About a year ago, I learned of an upcoming book by Milan Ford, titled 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing. The title, alone, stood out to me and I was intrigued to read it. When I researched it a bit more, I learned that, in his book, Ford would discuss whether many traditions of the “black church” are partly responsible for what he perceives is a growing apathy towards faith and religion in today’s generation.
Cut to me, months later, and I’d completely forgotten about the book. But a GospelPundit reader recently emailed me and asked if I’d heard of it or read it, as she was just about to finish it. I told her that I’d intended to read it and to let me know how it was.
Her “response” was so well-written and thoughtful that I decided “why not just use this as her review for the site?!”
So, ladies and gents, I present to you Melissa Tyler Wells. Melissa hails from New Orleans, LA and is a graduate of Louisiana State University. She is a fundraiser, writer and singer. Melissa is currently working on a book, herself, focused on empowering young girls. She is a member of the praise team at Household of Faith Family Worship Church International in Harvey, LA.
Here’s what Melissa’s got to say about the book:
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I have finished the book. I laughed, I cried, I turned my face up into a scowl and a big Kool-Aid smile. I think a lot of what Milan observed highlights the well-known fact that the church is resistant to change and, therefore, is losing influence on an ever-changing world. I like that he did not hold his tongue, using examples and citing traditions that would probably offend many well-known gospel artists, multi-church fellowships and prominent Pastors tied to today’s black church.
I wish he would have expounded on the various traditions the way that he did with Watch Night Services and a couple others, because the fact is that traditions, no matter how outdated, began with a relevant need. I think if you are going to expose unnecessary tradition and encourage people to change, you need to do more to break down why they are no longer necessary.
That being said, the “black church” is no different from a lot of other religious institutions that cling to tradition. Take a look at the Catholic Church. It is very bogged down in traditions its own members don’t understand. Over time that church has seen huge schisms, loss of members, relevance and ability to affect change, because it refused to change and leave old traditions where they belong. I am not saying that we should do what the world does and I know that we must be different and set standards, but a lot of that simply has nothing to do with our traditions.
To me, the whole book points to the fact that the Word says, he who wins souls is wise. If we would spend more time on that and less time making sure you held up your finger while exiting the sanctuary during service or covered your skirt with a cloth while seated or always wore hose with your skirt (things he did not mention), then maybe we could do more to carry out our mission as the body of Christ.
As we begin to look back at the short history of the “black church” in America, perhaps this book will inspire and mark a historic shift in the way we “do church” (I could not resist). I was watching Ever Increasing Faith Ministries and the Pastor was saying he believed that Christ would not come back until his church (body) was unified, and I think he may be on to something. Until we are the church and not just the “black church” we will miss the mark. This book is definitely food for thought and should be required reading for all leaders in ministry in any “black church.”
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And there you have it, folks. To learn more about Milan Ford’s 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing and/or to buy it, you can visit his website by clicking here.
I think it sounds like a cool book and I’m definitely (once again) inclined to check it out. Thanks for the write-up, Melissa!
Let me (and Melissa) know what you think of the review!
