Balancing Traditionalism & Fundamentalism in the African American Church.

The "silent code" for preachers... "Keep them dumb so that you can control them."

I heard it over and over as a youngster around my second-generation pastor father and his cronies. It never bodes well for a church when the leadership doesn't know the difference between Traditionalism, Fundamentalism, and Evangelicalism.

There is a difference between fundamental black pastors and traditional black pastors. The difference may be striking with many extremes to some, and subtle to others.

Fundamental black pastors for the most part hold firm to the "content" of biblical systematic doctrine or teaching, that seems in the estimation of some to appeal only to the intellect of the listener, but that actually is preached to engage the whole person (Colossians 1:28).

Traditional black pastors on the other hand hold firmer to a "style", or different styles of preaching, not necessarily without content (especially in the case of those from higher education), but that appeals more so to the emotional, and even the social gratification of the listener.

There are Fundamentalists that having come from traditional backgrounds tend to blend the preaching practices of both style and content in their preaching. Some, more than others.

Then there are Traditionalists who are eloquent with words and consequently come across somewhat studious in their presentation of the sermon delivery although the content is still limited towards reaching the whole person as their 'intent' is more geared towards the listeners feelings rather than their intellect.

Before I go further with this discussion and anger many of my traditional brethren whom I love, let me give you a little of my personal background that will hopefully help you understand where I'm coming from with this.

My father, was a nationally well-known black pastor, involved in the civil rights movement of the 60's alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with many other well known, prominent pastor friends across the country. At one time, two very faithful fundamental pastors, were hoping that my father would become a fundamental pastor. They told me that they tried diligently to get him to see the difference (basically between the emphasis upon content as opposed to style). But the main reason he wouldn't is because he felt as though their 'kind' of preaching was only appealing to white folks, not black folks.

The Black Church has a history of seeking to meet its congregants at their felt needs. It is no secret that much of this approach comes from the historical tradition of those who were enslaved, coping with their constant misery and suffering.

The Black Fundamentalist can be just as much out of balance if indeed he seeks to force the culture of whites on a predominantly black congregation thinking that this is 'biblical', when in fact it is an unbalanced approach to stamp out the worship culture of blacks thinking that their culture is all wrong. This is partly what my dad was afraid of. No one's culture has an edge on spirituality (See further Dr. Tony Evans book "Are Blacks Spiritually Inferior to Whites?", Dispelling an American Myth") and it is falsehood to think otherwise. This is biblically understood regarding the Jews, who as the Apostle Paul pointed out had everything as "children of the flesh", but were not children of God, because they were not the children of the promise (Rom 9:8 NASB95, 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.).

So then, if the Traditionalist is only concerned about getting an emotional 'rise' out of people, and the Fundamentalist is accused of tending to seek only an 'intellectual' or 'academic' satisfaction of their congregants, these both are problematic in their own respect. If it isn't wrong to 'emotionally stir' the sheep of God, and/or wrong to 'academically inform' the sheep of God, what is the real problem? One word: Balance. The culture of Black Folks is not the problem. The culture is what it is. Such is the case with all cultures. But balance, or the lack thereof, is the issue. And if we don't work on balance, we fade into some form of extremism that destroys the witness of the church to the community, Traditional or Fundamental.

To The Traditionalist who is often unwilling to come away from his traditions and consequently hinder spiritual growth in God's Flock, the scripture says in Matthew 15:1-3 [NASB95], that... "1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" What good is a tradition that say's "this is the way we always did it", if a needed change better represents God's truth?

To the Fundamentalist who despises even a faithful, outward emotional response to the truth, I have two passages to quickly remind you of: Luke 19:38-40 KJV 38 Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. [italics mine] 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.; And also, 1Cor. 8:1 NKJV 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. What good is a service that denies the culture of a people as long as the worship is biblically sound?

So, quite frankly, no one's got an edge on the culture of worship. There is emotion that gets ridiculously out of control, that should, and must always be confronted biblically (1Co 13:6 NASB95 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;). As one pastor said, "You shouldn't shout any higher than you live!" But then there is an arrogant coldness and a stale posture that resists the 'freshness' of the Holy Spirit's filling and control. I've seen and known some fundamentalists who in calling themselves keeping things "decent and in order" wind up being really nasty characters who have a "my way or hit the highway" kind of attitude. Neither is godly although many desire these church "anomalies" and when they become fundamentalists, they tend to be always disgusted with traditionalism. In an effort to eliminate its errors, they find themselves "throwing out the baby with the bath water." When that happens, the fundamentalist is a fresh, open opportunity for the devil (Eph. 4:27) to tempt their arrogance and indifference with greater sin. Many a fundamentalist, hell bent on knowledge, have a tendency often to be unforgiving and indifferent towards anyone not as "knowledgeable" as themselves.

Where then is the balance between style & content? Negative Traditional elements that hinder a church and make it ignorant and useless, emotional or otherwise, and negative Fundamental elements that can make a church stale and lifeless, fundamental or otherwise.

The following are elements that begin with an "I", which, could speak to becoming selfless, or selfish depending on our personal and corporate walk with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1,13,26). Pastors and church leaders must take this into consideration for change if a church is going to spiritually thrive in its community and sphere of influence:

~ Information: "That'll preach!" ~ This is a traditional 'catchphrase' often used by preachers looking for something to preach. Often this phrase doesn't come from scripture, it is some phrase in a conversation that is 'caught' and then they go look in the Bible for a scripture to support it so that they will have a quick sermon preparation instead of humbly caring to be guided in God's Word by the Holy Spirit to make sure God's Flock is well fed. Usually this ends up as the preacher looking only to engage them emotionally, to have them praise the preacher, and not really learn of the Lord.

Pastor's must have a genuine heart for the Flock of God to which he has been assigned and appointed. Preach "the whole counsel of God's Word." Preach and teach from your pulpit with the concern, even burden, that they are truly learning. Study to show yourself approved of your call to the gospel ministry! If you do that, no matter the 'style' of traditional brethren, you will stand out as unique in doing God's will amongst those who are hung up on selfish gimmicks ! Rule well in God's household. Love the unlovable. Train the "least of these." Tend carefully to the Lords lambs. They are not your sheep (John 21:15-17)! They belong to the Lord! You are not a king. You are a servant!... Luke 17:7-10 NASB95, ...10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done [only] that which we ought to have done.'"

~ Intent: Putting our 'spin' on God's revelation instead of letting the Bible say what it say's. ~ Hoping for righteousness without training them in it is like having a torch without fire. If you lovingly teach them, they, and you, will flourish. How many people does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one. If you as a pastor faithfully proclaim God's word, letting the Holy Spirit use your individual personality, accurately starting with the original intent of the author, you will be surprised by the questions that people will begin to ask, and the opportunities you will have as a leader to teach and faithfully disciple your members in God's truth. That is of course, if that is your passion to do so.

~ Integrity: "Do as I say do, not as I do!" ~ Pastors Practicing blatant sin in leadership and teaching God's Flock to excuse it. You know, when the preacher falsely uses, "Touch not God's anointed". A classic traditional excuse to manipulate and control people into doing the pastor's whims. It takes integrity to live godly. Some have to faithfully work at it. If it's not coming from the leadership, then what the leadership teaches is hypocrisy. We can't expect God's Flock to respond faithfully to righteousness if they never see it modeled or hear it faithfully preached.

How many people are in your church that you know for a fact that they cannot personally articulate their faith to someone else? In fact, can you do that pastor? Or, do you get angry when the members of your church ask you spontaneous questions? Is it because you can't answer them? Is it because you are afraid that you might give a wrong answer? Have you ever been asked a question, that you didn't know the answer to, but you told the person who asked, and who suggested the possible right answer, that they were wrong? Was it because you didn't want to be upstaged by them, or appear as though God only speaks to you? None of this is integrity. It is insecurity, and it is dangerous to you, your family and your congregation in so many ways. It makes you ineffective. It makes you self-righteous. It causes you to neglect others, and worse, it causes you to abuse others.

Asaph wrote about God's Choice of David in Psalms 78:71-72 NASB95, 71 "From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands." Notice that God chose David, and David responded in faithfulness. The Hebrew word for integrity can also mean "completeness, and fullness."

~ Intellectualism: "Knowing is everything." ~ When being puffed up with knowledge interferes with learning how to better love God & people. At my church we have an identity statement about the kind of people we hope to be in our community and sphere of influence. "We are Learning to Love, Loving to Learn." We are all God's precious sheep. If you have 'arrived", you are no longer teachable, and consequently of any use to anyone. You are at a place of stagnation. You don't grow because you have erroneously decided that you need nothing else. No one can teach you anything, because you have deceived yourself about who you are!

As far as Traditionalists are concerned, they must stop despising knowledge. If it doesn't make them shout, if the preacher doesn't play to the crowd, then they tend to walk away from the service saying things like "He cain't brang it!" or "He didn't tell it!" How about, you didn't listen, or want to listen because the knowledge of the truth was all up in your business? I recall when I first became pastor, a man in the community came on Sunday to hear the message. After the message, he accosted one of our elders and rebuked him for telling the man's business to me, to which the Elder replied, "man, nobody told that preacher nothing about you, you're just convicted by the Holy Spirit of what you heard about yourself from God's word!

One last thing. So we've talked about Traditionalism, and Fundamentalism. But what do they have to do with Evangelicalism? A pastor asked me "Is that that evangelical stuff?" The statement in itself clearly showed me that he was confused about where this term "evangelical" even comes from. It comes from Evangelist, which is simply sharing the faith of the gospel (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11). Let me clearly say that if you are saved, you are an evangelical. It is about sharing the gospel and your faith as a witness. (Matthew 28:19-20; Tim. 4:5)

Let's be very clear! It does NOT come from a group of people who represent any party in American politics! I believe that was my pastor friends confusion.

I hope this helps! I'd love to hear it: hjpjr8@gmail.com or pastorp873@churchandcultureconference.com