”Church Health” - Reviving Our Roots and Strategies for the Black Church of Tomorrow

Buckle up for an exciting and enlightening episode as host D-Rich engages in a dynamic conversation with the remarkable Rev. Lakesha Womack, Rev. JerQuentin Sutton, Rev. Carline Brown, and Dr. Chelece Brown. Together, they unveil groundbreaking strategies aimed at transforming the future of Black churches.   Gone are the days when the church solely served as a social hub for the Black community. Rev. Lakesha Womack passionately asserts that the true essence lies in theological engagement—helping individuals grapple with real-life issues. It's not about superficial changes like logos or fancy effects, but rather about empowering people to navigate the adversities they face, both spiritually and practically.   To usher in a brighter future, Black churches must evolve beyond traditional norms. By shining a light on mental health, social justice, and financial literacy, church leaders can become beacons of support for their congregations. It's time to address spiritual abuse, collaborate with faith-based organizations, and uplift entrepreneurial endeavors within the community. Together, these efforts will guide the Black community toward diversity, justice, and economic empowerment.   Get ready for an empowering journey as these visionary leaders illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for Black churches. Tune in to discover the transformative strategies that will shape the destiny of the Black community. The revolution starts now! Quotes • “It's not about getting a logo or taking the altar out of the church or turning off the lights and bringing in fog machines. It's about, how do you really help people wrestle theologically with the issues that they're dealing with.” (11:25-11:37 | Rev. Womack)  • “The solution is talking about trauma within the church, because there's a lot of trauma, especially with churches in urban communities.” (14:50-14:56 | Dr. Brown) • “When the church is able to forgive someone who has strayed, it helps us to understand reconciliation and solidarity with the poor and the oppressed.” (30:04-30:16 | Rev. Sutton)  • “A lot of people say, ‘I'm a Christian’. But, when they say they're a Christian, what I've come to realize through therapy is that they may not have a relationship with Jesus.” (36:01-36:14 | Rev. Brown)   Links Rev. Carline Brown Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carline-brown/ Website - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carline-brown-riverview-fl/1121595   Rev. JerQuentin Sutton WRSU 88.7 FM Sundays 6 to 8pm Eastern - https://radio.rutgers.edu/schedule/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gqallmighty/ Website for Lebanon Baptist Church Westwood: https://www.lebanonbaptistchurchwestwood.com/   Rev. Lakesha Womack Website - https://www.blackseednetwork.com/about Book LaKesha - https://womackcg.com/book-lakesha Rethinking Church Strategies - http://rethinkingchurchstrategies.com/   Dr. Chelece Brown Website - https://www.chelecebrown.com/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/drchelecebrown?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast   Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.    Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee!  Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop Shop - Southern Soul Official Merchandise - Buy  Official Merchandise Purchase - Official Show Companion - Soul Thursdays Journal   Register - Join a Live Episode Show - “It’s a Whole Vibe!”    Connect with SoulThursdays Website | Facebook  Instagram | Twitter | TikTok