St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-12-02
Negro Preachers Are
Skilled In Use OF
WORD Pictures
BY Rev. william !. Faulkner

| theology that his white brother in
the same denomination breaches.
I think our unframed brethren
are gifted in the art Of painting
word-pictures beyond the capacity
Of the average unframed white
preacher. ] refer particularly to
the white ministers Of the noun
tains in the South, and our rural
Negro ministers, both of whom
lack formal training.
As TO the current argument over
the effects Of DR.. Norman Vincent
Peale. he Is rendering a much
needed service to millions Of peo-
pie. i have distributed scores of
his sermons and pamphlets.
I am inclined, however, to agree
with some theologians that DR..
Peale leans too much toward
psychology and psychiatry and
not heavily enough upon COM
plete surrender Of the human soul
to the will of God.
Negro and white pastors should
stress the Importance OF practic-
ing the presence of God, and OF
the individual defeating his life
completely to the will and love of
God.
The Negro pastor has tremen-
dous responsibility toward the
practical living of his people to-
day, and he should not neglect IT
in his preaching to the extent that
he attempts to build their faith on
other-worldly hopes to the detri-
ment of their moral and social re-
sponsibllities while on earth.
Nor should the powerful in
fluence of the liquor and gambling
interests deter a minister from
speaking out strongly againsS
drinking, gambling and other
forms Of loose moral living
I am not in a position to say
that most Negro ministers are
failing in their position of leader
ship OF the masses of migrants
from the south. The members Of
my congregation, mostly from the
South. are both high school and
college graduates. They also need
the ministry of the church.
The moral tone OF the Negro
community Is advancing. 1t is
demonstrated In the cleanliness
Of their persons, their children,
their homes. and their behavior in
public. The crime rate among Ne
groes would be much higher II II
were not for the influence Of the
church in their lives.
Considering the question Of
store-front churches. one contrib
uting factor is the direct result of
migrants or former rural-dweliers
trying to adjust TO the big cities,
and to feel they are included In
some kind Of respectable religious
or social organization.
These small churches and
cults give opportunity TO men
and women of limited training
TO satisfy their desire TO become
leaders In their neighborhood OF
group. All people long for rec
ognition and status.
However. | hesitate to sit in
judgement on those churches and
cults to the extent Of saying they
are detrimental TO our people.
Some of the most devout Chris
tians are people of little training
but of great devotion to Christ
and His church.
l regret to admit that many Of
these trusting souls are exploited
by charlatans who pose as Gods
ministers at times. This is inexcus-
able. DO not consider the money
that is contributed as being total
~ lost or wasted. On the other
hand. I think that .lanare3s ..
millions OF dollars which our peo-
pie spend for various forms Of al
cohol is a total loss 10 our COM
munity.
The church Is not losing Its
hold on young people, There has
been n difinite trend back to.
ward the church and religion
during the past rs years. The
youth activities are increasing
as fast rs we can find adult
leadership TO guide them.
But the church will have to Of
fer a more intelligent and stimu-
lating program II II hopes TO
claim more OF our college men and
women, The future leadership is
not growing away from the
church. Religion and integrity OF
character are making strong ap-
peals TO our future leaders.
IL Is no longer popular In the
Negro community 20 he regard
ed as an intellectual sophisti.
cate. The term has become as
ISOLATED with sham and shall
lowness. The current timA are
too serious for our people TO be
impressed with that kind OF
emptiness.
Although the Negro community
in America has suffered greatly
from the lack OF consecrated
trained and inspired clergymen OF
strong character, my faith in the
usefulness o. the church and the
central place II holds in the de-
velopment and advancement OF
the Negro community has not
weakened.
The highest falnllment Of hui
man personality is achievement