Two Words; Two Worlds...

From my experience as a black male and as an oURLife teacher, there could be only two types of churches that would grow up in the aftermath of antebellum slavery: prophetic and prosperity.

The prophetic ministry concentrates on deliberately confronting wrongs with scriptural truths, and holding power responsible for its actions. Examples are Jesus, Martin Luther King, et al.

Prosperity ministry is demonized because of its supposed concentration on material wealth at the exclusion of other important spiritual things.

At New Light, we're taught "whole life prosperity," and specifically that does not mean "just money."

In the aftermath of slavery, which I've pointed out (and this interview points out) still exists as an exception to the 13th amendment, we need both constructs within our community. Unfortunately, the mall, Internet and IPODs have become our central focus.
For our whole life prosperity, for living righteously (right-standing), for demanding justice: WE NEED GOD.

That forty minutes you spend with your oURLife minister may be the most important ones of your life.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything.”

Proverbs 18:21 – 22 “Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue; and those who love it will eat its fruit. [He who] finds a wife finds a good [thing]; and obtains favor from the LORD.”

Deuteronomy 8:18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for [it is] He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as [it is] this day.”

Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve [him], they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”

Luke 4:17 "And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the LORD [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Luke 4:19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

Luke 4:20 Then He closed the book, and gave [it] back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

Luke 4:21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."