Culture Clash Pt. 2
Our discussion continues with the first response to brother Eric's post which was submitted by Rev. Kevin Smith. Rev. Smith has served as the pastor of the Waston Memorial Bapist Church since Feb. 2004. He is a professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where is also a candidate for the Ph.D degree. We welcome this brother to the discussion.
Thanks for the question. This is a constant challenge with students here at the seminary. I struggle regularly to walk between students who can't appreciate the cultural broadness of Christ's people. Either they think if it is not black then it can't be spiritual. OR worse, they think they must adopt white methods to make it right (biblical).
As I represent the seminary in some peculiar places, I find that the suspicions about brothers like us (biblical "doctrines of grace" folks) is that we have culturally "sold out." On a positive note, it is good that Brother Thabiti has written two recent books that consider African American preachers (historically) and theology. His works help address the accusation of disconnect. Obviously, Anthony Carter's book did the same thing. As you think about cultural clothing, consider this:
#1. Does the ministry reflect my African American heritage as my white, Hispanic, and Asian brothers clearly reflect theirs? When I'm at Sproul's or here at SBTS, I clearly feel that God is honored in worship but I also clearly know that it is through white "cultural forms" for the most part. Based upon this, I think your service would look like your PNBC background with more (much more) biblical discernment. The sound of some gospel music isn't the problem, it is the lyrics. As it regards preaching, Robert Smith is a great model of a black preacher "being black" in all venues. A few years ago, he spoke at the National Conference on Expository Preaching which was held here at SBTS. Of course, his exposition was sound and then the brother "closed" his sermon. If I can endure corny Republican jokes and hillbilly stories, them my white brothers can endure some whooping.
#2. I know the Hillcrest area. Do you think that a Tenth Pres' presentation would add another layer of challenge to your evangelistic desires? Colonialism doesn't just happen in Africa. With America's (and Southern Baptist's) history, anything that appears to jettison black culture is highly suspicious. I actually think there is missiological imperative to be culturally "indigenous." (Of course, this is complicated in multicultural churches/communities)
#3. As I critique and affirm cultural forms, I do try to address "white-is-right." I tell brothers around here (SBTS) all the time to stop being "shills" for the Republican Party. (I say it in love) Also, I remind them that the apostles didn't sing hymns with classical arrangements, so stop doggin' black church music. I love to see an article considering the "regulative principle" from our perspective.
#4. Feel free to refer to black cultural items in public speak, just as white brethren feel free to refer to white ones. Somewhere, we have got to find a sanctified "I am black and I'm proud!"
Eric, I hope this discussion continues. By the way, thank you again for your sermon out here at Southern. The Southern Baptist Convention (and more importantly, the Kingdom) are not aided if we are not black on the platforms that the Lord has given us. Plus I never, ever, ever want the guy on the street to look at my church and say, "that ain't no black church." Even though I don't use that terminology, we can't be perceived as culturally irrelevant and be evangelistically effective at the same time.
Occasionally, we will have a black preacher here at Southern and some will ask me why a lot of local black pastors didn't attend. Obviously, this could be a blessing to the local brethren. My reply is usually, look you must invite black preachers that "black people think are black."
Just some thoughts,
Kevin Smith
Jim Pemberton
December 10, 2007