Rev. A. R. Bernard: If they see church and God as some antiquated philosophy or concept that has no relationship to their daily lives, we lose them. They have to see church as relevant to who they are and where they live, and we can [help them] do that without compromising our convictions and our values.

Clayton Perry: I grew up listening to Kirk Franklin. Currently, I am listening to his latest album, The Fight of My Life. Over the years, however, as a fan of Franklin, I have found that older worshippers, depending on the song, are not particularly fond of his interpretation of gospel music. What is your take on young music ministers who often blend the secular with the religious?

Rev. A. R. Bernard: First of all, the musical note is not good or bad. It’s the context in which we put it and the words that we create around it that determine whether it’s good or bad. When black Gospel came out, especially the fast-paced, praise music that came out of the black church, there were those who were totally against it. They said it was worldly and sensual, and it had no place in the church. At one time, there was no music allowed in church, and even the pipe organ was taboo, but then musical instruments began to come in. Each generation is always confronted by the old guard or those who are used to one particular thing whenever they introduce a new style and methodology. 

I think, as we go along, we discover a lot of things that we, not God, have determined unclean and out-of-place, were really not either. The question is: is the music evoking a sense of praise, worship, and adoration towards God, or is it stirring the flesh? If it’s stirring the flesh, then we don’t have to go any further in the discussion, right? It is what it is. We have to think about this. Who are we talking about here? Who are we trying to reach? If we’re trying to reach the world out there, you know you've got to catch fish before you can clean them. 

Clayton Perry: Very true. When you think about the future, what do you perceive to be America’s greatest challenge?  

Rev. A. R. Bernard: America’s greatest challenge is accepting the new season that America is entering. If you look at our presidential race right now, you’re looking at the first viable black candidate for president of the United States and the first viable woman candidate for president of the United States. That’s history in the making - these points in time where things line up to create something that we can only say that unseen forces are shaping and implementing. Is America ready to embrace the new multicultural and pluralistic America being born? How will she handle that?