Before you plant, you need to know what's already planted.

The Black church isn't one thing. It never was.

In Episode 2 of The Urban Pastor Podcast, Charlie Mitchell explores four types of Black churches and the changing landscape of urban church planting.

This isn't an academic classification. It's a field guide for church planters, pastors, and ministry leaders who need to understand the communities they're called to serve.

Too often, we talk about “the Black church” as though every congregation shares the same history, culture, worship style, leadership approach, and ministry philosophy.

But the Black church ecosystem is far more diverse than that.

And if you enter an urban neighborhood without understanding the churches already present, you may spend years misunderstanding the people you're trying to reach.

The Four Types of Black Churches

1. The Traditional Church

The historic Black church expression many people associate with their parents' or grandparents' generation. Baptist, AME, and other established congregations with recognizable traditions, structures, worship practices, and pastoral leadership.

2. The New School Church

Traditional foundations with a more contemporary approach to connecting with people. Familiar preaching traditions and theological roots, combined with updated presentation, cultural engagement, and ministry programming.

3. The Contemporary Black Church

Churches emphasizing contemporary worship, production, cultural relevance, digital communication, and reaching younger or more diverse audiences. Often characterized by high-energy environments and a strong media presence.

4. The Outsiders

Churches and church plants shaped organically by hip-hop culture, urban neighborhoods, and different leadership formation pathways.

These aren't necessarily churches trying to look culturally relevant. Their leaders and communities are already products of the culture they're serving.

This is the world Charlie experienced through Epiphany and the broader network of urban church planters connected to Maroon House.

Why This Matters for Urban Church Planting

In this episode, we also explore:

• Why the decades following the Civil Rights Movement matter for understanding today's Black church landscape.
• How different generations have experienced and defined church.
• Why cultural familiarity doesn't automatically translate into community understanding.
• How to recognize the ministry expressions already present in your city.
• Why church planters need to understand their own identity and formation.

The takeaway: This isn't a ranking. It's a map.

All four expressions may exist in your city, often alongside even more diversity.

Know which expression you represent. Understand which churches are already there. And pay attention to the cultural and spiritual formation of the people you're called to serve.

Memorable Quotes

“We keep thinking about foot-stomping, hand-clapping church when we think of the Black church. And a lot of times people are referring back to their grandma’s church as if there hasn’t been a 30-year gap in between.”

“The Outsiders, they’re not putting on anything. They’re just themselves. Because they’ve been shaped by hip-hop and urban culture.”

“There’s even more diversity than what I just said. I just gave you a few. Keep your eye out.”

Watch and Explore

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/celyNHcTQkU

Explore urban church planting resources:
https://bemaroon.com/urban-church-planting

Connect with Charlie Mitchell:
https://charliemitchell.me

About The Urban Pastor

The Urban Pastor explores faith, culture, cities, and real life through conversations about urban ministry, healthy leadership, and the communities we're called to serve.

Hosted by Charlie Mitchell.

No one changes a city alone.