Dear Black Churches, Please Kindly Escort Your Parishioners to Africa
If Black churches have the wherewithal to organize groups for travel elsewhere (and many do), they should also prioritize group travel to the African continent… and, no, a trip to Egypt doesn’t cut it, either. There simply is no excuse for taking a plane load of Black parishioners to Jerusalem every year or so, but never to the land of their ancestors. None!
In my conversations about the Black to Africa Movement, I try to make clear to people that the suggestion to “go back” isn’t all about a physical move as much as it is a psychological and spiritual move — or shift, if you will. The purpose of such a shift in consciousness should cause the Children of Stolen & Sold Africans (CHOSSA) everywhere to center Africa and their own Africanness in order to remember who we are as a people. We can do this, but it’s going to take everyone getting on board. The Black church, being that it is such a longstanding player in our communities and such a prominent part of our collective history, simply must be called to the forefront as there is much work to be done.
Color Actually Does Matter
Now, some will argue that other foreign trips aren’t about ‘color’, but are about the history of one’s religion. That’s all well and good and we’ll talk about Africa’s integral presence in ancient Christianity in tomorrow’s article. But please note that the church is competing with a great deal of miseducation and disinformation that is about ‘color’. Ignoring this is causing many younger Black people to run far from Christianity in favor of religions they feel are more affirming of who they are as Black women and men. The Church isn’t doing nearly enough to correct the many false narratives currently circulating about Black people and Christianity. They don’t seem to be grasping that Black people need to feel connected to a religion both Spiritually and culturally at this point in time. It’s precisely the constant miseducation and disinformation that leads so many to argue that Black Christians have been trapped in a White man’s religion for too long.
Fellowship With Purpose
We need Black churches to take part in changing the opinions some have which cause them to feel wholly disconnected from the continent in terms of ancestry and more. Cultural exchange programs between churches in the Diaspora and those in Africa can spark curiosity and help CHOSSA increase their understanding of history and identify with their roots far better than most do now.
Imagine the power that may come from CHOSSA and Continental Africans of the same or closely related denominations forming new bonds? Imagine the projects these groups can take on together both on and off the Continent? The fellowship opportunities inherent in these connections and which can be beneficial to all Africans are endless.
Once again, understanding that most people are not trying to relocate to a foreign country, it’s the mindset towards Africa that the Black to Africa Movement seeks to change. Through investment, education, travel and outreach, everyone has a part to play and the church is not exempt.
It’s fully understood that some churches do travel to Africa (my husband and I traveled to Kenya with a church). Also, that some are very Afrocentric in how they approach Christianity. Clearly, I’m not speaking to these organizations. Rather, I’m asking the ones who go right past Africa to get to other foreign destinations to just stop and consider the possibilities of connecting with congregations in the Motherland.
Stay tuned for an upcoming article on the ancient Christian history in Africa and how churches in the Diaspora may use that history to enhance connections with the Continent.
Before you go, check out a couple of my other articles and let me know what you think.
