Dear church, ‘What About us?’

By John W. Fountain

By John W. Fountain

What of those black men imprisoned who will never be free 
to enter the doors of a church ever again? 
What of those who have felt deserted and abandoned 
And whose hearts for “the church” will never mend?

What about those who, like me, have hemorrhaged Sunday after Sunday 
After Sunday in the pews, 
Our lifeblood spilled 
by all manner of spiritual abuse?

And what of those invisible men
Whom “the church” passes on the street,
Bristling in fear
And failing to speak?

What of we men who have been misused and maligned, 
Castigated and cast aside 
in the House of the Lord? 
Why do you ask us to return to a house of discord?

Isn’t it better to seek to restore lost brethren to Christ? 
Not to a place but to His presence? 
To be led by the Spirit
And to inherit His blessings?

Why does your concern seem so much more about “the church” 
Than about us as men?
More about what we can do for YOU and the church
Than how the church might help make us whole again?

And why on earth would I seek to be a part of something I once held so dear
But that has abandoned me
That will not seek me out,
Not even for the soul in me?

And why should there be any wonder,
For men like me, 
Who find in “the church” of plunder
No Place for Me.

Email: Author@Johnwfountain.com

Website: www.johnwfountain.com