Same...

Nothing to do with a bawdy anecdote which is best left for my autobiography/tell all -s-.

It could be called a tale of two revs.

There is a real life pastor who led a church in what became a black neighborhood.

There is a fictional pastor in a predominantly rural black area.

Not the same?  A similar mission?  Let's talk attitude.

H the real rev prided himself on his liberal viewpoint.  He claimed participating in the March on Washington and was a follower of Dr. King.  Yet, his church suffered from dwindling numbers, while there were many folks all around.

It reminded me of a dying tree in our old backyard.  Death slowly wended its way up til there was a thin scraggly branch wilting.  Then, no green no life.  The tree was cut down.

So it was in this changing hood.  

There was no attempt to reach out.  The opportunity presented itself for new life.

Some said it was a matter of culture.  Well, you don't know til you try.

I lived nearby.  I got to know several people.  Yet no bridge was built.

Was it hypocrisy?  Laziness?  

I saw what could be called 'all show and no blow'.  Just a lot of head shaking, the routine of caring only for parishioners.  

I left only because my methods were not H's standards.  I dealt in courage and they in fear and manipulation.  Products not people.

The fictional rev, J, was huddled with his people in an island of security that maintained their existence.

They eschewed outward things.  Lack of worldly goods left them keeping to themselves.  Outsiders were suspect.

Was it racial?  Fear of change?  Stagnation.  

The only perceptible similarity seemed to be a self righteousness that ultimately glossed over fear.

Of change one way or the other?  

Of fear.  

Same...