Eddie Glaude’s proclamation that “The Black Church is Dead” has had a vast ripple-effect across the Web. In fact, Chuck detailed some of it for The Immanent Frame here. Recently, Candice Benbow, over at Selah and Amen, offered a lengthy assessment of Professor Glaude’s article. While she echoes some of Glaude’s critiques of the black church, particularly about the lack of women in leadership positions, she argues that it continues to be a major force for social justice, going so far as to suggest that it is “the greatest social welfare agency in [black] communities” today.

Is The Black Church dead? Of course not. Is it even dying? Not at all. But it is sick…As we adjust to life in this new millennium, The Church will have to adapt. Where it was fighting growth before, it must surrender. The theology taught in many of today’s Black Churches must also be challenged. Too much of Black clergy are selectively and insufficiently preaching, leading to greater spiritual and social deficits among membership. Most importantly, the continued sexism in The Black Church must be questioned. When Black women can comprise over 85% of the congregation but less than 15% of its leadership, there is a problem. The Black Church is not without its obstacles. However, those that Professor Glaude put forth are not it. But just as willing as The Church needs to be open to critique, those who critique must be willing to work alongside those already committed to its growth and further it.

Read her full post here.

(H/T: Blair Kelley)