The Barriers in The Church And This is the Modern Church

I Remember a Better Day

I remember being a part of and designing a logo for a community collaborative of churches in New York, minister and members from different churches and denominations standing together to help people.

I remember the housing program.

I remember unifying with the community policing, the church and the police.

I remember the feeding programs.

I remember the Van Ministry and the Mothers of the church.

I remember the church dinners. 

I remember the follow-ship and visiting other churches and singing for the choir.

I remember the prison outreach ministry and the global evangelism. 

I remember a whole lot of other outreach programs and being picked up after revival services.

I remember the mothers of the church and they being filled with the Holy Ghost.

I remember the right hand of fellowship.

I remember being baptized three times.

I remember the old-time minister and praying with him that Jesus would save me;  “Save me Jesus…….. Save me Jesus………. Fill me Jesus…….. Fill me Jesus” [in Summer 1985]. The Summer Revival Services.

I remember 21 day fast.

I remember tarrying for the Holy Ghost all night long and slobbering. 

I remember the testimonials before services.

I remember the songs before services.

I remember the youth outreach to those that came to church with guns intending to rob the church.

I remember the pastor going to the court to advocate for the children.

I remember him getting calls all night long.

The church dinners and all these things, where are they at.

The barriers in the church. 

We do not want those programs because they draw “those people”.

We will have events but not put on road side signs to invite member of the general public [while the event is for the general public].

We cannot go to the neighborhood hospitals and nursing homes, etc, because “we respect their privacy …….. our tax dollars are for the nursing homes”, these are the new barriers and rationale for not helping. 

We do not help with jobs because there is unemployment insurance and “welfare”, these are the new barriers and rationale for not helping. 

I remember Caratini.

The barriers are a right hand of fellowship is replaced with a six month new beginners course.

The baptism is replaced with six months of classes to understand baptism. 

The bible studies no-longer welcome the illiterate, and, you must purchase a book and literature. 

God forbid if you want to become a member.  Now you must be interviewed and have a resume. 

The barriers are the disabled and the mothers do not even attend.

“NO FOOD FOR YOU’, no clothing. 

You want help, fill out an application, and we will determine if you paid enough tithes and offerings.

No clothes for you.

No housing. 

“Tunnel vision” they say you have.  But, the churches are clubs.

Invited to bar-b-ques in one church, and outcast and outside of the group-club in another (those exclusive clubs and secret societies). 

“Tunnel vision” from churches that do not get along and visit each other, but we are all “BROTHERS AND SISTERS” in Christ “One big old Southern Baptist Convention”.  [But your own statistics and reports show a membership decline and failure.]

My memories may be different than yours.  But, I have seen a glorious church(es), and, if I remember and reflect on those, and am grateful; then, do not get angry with me and call me names.  I am just thankful and writing things down in my book of remembrance.  Be Thankful.  God Bless.