Of course we know the world isn't perfect, and neither is the church. When we visit a church, all in attendance should be treated equally without regard to background or image. Our youth need to be given the education and information necessary to sustain their spiritual growth for decades to come -- and right now, this isn't happening in many Black churches.

A part of the problem in some church organizations can be seen in how followers handle adversity within the church. Too many of us allow a church, or its leaders, to escape the same ridicules we openly distribute to other institutions. In actuality, we should hold churches and their leadership to the same Biblical standards and not allow one to cancel out the other. This "practice what you preach" mentality has been sorely lacking in many churches.

Some of our churches need to be rebuilt internally. Others seek positive recognition for their contributions to the community. The overall focus of the church, at times, seems poorly targeted. But we cannot continue to observe church attendance as a parade of stylish clothes and expensive cars - when we preach the opposite to our children. Our attendance should center around learning and worship -- keeping in mind that we should reach out to others once the Word has been properly received.

We are in the days of the megachurch -- with flamboyant pastors, multimillion dollar buildings, and unprecedented numbers in attendance. Now, more than ever, the church plays a critical role in deciding how it will effectively influence our communities. With so many people filling the congregations -- our churches possess the power and hold the obligation to present a certain image to its people -- God's image.

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