In a discussion about mental health in places of faith, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts issued an apology on behalf of the Black church for the harsh criticism some worshippers may have experienced.
Recently, Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband, Touré Roberts, the pastors of The Potter’s House at One LA, were guests at the Mental Wealth Expo in New York City.
The live conversation was hosted by Charlamagne Tha God of Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, and the group held an open dialogue about mental health coexisting with faith.
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People often turn to religion to turn over a new leaf, find peace, break free from their past or join a community that offers a safe space. Some believers of Christ find the freedom they were looking for, while others leave feeling judged.
Unfortunately, pain from this turns into “church hurt” and leads those people not to trust what the church stands for — because they came as they were and weren’t accepted.
During the chat, the former teen mom paused the discussion to address this topic, as she relates closely to it.
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“I think it would be remiss of us to not acknowledge that there have been moments in Black church — cause that’s the only church I’ve been in — where you were not allowed to bring the truth of who you are in the space,” Roberts said.
“Whether you’re like me and you broke some of the church rules, or you just became a disgrace to the dignity to be a Christian in the lens of religion,” she continued.
The 34-year-old wanted to remind everyone in attendance that the judgment of man is not a reflection of how God sees them.
“Though man may have dropped you or mishandled you or deformed you in an effort to mold you, that was not a reflection of God’s heart towards you,” she said.
She then apologized for the mistakes the church sometimes makes while assisting people on their journeys, and she encouraged them not to let those shortcomings determine their relationship with God.
“I don’t know how much it counts. … I apologize as a faith leader for the moments you were told to just pray it away, for the moments you were told you would never be one of the good girls, or good guys, or damaged,” she continued. “If you have to bypass the church to get to God, I get it. We’re not here to force you into something that hurt you.”
Thoughts?
