This song! It was offered by friend and fellow Black Studies scholar Bertin Louis. Whenever I hear this song, particularly rendered by Marvin Winans, I am brought to a halt because it just says it all. “Let the church say Amen” is repeated again and again, reminding us of being in a congregation after a great word from a preacher or a church announcer or a deacon. It is a black church thing, a reminder that as a people, the concept of community is special. We say “Amen” together; we say it in hopes (and assurance!) that God hears us coming together to acknowledge and affirm the truth of the great love God has for on us.
“Amen” means “so be it.” We say it to all the promises that God has given us from age to age – the promises he gave to our ancestors which have been translated to us. If we know God then we know that those promises are good and compassionate and fair and just and loving and will result in our good future. When things aren’t going my way, I should say “Amen” as a reminder of how this will pass and how my day or my month or my year is bound to return to a path of success. I should say “Amen” because I am still under the protective wings of my great good God. And when loved ones are going through, our job is to remember God’s promises for them for healing, triumph, answered prayers, and so we say “Amen. So be it.” I think God loves hearing us say “Amen” and actually meaning it. Let the church say Amen!
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are Yes and Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Gospel from Friends 