Eurocentrism is a problem in society and in the black church, as evidenced by the way the black church lives out its mission within the black community. By centering a European imagination, we reproduce centuries of trauma for members of the community within the space of the church. We must arrest the work of Eurocentrism-induced trauma in the church and community by privileging an Afrocentric approach to worship and urban outreach. Communal gathering spaces outside of the church building are familiar to many people who live in urban, black neighborhoods. Yet, Black church-going people frequently overlook them because of contemporary black church practices that often neglect to view worship as something that happens outside the four walls of the church. It is also within sacred spaces outside of the church building that relief is offered from the devastating effects of white supremacy. We need to explore three categories of sacred spaces as we make a closer examination of our present praxis: tragic space, liminal space, and what I will refer to as urban quilombos: the psychic and physical spaces where the church and the community partner with God to nurture the spirit of resistance in the African American community. It is through African retentions, also known as Africanisms, within the urban quilombos that God allows us to nurture the gifts already present in the sacred space of the community. By engaging our community with a listening ear, we increase our ability to nurture indigenous co-laborers in love, not only on issues regarding the needs of the community but on becoming active participants in an Afrocentric outreach praxis. More importantly, when we take the time to listen to our community, we often release ourselves from the incarcerating silos of religious doctrine, outdated liturgical practices, and disconnection from our beloved community.
