A Black Lives Matter activist and pastor plans to establish a new Christian denomination in the City of Brotherly Love: the Church for Black Men.
Pastor Jomo Kenyatta Johnson says it’s time for Christians — specifically black men of faith — to fuse their personal politics and spirituality. The activist, who currently lives in Georgia, aims to do just that by launching the Church for Black Men in Philadelphia.
“Most evangelical churches won’t speak on political issues because they are tax-exempt or will cause division,” Mr. Johnson told the Philadelphia Tribune on Friday. “Churches that don’t speak on Black suffering will not attract Black men that want to address Black suffering. We want to address Black suffering so we can point to the truth on how the suffering can be alleviated.”
Mr. Johnson graduated from seminary school in Pennsylvania and preached at the Open Air Church in Philadelphia from 2010-2014, the newspaper reported.
“We want to detach the greed that is often associated with American Christianity,” Mr. Johnson added. “We will not be tax-exempt. We will speak directly on political issues that affect lives [and not take collections].”
The pastor’s plan is to hold the church’s first services in February in Montgomery, Alabama, until logistical details are finalized.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.