“Unapologetically Black”
First Corinthian Baptist Church
New York, NY
By Gregory Louis
Harlem, New York, is a sacred ground as far as Black history and culture are concerned. The Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century shaped the social equilibrium of this neighborhood so much so that a century later, it remains symbolic of boundless creativity and evolution for Black people in a country consistently hostile to Black life and expression. First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) shares this rich cultural heritage, and its present character alludes to it.
On FCBC’s website, a Black man’s image rests centered on the home page as the first image visitors see. This image, viewed amidst the racial violence that transpired during the summer of 2020, solemnly declares to its visitors that “in this place, we are proud to be Black.” In an interview, a layperson at FCBC shared, “[FCBC] is a Black church, and I would be upset if anyone tried to characterize it as anything else.” Online, polished pictures of Black congregants preoccupied with their various ministries canvas the website. FCBC combines these somewhat subtle affirmations of Blackness with more bold declarations. In a conversation series produced to inform congregants about the 2020 election, two prominent clergy persons employed “us” and “we” as they discussed particularly divisive political matters. Despite the gravity of the conversation these pastors chose this exclusive language–language that left no doubt that First Corinthian Baptist Church is in conversation exclusively with people who identify with or are concerned with the Black experience. FCBC is not only Black, but unapologetically Black. Its political and theological commitments prioritize Black people.
Like most things about FCBC, its physical structure is bold. The church’s exterior features intricate white marble designs and sculptures. These are beautifully preserved adornments, crafted with a distinct style, quality, and detail resembling something that one might expect to be showcased within the safety of a museum rather than on a busy thoroughfare. On the interior, fancy molding painted in white and gold lines the tall church walls. Long, elegant velvet curtains add a grand touch of color. That this building was initially meant to be a movie theatre is plausible. FCBC has repurposed this space to serve a similar purpose; it continues to help facilitate warm, communal, transcendent experiences.
In the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached its peak, FCBC, like most churches, was forced to abandon its sanctuary and to rely almost entirely on its virtual presence. Online, FCBC is polished, detailed, and user-friendly. The website’s pages are organized neatly with information about the many ministries and initiatives the church orchestrates. Browsing through the website feels like online shopping. Pictures of Black people in action, joyful, and involved suggest that the people at FCBC are passionate and make up a large, functioning community. The website’s colors – a dark, calming purple backdrop with transparent lavender tints – carefully shape and contrast the images and text on the site, eliciting a warm and welcoming feeling.
FCBC attempts to emulate in-person services virtually, with much success. The sanctuary is closed, but the church did not cease with the changes, it evolved. “Africanisms,” practices expressed by people across the African diaspora, like “call and response,” endured into the transition to online worship. As speakers enthusiastically solicit engagement, viewers commented encouragements and affirmations in the virtual chatroom. Speakers were encouraged by the activity of the audience, making the virtual space warmer and more welcoming. One woman extolled FCBC’s in-person services, saying “There is nothing like the FCBC experience; the hugs there are just the best.” Others speak about the compassion you experience from the moment you walk in. Although relative to an in-person service a virtual space is limited, the cheerful voices, bright pictures, and warm greetings that fill the online space convey a distinctly warm quality about FCBC. That this church has managed to recreate some of the ethos found in its unique physical location suggests that FCBC is not merely thriving because of the hallowed ground upon which it rests or the mere aesthetics of its sanctuary. Something else gives FCBC its essential character.
Although proudly Black, one would be entirely incorrect to make stereotypical assumptions about FCBC and attribute its unique personality solely to its Black Baptist background. Nevertheless, FCBC does resemble a traditional Black Baptist church in some ways. For example, a charismatic Black man stands at the helm of the church. Underneath these surface-level characteristics, however, FCBC has a rather unorthodox texture. The congregation’s distinctive quality begins with Pastor Michael Walrond Jr. “Pastor Mike,”is the man featured on the FCBC website homepage. In the picture, Pastor Mike is wearing a dark cashmere turtleneck and wooden beads around his neck. The ornate simplicity of the photo implies religious value, but definitely not a rosary. In the picture, his right hand is lifted modestly in a posture acknowledging God. This site’s curators chose to display a controlled, almost serene image of Pastor Mike. This depiction departs from the demonstrative and passionate images that surge to the forefront of one’s imagination when envisioning a Black Baptist preacher. These subtle details begin to chip away at the assumptions that one might make about FCBC based on a surface-level glance. Another example of FCBC’s break with historic Black Baptist motifs is the fact that FCBC is proud that the majority of its leadership are women, which is not the norm in Black church spaces. In many ways, this change has been championed by Pastor Mike, who seeks to change gender dynamics in the church by being intentional about empowering women in the church.
That FCBC has weathered the pandemic speaks to the church’s condition. FCBC has not merely identified its purpose but is fulfilling its purpose: “We are an ever-evolving community of visionaries, dreamers, and doers who have been called by God to live the lives we were created to live; commanded by God to love beyond the limits of our prejudices and commissioned by God to serve.” As can be seen, FCBC’s purpose statement is ambitious. For any organization to be “ever-evolving” means that it must be willing to change constantly. Faithfully heeding the needs of congregants, the voice of God, visions, dreams, vocations, and commissions, as their purpose statement suggests, is not an easy feat. Inevitably, evolving produces growing pains. Nevertheless, FCBC is able to sustain this constant evolving because of the unique shape of its ecclesial imagination. In short, FCBC can endure constant change because its members and leaders believe that God is boundless and evolving. They aspire to do the same.
FCBC’s programs reveal how it imagines church. On Tuesday nights, FCBC hosts Tuesday Night Transformation, a midweek reflection on the previous Sunday’s sermon. One week, Pastor Mike hosted a talk that felt more like pop psychology than distinctly Christian dialogue. This may stem from FCBC’s intentionality regarding mental health. The church started a free mental health clinic and seeks to diminish any negative perceptions churchgoers might have regarding therapy’s power in conjunction with prayer. Pastor Mike read a Bible verse to orient the study, then he shared simple advice about the day to day. The talk was not filled with parables or churchy clichés, but with clear, practical advice about living life well. As the talk went on, I noticed my initial disdain for the “ungrounded” conversation turn to appreciation. Pastor Mike was responding to what he discerned was the pulse of his church. That week had been overly stimulating for African Americans politically for the majority of his congregants and Pastor Mike sought to offer perspective rather than a deluge of theology. My final disposition and the responses from congregants in the chat affirmed that this was exactly what was needed.
FCBC’s commitment to “evolving” means forgoing traditions like mid-week Bible study in order to tend to the needs of the congregation. One congregant said, regarding FCBC’s divergence from tradition, “You won’t like FCBC if you are a ‘churchy’ person.” Congregants attest to the fact that many have left FCBC because they don’t agree with some element of how the church functions. Nonetheless, FCBC is unfazed and unwilling to compromise its commitment to be ever-evolving, even if it means everyone won’t be satisfied.
How does a Black Baptist church imagine a way of being church that refuses much of its inheritance? At FCBC, Pastor Mike seems to be the catalyst for this vision. He has had an enormous impact on the church during his tenure. Older congregants credit him for shifts away from traditional practices. Instead of tailored suits or robes, Pastor Mike preaches in mandarin collared shirts, long-sleeved graphic t-shirts, and turtleneck sweaters. Once, Pastor Mike even permitted a yoga class to be between worship services! Unfortunately, this program was cut short due to COVID-19 restrictions. Under his leadership some services begin with “centering” breaths, a practice more common in Eastern spiritual traditions. Furthermore, this Black Baptist church is open and affirming and enthusiastically celebrates “Pride.” Pastor Mike has successfully emphasized change or evolution as the very foundation of the church; however, he has not done it alone. The church’s clergy is composed of extremely talented individuals, beginning with Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond. Arguably the most accomplished of the Walrond family, Dr. Walrond serves as the Preaching Pastor of FCBC while simultaneously serving as President of New York Theological Seminary. Although small in number relative to the size of the congregation, the pastoral staff is full of passionate, pedigreed, and competent individuals.
The contours of FCBC’s ecclesial imagination are further revealed in its shared language. Any organization seeking to nurture a productive culture understands the importance of language. Language goes beyond universally agreed upon meanings and extends to localized idioms. In a culture with a mature language, the words, phrases, and slogans take on a shape that only those involved fully understand. That FCBC speaks about itself as an “evolving” church is a prime example of this. At FCBC, evolution is rooted in a view of God as untamed. Members at FCBC believe that God is expansive and beyond human ability to fully comprehend. God is adaptable and loves unconditionally. When asked about how FCBC views other religions, one respected, senior lay leader quoted Jesus in John 10:16: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” When I asked if she believed that this was the general disposition of the church, she answered affirmatively. FCBC is a church that lives into a disposition of unknowing, a disposition that asks, “How can we place boundaries on God? How can we set limits on the church when God does not?” Members of the church are sensitive to these inquiries when the words “ever-evolving” are uttered at FCBC.
Modeling a church after such an ever-evolving, untamed God is difficult. Nevertheless, FCBC does come close to being “all things to all people.” FCBC conducts worship services, provides hot meals, offers free counseling services, engages the elderly, curates formative programs, and more. But FCBC is not God. FCBC’s staff is small, talented, and yet limited. During the pandemic FCBC took an “all hands on deck” approach and even then, according to one pastor, it has taken months to get settled and used to the new normal. Nevertheless, FCBC withstood this obstacle and continues to thrive today because its clergy and congregation have bought into the compelling image of God alluded to in its purpose statement.
What is the shape of FCBC’s ecclesial imagination? Just as the spirit is likened to the wind, FCBC’s imagination knows no bounds. It is constantly shifting, moving, evolving. This adaptability has cultivated humility and a disposition of open unknowing. Therefore, FCBC does not bend to the strict dictates of convention and tradition, or to the tension between tradition and innovation. These things do not intimidate this church. InFCBC is concerned with faithfully living, loving, serving, and following wherever God’s “ever-evolving” spirit leads.
