The Role of the SDA African-American Pastor in the Context of

African-American cultural and Historical Influence

The Role of the SDA African-American Pastor in the Context of

African-American cultural and Historical Influence

Introduction

The story of the African-American sojourn in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church is dramatic, eventful, and full of unexpected turns. The scenes shift from danger and disappointment to confrontation and conflict to breakthrough and eventual progress. Throughout the account, however, there are two constants-the providential leading of God and the reality of prophetic guidance, both of which are articulated in the ministry of Ellen White. As surely as God had led the Israelites out of Egypt, she noted, so had He led the Black race out of slavery. Ellen White added that “He designed to work still further for them” and lead them into a knowledge of His truth.' Many SDAs remain unaware of this element of SDA history and its impact on the denomination at large and what is known is sometimes sketchy and incomplete.

But to understand the contemporary Black work, one must view it in a historical context. The beginning 50 years of the Black work are especially important because they provide the foundation for all succeeding progress. This account will attempt to fill in the gaps and expand our understanding of the larger picture. Slavery, when a major challenge faced the fledgling SDA movement-the solemn task of taking the gospel to 5 million newly freed Blacks, who, along with their forebears, had suffered centuries of brutality and deprivation. The challenge was clear, the need overwhelming. Yet powers of resistance conspired to halt any effort to improve life for these people, so long deprived of the most basic rights. In spite of obstacles, the work among Blacks moved forward through periods of encouragement, discouragement, momentum, inertia, breakthrough, and progress.

It is this history and the effect on it of the ministry of Ellen White that this chapter will address. We shall do so by first examining her general philosophy and attitude toward slavery and the social conditions of society during her earlier ministry, and then by referencing two specific chronological periods of history in the early development of Black Adventism. The first period, the beginning years, involves the years decades, represents the gloomy years of the Black work. The church struggled with the dilemma of the race question, wrestling with philosophical and logistical questions dealing with whom, what, and why of the Black work. Caught up in organizational paroxysms brought on by denominational uncertainty and the quagmire of social unrest, the church made little progress among Blacks during this period. However, throughout these years we see Ellen White prompting the church to address the urgent need to develop a substantive presence among Blacks in the South.

The second period of time, the expansion years, covers 1891-1910. During this 20-year span the Black work grew rapidly, flourishing and spreading throughout the country. These were years of danger, but also years of advancement and ...