In the forty years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the theologically informed social justice credentials of African American clergy have been a bit shaky. Of course, Black clergy have been engaged in protest, politics and prophetic preaching. But, to be sure, it seems the marriage of deep theological reflection and prophetic social agitation experienced a separation of sorts. If this is true, the evident “outing” of the Black pulpit’s prophetic edge in recent coverage of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright of Trinity United Church of Christ and public exploration of Black Liberation theology by mainstream, armchair theologians has caused or contributed to a forced reconciliation.

In recent weeks, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced finalists for its revered, vacant national presidency. Among the three candidates is the Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III. Haynes, interestingly enough, is co-chair of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference, Inc., a collaborative network of faith leaders reflecting on and mobilizing for social justice in their respective communities, established at the call of Dr. Wright. He pastors the Friendship-West Baptist Church in my hometown of Dallas, Texas, where his commitment to incorporation of African American cultural traditions with Christian theology is consistent with Black theology and reminiscent of Wright. If Haynes is indeed elected this May as the national executive of the NAACP it would represent the ultimate reconciliation of the Black Church and work for justice.

Locally, the recently announced “Call to Oneness: A Weekend of Reconciliation” signifies a return to social mobilization. The ambitious project, coordinated by the Rev. Dr. F. James Clark of Shalom Church (City of Peace), was called for in response to St. Louis’ designation a national leader in homocides. Its culminating march is designed to illustrate a commitment to rebuilding neghborhoods and articulating a long-term plan for the local Black community.

Clearly, less publicized efforts have been ongoing for years. Immediately to mind (because they’re close to home) come the St. Louis Clergy Coalition’s partnerships with the United Way for Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. and the Interfaith Partnership to birth Faith Beyond Walls, both championed by my pastor, the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr. These join the work of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of HIV/AIDS coordinated by Faith Communities United as largely unsung efforts promoting the social gospel that are not “agitation-oriented”. So, they get less ink and less press.

But, if Haynes is selected by the NAACP and the Call to Oneness is successful in getting 20,000 Black men together on the streets of the Northside, the Black Church and Social Justice will publicly renew their vows…and prayerfully liberate more oppressed people in the process.