Honk For Jesus Provides Uncomfortable Reflection of the Black Church

Honk For Jesus Provides Uncomfortable Reflection of the Black Church: If you’ve spent time in a traditional Black church setting, you’ve probably heard this. The standard “preach, Bishop!” or “take your time, pastor!” call-and-response has gone silent, and the preacher knows that the sermon is striking too close to home. Many would observe parishioners shifting in their chairs as they heard “thus saith the Lord,” saying, “It’s tight, but it’s right.” If someone honks for Jesus On September 2, when “Save Your Soul” debuted in cinemas and Peacock, many people could only utter the word “ouch.”

A megachurch pastor and his wife are portrayed in the dark comedy, starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown, as they try to redeem themselves after falling from grace. The film is meant to be sarcastic. The fact that this “mockumentary” isn’t even a satire but rather one of the best representations of modern Black church culture I’ve seen is its greatest asset. “Honk for Jesus,” written and directed by debutant Adamma Ebo, follows the attempts of Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) and his wife Trinitie (Hall) to bring Wander to Greater Paths Baptist Church back to its previous splendor.

The successful institution, which once counted 25,000 members, was forced to close its doors due to a s*exual misconduct controversy. Lee-Curtis recruits a documentary film crew to follow them as they make their way toward an Easter Sunday reopening. She thinks the people need to see their miraculous restoration. Jordan Peele, known for his movies “Get Out,” “Us,” and this summer’s “Nope,” executive produces the film alongside Daniel Kaluuya, who starred in Peele’s “Get Out,” and Ebo, who serves as writer-director.

“Honk for Jesus” carries Peele’s social satire and criticism tradition. In Black churches, prosperity gospel, ego, and manipulation have emerged as significant ministries, further impoverishing congregation members while solely benefiting the pastor and his family.

If the first family is blessed, their congregation will also be blessed. Thus everything about them must demonstrate God’s favor. The first family works tremendously hard to earn their constant influx of material prosperity. So, during the opening credits, Three 6 Mafia raps, “ever since I can remember, I’ve been working these h*es, and they better put my money in my hand,” as Lee-Curtis preaches about how he is the embodiment of God’s kindness.

It doesn’t take long to see that Bishop Eddie Long, a late megachurch pastor accused of s*exual misconduct in 2010 and passed away in 2017, and Lee-Curtis’ situation are disturbingly similar. Honk for Jesus, however, isn’t really about Long; instead, it uses the scandal as a backdrop to examine what’s going on in the modern church.

Because of this, he is featured throughout the movie. Pastoring congregations of all sizes, we observe many Black males who believe in their hype and will do everything to maintain the appearance of authority. We also see their spouses, who feel they must reduce their size for their husbands to appear more prominent.

There is no explanation as to why the Childs lost everything. S*exual misbehavior? Seriously? Daily, pastors commit fraud. No one expects a Black guy with wealth and fame to be faithful, even if he is preaching the gospel, just like no one expects rappers, professional players, or other celebrities to be. What would distinguish the members of Wander to Greater Paths Baptist Church? It becomes clear that Pastor Childs’ se*xuality is in doubt as “Honk for Jesus” continues.

Everything is now made clear. Members of Wander to Greater Paths do not seek shelter in Heaven’s House Baptist Church from Conphidance and Nicole Beharie’s portrayals of Pastors Keon and Shakura Sumpter. Because many still consider homophobia one of a Black Christian’s most remarkable characteristics, they fled in droves.

Even after losing everything, a small group of people still think Lee-Curtis’ wrongdoing may be excused because of all of his good deeds. After all, the lads were “old enough,” no crimes were reported, and thanks to Pastor Childs, souls were saved. It is significant to note that Lee-Curtis never apologizes, even though the community’s indifference to his victims and the faithful flock’s forgiveness of him are what keep abusive and violent cycles going. Do pastors still do it, or do they now simply dismiss any type of accountability as the work of hate and the devil?

Lee-Curtis Childs is precisely what we expect him to be: a wounded guy who secretly hopes the persona he hides behind will someday bring him happiness. But he is neither content nor his wife, who may be the most significant individual in this situation. Trinitie Childs is both a victim and a collaborator in her husband’s destruction because of the lengths she goes to and the positions she forces herself into.

Trinitie is complex because she wants to be recognized for the full extent of her sacrifices to assure her husband’s success and, by extension, her own. Trinitie’s knowledge may not be complete, but it is sufficient for her to choose a choice that puts her self-respect and dignity first. As Lee-Curtis so carelessly mismanages everything they have made together, she is denied respect, acknowledgment, and closeness. It does require a lot of work to be the first lady, Trinitie admits in her candid documentary moments. Maybe we should start asking why more often.

A glance across social media timelines reveals a wide range of opinions about “Honk for Jesus.” The movie is receiving plaudits for its authenticity, openness, and truth-telling on Twitter and Instagram, where many Black Christians who are farther along in their deconstructionist and progressive religious journeys reside. The movie is being criticized for damaging the church’s reputation on Facebook, the preferred social network for senior Christians and those who value maintaining the institution’s good name.

The Lord loves a comeback. HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL. is in theaters and streaming only on @PeacockTV 9/2. Starring @MoreReginaHall and @SterlingKBrown.

Watch the trailer now and ❤️ this tweet for updates. pic.twitter.com/42seaXzlml

— Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. (@honkforjesus) July 7, 2022

And the reason “Honk for Jesus” works is because both sides are correct. Saving Your Soul” is fantastic. Its satire functions as a mirror in many ways, both funny and horrifying. Today’s Black church sees itself throughout the movie, especially in the pivotal moment. The ugly cannot be concealed any longer. We all notice it. It can be the case that the church seems poor because it is. Ouch.