White Apathy...Black Rage...Racism In The Church
ACU Lectureship is next week. I am not going to be able to attend this year because my son and wife just started school but I was checking out the schedule to see what was going to be discussed and taught. I came across a class entitled "White Apathy...Black Rage." It is a class dealing with racism in the church. It has been said that Sunday is the most segregated day of the week. Why? What message does that send to the world? You have your white middle class churches, black congregations, Iglesia De Cristo's and Asian speaking churches. In 2006 do we still have problems of racism in the church? Is ACU over reacting to a problem that no longer exists or is it something that really needs to be discussed? How do you see racism or segregation in churches in your town? In your own congregation? Is it just white and blacks or is it other nationalities as well that you see not getting along? Do black churches have fellowships with white churches, Iglesia de Cristo's with black congregations, etc.? How can we stop racism in churches? What steps can we take? What can be done? If your congregation has broken down racial barriers how did your congregation do it? Love for you to share your congregations testimony. What is your congregation doing now to help racial harmony within the church and community?
Share your thoughts.
What do you think?
posted by preacherman @ 11:29:00 PM
34 Comments:
The congregation where I attend has not tackled this situation, and I look forward to the day we will. I think we will do it in a way that honors God. If you want to talk to somebody who has been involved with tearing down the racial barriers, talk to Don Mclaughlin from the North Atlanta c of C. They have an AMAZING story to share. My guess is that we should all have our congregations model their efforts, as they model Christ.
Great challenge!
DU
I live in a more Urban area than where you do or even where Abilene is, so I haven't noticed it much.
Preacherman-
Thanks for your comment on my blog. Great quote from Mother Teresa. Far too many churches have no Calcutta to speak of and are missing out on this great calling of faith.
******
There is absolutely no doubt in the world that racism still exists in huge ways in the church today. This is true in all denominations of Christianity but it seems especially common in the churches of Christ. Why? I have a few ideas:
1) We are still scared of people different than us. Different culture, food, music, styles of worship, etc.
2) We aren't willing to break down economic barriers that often exist between middle class whites and minorities (i.e. you can't really "dress down" on Sunday mornings as many churches still which is an indirect way of not making poor people feel welcome or equal).
3) We don't like change. It's just plain easier to leave things the way they are.
Racism can only exist where Christ is not truely Lord.
We have a good number of blacks in our congregation and they make wonderful contributions to the life of the body.
However, "most" people like to worship with people who share a common ancestry and come from the same community of faith. Most of the "white" churches' worship is likely a bit bland to our black brothers and sisters.
Segregation is not bad if it is a choice. However, racism is an awful sin.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
"Segregation is not bad if it is a choice. However, racism is an awful sin."
I disagree. I think choosing to segregate is actually wrong. This was the whole battle of civil rights was it not?
White schools were "choosing to segregate" and that was wrong. God's people CANNOT see color and still be God's people.
Sounds like a class you should blog about once you get back.
My experience coming from Mississippi might surprise those not familier with this state. While prejudice certainly still exists there (it exists everywhere) a large number of churches of Christ in Mississippi are fully intergrated and many of those that are not- are motivated by serving the community of their same race around them. I sensed no rage there.
Now in Florida I do not sense any of this either and preach for a multi-cultural congregation.
Coming from a Mississippi background it may surprise some that I did not experience much racial tension there within the church and now many congregations are fully intergrated.
Prejudice and hostility will always exist but hopefully we have put much of that behind us in the church.
I would be interested in hearing about this class upon your return.
Preacherman,
I know at our church is mostly white we have a few blacks and of course the blacks keep to themselves. I don't know if it is cultural or comfort or prejudice.
Sunday the most segregated day in America send the message that we are just like the world. We can't get along.
I know that I need to work on me and try to invite them over to my house and get to know them. That would be a start.
I tried out at a church in east Texas one time. It was a small town down the road from Jasper, Tx. Jasper if you remember was the town where the black man was drug from the back of a truck by members of the KKK.
When it came time for the interview session. I told we are a Klan's town and have members of the Klan at this church...Do you have a problem with that? Can you believe that? What do you think?
You bet I had a problem with it and so does Jesus. Jesus was a Jew. He wasn't this white, blue eyed picture you see. He was a Jew. Look most likely like an Arab you see today. Dark skinned. Black. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him. Nothing that we should desire Him. Do we forget that as American's. Do people believe Jesus was White, Blue Eyed, Long Flowing Hair still today? Why?
I believe there is still things that we can do to make for racial harmony.
Wow preacherman that is crazy. At least they were up front and honest with you.
I think we all picture what we think Jesus looked like. The KJV I have has that picture you describe. Sad that many people think that is what he looked like.
I think we tend to ignore that Christians bring their problems inside the church, they don't live them outside. We are all sinner. Alot of times changing our minds and behavior is a slow process.
May we strive to be changed into the likeness of God having his way of thinking. Not looking at the outside. It is hard especially when you have been raised a certain way.
hate to keep butting in but this is a personal pet peeve of mine.
Yes, there is racism. How do you "break" the barriers down? You hit it hard...you call a (scared you for a minute there didn't I) racist a racist. You point it out individually, collectively, socially, politically (that is the hardest).
But and i truly believe this...you can't do it from a traditionally liberal stance.
Oh, the congregation where I attend
30% black
30% white
40% other
me...Texan by birth, child of God by rebirth.
You'll see what I mean by the traditional liberal stance when you start seeing comments about urban versus country and North versus South. And a whole lot of that's hows theys likes to sings so we separates.... Segregation is liberal racism. (sorry)
We are a small country congregation, with 20% illiterate and in Louisiana. We worship God as children of God. Do we still have problems? Yeah, but for the most part it's folks from up north (of I-10) not used to things yet.
About 4 years ago Dr. Jack Evans, Sr. held a lectureship for us. He said it was the first time he saw black and white brethren just being brethren. He said most of the time he speaks and whites are involved they run the show and "invite" the black brethren to it.
Yeah, I have some horror stories but just thought you might like to hear how IT WORKS.
AW
AW,
Thank you...Thank you..Thank you.
I always appreciate and love your comments to the added discussion. Your testimony gives other congregations hope and a good wake up call.
It is wonderful that there are congregations who treat eachother like Christians should.
Currently we are in a mixed-race congregation, and there doesn't seem to be any tension racially- probably much more about UNC or NC State, though good natured. There is some tension around the hispanic population because we don't speak spanish and they very little english, but I suppose the tension is ok or they wouldn't come back.
The other experience I have in a mixed-race congregation was in a large northern city. Most of the members I interracted with were of color- I am white- and the tension came much more from my being white and southern than anything else. I wasn't allowed to touch their children's hair, they were flabbergasted that I go barefoot, I didn't dress my children well enough...I felt the tension against ME instead of the other way around. As for the singing- they sang slower than any white church I ever attended. I DO NOT think worship style is a true reason to choose segregation, it is comfort level with each other.
Angel,
Thanks for sharing your expereince. I appreciate your thoughts and adding to the discussion. I agree with your thoughts about choosing to segregate.
Preacherman,
Maybe fellowship in our homes is the place to start? In my experience a willingness to come to ones home and just interact says something. Maybe we have always tried it backwards.
Why does Jesus always speak with a British accent in all of the old movies?
Why do we assume that "separate" means "segregated"? Just because those of Hispanic origin find more meaning in a Spanish service (which I can't understand since I don't speak the language) doesn't mean that there is tension between them and English service churches.
Naturally gravitating towards those who are similar to ourselves is not the same as purposefully avoiding those who are different, considering them as less valuable. Whether it's based on race, socioeconomic status, gender, career, hair color...whatever, it's only _________ism if you use that qualification as reason to minimize or avoid another person. Having a preference is different than being racist and we need to be careful that we don't judge each other's heart by simple observation of where we choose to worship and fellowship.
Valuing a more mixed church family more than a less mixed one is just as racist as the other way around. The point of avoiding racism and segregation is that you don't allow race (or fill in the blank) to be a defining factor of that church, regardless of what the end product actually looks like.
I don't see it as much of a problem where I go to church right now. I would say it's somewhat of a mixed culutre in our congregation. However, I think it is our location that makes it that way. I think our church being in the middle of the town brings in the different cultures and everyone from each different corner of the city.
However, the Church of Christ we attend several years ago was predominately white. We would meet once a quarter with a predominatly black church on the opposite end of town. We attended their worship and then the next quarter, it was their turn to come and worship with us. If I remember correctly, it wasn't even a Church of Christ. It was truly a great experience that I cherished each quarter. Sometimes, we just have to break out of our comfort zones and get a little uncomfortable to experience something so spectacular.
to anonymous said,
I know that sounds good and in some circumstances it is good (I don't want anyone from the other team in my huddle; marriage is only my wife and I). But "church" is a kindgom thing and eventually a The Kindgom thing.
Simple question: If the Old Man has died and this new creature in Christ now lives as an adopted 'son', what differences should there be in God's Children?
Now, do you really believe it doesn't matter? If all the "rich" brethren at your congregation started hanging out with each other and eventually they started a second service just for them....YOU'D BE OK WITH THAT? really?
AW
By the title of the lecture it sounds like somebody WANTS to keep the race wars going.
Then again, maybe he somebody took his first choice of topic and he needed a quick backup.
Josh,
I think in the old movies the important people had British voices.
Darin,
Thanks for your comments as always.
It must begin at home.
In what we teach our children.
Annonymous,
Thanks for your commnet.
I think that as diversity is what the Kingdom is about. I remember the song growing up: Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight...Each one of us red, yellow, black, white, brown are in the kingdom. The kingdom is made up of all races, genders, socio-economic, countries of the world. We should striving to get along and being together as God's people.
Thanks for you comments.
I appreciate it.
AW,
Great response.
Appreciate it.
Great thoughts as always.
Brenda,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and sharing your thoughts. I totally agree on breaking down comfort zones and that I believe is a must. Great thoughts.
Love for you to comment on my blog anytime.
Hey thanks for stirring the pot on this one. It needs more stirring.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Thanks Bobby, I will try to stir it up some more.
Chris Field said, "I disagree. I think choosing to segregate is actually wrong" in response to my statement "Segregation is not bad if it is a choice. However, racism is an awful sin".
Is it wrong that ethnic groups (including blacks) usually choose to worship with people most like them? Is it wrong for ethnic groups to choose to live and work around people like them? (Chinatown section of San Francisco for example) No it is not. It is no more wrong than that fact that I have only dated white women and am married to a white woman. I am not a racist, I have simply practiced segregation.
People pour meanings into words that are unfortunate. "Segregation" is no more evil than the word "denomination". Neither is evil or fattening. Check your dictionary.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
Royce-
You're missing my point. What is the title and subject of this post? Go back and read it again.
And now think about the statement that "segregation is not bad if it is a choice." I don't need the dictionary to apply that quote to the topic at hand. It's exactly what preacherman was talking about!
I live in a fairly small town, and racism is thick in the air. I don't have to go to the churches to feel it. It isn't just the "blacks", it is from the whites and other nationalitiesas well. Everyone is on edge.
I think that is neat that you brought this up because my husband and I were talking about this yesterday. We were talking about how we can help in tearing down racial barriers in our town. It starts first in the church. Chris and I are connected with a black church group. We were talking about becoming more involved in the church and in the community. (It has to start somewhere) It also starts with prayer, and then actions. Our community has several white churches here and a few black churches there. I desire so much, that the walls would be brought down. Everyone, who is a believer in Christ is part of the Body of Christ. No one is better than the other. It is all about the Kingdom of God. I am tired of racism and church segregation. It sickens me. I can just see the heart of the Father breaking over this. I could go on and on about this. So, I will stop now.
Great post!
i've stories from both sides of the aisle. growing up an air force brat caused us to move more than other families do, and that caused us to attend other churches.
when i was growing up my best friend was of another race. i wasn't looked upon like i was crazy. guess where this was? not in the north ... this was the deep south. this was in south carolina.
reggie and i would play tennis together, ride bikes together, and the things kids would do together.
also, while we lived there in south carolina there was a time when some of the members wanted to plant a new church in downtown sumter. guess which race they wanted out of the church? well ... it didn't happen!!
i now attend a mixed race congregation in south alabama; mobile, al. we have black and white deacons. we have only white shepherds only because there are no blacks that desire the office.
i so much feel that once we are christians, were are no longer black or white, we are brothers and sisters!
i hate racism. i really do. i really, really do.
when i was in the navy there was a saying, "we are no longer black or white. we are navy blue." that's how i feel it should be in our congregations.
k2
Thanks for everyone's comments. I believe we should do what it takes to strive for unity in the body and especially when it comes to race. The love that we have as Chritians should look beyond the color of our skin.
Thanks again and God bless each of you.
my husband is black, well, brown. he prefers to be called brown. he does not like to be called african american because he was not born in africa, his parents were not born in africa and his grandparents were not born in africa. he also does not like the use or excuse of the word "culture". "this is not a culture thing, it's a color thing because i do not have african culture that i practice."
when people would ask us, and yes, they asked us, what we would tell our children about their "mixed heritage" he would say, "i'll tell them they have the best of both worlds". he did and they do. and when our oldest daughter was told she was darker than another person, a black person by the way, our darling daughter simply said, "well, i'm probably about the same color jesus is".
after i posted my comment i read it and was horrified that i made it sound like my husband has a problem with having african heritage. so seriously far from the truth. what i meant to say and what i meant entirely was that racism is about color, not heritage. just wanted to make that clear.
insanity workout, north face jackets, giuseppe zanotti, chi flat iron, ugg boots, p90x, birkin bag, longchamp, ferragamo shoes, rolex watches, herve leger, hollister, canada goose, babyliss pro, ugg australia, canada goose, canada goose jackets, reebok outlet, ghd, soccer shoes, ugg, nfl jerseys, nike roshe run, north face outlet, valentino shoes, mont blanc, celine handbags, nike huarache, new balance shoes, canada goose outlet, ugg boots, canada goose, mcm handbags, beats by dre, bottega veneta, wedding dresses, soccer jerseys, marc jacobs, canada goose uk, mac cosmetics, ugg pas cher, vans shoes, jimmy choo outlet, instyler, uggs outlet, asics running shoes, lululemon outlet, abercrombie and fitch
cheap jordans
ghd uk
moncler outlet
basketball shoes,basketball sneakers,lebron james shoes,sports shoes,kobe bryant shoes,kobe sneakers,nike basketball shoes,running shoes,mens sport shoes,nike shoes
kobe 9
ray-ban sunglasses
rolex watches,rolex watches,swiss watches,watches for men,watches for women,omega watches,replica watches,rolex watches for sale,rolex replica,rolex watch,cartier watches,rolex submariner,fake rolex,rolex replica watches,replica rolex
winter jackets
christian louboutin outlet
ralph lauren uk
louis vuitton handbags outlet
ugg boots on sale
louis vuitton outlet store
christian louboutin,louboutin,louboutin outlet,louboutin outlet italia,scarpe louboutin
prada outlet online
coach outlet store
tommy hilfiger
asics,asics israel,asics shoes,asics running shoes,asics israel,asics gel,asics running,asics gel nimbus,asics gel kayano
true religion jeans sale
coach outlet store
1214minko
Odell Beckham Jr. 'not having fun' playing Nike Roshe Run football right now Shalise Manza Young,Shutdown Corner Tue, Oct 4 5:09 Nike Air Max 2015 Shoes PM PDT Comments wholesale nfl jerseys Sign in to cheap nfl jerseys like Reblog on Tumblr Nike Air Max 90 Share NFL Jerseys Tweet Email Apparently it Nike Free Run stinks to be Odell Beckham Jr. these days. The New York Giants receiver feels he’s being unfairly targeted by opposing players and officials, and he’s fed up. “Football is my sanctuary,” Beckham told ESPN’s Anita Marks on Tuesday. “It’s where I go to escape. It’s where I’m most happy. I’m not having fun anymore.” He also told Marks nfl jerseys store he has more fun at practice than he has at games.
ما هو الكريبتو؟
سؤال يطرحه الكثير من الأشخاص. الكريبتو هو أحد صور التطور التكنولوجي
Post a Comment
<< Home