple that decided to join the church at the closing of service. They were not really welcomed to the church with a round of applause until the pastor demanded it…which was enough for me to revisit this: 

A many white people believe that black people are not worthy of the white God’s acceptance and grace within the confines of their House of Worship. 

Church…

was not remarkable. I went back at the encouragement of my four year old. I am glad we went! It was somewhat worth the one hour, and I do plan to go back because the embattled pastor needs my support and I need to be reminded of my life’s fragility. What I will not expect is for the pews to be filled with the future (young people), and I will not bet on the church being on one accord, acceptance. 

The Pseudo Preacher