My Church: The Irrelevant Social Club?

“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the most triggering words to hear in the labor market is “fit” for a Black person seeking belonging and appreciation. It’s that f* word stated by a person with positional power that causes one to question belonging in an organization that on paper states a strong desire to have a diverse and inclusive community. “You have to fit in to be successful here.” When management mentions the importance of fit the red flags often go up because the translation means you are different, abnormal, and possibly non-conforming. And it’s doubly troubling and disturbing to find yourself wondering about your fit in a faith center. Welcome to life for a Black person as a member of a historical White Christian church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. My life.

King Holiday. Black History Month. I’m especially reminded each year at this time period of all that defines and makes me Black. My African ancestors. The African American scholars, community…