Context: I believe the early church as described specifically in Acts 2:42-47 engaged the social and cultural issues of the day as believers. It wasn’t routine, church as usual, but practical and relevant. The Yuinon recently facilitated a “hip-hop worship service” at the home church of several members here in Detroit. It included a panel discussion with Q & A for the youth and parents, some live “dissections” and of course hip-hop. Though our pastor had foretold members that this particular Sunday would be “different,” I did this poem to further prepare them for what ensued.

Church
Another Sunday is here and the people are assembled
I wonder if we even come close to what God wants
His church to resemble
or are we like robots, programmed for a weekly good deed
unable to think independently or discern what we really need
Jesus isn’t interested in our traditions
but our hearts, for to be salt to rotting social conditions
failure to do so for many will result in eternal calamity
as our lampstands buckle from the weight of cultural Christianity
where are all the intercessors, the burdened hearts, has our fire been
extinguished, in the worlds’ carnival of vanity can we even be
distinguished?

Father I know Your word is true, so I take solace in what you said to Peter,
despite the blemishes, wrinkles, and spots, the gates of hell will not prevail
against her

See her is the church, the church is us, we
not an individual, a denomination, a pastor, but a global body
diversely imperfect humanity redeemed by the blood of one
Who waits patiently, watching eagerly, interceding vigorously
before He secondarily comes
You see us Lord, here us are, we be yo church
not our broken English, but our broken lives cause your name to be besmirched

Redeem us from routine, bypass our scheduled conferences and send us revival,
all that’s at stake is our relevance and our children’s survival
Rethink how you do church
welcome to church

-vessel 11.28.03