Racial Segregation: Sin in the Church, pt. 4
[In concluding this series, I’ve invited my good friend James Smith, a member of Trinity, a prospective Elder, and an African-American, to share a few thoughts concerning the issue of racial segregation in the church. Judging from the wide range of responses to this series, there is still much work ahead.]
Every church I’ve attended since becoming a Christian has been predominantly white. When searching for a church, sound doctrine, not racial makeup, has been at the top of the list. Recently, I was challenged in my thinking about racial segregation after I invited a white couple to our church and then followed up the invitation with assurances that the church was predominately white. Why did I feel I had to make that comment?
Unfortunately, this mentality is rampant in our churches today. Every area of society has been enriched by racial integration, from the arts, sports, and entertainment, to politics and academia. Yet the church remains largely segregated. What was the initial cause of this segregation? Why do 21st century Christians from different races continue to worship separately? Are there valid excuses for continuing this behavior?
Slavery was the foundation for segregation in the 18th and 19th centuries. As black slaves were converted to Christianity, slave owners allowed them to worship only among themselves. The abolition of slavery did not change this practice. After the civil rights laws were enacted, the church had the opportunity to promote integration from the pulpit, but chose to continue to worship separately. However, secular organizations such as Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association, along with the entertainment industry, saw the value of integration and slowly began to make changes.
Today, churches are still largely segregated, fearful of losing their own cultural identities. But coming together will produce a rich, diverse, and unified community, with Christ at the center rather than a particular group or culture. We see this in the book of Acts where a diverse group of people from many nations come together committed to a common goal. This is how the 21st Century church should look.
Many concerns arise with the talk of integrating racially different congregations. Which building? Which pastor? Which staff members? Which worship style? These issues must be addressed, but should not prevent progress. As church leaders, it will be difficult to stand before God, see a remnant from every nation, tongue and tribe, and explain why we chose to remain segregated.
For anyone thinking about crossing the racial/cultural barriers and coming together to work side by side and worship the God of heaven, my suggestion is to take the advice from the Nike commercials and “Just Do It.” God is bigger than any excuse or concern we could have for remaining segregated.
a pdf version of this entry is available here
Every church I’ve attended since becoming a Christian has been predominantly white. When searching for a church, sound doctrine, not racial makeup, has been at the top of the list. Recently, I was challenged in my thinking about racial segregation after I invited a white couple to our church and then followed up the invitation with assurances that the church was predominately white. Why did I feel I had to make that comment?
Unfortunately, this mentality is rampant in our churches today. Every area of society has been enriched by racial integration, from the arts, sports, and entertainment, to politics and academia. Yet the church remains largely segregated. What was the initial cause of this segregation? Why do 21st century Christians from different races continue to worship separately? Are there valid excuses for continuing this behavior?
Slavery was the foundation for segregation in the 18th and 19th centuries. As black slaves were converted to Christianity, slave owners allowed them to worship only among themselves. The abolition of slavery did not change this practice. After the civil rights laws were enacted, the church had the opportunity to promote integration from the pulpit, but chose to continue to worship separately. However, secular organizations such as Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association, along with the entertainment industry, saw the value of integration and slowly began to make changes.
Today, churches are still largely segregated, fearful of losing their own cultural identities. But coming together will produce a rich, diverse, and unified community, with Christ at the center rather than a particular group or culture. We see this in the book of Acts where a diverse group of people from many nations come together committed to a common goal. This is how the 21st Century church should look.
Many concerns arise with the talk of integrating racially different congregations. Which building? Which pastor? Which staff members? Which worship style? These issues must be addressed, but should not prevent progress. As church leaders, it will be difficult to stand before God, see a remnant from every nation, tongue and tribe, and explain why we chose to remain segregated.
For anyone thinking about crossing the racial/cultural barriers and coming together to work side by side and worship the God of heaven, my suggestion is to take the advice from the Nike commercials and “Just Do It.” God is bigger than any excuse or concern we could have for remaining segregated.
a pdf version of this entry is available here
Labels: racism, segregation
posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 |
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