No. 2 - The Church of Black Spirituality

Over thirty years ago in the deep woods of Savannah, Georgia, amid the Pine trees, the morning dew, and peaceful Southern wind I had a conversation with my Uncle Frank that would have a lasting impact on me. I was intrigued, inspired to think differently, and left to contemplate the very core of my belief system. Uncle Frank passed some years back but I would like this writing to pay homage to him, and be a testament to his deep understanding of human nature. Thank you, Uncle Frank.
Uncle Frank told me the Church is in the heart. He said the physical buildings we go to for service were only the places where our Spirits gathered to celebrate our beliefs. I could not comprehend this line of thinking for surely the church is not within.

Or was it? Was Uncle Frank on to something that most folk don’t see? Did he know something I did not? At the time I refused to agree with his position but for some reason that conversation has stayed with me.

After many years I believe I understand what he meant. I believe Uncle Frank was telling me – in his own way – that as long as we have a Spirit that desires to embrace and celebrate our creator, the name of the faith or the religious rituals we embrace were not as important as the fact that we come together to share of Spirit with one another. He was telling me that when two people come together to share of Spiritual things we invoke the presence of the Creator – any two people. What an amazing concept!

Imagine what would happen if we could all understand this and make it part of our community. Imagine how stronger we would become if we openly accepted one another’s belief with the knowledge that the real celebration was shared at a Spiritual level, rather than a ceremonial level. It is an idea that has magnificent appeal and potential because it means we could go to any church and share in worship. We could learn how others believe and celebrate their religious practices without feeling offended. It would completely eliminate the “my-church-is-better-than-your-church” mentality that is divisive and, to this day, continues to keep us apart.

In my mind The Church of Black Spirituality would be the place where we could meet and celebrate the differences that are unique to each of us. Where we could all share in knowledge based upon the actions, efforts, and beliefs of our ancestors, and where each member has the opportunity to stand before the congregation and share his/her belief without fear of minimization. I envision young folk and old coming together to learn from one another, programs that engage the community where they are, and the elevation of our collective awareness around social issues that affect us all. Prominent Ministers from across the land would speak, regardless of religious affiliation. Blacks from all lands could come and learn of the great blessing our Creator has bestowed upon us. I can see songs that do not talk about how hard the struggle has been, but how great the victory will be. It is a place where couples young and old can learn the skills needed to experience the heights of together-ness and where our brothers and sister who have been caught up in the jail system can come knowing we will not fail them.

Imagine how beautiful this would be. It would challenge conventional thinking in a way never before seen because it would completely bypass all the barriers that have kept us apart by linking us with the one thing that is common to all of us regardless of our beliefs – our Spiritual selves.

It would be a united awakening of Black Spirit and will the world has never before seen and is now in need of. It would give us a solid sense of community and collective movement towards our own greatness without offending anyone because it would embrace everyone. It would help to remind us all of our greatness and the strength of our nature far more than any individual effort could.

I, for one, do embrace this thinking. I, for one, can see the value of coming together as such and the many different dialogs, businesses, community events, and service organizations this would allow us to create. I, for one, have longed to share in my community at this level, knowing full well that in doing so I help to rebuild, re-establish, and replenish the greatness of my culture…

Do you?