Understanding the Anointing: A Practical Reflection from A Black Christian Perspective

By Dennis Talbert

There’s been a lot of talk in my circles lately about the anointing. For some, it’s become synonymous with a euphoric experience—a moment of intense feeling during worship or preaching. But I want to suggest a deeper, more biblical, and practical view. I don’t claim to be a scholar or an expert in all things Christian, but I do come with lived experience and a desire to see transformation in our churches and in the global Black community. So, I offer this brief, working definition of the anointing:

The anointing is God’s empowerment through the Holy Spirit for a divine purpose.

In the Old Testament, it was symbolized by the pouring of oil. In the New Testament, it is internal and spiritual, given freely to all in Christ. It equips us for service, for proclaiming truth, and for participating in transformation.

Imagine what our communities could look like if we lived in tune with our divine assignments—our North Star. Imagine a society shaped by community values that not only uplift our neighborhoods locally and nationally, but also globally. I write primarily to Black Christians, not just churchgoers. Men and women of faith who are sincerely striving to walk in their anointing and use it to bring healing, justice, and restoration to Black lives everywhere.

We can still do better, be more, and champion a Christ-centered value system rooted in our identity and relevant to the broader world. Our anointing should not isolate us, but instead inspire us to integrate and influence.

Personally, I anchor my understanding of my anointing in two scriptures:

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…”

My Resume, My Anointing

Secured permanent housing for 41 homeless or housing-insecure families, many of whom went on to obtain college degrees and stable careers.
Participated in global missions to Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Zimbabwe, the Bahamas, Mississippi, and Detroit.
Served as U.S. Coordinator for Operation Sunrise, sharing the Gospel with 68 million Africans in 23 countries over 50 days.
Facilitated Michigan’s first faith-based school adoption program.
Honored by three U.S. Presidents—George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Established the first data-based reading tracking system in Detroit Public Schools.
Operated a daily abstinence and health education program at Redford High School.
Co-created a unique Sunday School curriculum for Rosedale youth, written by parents and members.
Partnered with Detroit World Outreach for citywide prayer at public schools, including Vetal and Redford.
The Harambee Movement and Conference was founded, engaging hundreds of Black boys and men across the U.S.
Launched the SISTAS Conference and school-based clubs for middle school girls.
Created an annual Hip-Hop Worship Service, one of Rosedale’s most significant gatherings.
Shared the Gospel with thousands in nontraditional spaces: schools, clinics, concerts, rallies, and the streets of Detroit.
Led weekly street-by-street prayer walks.
Hosted citywide Five-Day Backyard Bible Clubs, empowering Rosedale members to reach their neighborhoods.
Conducted annual best-practice tours to study innovative urban ministry models across the country.
Served as Executive Producer of the redemptive movie Heart of Stone, starring Clifton Davis, and directed by Richard J. Polite;
Oversaw what became the world’s most extensive urban church-based youth outreach, employing 12 whole- and part-time staff.
Created the Senior Reads program with Rosedale senior citizens mentoring young readers.
Developed a mentoring program for adjudicated youth in Brightmoor.
From 1994 to 2007, 85 percent or more of the students we served in Brightmoor graduated from high school and either entered college or a professional trade school; Public, Private Ventures, and the U.S. Department of Justice
Helped establish Detroit as the official site of the National 10 Point Coalition.
Secured Ford Foundation funding for a church-based mentoring program for high-risk youth—R.I.S.E. (Reintegrating, Integrity, Success through Empowerment).
Supported the rise of Christian Hip-Hop, working with artists like The Yuinon, The Cross Movement, Corey Red, and The Mad Prophets.
Created nationally recognized mentoring programs, praised by the U.S. Department of Justice and Education.
Developed Super KIDS, a tutoring program for students with GPAs below 1.0, many of whom are now college graduates.
Advocated against juvenile life sentences in the Roper v. Simmons case.
Built a replicable abstinence-based health outreach in partnership with Henry Ford Health System.
Designed a six-week summer program for social service-dependent mothers, helping many find employment or launch businesses.
Co-founded the Brightmoor Alliance and Brightmoor Pastors Alliance.
Helped lead a two-year drop in violent crime in the Brightmoor community.
Co-developed L.U.C.Y. (Learning Under City Youth) with the University of Michigan—a precursor to an urban teacher college.
Represented the University of Michigan nationally as chairman of L.U.C.Y. and as a board member of the American College and Universities.
Launched a global pricing campaign that led Nike to reduce the retail price of Jordan sneakers internationally in 2002.
Founded Be-Moor Radio and Institute in 2016, which is now heard in 100+ countries, and is training over 300 emerging influencers and broadcasters.

The following is not a boast. It is simply evidence of what God can do through an ordinary servant who has made himself available. My journey is not about acclaim—it’s about calling. This is how I’ve lived out my anointing:

Finally, the thousands of young men and women that I have mentored, encouraged in Detroit, nationally, or within the African diaspora;
Finally, participated as a leader in many national organizational projects and Christian outreaches;

In Closing

My life is a testimony to the truth of John 14:12:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

The anointing isn’t a feeling—it’s a calling. And when we respond to that calling with humility, faith, and action, we can indeed do greater things.

Let’s walk in our anointing. I’m Just Saying….

Should the Church Be Taxed? A Conversation worth having

by: Dennis Talbert

Let me be clear from the start: I am not advocating for churches or religious organizations to be taxed. But I am saying this — we need to have a serious conversation about the tax-exempt status of religious institutions, their role in philanthropy, their involvement in community economic development, and their responsibility as stewards of the communities they serve.

This is a weighty topic, with layers upon layers of complexity. It may be impossible to fully unpack it all in a single blog, but I will attempt to raise some key points that I’ve been sitting with for decades.

A Concern That Started in the ’70s

I began questioning the implications of church proliferation during the 1970s when I worked as a city employee in Detroit, responsible for community and economic development. It wasn’t the growth of churches that troubled me—it was the way zoning laws and city codes affected them. At that time, businesses were restricted from operating within a certain distance of religious institutions. I began to notice how the influx of small storefront churches impacted the economic vitality of Detroit’s commercial corridors.

Fast forward over 40 years, and I recently drove down Puritan Avenue — from 12th Street for nearly four miles — and to my dismay. What used to be a bustling commercial district has become a corridor dotted with closed church buildings, abandoned lots, and shuttered storefronts. What happened?

While there are theological layers to this, which I’ll set aside for now, it was hard not to conclude that the unchecked proliferation and eventual closure of tax-exempt churches had decimated a once-viable commercial zone.

These local observations reminded me of conversations in various African countries with young ministers seeking to become lead pastors. We discussed launching churches in new regions and often looked to the Apostle Paul as the biblical model for church planting.

Paul’s efforts were transformative. His churches not only spread the Gospel but also created vibrant, empowered communities. So I began to wonder: Is this the model of church planting we’re following today? And more importantly, is this the model Christ intended?

There’s a growing trend in the U.S. called the church planter movement, where individuals, groups and denominations — often sincerely- believe God calls them to start churches. However, many churches, especially in urban communities, shut their doors within a few years. That raises a spiritual and practical question: What happened to the call?

A Brief History of Church Tax Exemption

Let’s step back for a moment. During the colonial era, churches like the Anglicans and Congregationalists were state-sponsored, particularly in Virginia and Massachusetts. This created tensions within the Christian community over state involvement in religious life.

Most states moved away from government-established churches after the American Revolution, influenced by Enlightenment ideals and a desire for religious freedom. By the 20th century, the Revenue Act of 1913 formally exempted churches from federal income tax, and Section 501(c)(3) was created for charitable organizations. Lawmakers seemed to assume that these entities would act in the public good, and for a time, many did.

But 112 years later, is it time to revisit those assumptions?

The Black Church: Mission, Vision, and Stewardship

Let me be clear: we need the Black church. Its historical contributions to education, liberation, and civil rights are unmatched. The mission to love, serve, and advance Christ has not changed.

Consider this: estimates suggest that the Black church in America collects between $100–$250 million every Sunday, more than $7.8 billion annually. That’s more than the annual GDP of Liberia, Haiti, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Burundi, and several other small nations combined.

According to Pew Research, over 85% of Black philanthropy in some neighborhoods flows through the church. That’s a staggering number.

Despite the presence of hundreds of churches in Detroit and cities like it, far too many of our children, families, and neighborhoods continue to struggle with poverty, violence, educational gaps, and broken systems. A few years ago, a philanthropic foundation in Detroit attempted to mobilize Black churches to engage children in after-school programs. Despite the city’s high concentration of churches, the outcomes were limited.

We cannot afford to ignore these questions any longer. Are we truly being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us? Are we investing enough in the long-term success and transformation of Black children, youth, and families? Are we aligning our methods with our mission?

This conversation isn’t just about tax codes — it’s about Kingdom purpose. The moral and spiritual decline we see in America cannot be reversed by government programs or legislation alone. It demands a revitalized church — one that is committed to economic justice, social transformation, spiritual renewal, and community accountability.

We have the intellectual, theological, and moral capacity to explore these questions honestly and constructively. It’s time for the church — especially the Black church — to reimagine its role, revisit its vision, and renew its commitment to the cause of Christ in the 21st century. We can reimagine a tax code that reflects the economic and social justice issues of the 21st century, that creates a matrix that advances God’s kingdom-building agenda on earth, and fulfills the philanthropic needs of our communities and their residents.

I’m just saying. What say you? Let’s get the conversation going,,,,

I’m a Bigot!

By: Pastor Dennis Talbert

This week, I faced a hard truth—one I never thought I would apply to myself. I just might be a bigot. That’s a shocking realization for someone like me, a near lifelong Christian who has poured countless hours into mentoring and empowering thousands of young people through ministry, missions, and service projects around the world. And yet, here I am, saying it plainly: I am a bigot.

Bigotry, as I’ve come to define it, is more than just open hostility or hate. A bigot is someone who is intolerant of people who are different—be it in race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political belief. It’s an attitude, a posture, a resistance to seeing the humanity and dignity in others when they don’t mirror your own values or experiences. A bigot holds strong, unreasonable prejudices and often refuses to see things from another perspective, let alone treat those people with fairness or love. By that definition, the spirit of intolerance has, at times, influenced my own life. It has subtly and steadily crept in, impacting the very essence of who I am and distorting my grasp of the fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I never wanted this. I never meant for intolerance to settle in my heart. My Christian witness has long been centered on Romans 12:18: “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” But I now find myself asking—how can one live at peace when bigotry poisons the soul and breeds division, anger, and even hate?

Growing up in the Church, I often heard the phrase attributed to St. Augustine: “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” It sounded noble, maybe even biblical. But in recent years, I’ve begun to question its true intent and impact. That phrase—repeated so often in Christian circles—now strikes me as a contradiction. It creates emotional distance, allowing us to avoid the messy, costly love that Jesus actually modeled. Jesus didn’t merely “tolerate” sinners. He embraced them. He ate with tax collectors, allowed a prostitute to anoint his feet, spoke freely with outcasts, and taught in parables that exalted acts of mercy over piety. He fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and clothed the naked. His love was complete, relational, and redemptive. If we say we “love the sinner,” shouldn’t that love resemble the embrace of Christ—patient, kind, and unflinchingly real?

This moment of self-reckoning compelled me to do what I’ve always done when facing a spiritual dilemma: I studied. I read the Scriptures, reflected on history, and dug into the roots of prejudice and hatred. What I discovered, and perhaps what you already know, is that bigotry has always been about more than feelings. It’s about power—who has it, who keeps it, and who is kept out. Bigotry is entangled with colonialism, racism, religious extremism, xenophobia, and nationalism. It’s been the fuel behind wars, oppression, and systems of injustice that continue to this day.

When I look around at the cultural climate we live in—politically divided, racially charged, and spiritually adrift—I understand how I got here. But my concern now stretches beyond myself. I am deeply troubled by what I see within the Body of Christ. Are we truly influencing the world for good? Or are we, in fact, being influenced by the world—conforming to its divisions and prejudices while hiding behind spiritual language?

One of Detroit’s great spiritual giants, the late Dr. Frederick G. Sampson, regularly prayed, “Lord, help me to rescue your church from your church.” That prayer echoes in my soul today. It might also be the silent cry of a generation of young people who keep walking in and out of our churches like they’re moving through a revolving door. They may lack formal theological training or institutional titles, but they know when something doesn’t add up. They can feel the dissonance between the Jesus we teach and the church we run. And many are choosing to walk away.

Perhaps it’s time for a new movement—not built on branding or tradition, but on truth and love. A movement that dares to preach the Christ of the cross, not a Christ of cultural conformity or political convenience. A movement that reclaims the radical humility and holy justice that defined the life of Jesus. Not a new denomination or a trendy campaign, but a rescue mission. A spiritual lifeboat for a church that may be drifting. I’m just saying: What say you? Does the church need rescuing? Do we have the courage to confront our own prejudice, our institutional complacency, and the ways we’ve quietly accepted intolerance under the banner of faith?

P.S. As for me, I return to the words of 1 Corinthians 9:27: “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I should be disqualified.” I do not want to be disqualified—not from the race, the call, or the love I’ve spent a lifetime trying to embody. I need the Holy Spirit and my community to hold me accountable.

I am a sinner saved by grace and covered by mercy. But even grace demands that I grow.

“The Snake in the Sanctuary” Christianity vs Capitalism

The prosperity gospel has deeply influenced the theology of many Black churches, often distorting biblical truth and historical context. Many clerical leaders have embraced this flawed doctrine, whether knowingly or unknowingly, raising the question of why such a deviation has occurred. One possible explanation lies in the financial struggles faced by Black communities globally, where economic hardship has made the promise of wealth and success through faith especially appealing. This theological shift has had significant implications, shaping the church’s spiritual and social perspectives.

Christianity and capitalism often intersect in the modern world, yet their core values sometimes compete. While both systems have influenced societies across the globe, their fundamental principles raise essential questions about morality, economic justice, and human relationships. Are Christianity and capitalism truly at odds, or can they be reconciled?

Core Principles of Christianity

Christianity is centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing love, compassion, humility, and service to others. Key biblical principles include:

Generosity: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Concern for the Poor: “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31).
Community and Equality: The early church in Acts 2:44-45 practiced communal living, sharing resources so that no one was in need.

Core Principles of Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system built on private ownership, competition, and profit. It thrives on:

Individualism: Success is often determined by personal effort and market dynamics.
Free Markets: Supply and demand drive economic growth.
Profit Motive: Pursuing financial gain is a primary driver of innovation and economic expansion.

Points of Tension

While capitalism encourages innovation and wealth creation, it can also lead to inequality, exploitation, and materialism—issues that Christianity warns against.

Wealth and Greed: The Bible warns against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), yet capitalism often promotes accumulation as a sign of success.
Social Responsibility: Christianity teaches care for the marginalized, but capitalism can sometimes prioritize profits over people.
Competition vs. Cooperation: While capitalism thrives on competition, Christianity calls for unity and love for one’s neighbor.

Can They Coexist?

Despite their differences, some argue that capitalism can align with Christian values when tempered by ethical considerations. Concepts like conscious capitalism, fair trade, and corporate social responsibility aim to balance profit with purpose. Many Christian entrepreneurs and businesses strive to operate ethically, ensuring that economic pursuits do not compromise moral values.

A Call for Balance

Rather than rejecting capitalism, the key may be to reshape it in ways that align with Christian principles. Economic systems should serve people, not the other way around. By integrating generosity, fairness, and ethical stewardship into capitalism, we can create a society that upholds both faith and prosperity.

This year, Be-Moor Radio, one of the projects I lead, will explore alternative economic models—such as cooperative and collaborative economics—to build a community-based approach to sustainable wealth creation. When we launched in 2016 with the support of the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan, this was one of our primary goals. From the start, we aimed to create a new economic engine for urban youth while simultaneously developing the next generation of leaders and influencers.

What do you think? Can capitalism be a tool for Christian values, or does it inherently conflict with the teachings of Jesus? What say you?????

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How About the Affirming Action Movement

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”. Genesis 50:20

Since the inauguration of President Trump on January 20th and his series of presidential declarations, I’ve been looking for the silver lining or God amid these heavy-handed and race-centered actions. Well, I think I may have found it in a concept or idea of building an Affirming Action Plan for Black Children and Youth.

Now you ask, what is an Affirming Action Plan, and how does it differ from the Affirmative Action strategies of the sixties? Here’s the concept: The Black Church has historically played a pivotal role in nurturing, educating, and advocating for the well-being of Black children and youth in response to contemporary challenges. However, under the incoming Trump administration, Black children and youth will probably experience the most significant challenge in decades.

Gen Z, Generation Alpha, and the Millennials have inherited our failure not to have been razer focused on educational disparities, economic disenfranchisement, systemic injustice, and cultural misrepresentation. Nevertheless, thousands of Black Churches nationwide have an opportunity to regroup and implement a concept we are calling the Affirming Action Plan.

This initiative is designed to uplift and empower Black children and youth through intentional, faith-driven strategies that promote academic excellence, emotional resilience, economic literacy, and spiritual grounding. The Black ecclesia (body of believers in fellowship) could galvanize an army of volunteers, philanthropists, college students, retirees, and others to create an Affirming Action Network to embrace our children and youth who will bear the brunt of the most significant upheaval culturally, academically, and economically in centuries.

Black children and youth face unique structural barriers that hinder their personal and professional growth. While societal affirmative action policies have provided some relief along with justice-centered programs, including diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments by corporations, governments, and universities, they are not enough. Effective January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump has declared war on DEI and Affirmative Action programs globally. In the Department of Education, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights wrote a Dear Colleagues (See the letter at the bottom of the blog) saying they should abandon their DEI programs and activities by February 28, 2025, and risk losing federal funding.

In the end, we need a new approach to ministry that combines faith and works, where our works and faith is our worship. I’m Just Saying….

The loss of federal funding could impact Title One funding, designed to serve underserved children, the Free and Reduced Lunch Program (NLSP), programs that help students with disabilities including autism and emotional and other learning disabilities (IDEA funding) through the Social Security Act, and the lists of programs funded by the federal government could present irreparable harm to Black children, youth and society.

However, the Affirming Action Network group of ministries can fill the gap! This affirming network of Black churches could present a united front against evil and present possibilities of hope. John 17:21. In this passage, Jesus asks God that his followers and others who believe in them through their word may be unified so that the world will believe that God sent Jesus. Isn’t our objective that the world would know and love Him?

Okay, Apostles, Bishops, Pastors, and Evangelists, this potentially is our opportunity to be the church we preach about and be a living epistle through our faith and works. Below, I offer a few examples of where we can be effective, thrive, and witness a biblical revival in our neighborhoods.

Academic Empowerment: Provide tutoring, scholarship opportunities, and mentorship programs through church-based and community partnerships.
Spiritual and Emotional Resilience: Establish faith-based counseling and mentorship programs to support mental health and identity formation.
Economic Literacy and Entrepreneurial Development: Implement financial literacy workshops and entrepreneurship training tailored to Black youth.
Civic Engagement and Leadership Development: Encourage active participation in civic duties and provide leadership training for emerging community advocates.
Cultural Affirmation and Identity Formation: Celebrate and educate Black children on their rich cultural and historical heritage, reinforcing positive self-identity.
Faith-Driven Counseling and Mentorship: Pair youth with mentors from within the church and professional networks to foster positive relationships.
Entrepreneurship Incubators: Develop church-led initiatives that support youth in starting businesses and managing finances.

These are just a few ideas that can represent a silver lining and hope to the hopeless. As I write this blog and share some ideas with the readers, I’m reminded of the civil rights movement in Montgomery during the bus boycott, where every Black church decided it was time to challenge the system of racism, bigotry, and religious disunity. We can do this, what say you?

Letter from U.S. Department of Education:

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The Moral Compass – Who is controlling the magnetic needle?

Has the Black church lost its moral compass? Maybe even a different question, what is the role of the Black church in setting the moral compass within the Black community, locally and globally?

For a few years, I have pondered these questions in light of several critical issues, such as the unfettered legalization of marijuana, the fact that one in every three persons of color voted for Donald J. Trump, the crisis of urban education, health care, and yes PALISTINE. All of these issues, at least as I see it, fall under morality. Our moral compass is off! There appears to be a moral compass guide controlled by someone or something outside the Black community.

Historically, Black American leaders, mainly pastors, have been at the forefront of advocating for justice and calling out individuals, systems, and behaviors that harm the Black community. From the days of enslavement to the civil rights movement, the tradition of accountability has been a cornerstone of Black progress. Our global presence in the Black Christian church community had value to the world. Several years ago, our pastor (Rosedale Park Baptist Church) was contacted by a group of Gypsies from Romania to come to their country to discuss reconciliation as they admired the progress of Black Americans as a sign of progress. Our story of resilience in the face of racism was revered, respected, and celebrated by other marginalized ethnic groups worldwide.

Our struggle and our voice mattered! During slavery, abolitionist pastors such as Henry Highland Garnet boldly used their pulpits to denounce not only the horrors of slavery but also the complicity of White Christians and institutions perpetuating it. Garnet’s famous 1843 “Call to Rebellion” sermon challenged enslaved people to resist their oppressions, marking one of the first examples of Black pastors directly confronting both internal and external challenges of Black liberation. A model championed by Christ ( read Luke 4: 18-19 Matthew 10:34).

During the Reconstruction era, where men and women like Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells were unrelenting in exposing the betrayals of political leaders, bible-based churches, and other institutions that claimed to support Black progress while enabling racial violence and disenfranchisement.

The Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century embodied Christians, setting a moral compass for not just the United States but also the world. Even though many of the old guard associated with the National Baptist Convention didn’t join the movement at first, eventually, they jumped on board. They followed in the leadership example of Christian leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who called out structural racism embedded in American society and church.

In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, King emphasized the danger of inaction, criticizing white moderates and complacent Black Christian leaders alike for their unwillingness to confront injustice. But it wasn’t just Christian faith leaders who followed a moral compass; men like Malcolm X (a Black Muslim) challenged Black Americans to reject self-destructive behaviors and embrace empowerment.

One of my favorite stories from the Civil Rights Movement is the 381-day Montgomery bus boycott. In his compilation of sermons, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr talks about the struggle of preaching every Sunday to encourage Montgomery residents to boycott and walk or rideshare. For 52 Sundays, Black church leaders throughout Montgomery used every Sunday to preach a message of encouragement and a biblically centered sermon for justice.

I can only imagine what the state of Black children and youth in America would be if we took 52 Sundays across every urban city to emphasize education, loving our neighbor, and encouraging the congregants to mentor and adopt children who are orphaned because of circumstances outside of their doing or tutor a Black child.

But today, another force is at play, guiding the moral compass and setting the agenda and, ultimately, the course of action for our prophetic community. They are outsiders who beat us over the head with spiritual concepts on being biblically centered or adhering to a moral majority. Unfortunately, we have fallen prey to their demagoguery and are now victims of their version of truth and their moral compasses. There are even some who have discounted the legacy of our faith giants like Richard Allen, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Frederick Douglass for a new framework labeled evangelical. Can’t we decide what the moral code is or should be for our neighborhoods and community and follow a compass to discover our Northstar?

We have made their truth the definitive truth without other options. This is why we need Black theology, Black critical thinking, or what I am now labeling Black Christian excellence (You will hear more about the concept of Black Christian Excellence in my future blogs, magazine, and newspaper articles, and potentially a book).

As a community, we can’t allow our sacred institutions, biblical scholars, families, and moral compass to be driven by outside perspectives, including capitalism and the evangelical church. At some point, we must tell ourselves it’s not working or beneficial to our community. I’m concerned about urban youth development when we’ve made it our number one goal to produce entrepreneurs and career-based servants, not scholars, thinkers, and influencers. What we are perpetuating is pure self-centered trash that is both an impediment and disgraceful to our progress as a people, locally and globally.

We need our prophetic voices. I can truly appreciate those prophetic voices who were willing to call out the destructive elements of our society and resolve not to be conformists. Sisters like Dr. Helen Moore, JD, one of Detroit’s greatest champions for Black education, and C. Delores Tucker, former Pennsylvania Secretary of State who called out gangster rap before it was popular. Each of these sisters led by example.

We’ve got to rediscover our Moral Compass quickly, or we will become like the other lost tribes that are extinct, and we will be a few hundred years from now. I’m Just Saying….

Welcome Aboard Denzel (No Greater Calling)

Welcome Aboard! I read recently that actor Denzel Washington was baptized and received a Certificate of Ministry from Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City. But I must ask, does the Black church need another hooping brother in the pulpit?

May I suggest a more rewarding calling in the world of Christan Youth Development. Here’s the truth here: no one cares about black children and youth, including the Black church. But before you condemn my statement, why don’t you look at the budgets associated with your church? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21,” For where your treasure is there, your heart will be also.”

It is estimated that the Black church collects more than 11.5 Billion dollars annually. Yet the average amount set aside for Black children and youth through our children’s and youth ministry is less than 5 million annually. It’s disgraceful, but the statistical truth is that nearly 75% of those attending or calling Jesus Christ Lord do so before age of 18. How we spend our money doesn’t make a good investment.

If you’re reading this blog, you know I’ve spent nearly 40 years advocating and serving urban youth in Detroit, both nationally and globally. It’s been my privilege to converse with bishops, apostles, cardinals, and pastors from almost every denomination, including Bishop Blake, the former prelude for the Church of God in Christ, advocating for increased spending for Urban Christian youth development in Black churches.

Sir Denzel Washington, you are in a unique position with fame, fortune, and favor. As a potential champion or minister to Black children and youth, you can change the trajectory of Black Christian Youth Development by simply saying yes to advocating and ministering to Black youth occupying space in the Black churches. There is no question in my mind that you have witnessed the deficit of services to Black children and youth in all of your Black church experiences. Even the Black mega churches miss the mark in creating culturally relevant lessons and experiences for children and youth. Imagine what the Black church Christian experience could have been like for the Washington children back in the day.

There are only a few faithful brothers and sisters have dedicated their lives to presenting a relevant and comprehensive gospel of Jesus Christ to our children without respect or honor in the congregation or by those in senior leadership. As I sit here writing this blog, I am thinking of many of my fellow servants in the field of urban Christian youth ministry who sacrificed their houses and families for the sake of trying to present a relevant message of Christ to the next generation. They believed Black children and youth needed more than preaching and choir music. They believed Black children and youth were essential assets to Christ’s larger body and the world.

Dream with me for a moment, Mr. Washington, you can produce movies that offer a creative approach to understanding the Gospel, loving, and serving Christ. Here’s our harsh reality. If we were trying to reach and serve White children and youth, there are hundreds of ministries and billions of dollars designated and functioning prosperously to serve them. This is not to make this a conversation about disparities, but the reality is that creative Black Christian ministry to Black children and youth has many critical voids. If we are trying to engage in the 21st-century ministry, we need to kick up our approach over one hundred notches.

Here’s an example just in sports, there are many outreaches/ministries, such as Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), to name only two, that have thousands of volunteers and millions of dollars to help their young people grow as Christ athletes, but not just athletes but scholar/Christian athletes In 2022, FCA served nearly 85,000 athletes and less than 500 were Black where 51% of D1 players are Black and AIA serves over 200 campuses with fewer than five HBCU’s.

Brother Denzel, you can bring a glimmer of hope to a generation who, for years, have followed you as an actor. God has given you a voice and a desire (your words) to represent and declare His Word and change lives. Black children and youth are hurting, even in the Black church!

Several years ago when, I said yes to the Lord and resolved that I wanted to serve Black children and youth through the lens of Christ and His church. I was astonished to discover that we (the Black Church) don’t love Black children and youth. We love our individual birthed children and youth, but as it relates to the community, the love doesn’t exist. We are great at singing songs like the one expressed by the late Whitney Houston, “The Greatest Love of All,” but as one of our leading academic professors said, that is just classic American BS.

There is not one indicator that Black children are both essential and loved. Black children and youth are at the bottom of academic scores, and urban schools are horrendous regardless of where you are in the world. Yet we have millions of adults who every Sunday appear in our churches and volunteer for all kinds of activities that exclude Black Children and youth. We’ve allowed the base elements of society to direct the values that young people adopt. The Black prophetic voice on values is missing. So, our young people come to church and hear messages or preachings irrelevant to their culture and areas of interest.

I have no problem being critical because I am of and in the church (in other words,I’m one of those in the church.). Lately, I have often been that voice of one crying out in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3). Brother Denzel Washington, you have options that very few men and women in the world of ministry have. It’s not just financial, but it’s creativity, it’s favor, and perhaps a chance to feel the pulse of the pain in the lives of Black children and youth globally.

Who am I to interfere with the call on your life? I celebrate you for the call and the fantastic accomplishments on the stage, on television, and in movies. Your career has been an entertaining blessing to me and multiple million. On a personal note, I’ve made it a challenge to travel to New York City to see you, Julius Ceasar, Fences, A Rasin in the Sun, and Checkmates, written by my dear friend, the late Ron Milner (Detroit).

This blog or message to you is a prophetic call to expand your options and offer you an opportunity to join a rare and small group of men and women around the world who have responded to the unique call of Christian youth development through the lens of Christ within the framework of the Black Church.

In Isaiah 6:8, The Lord asked, “Who will go for us?” and I (Isaiah) said I, here am I send me.” This blog is not to burden you with the great expectation of the Black hope award, it is simply asking you to consider another critical ministry in the Black church serving Black children and youth.

Welcome, Aborad Brother Denzel Washington, and wherever The Lord calls you, may you produce biblical fruit (John 15:4-5). We are thankful for your lineage, which includes your father and others. But if I can say this right, we are more thankful for Sister Ruth Green for speaking a word of life into your life, and for your wife Paulette holding it down for you, and to that, I’m just saying….