Emphasis Sunday

Racial Reconciliation and Christian Unity

Many Southern Baptist churches will observe Racial Reconciliation Sunday this weekend. However, I would like to encourage you to challenge your congregations throughout the year, not only to recognize various obstacles to Christian unity, but to commit to making lasting changes in our hearts that would draw us closer to one another in Christ. I recently asked a good friend of the Christian Life Commission (and a former Commissioner) to share his thoughts on racial reconciliation and Christian unity. I pray you will read and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Yours for Him,

Phil Gloyer, Chairman, CLC

Racial Reconciliation and Christian Unity

When Jesus spoke the words of His prayer of intercession in John 17, he clearly demonstrated what His priorities were for the church. Three times in that prayer He prayed for unity among believers. As well, He prayed for a unity that is supernatural and can be compared to the unity that exists only one other place, that being within the Holy Trinity itself. Clearly, Paul understood Jesus’ concern and encouraged and demanded unity within the church. Twenty centuries later the church still struggles to bring about any viable form of unity. It has seemed somewhat implausible at times. We foolishly separate over issues of secondary doctrine, economic status, ministerial philosophy, ecclesiastical methodology and race.

In a question and answer session in 1963 at Western Michigan University, Martin Luther King Jr. was asked the following question, "Don't you feel that integration can only be started and realized in the Christian church, not in schools or by other means? This would be a means of seeing just who are true Christians." To that he responded with one of his most famous remarks,

As a preacher, I would certainly have to agree with this. I must admit that I have gone through those moments when I was greatly disappointed with the church and what it has done in this period of social change. We must face the fact that in America, the church is still the most segregated major institution in America. At 11:00 on Sunday morning when we stand and sing and Christ has no east or west, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation. This is tragic. Nobody of honesty can overlook this . . .

It is quite an amazing thing that very little has seemed to change during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning hour. What is perhaps most troubling is that few really have sought to change it. The reasons may be different some 45 years later, but the result is the same.

I’ve spoken with both whites and minorities who have expressed to me that little or no animosity exists between the two, but that the churches are simply most comfortable meeting with people like themselves. However, this understanding of congregational philosophy is foundationally flawed.

The bottom line is this, that we are called to worship with those that we identify with in primarily spiritual ways that are far beyond culture, race, economics, politics and philosophies. It is Christ that unifies us, makes us compromise how we would like to worship, forces us to change our preferences for the benefit of others and demands that He be the head of the church and no one else.

We must reach beyond our borders and walls. We must seek to make disciples and unify them as Christ did His; fishermen, zealots, tax collectors, and a thief all following one Rabbi. What a model for postmodern ministry! The road may be long and genuine change may take decades. However, the call of our Lord mandates such a sacrifice.

Churches are well-known for choking at gnats and swallowing camels. Fights abound regarding food, building programs, committee appointments, spending policies, worship styles and cultural diversities. While these futile, fleshly spats have raged, we’ve become less interested in being conformed to the image of Christ and more content to have others conform to our image.

Here are some specific actions and/or advice that might help a church to move toward looking more like the community in which they live:

Preach the truth of Scripture regarding unity through diversity. Challenge the people to grow a church that looks like the town in which they live.
Attend special services and/or assist in some ministries of other churches who are culturally different than your own.
Start to reach out to the unchurched in more racially diverse neighborhoods, especially the children.
Invite children from all backgrounds to your VBS, after school programs, and fun trips. Go out of your way to let them know they are welcomed on Sunday. Go get them if you must.
Make sure that your church is on board and is willing to see it through so that they are less likely to be overwhelmed by the changes that will undoubtedly come.

Among the greatest miracles of our age is the church. How it is that we share the most intimate acts of worship, confession and vulnerability with folks that we have little in common with is a testament to what a unifying force the cross, empty tomb and second coming can be. However, if we worship with those we work with, play with and live near, we’ve missed the point. A church must look like its community; socially, culturally, educationally and racially. Unity is a miracle, one worth fighting for because it was something our Lord thought was worth praying for.

- Jeff Brown, Pastor, Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Hannibal

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