The Role Black Churches Must Play In Assisting At-Risk Children

In his book, "The Audacity of Hope," presidential candidate Barack Obama writes that the government could kick-start change through a transformation of attitudes in the communities of the urban poor, which is largely made up of African Americans and Latinos. This transformation of attitudes is to begin in homes, communities and places of worship. The Black Church has been fulfilling this role throughout its history, yet it is one that takes on new vistas of responsibility and accountability in the 21st century.

One vital role the Church can play in the black community’s attempt to save its young men and women from a life of poverty, drugs, abuse and prison, is educator of the non-achievers of society. While the Black Church can celebrate the achievements of those who have found their Savior and solace within its walls, it must now go to the highways and the hedges to invite the “least of these” to come to the banquet that many have been shut out from for far too long. With the achievements and accomplishments of many in the community, the Church can now admit that our circumstances have contributed to the shaping of our culture, and that we can now choose to change our culture by reshaping our circumstances. We are now able to give a new definition to what it means to be both “black and proud.”

As a pastor, I know that America’s churches are already doing a fine job feeding and clothing the poor. But we can and must do more when confronted with the fact that in some of our cities 65 percent of young black men do not graduate from high school and on a national average; only 2 percent achieve the goal of receiving a university degree.

In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 18, Jesus talks about his disciples’ obligation to serve and protect “the little ones.” In order to accomplish that goal, we must do all we can to serve the most vulnerable people in society – the children that so often fall through the cracks.

How can we do this?

The Church must act as both school and disciplinarian in a similar fashion to what takes place in the Jewish community. After their public school day ends, Jewish children go to Hebrew school several days a week to supplement their education. Instead of blaming the inadequacies of the public school system, Churches must help young black children develop the ability to read and process information beginning at the earliest ages possible. If we wait too long, the children are likely to find it difficult to resist the insidious pull of the street.

Parents must be brought on board so they understand the importance of sending their children to Church school and support the Church’s efforts to educate and discipline their children so that kids know what it means to be black and educated. Many times parents think they can save their children on their own, particularly after they have lost several children to drugs, crime and early deaths. Many times they try to protect their children from doing the hard work necessary to rise above their life circumstances.

In its school, the Church must provide the support individuals and families need to survive and thrive in spite of the trauma, drama, tragedies, and abuses found in our homes, communities and culture. We must teach all persons to refuse to be overcome by the injustices and inequities of life. We must instill in the young a pride in being human, in playing fair, and in overcoming all obstacles in order to make a contribution to the world. We must acknowledge that doing so is heroic and worthy of sacrifice and we must celebrate the heroism of those who model this behavior.

In the past, individuals who suffered from cultural and community pathologies such as dysfunctional homes, domestic violence, and physical and sexual abuse, were often treated as second class citizens of the Church. Individuals who have suffered and continue to suffer from child abuse and other traumas, especially young men, were left to fend for themselves. This has led to the growth of gangs and other subcultures within our communities, which are now destroying not only the lives of the people involved, but also our communities as well.

Pastors must make it clear that the Church is available to help and heal everyone and that no one will be rejected because of their past indiscretions. Pastors must make it clear that the days of masking these problems are gone forever; these problems must be brought to the light of day and healed.

It is also time that the black community stops reeling from the things other communities have already found the solutions for. It is time that the black community begins implementing new ideas instead of sweeping problems under the proverbial rug. It must start with all of us in all of our Churches across black America.

Dr. Dennis L. Waters is Pastor/President of Spirit of Victory and Praise Community Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Pastor/President of Spirit, Victory, Praise Ministries. SVP Ministries helps people move beyond the shame, blame, and pain of past tragedy, trauma, and loss by tapping into the tools and techniques for healing of major Christian religions, including meditation and self-talk affirmations. His latest book is "I Will Restore: A Ministry of Healing to African American Male Survivors of Prepubescent Physical and Sexual Abuse.”