Devon Dick

At the funeral service for 11-year-old Ananda Dean, who was abducted and killed, Betty Ann Blaine, convenor of Hear the Children Cry, cried loudly, "Close Churches for six months" and visit inner cities. Her theory was that all that the inner city persons want is love. This statement by Blaine was received with spontaneous and resounding applause by a full Swallowfield Chapel, Kingston. Those who heard the call included Opposition Leader, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, the Honourable Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Member of Parliament, Ms Lisa Hanna, opposition spokeswoman on youth, pastor Liston Aiken, president of the Mennonite Church and the David Henry, host pastor.

Betty Ann Blaine, talk show host and newspaper columnist, has credibility because she works with children in Grants Pen and Whitehall Avenue. She, who is a member of the Swallowfield Chapel, acts as a lay pastor in these communities. This was a courageous call because Blaine openly challenged her pastor David Henry to close the church for six months.

Condemned assemblies

There are instances in the Bible where God, through his prophets, has condemned assemblies, fastings and prayers because of the wickedness of the worshippers. However, Blaine's suggestion did not appear to be about sins of commission but rather, the church's fault was sins of omission. The charge was that the churches were neglecting to express love to persons in the inner city. It appears that most of the mourners were from Whitehall Avenue. And it spoke volumes that most of them agreed with Betty-Ann. Obviously for most of them, not opening the churches would make no difference because they are not attending church. Apparently, the church is for dedication of children, burying the dead and for a few, to host marriage ceremonies. Clearly, the church, for them, is not addressing the realities that they face, such as police brutality, political exploitation, low wages, inadequate housing, poor collection of garbage, insufficient social amenities, high cost of living and oppressive dons.

Having persons clamour for the closure of the churches because they do not sense that the church is scratching where they are itching, is not a new phenomenon in Jamaica. One of the surprises I had in my recent research was the number of times persons of African origin challenged the interpretation of the missionary church and walked out of the church. It happened in 1831 before the 1831 Baptist War and also in 1865 before the Paul Bogle protest of 1865. And it has happened many times throughout the 19th century. It means that Betty-Ann's cry and the support from the congregation should not be dismissed lightly.

But was the call for all Jamaica? Should churches in the inner-city communities close? Should churches in rural areas also close? What about the churches that are open but are ministering daily and effectively in the inner city?

Meaningful employment

It seems that the importance of the call is two-fold. There needs to be a consistent ministry to the least of the brethren, remembering that what is done with them and for them is done as unto Christ. Too many of our citizens are condemned to poverty, inadequate educational facilities and without adequate help from the church. The other issue is that the church must remember the great commission to 'go into all the world and make disciples . . .' The church ought to be on wheels, being quick to respond to and address the needs of the victimised and hurting people.

For sins of omission, do we heed the call to close churches or do we, while opening our doors to all, extend our reach to make the church more relevant to the needs of the people of the time?

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot; the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.