How the Black Church Has Turned Into the Entertainment Business
Religion is one of the key pillars that makes up the Black community. Whether you’re African, Caribbean, or Black American, religion is one of the many things that is unanimously pushed upon children as they grow up. The connection that is almost a requirement to have with God is one that has been instilled within us as early as during the Slave trades. It was the one thing people had that made them hopeful. As the years go on, we see that certain churches, ones that have become monoliths of communities have found ways to connect with others and soon enough, thanks to social media, reached national levels of success and expanded their teachings to a wider audience. While the premise seems like a dream come true, there are some that instead lose their way. Instead of a church service, Black churches, specifically some mega-churches, have become the epitome of an MTV music video. How did things go wrong? Where did this all begin? And why in the world have Black churches become part of the Entertainment industry?
A Forced Religion
It’s no secret that Christian missionaries had made their attempts to convert Africans for years. In fact, once they discovered that the world wasn’t just Europe, it became part of the White man’s burden to “purify” and homogenize Africans to have them follow their practices. When the slave trade occurred, not only was it more cost efficient to have labour workers to do their bidding without the worry of pay or equal treatment, but it was also easier to indoctrinate the ways of Christianity, even to those who weren’t willing to take them in. Although its beginnings weren’t innocent, religion, specifically Christianity, became something slaves began to cling to. It was their beacon of hope, something that made the atrocities that they faced a tad bit more manageable. It was also a “tool to organize their communities”, according to “The Power of the Gospel: Experiences of Christian Slaves in the Antebellum South”. Many of the religious hymns that were sung to uplift the spirits of the unfortunate are sung today in Black churches and choirs.
Beyond that, Christianity was something that went from a concept slaves were forced to learn and live by to then using it as a coping mechanism and a means of resistance.
One aspect of the tale of black people and Christianity that many, myself included, tend to overlook is the history of black preaching. Its existence, as many things within Black culture, was gradual and its succession depended on the comfort levels of White men. Slave masters had viewed their slaves not as humans but instead as animals. Property. That meant sacred spaces such as churches or places that offered Christian preaching were oftentimes not permitted to Blacks. The only times in which they were allowed to even be in the same room as these teachings were in White tolerant congregations, which were hard to find. The few who were lucky enough to be in the room of these lessons would then be the ones who had taken it upon themselves to reteach their quietly growing communities.
Another issue to persist was the propaganda that was spread about the beginnings of slavery. Slaveowners had to come to terms with the fact their bondsmen were going to spread the Word amongst themselves but in order to illicit a certain amount of control, those who were permitted to get the first hand experience of what God had advised were manipulated into twisting the words of Paul and convince others that slavery was something that He had intended.
A black preacher taking charge and spreading the word of the Lord in a white tolerant church.
At this time in the physical world, slaveholders would instill a six-day workweek. This gave slaves the opportunity to practice on their day of rest, which according to the Ten Commandments, was even alloted to animals. While this was a great way for Blacks to practice their religion free of the constraints of the tiring workday, this also meant that misinformation took root in the minds of many.
What Makes a Church Mega?
When dating the first few mega-churches to exist, many will point their fingers to the 1970s and 1980s. In 1989 in the midst of the growing mega-church movement, Bill Hynes claimed that they were on the path to making history and that they were “doing things a new way for a whole new generation”. While the movement may have snowballed into something bigger, there is actually evidence to support that mega-churches have existed under a different title as far back as the 16th century. The earliest display of sorts comes from France. In 1598, the edict of Nantes permitted Protestants in France the ability to legally build and assemble churches. In 1601, Protestants started getting creative and enlisted the help of French architect Jacques Perret. He drew up plans for a church that would be able to hold 10,000 worshippers with two additional balconies. He wanted a square building to ensure that he maximized the space and that people would be able to hear the sermon.
Jaques Perret’s design of the church meant to hold 10,000 worshippers | Imagie: Jacques Perret’s book Des Fortifications Et Artifices: Architecture Et Perspective
One thing about mega-churches is that size isn’t the only aspect that makes it “mega”. At least now it isn’t. Back in Perret’s time, that was all that was required, therefore it was quite easy to fall under such a criteria. However, when things started to pick up in the 70s and 80s, mega-churches needed a bit more to secure the title. In a fast-paced and high maintenance society, people started yearning for all of their needs to be met at the flick of their wrists. Mom and pop stores were a thing of the past and malls, places where all your go-to stores are in one area, were now the biggest thing.
The same could be said for their houses of prayer. Historian Patrick Allit argues, “America’s new megachurches. . . were designed to provide an entire way of life, including schools, gymnasiums, dining halls, study groups settings, therapy sessions, aerobics classes, bowling alleys, and sometimes even Christian-themed shopping.” “Megachurch,” Martin Marty explains,“is . . . an invention of the Age of Greed.” There were other needs that needed to be met as well besides spirituality. They were educational and recreational, as we previously mentioned, as well.Thus leading to the shifting scales. If the public demands so much of their churches, then the number of attendees coming is lowered. On average, 1,200 to 1,500 people attend sermons on a regular basis. It was all a matter of how much a church could provide and for how many people.
B is for Business
Things have changed from the 1600s, the 1970s, and even 1980s. Megachurches have begun to boom as a money making business. One of the main arguments that many have with megachurches is their accessibility to large amounts of funds. Part of this is because of the belief in titihings. They “lay the foundation for financial success and abundance”. In most cases, churches use tithings as a way to keep their doors open and make worship something without financial stipulation. In other cases, however, mega-churches use their funding not only for necessities, but they’ll extend their list to things that aren’t necessary: lighting, celebrity guests, and even some of it ends up in the pockets of the pastors themselves. The reason why this is a distasteful practice is because most megachurches promote the idea that the more you give in the physical realm, the more you will receive in the spiritual. What you relinquish now will be returned back to you doubled financially, spiritually, in your love life, and more. Why must the word of the Lord come with a price tag?
It’s even harder to be able to crack down on such activity because mega-churches aren’t bound by the same rules as regular churches, non-profits, and church-affiliated organizations. At the end of every year, these organizations are required to disclose the amount that they make to the IRS. Mega-churches are exempt from this rule. When dealing with a house of worship that can receive tens of thousands of dollars each time a service is done, it is easy for transactions to fall through the cracks.
On Jubilee's episode titled “Black Christians vs Black Atheists”, Tyler Burns, an atheist and Don, a Pastor are having a heated discussion about his church’s funds. When Burns inquires about how it makes yearly, “If you are taking money from the black participants
But this isn’t just a financial problem, or else even small churches could be called into question. We need to break this down even further.
Lights, Camera, Action!
It is quite literally impossible for everyone to be everywhere at the same time. That is why we are lucky enough to have television programs and social media to further connect us with one another. Whether it be to broadcast a show, share breaking news, or even just to play a song, television has found ways to establish not only an audience but also a parasocialized community of sorts. It allows, in this case, preachers to be able to cover more ground with spreading the Word and establish a following. But that's the thing. A preacher has to understand that one of these two things has to take a higher precedent. So which is it: to preach or to promote?
Understandably, having a film crew is expensive and reasonably so, viewership is what pays the bills. But what happens when our televisions create a sort of static between the real world and the rising ratings? With how many people tune in and listen to a preacher analyze certain scriptures, they are inadvertently developing a parasocial relationship with them. While the beginning intentions were to find a community in which they could practice and worship with, they come out focusing on the wrong things. That being how well the preacher does their job. They start to put this person on a pedestal and now, they have become some sort of famous figure in their minds.
That doesn’t help when preachers further this ideology with carving out a pathway in which they become celebrities in their own right. When we think of actors, singers, or any household name, it isn’t surprising to see them come out with their own brand and sell things that would give them another stream of revenue. Ariana Grande with her R.E.M. Makeup line, Kanye West with his Yeezy apparel brand, Blake Lively with her haircare line, and many more. The same can be said for preachers. Many opt for writing books to not only further their teachings, but also to support themselves. Dr Tony Evans, Pastor Jamal Bryant, Pastor Creflo Dollar, are just to name a few.
Author and Pastor Tim Jennings pridefully displaying his work. | Image: Tim Jennings
If their churches are run ethically and none of the funds are copiously being funneled into their pockets, then the argument would just be one that was out of touch. And by no means am I arguing that there’s something wrong with making a living off of your writing. But that coupled with the television airings and then having books on the side, while also having thousands of eyes on your every move gives off the impression that being a pastor to a megachurch is synonymous with that of being a celebrity.
Singing, Dancing, and Sinning
As the years progress, we see less and less turnout for younger auidences. According to Pew Research Center, 49% of Black millennials and 46% of Black Gen-Zers have reported that they “rarely” or “never” attend services. “When I came to Howard, I didn’t go to church for a semester, because it was nice having Sunday off without any pressure…[Eventually I thought] ‘if I want to be about the faith, I need to start going back,’” said Willie White, a sophomore honors political science major from Blackshear, Georgia to The Hilltop. University-aged students are the age group to most likely stop attending services. Church leaders, worried for the future of the church with the next generations, have found a way to ensure that the turnout rates will return to how they once were: with youth groups. Youth groups, just like all churches, are all operated a bit differently no matter where you go but the one shared goal amongst all of them is to “encourage youths to know God’s Word, develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and become active in the church community”.
The premise of youth groups is to be able to provide a space where young people feel comfortable and combine the secular and religious world in a healthy and engaging manner. They have a set of interactive activities for their attendees to participate in not only to help them feel at home but also to find creative ways to instill the teachings of the Lord. This same premise can be said for megachurches. When trying to appeal to a larger audience, sometimes you have to go along with what’s on trend. So when combining elements of religion and the secular world, how do you make sure you’re not teetering in the wrong direction?
In 2024, Pastor Tim Ross of Embassy City Church went under fire after making an analogy many felt were quite disrespectful. Many pastors, both young and old, use stories that have a lesson to be learned at the end but some use more “relatable” concepts to their younger audiences. Pastor Ross used strippers as a comparison to Jesus on the cross. “We don’t make it rain on booty cheeks. We don’t make it rain on strippers. We only [revere] one stripper and that’s the one who took off Glory,” he explains while motioning the removal of clothes. “To put on humanity and get butt-naked on the cross to die for both you and me. The only stripper I’m in love with is Jesus.”
This clip had been posted and reshared on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube with comments condemning his comparison. “Man this is sick, I don't see how people can't see something wrong with this,” one person commented. “Complete blasphemy. That ‘pastor’
is going to hell unless he actually finds Jesus,” another said.
This isn’t just limited to storytelling. Pastor Mike Todd’s church was under fire for their Easter Sunday Service in 2023. A day that is meant for worshipping and celebrating Jesus’s resurrection now turned into a musical theater. There were costumes, choreography, strobe lighting, and stage effects. It was evident that more effort was put into putting on a show than teaching and reminding both young and old why Easter is even celebrated in the first place. Many dubbed not only this service but also other sermons a poorly misconstrued representation of what black churches are all about.
Black churches aren’t inherently negative. They’re a place of not only worship and community but also a place of history passed on from generation to generation. The same goes for churches in general but there is an evidently sentimental reason as to why religion is held near and dear to the hearts of many in the black community. We as a collective simply have to remain vigilant and remember when our brothers and sisters are being led astray from the initial goals we have for ourselves.
Be each other’s keepers and god bless.