“What’s wrong with our church?”
It was a sincere question. The elder wanted to know why there seems to be a steady erosion of attendance, discipleship, and evangelism at his church.
Then I showed him the demographics of the church’s community. Over 40 percent of the area was non-white and growing, but the church was above 95 percent white. My response was simple. “You are not connecting with your community. The ethnic and racial diversity of the community is not reflected in the church.”
This church is one of tens of thousands of congregations that are one color, one race, or one group. Why? Why is this reality still taking place today? Let’s look at six reasons.
- Racism still exists. Racism has not gone away. The events of this weekend in Virginia remind us of that tragic reality. Some pastors are still fired because they encourage racial and ethnic diversity in their churches. Other forms of racism are more subtle, but no less toxic.
- There is no intentionality. Churches that are evangelistic have leaders and members who are intentional about reaching people for Christ. Churches that better reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of our world are more intentional about praying, seeking, and acting upon their desire to reach people who may not look like them.
- The leadership of the church is not diverse. If the ministry staff and lay leadership do not reflect the diversity of the community, the church is sending a clear message. The diverse community cannot have a true voice in the church if it is not represented in the leadership of the church.
- Many church leaders and members do not know what takes place in their own communities. Many times when I have met with church leaders and shared the demographics and realities of the members of their community, they express total surprise at what is taking place. Their church is a bubble. Or to use another metaphor, the congregation is an island of sameness in a community of diversity.
- There is no planned effort to connect with the community. Sure, it’s helpful to have events on the church property for the community. But it’s even better to go to the community where they are. The “go” approach is much more meaningful and biblical than the “you come” approach.
- The current church members do not intentionally connect more deeply with the diverse members of the community. When I met with the leaders of one church, some of the leaders expressed frustration they were not connecting well with the diversity of the community where they were located. They told me that the community members were welcomed and received well when they came to a worship service. I then asked if they were ever invited to their small groups or to the church members’ homes. Silence. To their credit, they got it, and they are doing much better reflecting the community they serve today.
“After this I looked and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9, CSB).
Such is the diversity of the Kingdom.
And so should be our churches.
It’s very difficult to make forward progress when some religions (Southern Baptist) were established on their conviction and belief that God gave them the right to own another human! If SBC never severely addresses their gross misrepresentation of the scripture, nothing much will ever change.
Jeff, I believe you know the SBC is not a religion. You should read these:
http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/899/resolution-on-racial-reconciliation-on-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-southern-baptist-convention
http://www.bpnews.net/49057/sbc-denounces-altright-white-supremacy
The SBC has addressed racial issues. In 1995 they resolved to seek reconciliation between races. http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/899/resolution-on-racial-reconciliation-on-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-southern-baptist-convention. And just this year the messengers denounced the alt right http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/2283/on-the-antigospel-of-altright-white-supremacy.
So it took 150 years to make a statement… You are proving my point beautifully! I pray SBC will consistently voice against their pro slavery beginnings until we see real change and view every skin tone equally valuable to God.
Wait a minute Jeff, you want the SBC to address it’s supposedly racist past, and then someone points out that it already has and then you say it took too long. You’re just being argumentative for no reason. It’s obvious to me that nothing the SBC could do would make you happy.
Jeff-
If nothing else, your comment ought to be instructive to Southern Baptists, including this blog’s host. The Southern Baptists, this year, specifically condemned the Alt-Right. I read a news article about it. Guess what it said?
“The SBC, a denomination founded on slaverly”….
Lol. Give it up, SBC. Those who will call you racist, will call you racist. There is nothing you can do to escape the accusation. Nothing. Understand that. Groveling and trying to please doesn’t work. Giving them evidence, as our dear friend Jeff here was just given, is not good enough. They will just reframe the issue and move goalposts.
Also sad: The calls for racial reconciliation. Newsflash: White and black churches were doing this 25 years ago. Or more. Where is the fruit of that? Why are we acting like nothing was done?
Jeff I’m afraid you didn’t research this issue, before making such a far reaching statement. Even though I agree we have a long way to go.
look people, black worship differently that whites, Mexicans worship different then blacks and whites and I could go on. I have been a member and staff person on 5 SBC churches and all have accepted any color to there membership.
George….you are spot on. There is more to it than skin color…much more and you are much closer to home than most.
You also have cliques in most churches. The people in them see no need to reach out to others because they are happy with the status quo. The cliques are impossible to break into if those in them don’t want you.
Also, there are litmus tests based on age, gender, marital & parental status, political leanings, minor religious beliefs, etc. that govern who gets to be considered a first-class Christian and later for a leadership role. Every answer must be perfect to achieve first-class status. This is why so many people pray that G-d would accept them even the church won’t.
God
This article is an excellent critique of “whiteness” in American Christianity. While all of the points are true the priority on those points are being intentional in recruitment and leadership and intentional about a vision to become diverse. While some people cling to their guns, still others cling to church traditions as a mask for racism. Thankful for seeing these points and this article reaching out to wide demographic.
Is it racism to consider that a preacher whose sermon lasts an hour is a preacher that hasn’t bothered to read the Bible, much less study it, because if s/he had, they would have preached for at least four hours?
Is it racism to consider that a preacher whose sermon lasts more than ten minutes obviously hasn’t bothered to study the pericope that the sermon is based upon, because if they had, their sermon would be five minutes, or less, in length?
Both of those points of view are outgrowths of their respective church tradition.
I don’t think this is just about “whiteness.” Many churches are homogeneous. That is just as divisive. I understand the point of the post though.
My family has been visiting churches in our county and what we find surprising is that even though the congregation may be diverse, the music and leadership are not.
It is perfectly natural and much more comfortable to want to be around others like oneself, people that share the same interests and values. Living in one’s comfort zone is the fast track to obsolescence, decline, and institutional death.
I was speaking with an insurance client of mine perhaps 20 or 25 years ago. We were discussing race relations and he made the comment “America will never get a handle on race relations until it acknowledges that wanting to worship with people of your own race is not racist”. He was obviously a Christian and was also black.
One time perhaps 3 or 4 years ago, I asked a young black couple in my Sunday School class “Are there a lot of black folks out there who want to worship in mostly-white congregations, but don’t feel they can?” They both laughed. And there answer was “Heavens no .. your music is enough to keep most of us away”.
Black men and women in leadership is obviously a problem, but it is being addressed, and IMO is being solved.
One might also ask the question: How many of you white guys intentionally go worship in predominantly black churches on Sunday morning? If you don’t, why not? And I include me in those questions, too….
BIG TYPO: I meant to say “Black men and women in leadership positions is obviously a problem….”. Tom, please correct that if you can!
Addressing #3 – the makeup of the leadership (and platform presence) of the church is very effective. Even if the church is relatively small and can’t afford to expand its staff, inclusion of others on the governance board and other key leadership roles will be a significant help in being more welcoming. A diversity of presence on the platform (racial and generational) is also important. These are intentional practices that I have found to be effective.
Timely post.
Thanks!
Good point, Bob.
I believe you are buying into the current political play. Most white people are not racist. Contrary to popular opinion. The news for last 10 years has told people of all colors that whites are. Ask most college age persons if a church going conservative is a racist and they will tell you yes. Poll your own church, do they object to people of color attending? So if a person of color thinks badly of you to begin with a as general rule they may never be comfortable. If you actually have a Bible believing church, everyone will be embraced with open arms. If your church cannot get more white people to come, what makes you think more black people will come? Are many black churches actively seeking white members?
We have a spiritual problem not a race problem. Please stop buying into the news.
The Mosaix Global Network can help – http://www.mosaix.info – we coach hundreds of churches and church plants on this very issue. The bottom line theological question is “if the kingdom of heaven is not segregated then why on earth is the local church?” 87% of churches in America are still by definition segregated – meaning they fail to have at least 20% representation of the non-prevailing ethnic group. Churches on average are 10X more segregated than the communities in which they preside and 20X more than the nearest public school. Brothers & Sisters, it should not be so.
Thank you, Chip.
What if the community surrounding the church does not have at least 20% representation of the non-prevailing ethnic group (whatever that means)? Is it still “by definition segregated?”
It really bothers me when people apply these broad statistics, with no context, that are designed to impugn the character and motives of everyone within the statistic.
Chris, I’m hoping you can see my reply in my reply to Jim below. Thanks
I believe that the church should have a desire, and strive to be multi-ethnic, but in some situations failing to reach the point of having 20% of a congregation from a non-prevailing ethnic group has nothing to do with segregation, and everything to do with demographics. If a churches impact zone is 98% Caucasian, there simply isn’t any way that 20% of their congregation will be from a non-prevailing group.
Chris & Jim… sorry was not attempting to castigate any particular church. Obviously demographics speak volumes. The 80/20 understanding was designated by social scientists not theologians. Best resource for beginning to look at this dynamic is “Divided by Faith” by Emerson & Smith. The points is with that high a percentage of churches failing to reach at least that baseline in an increasingly diverse society, says that we are not reaching our communities. Jesus did not say “if I be lifted up I’ll draw some kinds of people to me.” If you are in one of those unique communities in the U.S. where 10 miles in every direction from your church there is 95/5 ethnic diversity; then of course that is what should be represented in your church. Often there is way more diversities in communities than people understand or even the demographics report. There is someone who owns the shop and someone who cleans it. I encourage pastors to go sit in the local Wal Mart where people in your community frequent and sit in it for a couple hours and look around – does your church look like that on Sunday morning? When Mosaix took up this mantle after the publication of Divided by Faith in 2000, only 3% of churches in America fit this criteria. Today, that number has increased to 13%. Our goal has been that this would increase to 20% by 2020. Again, if there is a desire for a local church or a church plant to become more diverse in who we are reaching… we can help http://www.mosaix.info. Thanks
>87% of churches in America are still by definition segregated – meaning they fail to have at least 20% representation of the non-prevailing ethnic group.
And as the Google Memo so clearly pointed out, and whose premise was underscored by the actions of Google management, diversity in race and ethnicity does not mean that other types of diversity are even tolerated.
I think we should keep in mind that “segregation” has a very special meaning in our history. Dr. King spoke of “Sunday morning” segregation in the context of injustice in his day. We don’t have segregation today. We have preference and cultural bonds today. Keep in mind that I’m only a “minority” around white brothers and sisters. We never view ourselves as minorities, so that’s a status we don’t desire. There is also the matter of a lack of recognition or being relegated to lesser positions in white or multicultural churches….which is not undesirable for some black folks.
I’ve been a member of predominantly White and predominantly Black churches. I am a middle-aged Black woman. What I’ve found is that the messages are very different. In White churches, I found more emphasis placed on proving why the Bible is true or why it makes sense or why it can be believed. I found a lot more exegetical, and academic sermons that, oftentimes, seemed disconnected from my daily struggle.
In Black churches, I found a more topical approach, but even when a more exegetical method was done, it incorporated much more encouragement for me to endure my struggles.
Minorities deal with numerous struggles on a daily basis, some simply by waking up as a Black or Brown person in America. That wearies you immensely. I think Blacks long for the truths of the Word, but also are looking for a place of refuge where they can release the anguish they have endured all week. Feeling comfortable saying “Amen” or responding to the preaching out loud as well as singing more exuberant songs it what is attractive to many of us. Sadly, in many mostly White churches, I almoat felt chastised by the silence for affirming the preaching out loud. That was very uncomfortable.
All that to say, worship service is to reflect the kingdom and it is also to encourage and edify us. Church leaders have to do better to diversify their music and messages in order to appeal to a more diverse congregation.
I am tired of hearing this. People of any race are welcome in our church but we don’t any black people because we would put them to sleep. The have a different style of worship than we do. Our pastor reached out to a black church close by to see if they would like to have a joint Easter Sunrise Service with our church. It was outside on the town square and many people of other churches stopped by and said it was one of the best services they had ever been to. We made many new friends at the black church but they have no desire to worship with us. But, they would be welcome if they wanted to.
Great article. It’s a good idea, but realistically it is somewhat idealistic and impractical. 12% of black population cannot equally bear this burden with 65% of white population. “To whom much is given, much is required.”
For minority populations, congregational “diversity” equals diminishing influence, and ultimately cultural marginalization. Taken to its logical conclusion, white folks end up in charge of everything.
Diversity in fellowship, partnership and service to our community is a better idea.
Good point..hadn’t thought of that. However, I think if you are appropriately distributing leadership opportunities and developing multi-ethnic leaders responsibly, you will limit the ‘white folks running everything’ result and the church will continue to desegregate in future generations as whites lose the majority.. which is definitely the trend of our major cities.
Excellent observation…
Nothing will change until leaders in the church body start doing things intentionally. We need individuals to stand up and start taking the initiative to discover how we can make a difference.
A group of men from our bible study has stepped up and we are working to make a difference in ministry and inclusion of families who have adult members with special needs. We have just started this effort but already churches are responding in a very positive way.
This kind of initiative by regular Christians is what we need in several areas of the church body if we are to look like God has intended!
Well said, Tony.
I pastor a church in New Orleans that sits right at the border of a white section and black section of the city. We have a couple of black members in our vast majority white church. I speak with the blacks who live near us about attending our church, and it is basic traditions that, for the most part, keep the black church in one building and the white church in another. I’ve been contemplating adding historically black traditions into our church to help bridge the gap, but it is more likely that we will be accused of pandering or mocking instead of bending over to be receptive and build bridges. While I think point #3 is an issue, I think the vast majority are not racist. I have been intentional to reach out past that imaginary line that divides the races in our community with our church, but we haven’t really seen anyone come to our church in spite of our intentions. We all have traditions that are just tough to let go or add on and those traditions divide the church.
You might to use the term “black people” rather than “the blacks.” 🙂
Some of it is cultural – worship style, music preference,etc. We have tried to reach out to African-American congregations and had joint services at their place and then ours. Though contemporary, our music style was far from the black gospel they enjoyed. Preaching styles reflected the same preferences. We all loved the Lord and each other but our cultural differences kept us from the unity I had hoped for.
Could you perhaps use those cultural differences as the bridge itself to dialog? Why do black churches like “enthusiastic” preaching and singing? How can we come together and learn about the expression of the Holy Spirit (tongues ), shouting etc in the black church?
Good and timely choice of topic!
I pastored a church in the Miami area that was multi-cultural, -ethnic, – racial and – lingual. It was a great experience,personally and spiritually, especially when we worshipped together in three languages
I would love to go that church sometime, Mason.
Thom,
Check us out at http://www.garfieldchurch.org – 2004 — 400 members, 200 avg worship, 99% white… 2017 1300 active members, 750 avg worship in 3 locations; no one ethnic group makes up more than 52% of congregation
I did. Diversity of the church is one of your core values. That is incredible intentionality.
A great topic and article as well as some thought provoking discussion, thanks all. I am currently on staff at a city church (Brampton, ON pop. 593,600), just north of Toronto, ON Canada. As of our last mission committee survey we have 94 nationalities represented in our congregation on a weekly basis. Our worship style would be considered contemporary with a black gospel influence with a traditional hymn included occasionally. One of my greatest joys in serving at this congregation has been to observe the multi-national congregational worship in our Sunday services. The leadership team is Iranian, Trinidadian, Jamaican, Scottish, German and our lead pastor is a recent Cajun transplant from Louisiana, USA. Many nationalities but one culture, Jesus.
There’s nothing like the broad stereotypes of political correctness! I have an ethnically diverse family but I pastor a church in a community that is 90% white. Our church and community is not segregated, it just happens to be mostly white people who live here. It’s all well and good to say churches should hire more minorities, but should those churches skip over qualified white applicants? Should they base their hiring decisions solely on skin color? What if no minorities apply? I’m afraid there are just not enough African Americans to go around to make every church diverse.
Plainly stated. But there are enough white folks to go around to make every minority church diverse! 🙂
You are correct, segregation had a very specific meaning in our history. It was injustice. Today, we contend mostly with preference, convenience, and logistics.
Churches shouldn’t be aiming for diversity. Rather they should be aiming for more focus on expository Bible preaching and teaching in the belief that the Bible is the perfect inspired preserved word of God. Rather than man trying to diversify the church through fleshly methods (i.e. coaching) the Holy Spirit will break down barriers and man made traditions and build and strengthen the church.
Thank you for this discussion and for all who have spoken. The key word is “intentional”. We must be intentional in reaching the community where the church is located with the gospel of Christ. We must go to them and knock from door to door. Show them we care, pray with them and introduce them to Jesus. Give them Jesus and allow them to put their trust in Christ not in church. Whatever the demographics of your immediate surroundings or location is should reflect your church make up. If it is white reach the white in that community. If it’s black reach blacks in that community. If it’s mixed with many nationalities then reach them with the gospel. Let the gospel transform people. I am African and now USA citizen. I tired of hearing about racism. What we have is a sin problem and the only answer is the gospel of Christ. Reach your community and reflect the demographic of your community. The church’s problem is not being intentional and going out and preaching. Don’t expect any to come to you, we must go to them. What will happen if we used one Sunday a month to go and knock at the doors near the church. And every church doing the same? That is intentional otherwise we are just playing church and hoping people will come to us. In Africa we have tribalism and it’s all sin and there is still one answer- the gospel of Christ unto salvation. Thank you my brothers and sisters. There is no more Jew or Gentile, no male or female, no black or white or red or yellow for all are in Christ. Please read Acts 17: 24-28 where our colors and boundaries were set for the purpose of seeking and finding God.
Thank you Thom,
As a white pastor of a church that is 52% AA and 48% White in one iof the most segregated cities in America your points apply. Many times I catch myself saying that ” ” ” ” we would not have this discussion if we were in a one ethnic group church”. Gentile and Jewish relations in Galatians are more than the church should be unified.. it is going to be very hard for an established monchrome church to change. However, every established church should look to partner with other established churches that are a different ethnic group and plant a multiethnic church.
Racism is the historical root of segregated churches in the US. The second major cause inadvertently was the Church Growth Movement with the continuous teaching of “like kind attracts like kind”. What was Purpose Driven – who is your target ? The great news is that millinenials and new church plants are moving in this direction. Establish churches need to become serious about planting multiethnic churches.
I now live in a community where 95% of the population is white and 69% of the population is over 55 years of age. My church however doesn’t reflect the demographics.
While it is true that our congregation is mostly older, we are attracting more and more young couples with children. What is even more amazing is that mixed in with the blue hairs are a healthy number of on fire Haitian and Jamaican members.
All of this makes for a wonderful community of believers, and we are thankful that God has blessed us simply because we have prayed and asked Him to give us a heart for people.
I guess my point is that if we are to be the church that we all want to be, one of the first steps is to acknowledge that it’s not our Church but His. Elementary? Certainly, but it seems to be working for us.
The color of a person’s skin is not important. What is important is the individual’s character. God does not look on the outside. God looks inward. All of us have been called and gifted by God.
Interesting that in this CHRISTIAN forum I find no one quoting scriptures to reference their comments. We have been called into a ministry of reconciliation.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”(Eph. 4:32)….Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another (Heb. 10:25); “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”…Let this forum serve as a place where people will see and hear what a Holy God and His Word says about racism and reconciliation and not our own worldly ideologies and conceptions. Let’s edify one another!!!
While the points are correct for most places. Our church is located in an area where within a 5 mile radius there is very little diversity. In 4 years of door to door visitation this Saturday was only the 2nd time we have meet a black man. We have encountered only a few Hispanic people. We are an intentional church but our “Jerusalem” is kind of one sided. So our answer is sending and supporting missionaries around our country and around the world to reach all people groups!
Thank you brother Will. That is the point am making. Whatever the church location demographic is, let’s reach them with the gospel. The color of the people doesn’t matter. Am an African now American ????
Racism is not one sided, but sides need a change of heart. I think we focus and those who are and will probably be racially challenged for years too much. What about focusing on what we are doing good. I have racially mixed families in our church, in our own family and in the community, and not just black/white. Sadly so many want to jump on the bandwagon and try to make everyone feel like they are wrong, focusing on the past instead if the future. Yes we have to work on our racial issues but let’s work from the heart, no statement, no declaration, no tearing down symbol will solve the issues. We have great black leaders, great Asian leaders, great Hispanic leaders and yes even great white leaders in the Southern Baptist and in many other denominations. And then there are bad ones too. My prayer is we stop focusing on what Satan is doing to divide us and focus battling Satan.
What a complicated mess we are in. Is there a solution to the problem within the church (universal) regarding race? How long have these types of discussions been going on? The church and secular society just cannot seem to find that magic button that will solve this issue. This wears me out.
The truth is, until our (spiritual differences) not our color and cultural differences are repaired, we will remain divided. Stop talking in terms of color pastors. That is the first lie. It is purely spiritual in nature. We use color to make the point of difference when color is neutral. Colors don’t think.
The problem is the hearts of society and God’s people. The color brown or white never did anything to me. If we continue to speak in terms of color, we are making color the problem. We are battling a spiritual problem. Satan doesn’t want colors to mix and he will continue to use something as idiotic as skin tone and culture to continue influencing the minds of society and Christians as he watches with delight the consequences. It isn’t a white problem or black problem. It is purely spiritual. Father forgive us. Thankfully, when Christ returns the problem will be solved.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jer 17:9 ESV
Let us (all) examine our hearts and go to the Lord for forgiveness.
This may have already been pointed out, but the most segregated churches I have seen are, well, the black churches. Should we force their integration? They haven’t been integrated yet…let’s integrate them, and immediately put a white man on their elder board. That will really help and will de-escalate the racial tensions.
Number of sermons condemning racism I’ve ever heard: zero.
Christianity has always had a “that’s all in the past” approach, as if we’re beyond it. But few have addressed that the racists are also really Christian, too. We might like to imagine race and religion being as separate as oil and water, that “no true Christian” would praise God on Sunday and hate their brothers and sisters the rest of the week. The truth is, Christians have been racists for centuries – and the only way to weaken their racism is to understand how they interpret their Christianity to justify it.
By way of confession, I do find it troubling to say that we should diversify staff for the reasons often cited in articles like this. It seems to me that a church looking to hire someone would be inclined to hire them based not merely on their pastoral capabilities and merits as a person of Christ-like character, but primarily because they are of a desired ethnicity. I’m ready to be proven wrong about this suspicion, however. For instance, I see how it may well be a move of God in a church for them to hire a qualified pastor or staff member in part so that who they are, even in their ethnic background, will be used of God to bring about desired growth and health in the local congregation. That could be especially true of a congregation with persons that have acted out of racial prejudice in times past.
But I still have some reservations about the “staff must reflect diversity” piece of counsel that I often read.
Are you saying that it’s possible that qualified staffs will not also be diverse staffs? That you can look high and low, and it just might work out that all the qualified members just so happen to be all the same? That you couldn’t find even one qualified person that was different than the rest?
I remember one woman who was asking me about what a quote meant. She and I couldn’t be more opposite, but I told her: “I believe that we are all meant to reflect different traits of God, some his persistence, others his patience, other’s his passion – we’re not all meant to be just alike; so reflect God’s glory through you by being yourself.”
Christianity’s leadership has been primarily white men; but surely by now there are some qualified people of color and women who can give them a run for their money. If it’s hard finding a qualifying candidate – then I suggest we question just what we’re teaching people – because God just doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called – and he’s really into diversity.
No where in the New Testament is ethnicity a qualification, or even a consideration for leadership. Hiring someone based on skin color, regardless of motives, is racism.
I would have no problem with hiring a qualified African American, but I have never received an application from an African American, not one!
My grandfather’s church decided to search for a new pastor. One of the applicants was a woman. He put her application at the bottom of the pile – saying that “people around here won’t accept teaching from a woman.”
Perhaps the reason why so few African Americans apply at primarily white churches is because they’re pretty sure that: “Folks at this church won’t accept teachings from me.”
Here’s a crazy idea: invite someone to speak from the area churches and get your congregation used to the idea that white men do not have the monopoly on speaking on behalf of God. Build friendships with area pastors. Be intentional about dealing with racism. Don’t just stick your hands in your pockets and say “We don’t have that problem here.”
Obviously, you’re not concerned about what the Bible says in regard to the qualifications of church leadership. You only want to be politically correct and let the world dictate our hiring practices.
One question: I once submitted a resume to a predominately black church and never got a call back. Does that make them racist?
BTW, I have an ethnically diverse family and I have preached more than one sermon on the evil of racism.
Jamie, to clarify the thought that inspired my original comment, I believe that implying or even stating outright that churches should seek to intentionally hire persons so that certain ethnic groups are reflected in staffing is adding a qualification to the applicant that is not reflected in Scripture.
A large number of the comments repeat one, tired argument: “In my experience, it is not a big problem for me, therefore it must be a small problem. Why are we talking about this?”
This is like the man living in the countryside, far from the front, thinking the war must not be serious (or over!) and turning off the radio.
This article points to data which is intended to get beyond a single experience and to inform about the experience of the many. You, of course, may be privileged enough to tune it out. But in your willful ignorance, you may be tuning out the cries of the least of these for whom your Master in Heaven especially cares for.
Does the man far from the front pull out his gun, barricade his house, and start shooting anyone suspicious? If a black slur is uttered in one state does it make sense for a pastor in another state to excoriate his congregation for racism? All a pastor can really do is deal with his immediate circumstances. Once again we see the broad application of politically correct stereotypes: If one white person is racist, they must all be racist. If all churches are not diverse, then no churches are diverse. Was there a call for black churches to preach on racism and diversify their leadership when five police officers were gunned down in Dallas? I’m so tired of being accused and condemned for the actions of others especially when those people are not even believers. Other than taking up an offering for the poor in Jerusalem and praying on behalf of the saints, no where in the NT were churches expected to deal with the specific problems of other churches. Even though the church in Galatia had to deal with Judaizers, Paul did not expect the church in Corinth to address Judaizers because that was not their problem. The only broad stroke with which we should be painting is the Gospel.
I wonder if it would be helpful for some churches to simply close down so the members can join a predominantly Black congregation. That would solve the problem.
I’m am tired of this idea that churches need to have different colors attending or they are racial issues. Blacks want their kind of worship – whites theirs and etc. I have been a member and staff member of 7 churches (all SBC) and not a on e would not welcome any color coming in to worship.
Did you ever wonder why certain ethnic groups are predominantly in a particular area? Did you ever wonder why first generation immigrants seldom learned English? Did you ever wonder why ethnic groups tended to form churches that were predominantly populated by each of those groups?
The churches were not being exclusive. They were being formed by people with similar cultures and similar languages. They had a unity that was natural and normal to them. It was not some sort of forced or artificial configuration of people.
They didn’t learn English because they didn’t need to learn English. They could converse and trade in the language of their native culture. But, they made SURE that their children learned English.
These are also the reasons that ethnic groups settled in particular areas.
Their societies (including their churches) were open to others, but the culture, language, and beliefs were not changed to accommodate others. Diversity was not the goal. Unity was.
I am concerned that we are confusing the means with the end. And, I am concerned that we are ignoring the reason that things are the way they are. Sometimes, we seem to let the world dictate what we do, when we do it, and how we do it.
Wonderful! You have not been assimilated by the cultural Marxists. You make sense, thank you! A breath of fresh air.
The grievance mongers will always buy into the latest Marxist/identity politics ploy, which has infiltrated the evangelical industrial complex to its core and is thus far worse than the other evil, which has largely been eradicated.
There is still a lot to do to resolve these issues. Divisive politics, bringing guns into the church via undercover, using threats, selecting and pre-qualifying people based on race, politics, income, or denomination is all discriminatory. Many people of minority/non-traditional backgrounds feel threatened and scared, so they form churches where they feel safe and accepted. To bring about unity alot has to change. We need to love one another. We need to lay down our weapons and our fears. There needs to be a willingness to allow different people to step up and lead. Many time good Christians get involved and when they see the issues taking place, they take a seat back and pray, and eventually reduce their commitment. We cannot be afraid of each other. The messsage of the church is the Cross. Everything else is of non-importance. Some churches feel like political rallies. Some feel like clubs. I wonder how much can happen and how much longer. Some churches criticize others, all this needs to stop. We need to get back to the Cross. Also some churches portray Jesus as though he were an english speaking American who is conservative. All this is confusing and blurs/dilutes the message of the Cross. I am in great prayer for the churches today
I’ve been reading both comments. Yes, its obvious that there are some serious problems in this world today.
I wish some of you’ would give examples of your’ efforts to reach out to the communities of various races and cultures or traditions.
Then again, could it be that God is allowing our church to fail because it clings so tenaciously to stubborn behaviors? Ezekiel 36:26. In Spanish its referred to as “a slap in the face” to wake you up to your mistakes.
Last week we had another Administrative Committee Meeting. The same old non commitant evasive excuses were emitted. Its almost as if they were going to hold the church to serve them until they are finally unable to come to church, etc. Some realize they are killing the church and other still deny it as if they are again waiting for the last minute miracle to save the church.