The barbershop is a place I consider to be a crossroads of the marketplace and community. There are few places in neighborhoods that can claim to provide entertainment, grooming and provocative talk on any topic imaginable.  Men gather from all ages and walks of life to occupy what is the size of someone’s bedroom.  This is the ultimate retreat. Trips to the shop can take anywhere from an hour to five or six hours. They are usually filled with info sessions about happenings around the way, across town and the world.  Topics range from sports, race, politics, religion, women, scandal, money, etc.  The idea is that there are few topics off the table. You don’t necessarily need to be an expert on a particular topic to share and defend your thinking.  In many cases, thoughts can be expressed carelessly because the environment can provide an opportunity for the sport of public embarrassment.

For those familiar with the setting it can sometimes mirror an arena where men of various social status come to battle with stories of their exploits. Most of these battles end in friendly banter and a promise of future bouts.  I have witnessed grown men almost come to blows over debates about whose a better forward Kobe or Carmelo.  The sport of public discourse will bring a man back to the shop for a weekly $15.00 hair cut.  This environment is much like what Hollywood tried to replicate with Cheers.  The atmosphere is organic and in many Black barbershops, you will see pictures of Civil Rights leaders or NBA stars splattered across the wall.  In many black owned barbershops, you can purchase socks, bootleg movies, music CD’s, and almost anything else that can be carried in a duffle bag.

There is history in these shops. I can remember growing up and getting cuts on 22^nd Street below Lehigh Avenue at one particular barbershop continuing the line established by my brothers.  I was known as Kev’s  lil brother for years.  Haircuts back then were under $8.00, no fades, and no magic just a cut—plain and simple.  You sat down and got what the barber gave you and you didn’t question it. This is another one of those places where oral tradition is captured and delivered to the next generation. If that generation is ready, they can receive the wisdom of the experienced and wise men that come through to participate in what could be weekly neighborhood training opportunities.

I tend to think of the barbershop as an urban agora.[1]  The ancient Greeks would gather at the center of the city to engage in public art, athletics, and open forum debates on spiritual and political matters.  The contemporary urban barbershop has a connection with this kind of community. [2] It is here in the agora that many of the philosophers of the times honed their craft—asking questions and giving their viewpoint.[3]

As of late, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in some public discussions surrounding matters of life and death.  The opportunity inevitably presents itself in a place where opinion is sought out. There is no such thing as political correctness in this environment and so faith comes up. The opportunity to present truth in the person of Jesus Christ is often times presented without much hand twisting. This cross section of commerce and community is a great backdrop to tell the story that Christ came to save sinners and can change lives and rescue whole communities from degradation and despair. (Romans 5:8) The barbershop can be a place of healing where men can have questions answered and develop authentic relationships.  They can come to discuss the hope of forgiveness as they come in contact with a Man who sacrificed Himself for the sins of many. (Romans5:7-8; 6:23) The Apostle Paul seized a chance to communicate the truth about God at Mars Hill in Athens. His words are found in Acts 17 where he highlighted an altar to an “unknown God”. The Greeks created this altar as a kind of placeholder for any god they might have missed. Paul clarifies that this “god” was the Creator of the universe and is no longer nameless, but had been revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ, the God-Man; the Risen Lord. (Acts 17:22-31) Paul seized community space and time and momentarily made it sacred by destroying the false notion that God could be minimized to a material thing. Paul shared Christ and Acts 17:33-34 says, “At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed.  Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Aeropagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”

The barbershop remains a unique place where generations receive second hand education. What if these places were made into sacred places where Christ is introduced to men from all walks

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