When I was a young man, near the age of fourteen, I met my first black church during an inner-city missions trip. It was a thriving place of worship, grace and love. God used that small, active black church to introduce me to His kingdom love, and grace, in the midst of my suffering.

I can remember my thoughts, "Why is my white, upper-suburbia, plastic Jesus church so 'stale, boring and stoic', but my inner-city black church is alive with vision's of great grace in redemption?" I believe it was at that time the eyes of my heart were opened to the powerful joy of living out the kingdom life now, versus the religious waiting game of 'earning points' for later.

Many of the larger, mainly white 'congregants' (also known as Christians) moved away from the racially mixed, homeless populated, crime infested and predominately ethnic minority inner-city neighborhoods. The white churches purchased their new swatch of suburbia land and were determined to ignore their calling, and settle in 'justing calling' people to come, visit and experience our new building.

I watched as the inner-city was left for those who could not, or would not leave the mix. When the U-haul tail lights faded off into 'suburbville', the concrete was bare, and the city was left to my black-ethically-mixed church...alone...never missing a beat.

You see, the black church had been left on her own before. She's a survivor in Abba's Graceland. She knows that after the mountain top come valleys of growth. She has lived God's promise that His mercies are new every morning.

She's the one who told me that in the midst of the greatest suffering, you'll find the great peace and joy - knowing that Jesus walks with you every step of the way. There was no better example of God's grace, forgiveness and the joy of Jesus' redemptive work in my youthful eyes.

Today, many are concerned that the black church has been removed from her excellence by a different 'means'. There is a growing concern that the trappings of the 'prosperity philosophy' has enticed the black church to sway from her missional mode, into a missional crisis.

Dr. Robert M. Franklin, author of newly released "Crisis in the Valley", states that the achievements of the African American community are losing ground, especially among church leaders who have shifted more focus onto individual achievement.

He's not talking about the achievements of education, social status or the growing awareness of the breakdown of the black family. Those of you looking to be offended, this is not about "keeping the black man down, poor and suffering." We are all encouraged with the fact that this generation of African Americans is the most accomplished generation in the world's history.

What Dr. Franklin is referencing is the lost achievement of missions. Franklin states, "I am convinced that the single greatest threat to the historical legacy and core values of the contemporary black church tradition is posed by what is known as the 'prosperity gospel' movement."

The black church has always had at her core the active missions of the kingdom. Franklin is concerned that the black church has become hostile to marginalized people, those who are poor, homeless, HIV/AIDS infected, homosexual and even immigrants, have been left behind in the new wave of individualism and prosperity.

The black church has continually placed her hand on the pulse of social justice, or injustices, in our culture. She has been determined to meet the physical needs of her families and the community. She has been an example to the recent birthing in manicured suburbia of the 'missional minded white churches', who have realized the errors of their material admiration and are beginning to look within the culture to relates with a missional mode.

At a time when the country is seeing a revival of missional purpose, to have the black church's eyes focused on a philosophy of wealth, economic position and individual materialism is a crisis within the village, a crisis for all of us who admire the true essence of God's blessed black church.

A church that relates to the hurting, the marginalized to reach them with the tangible touch of Jesus' love. A church history that has been built upon faith in the midst of suffering and true survival in a righteous relationship with Jesus Himself.

"Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot." (Luke 2:15)

Let's hope this is a prosperity philosophy becomes a 'passing fancy' (fantasy), or we may be faced with the question, "How long until we all move out of Graceland, and into plastic Jesus suburbia?"

Comments erichogueshow@hotmail.com