Community Comment II

Faces of the Hapless 

The photo below was presented in the Roanoke Times, dated 8-14-09 and shows ministers and attendees at a prayer session just across the street from where a young man was gunned down within a block of three seemingly large churches. Shortly after this killing and burial,  church members gathered in the same location for another traditional prayer meeting; unfortunately, things haven't changed much, as evidenced by the photo.

So, what's the problem? I lay it at the doorsteps of the surrounding churches that have preachers who can entertain by "talking the talk" on Sundays or Wednesdays, but otherwise muted by ignorance when it comes to "walking the walk". If they in fact walked the walk we would not continue to see these perennial problems. Since we know what the problems are, what are some viable solutions?

The churches outnumber any other businesses in the poverty-stricken communities. They have leaders who come in and "talk the talk", pass the collection plate, baptize a few, but bury  more, accounting for dwindling congregations. The preachers don't live in the community of which their churches exist, but generally somewhere far away from the crux of the problem surrounding the churches. Therefore, more accountability is required not only by these preachers but the congregations who select them.

Churches should select pastors who can bring solutions to the table, which means they have to be far more competent than hawking a few bible passages, baptizing, and or burying people. Sure, I know some people say they counsel the sick and shut-in; however, far more commitment is required. Once a preacher told me he couldn't discuss these solutions because he's on vacation, of which I asked, did Jesus Christ take a vacation? There was an immediate telephone hang-up.

To all of you deacons and deaconesses, demand that your preacher stay within a block of the church, rent or buy a house that's near the church. Your churches should be open to the communities 24/7 with someone available as a neighborhood watch, offering access to the hapless...sort of like guard duty in the military. The preacher should have enough marketable education to show how to provide sources of income in products or services for those currently living, instead of dwelling on a life after dying. These are only a few solutions and if the preacher you select can't "walk this walk" fire him and find a good CEO. These preachers should then take off the frock and stop faking it; for they are only fooling themselves and the poor fools who follow them.