Theology

The Sell Out: Abandonment and the “Black Church” Tradition

Taelor Gray

“But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:11–14)

I am a black man rooted in a predominantly white, reformed church. My wife and I once attended a predominantly black, heavily charismatic church. The transition has been challenging at times, as I find myself adjusting to an environment that is in stark contrast with my previous one—culturally AND theologically.

I find myself watching closely what I say and how I conduct myself, while seeking the appropriate spaces to display the differences in my perspective on various topics. So much is different, but I truly do love my church family. I’ve learned so much about myself and the Body at large, as a result of making such a change.

Encountering Ethnic Gnosticism

Interestingly enough, what I find most difficult is the treatment I have received from those I formerly fellowshipped with. I won’t mince words; some black Christians leaders I formerly had rapport with have now distanced themselves and seem to treat our interactions with suspicion.

I wish I could say we’re simply dealing with the dynamics of someone leaving their former church to attend a new church—I really do. However, what we have is the complex, emotionally driven picture of a black man who left a black church to attend a white church.

This scenario has deeper implications: “Uncle Tom” implications; “Sell out” implications; “Token” implications. These all communicate that I didn’t just leave a black church, but I left black people.

The scenario is crafted through the lens of oppression and socio-economic disparity, and creates a tension-filled reality which assumes I am no longer in touch with the needs, conditions, or plight of the black community.

It’s also a type of passive persecution that addresses me in a derogatory manner, while implicitly thrusting me from the inner workings of the “black church” tradition. There is serious distrust present; Sensitivity is high. Apparently, these aren’t my brothers anymore…at least not like we were. A helpful term I’ve heard coined by Pastor Voddie Baucham, that I feel would be appropriate to use here is “ethnic Gnosticism”, which is the cult-like commitment blacks have to race over and above everything else.

What compounds the difficulty of this dynamic are the aforementioned struggles of being an urban African American wading around in unfamiliar territory—without the support system that was always present.
In some ways, this support system now seems painfully conditional. As long as I affirm the tradition of the “black church”, I’ll have the relationships, access, and support I richly enjoyed. In leaving the system, I apparently inadvertently forfeit the above.

The Problem At Galatia

In the above Scripture, we see details of the well-known altercation between the apostles Paul and Peter. What I’d like to highlight is a gaping socio-theological implication.

Simply put, Peter (and Barnabas for that matter) had seemingly affirmed Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, in preaching the righteousness of God being an extension of faith in Christ alone. However, the Jews and Judaizers arrive, and we see Peter shrink back from his affirmation by separating himself from the Gentiles.

It is here we see the crown of Paul’s indictment toward Peter: hypocrisy. Peter had enjoyed fellowship with the Gentiles that has now been proven to be shallow and insincere. As soon as “his people” enter the setting, he and others who have joined Paul’s campaign to win the Gentiles defer to Jewish social pressure, reinforcing a law of righteousness completely subversive to the truth of the Gospel.

Paul’s remarks are well spoken; their conduct was not in step with the truth of the Gospel. The Gospel was given to set people free, and Peter was, in essence, reinstituting a yoke of bondage stained in religious tradition and ethnic supremacy. Sound familiar?

Rising Above Social Baggage

I want to be fair. Not all black Christians from my previous environment have treated me this way. Many have rejoiced in my pursuit of a truly Gospel-founded desire for all types of people to worship together. Some have become more intentional in their respective churches to make their own changes. Praise God for that.

I’ve learned so much about how to love others, and even repent of my own prejudices.  My passion is fueled in recognizing tradition and preference must not define our churches. I didn’t leave the black church to join a white church; I simply took another step in discovering the vast variety of the true church…and it is beautiful. It’s been tough at times, but ever so sanctifying!

May our meditation on the Gospel continue to produce the supernatural love needed to rise above our own social baggage, to see Jesus and the beauty of non-discriminatory grace.

27 thoughts on “The Sell Out: Abandonment and the “Black Church” Tradition

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  12. Felisha Sandifer

    Thank you for this article. I echo what you’ve been through. I have friends that will sneer and ask me “what are you doing with all those white people over there.” I think black America has to really honestly look in the mirror and come to grips with its often racist heart. The almost obsessive need to divide into an us vs. them is suffocating the life out of our community and our churches. I’ve had comments made to me at predominantly black churches that I don’t sing like a black person and I’ve spent too much time around white people. It’s just ridiculous. There is a place for social justice issues to be heard and defended but not at the expense of the mission of Christ. I am glad you have some supporters in your quest to move and hopefully seeds are planted and watered where you are and where you left. Sometimes I think God tests us to see if our love for the Word…our love for God will supercede what we’ve previously held so dear or considered ultra important.

  13. Charles Clemons

    Thank you for this post. By God’s grace you applied the truth of Galatians 2:11-14 to the ethnic tensions sometimes taking place within the Church today. Ethnic Gnosticism is a good term. Though the Lord commands us to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:16-20) often it is more comfortable to stay within our own ethnic background. It can be painful when efforts are made to reach all peoples for Christ as the Apostle Paul did, to only see other brothers recoil from that or worse despise or ostracize you.
    Keep doing what your doing Brother! Paul did, the Apostles did (even Peter – Acts 13), and most important Jesus Christ (1 John 4:14). Your in good company!

  14. Sam

    I’m living through this now as I speak. I am a COGIC ordained elder looking to plant a multicultural church. I’ve joined a predominately White church and am learning the many differences in both culture and theology. I pray that the transition to what God has next for us will happen as He sees fit. Thank you for sharing this, and I would love to hear more of your insight.

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  16. William Leonhart

    This is a very insightful article. At our church, at one point, we had several African American families. Now, we are down to just one family and one single guy, because the others have left primarily for geographic reasons (found a job elsewhere, moved to be closer to extended family while starting a family, etc.). It makes me wonder if it might be beneficial for me to broach some of these topics with our remaining African American members. I can see how having a community turn their backs on you can create a rather lonely situation, and how having an outlet to discuss that might be helpful.

  17. Tamika

    Kendall, I do agree with clearly dissecting such words as ‘diverse’ and ‘urban’. My husband pastors a church, here in NW Iowa, close to Minnesota state line. IOWA is known by its Dutch Reformed communities. Most are heavy into legalism (as can any denomination), often sending the shepherdless and harassed back OUT. It is very rural here and predominantly Caucasian , predominantly wealthy, predominantly elderly and predominantly farmers. Within the first few months we were called urban and progressive (whoa! What!). Later finding out, urban can mean ‘city life’ but mostly in the area where we reside it is defined as “doing things a different way”. As for “progressive”, well that is defined as “teaching/preaching Christ’s Gospel outside of four walls. Looking like the Church by loving and accepting those who are smelly, poor, coming off or still on drugs and not churchy looking “.
    We LOVE where the LORD has placed us and EVERYday we are reminded how much WE all are in desperate need of our Savior, Jesus Christ .

  18. Patrick

    Great, great post! I can definitely relate to your post and experiences. It has been a struggle for my wife and I with respect to this subject matter and we have tries our best to navigate through such issues. From my experience, it’s regarded as utter betrayal to seek out theological truths from a reformed point of view all because many African Americans are not of that particular persuasion. We definitely need God’s grace in this matter.

  19. revdavemapes

    Wow, brother, you nailed a few things here. Should we say, ‘Spot on!’?

    Great expression of a deep problem within most, (if not all), of us. We do tend to reject the ‘exitors’–regardless of reasons, and often look really hard to find the worst of all motives and effects that we can apply to them. Then we hurt people and dismiss God’s image and glory in others.

    Your illustration of what Peter did to the gospel was ‘par excellance’, and convicted me of my own sins of ‘preference’; whatever kinds they are, may be or may become. Thank you.

    It does seem that folks cling to the familiar and the traditional; even above the truth and the power of the gospel. It’s a shame, but I think it is so much easier to do that than it is to embrace the ‘different’, the ‘new’, the ‘other’; even when it is actually so much better, and the truth is so much better. Improving my own understanding of the gospel came at the cost of many saying some very cruel and untrue things about me, my beliefs and even accused me of apostasy, and that due to their clinging to traditions that don’t even appear in the Scriptures! (Can you believe good church folk believe things not in the Bible?!)

    Taelor, you have much company; even if my particular situation has been different in its details, the turmoil and tossing waves all make for a rough ride. A rough ride, but certainly worth it.

    Thanks again for hitting it so well.

    David

  20. Tamika

    Kim, how are you doing with what you have requested others to do?

    Also, “my own” or “our own” as defined by Jesus, when speaking of his mother, brothers and sisters, He said, are not these my mother, brothers and sisters? Those who are doing the will of God?(paraphrased of Matthew. 12:46-50)… I do not deny that God created me and specifically chose me to be of African decent, black or African-American. I cannot deny it, because God doesn’t. In regards to addressing police brutality, rape, murder, racism we can only begin with Jesus. Obviously, community projects, protests, etc. don’t work if Christ our Hope is not in the midst.
    Perhaps, if we as believers, continue to promote Jesus and the Gospel over all else and flesh it out in whatever community we reside, WE as the Body will reach the lost, in whatever capacity, and our communities will begin to reflect that of Christ and nothing else.
    So. If I live in a predominantly white community, I share Jesus! I live in a predominantly black community, I share Jesus! If I live in a mixed, predominantly where ever, I SHARE JESUS! We are the ones who separate, and scream “Mine! Mine!” not Christ. It’s about Jesus and that’s it! We all are in need of a Savior. He is the only remedy to our heart issue: SIN. We are to share Jesus from right where we live. (Acts 1:8)

    Also, in regards to your question; no one can reconcile preaching about loving God and ignoring sin and Its effects. Hence, all the more why we share Jesus. Not just on Sundays, but daily.

  21. Tamika

    Kim, how are you doing with what you have requested others to do?

    Also, “my own” or “our own” as defined by Jesus, when speaking of his mother, brothers and sisters, He said, are not these my mother, brothers and sisters? Those who are doing the will of God?(paraphrased of Matthew. 12:46-50)… I do not deny that God created me and specifically chose me to be of African decent, black or African-American. I cannot deny it, because God doesn’t. In regards to addressing police brutality, rape, murder, racism we can only begin with Jesus. Obviously, community projects, protests, etc. don’t work if Christ our Hope is not in the midst.
    Perhaps, if we as believers, continue to promote Jesus and the Gospel over all else and flesh it out in whatever community we reside, WE as the Body will reach the lost, in whatever capacity, and our communities will begin to reflect that of Christ and nothing else.
    So. If I live in a predominantly white community, I share Jesus! I live in a predominantly black community, I share Jesus! If I live in a mixed, predominantly where ever, I SHARE JESUS! We are the ones who separate, and scream “Mine! Mine!” not Christ. It’s about Jesus and that’s it! We all are in need of a Savior. He is the only remedy to our heart issue: SIN. We are to share Jesus from right where we live. (Acts 1:8)

  22. Kim

    Forget being called an Uncle Tom for leaving a black church..thats nothing. In general black christians shy from speaking on issues affecting their own(from what ive witnessed). The Gospel is promoted more than institutionalized racism. How do you preach about a loving God then ignore police brutality happening to your own? I encourage you guys to look into the school to prison complex,racial bias in our justice system, the prison industrial complex,police brutality,etc. Things you probably wont hear at either church you attend, white or black.

  23. Kendall

    Your experience is very interesting. I would like to pose a counter point or perspective. I think it’s great that we see African American’s seeking sound theology as opposed to staying loyal to tradition and culture. Yet, I also think that it is sad that in a lot of cases we have to almost forsake our culture in order to find it. I have noticed that the charismatic/ pentecostal church has embraced the African American community and vice versa. Only recently have I noticed a push to plant reformed churches in black communities. I’m down for diversity in the church. Yet, as we plant the Gospel or re-plant the Gospel we have to understand that diversity may not be achieved if we chose to plant in predominantly black areas. Yet, if theology is sound as we raise up more leaders out of the African American context they are able to mingle in diverse settings. If I live in a predominantly black area I shouldn’t have to forsake my culture to learn truth. I think we should really dissect the word diverse because in some cases words like Urban may mean diverse in population but it may not mean black or low socio-economics.

  24. Art McLin

    @ Liz.
    Got it. The reason I asked is b/c of studying the Bible I was drawn to the teachings of Reformed doctrine (although I didn’t know it had a formal name at the time). Long story short, I ended up leaving the “Black” church (due to the inconsistency b/n what was being preached and what was written in the Bible) that my wife and I attended at the time and started attending a comparatively small Reformed church that had a black/white co-pastor and a mixed congregation.

    She grew up as a PK in the traditional Black church. In the end she ended up resenting that move and it wasn’t long that I was spiritually on my own. She thought that that Reformed church was a cult (or had cult like tendencies). For all intense and purposes she pretty much stopped going to any church and blamed me for her lack of motivation.

    I was curious if Taelor’s wife (i.e. you) were in support of this move (since he talked using “I” instead of “we”) in order for me to perhaps glean some level of consistency b/n my story and his. Glad to see that the two of you are supporting each other.

  25. Liz Gray

    @art
    I have been blessed by our new church environment and the opportunities it presents to fellowship with a different culture while acting as ambassadors of sorts for our own. I had a unique upbringing in that I grew up in ” black church” but formed most of my doctrine from white Christian conservative radio/pastors ; a practice i learned from my father. This made the transition smoother theologically though the cultural adjustment is one in which we are continuing to find our way.

  26. Tamika May

    My husband and I had a similar experience you described, when we found a church that was lead Jesus, but happen to have a Caucasian pastor and was predominantly white at the time. My husband was brought up in a charismatic church. His pastor, after asking about church and race of pastor/church, made the statement, “It always amazes me that black folk won’t serve in the black church but will go to a white church and serve there with no problem.” I truly was stunned on so many levels. More so, what he was implying.

  27. Art McLin

    Curious……how does your wife feel about your current church?

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