A church that opened its doors to civil rights activists could lose its valuable tax exemptions, or even be firebombed. Not because King was fighting for a righteous cause, but precisely because he and other Black religious people were wrestling with moral questions that had no simple answers.Īlthough the Black church today is practically synonymous with the fight for racial justice, in the 1950s and 1960s, devout Black Christians fiercely disagreed about whether their churches should get involved.

Now, as the future of both American religion and democracy hang in the balance-as millions of Americans argue over deeply felt moral values-the history of Black churches’ struggles offers both warnings and hope. What followed was a pitched battle, one that arguably lifted the Movement but tore apart an entire denomination. used his religious authority and church rules to try to mobilize Black Baptists for what he viewed as the most urgent moral issue in America: Black people’s fight for jobs and freedom-or, as many activists called it, The Movement. This isn’t the first time American believers have had to grapple with such questions. In other words, white evangelicals are facing a double crisis of values and democracy. Many of them are leaving church altogether, joining the millions of Americans who don’t claim any religious affiliation. Evangelicals who oppose white Christian nationalism or who think religion shouldn’t mix with partisan politics are running up against powerful structures within their churches. Factions within churches have imposed their values on their fellow worshipers by exploiting the churches’ own processes for resolving disputes and by subverting church democracy. It isn’t just that high-profile leaders have brought politics into the churches, turning evangelicals into warriors for white Christian nationalism and its Republican Party avatars. Though he has many ministerial duties, sometimes Fontenot is able to even convince her husband to join in on usher duties, who explained that serving others keeps his wife going.White evangelical churches are in crisis. “It shows that God can make a way out of no way.” “We try to help people deal with loss by giving suggestions, and this is one of the important aspects of the church,” Fontenot, who also coordinates the Junior and Young Adult Usher Ministry, said.

The couple works together as part of the church divorce care and grief ministries. The two were childhood friends, but after losing their spouses, got reacquainted at a church play, which sparked a relationship. Albert Fontenot Jr., who also works for the Census Bureau, now serve together. “When people walk through the doors, and we smile, it makes a difference. “During the pandemic, our ushers were vital and did not miss a beat.”įontenot noted ushers are the first to interact with parishioners and guests when they enter into worship space. “Most of our ushers are on the case, and they serve during all three services every weekend,” he said. Ushers: A Critical Role in the Church - The Washington Informer Close

Ushering in the black baptist church