Many in the nation are grappling with where we go from here. There are fears of a recession, concerns about tariffs, and an administration that seems bent on skirting the rule of law. In this hour of great need, the Black church has an opportunity to reconfigure itself to better address the foundational needs of its people. This includes a more systematic approach to food security, a reimagining of youth and young adult ministries, an expansion of traditional church roles, and a broader view of health and wellness programs.
For instance, rather than thinking of our programs to feed persons in need as beginning and ending with food pantries, we can look to the model created by the entity I founded, the Black Church Food Security Network. Since the Black church is land-rich, the BCFSN advocates growing gardens on church grounds. We also work to support Black farmers and producers and connect them with Black congregations. We understand that if we have control over our food system, we can address food insecurity while also cultivating new relationships and skills.
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Black churches have an opportunity to pursue critical opportunities that could lead to collective thriving. For example, trustee ministries could see the activation of church assets as an urgent part of their ministry today. Building on the traditional understanding of their role, they could think about their church as a laboratory that incubates and invests in the cultivation of Black genius. This would make it easier for changemakers (both in the congregation and community) to access the funds and facilities they need to launch what could be life-giving innovations.
Focus on Youth and Young Adults
We know that even blessings can come wrapped in painful packages. While we may not understand the depths of what is happening in the world, this moment presents a chance to reimagine. For instance, how can we invigorate our youth and young adult ministries? In addition to youth bible study, we could help young people make sense of and cope with the current socio-political environment. For instance, we are steps from summer’s doors, the Black church could host freedom schools.
Several years ago, I launched Orita’s Cross Freedom School. It was designed to facilitate intergenerational learning, community-building, and ingenuity. We wanted to feed the hearts and minds of children and youth. Freedom School should be a yearly occurrence, especially in this season.
There other ways that the Black church can invest in youth. Several years ago, when Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Black History from the AP curriculum, Faith in Florida, led by Pastor Rhonda Thomas, launched a Black history toolkit and encouraged congregations to teach Black history. The program involved more than 260 congregations from across the nation. Young people, including Rev. Thomas’ son, were often instructors. This was innovative, and it was attractive to young people who often complain that the church is not relevant to their day-to-day lives.
Creativity, Community, and Transformation
When it comes to church deacons, the transformation I’m describing involves deacons seeing themselves as serving the community, not just their unique congregation. The role of a deacon then would be far more comprehensive than making hospital calls or visiting the bereaved. What would it look like if deacons became sanctified social workers and healers? What would it look like if deacons were sensitive to the ups and downs of their local community, not just their church?
A reconfiguration of health programs might look like connecting with physicians, therapists, community-based healers, and those who bring a holistic perspective to wellness. It would involve treating the whole person not just the presenting symptoms.
It has been said that when the nation catches a cold, Black communities have the flu. In other words, any issue impacting the broader population will have a more severe impact on Black communities. Therefore, our approach must be specific and it must be laser-like.
The Black church should exercise creative freedom in how we see and serve our people.
I want to be clear. I do not belong to the crowd that maintains that the church is perfect. It’s not. Yet for all of our challenges, there is still tremendous promise. Even if you cannot perceive the promise, never, for one second, believe that those who oppose progress, cannot see our potential and power. There is a reason that the enemies of our community often attempt to disrupt the peace of Black congregations. There is a reason, agents of chaos have used tools such as arson, harassment and intimidation to undermine or weaken the Black church. If those who oppose us see our strength, why don’t we?
As we navigate the coming months and years, the Black church should exercise creative freedom in how we see and serve our people. We should be expansive in our imagination, even as we question our roles and responsibilities. Although some have marked us as irrelevant and ineffective, our comeback story will be one for the books.
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III is an author, pastor and founder of The Black Church Food Security Network.