Word: pastoral
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...examining the status of the clergy, The Black Church raises deeply troubling questions. The median age of black pastors in the U.S. has reached a dangerously high 52, which means that fewer young blacks are entering the ministry. Thanks to the civil rights movement, the ministry is no longer the sole redoubt of blacks with leadership aspirations. "We never had black mayors before the last 30 years," remarks Harlem Baptist Pastor Wyatt Tee Walker...
...ministry is also losing out in the economic competition. Only one- quarter of the black pastors in the U.S. have health insurance, a mere 15.7% receive pensions, and salaries are so low that nearly 40% of pastors hold second jobs. Less than one-fifth of pastors hold seminary degrees. The Rev. Calvin Butts, pastor of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church, believes lack of formal skills is critical. "You can be 'called,' but 9 times out of 10 today if you are not trained, you are of no use to us," says Butts, who holds a Ph.D. from Drew University...
...graying of the clergy extends to the faithful. Black churches usually operate a wide array of community projects reaching all age groups, but "many black churches are senior citizens' homes," laments Los Angeles pastor Murray. "They do not attract young adults and youths." High rates of joblessness and crime among young blacks are significant factors, but the Rev. Richard Norris of Philadelphia's Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (founded in 1794) cites the drug crisis in particular: "It's destroyed the family. It's weakened the church." Baltimore attorney Leronia Josey blames some middle- class black Christians for getting too "comfortable...
...Unity Village, Mo., a New Thought group that she quit in 1974 because of what she charged was a racist tinge. Colemon preaches reincarnation (she believes she was once an Egyptian princess) and an unapologetic quest for material prosperity ("Money is God in action"). Practicing what she preaches, the pastor lives in a 23- room mansion...
...lively exemplar of the independent Charismatic movement is the 10,000- member Crenshaw Christian Center of Los Angeles, a church with no shortage of men under 40. Pastor Frederick Price preaches a much disputed "word of faith" message, which holds that God will supply anything that believers want, including health and wealth, when they truly believe. The television preacher describes his method as simply giving people "biblical information that they can apply and put into their daily lives. This is what people need, and this is what they want. They...