The black church once served as a voice in the wilderness, crying out that equality and justice belonged to all persons, despite race, social status, or lived experience....The black church once operated as a twenty-four hour, full-service institution, affecting change spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially....People from all walks of life recognized that when resources were exhausted, the black church was a place where needs were met and issues addressed......The black minister preached a transformative message of salvation, but also served as a community representative and social activist, preaching a message of social change, equality, and unconditional love.Today in our contemporary society the black church has become so focused on preaching messages regarding the attainment of economic success and personal prosperity, that it's losing sight of its foundational calling.....The message of the cross as the changing force of all aspects in life has become silenced by the message of the dollar. The black church, once a place where people came to receive whole life empowerment, has now become a wealth workshop and capital-industry....Rest Here!
