I have waited to respond in-depth about the recent decision made by the grand jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, and the events that followed for two reasons: I have waited because I wanted to let my emotions settle, and secondly I needed to pray about what, if anything, I should say. As a Christian, as a pastor of a large multi-ethnic congregation with over 50% of the members/attenders being African-American, as a white man married to a black woman, and having three children (a 25-year-old son, 22-year-old daughter, and 16-year-old daughter), this is something that for many reasons I feel compelled to address.
This blog post is not about whether I agree with the grand jury’s decision, or not. This post IS about what the recent events in Ferguson mean for the church in America. I spoke with a friend and fellow minister who is African-American shortly after the decision was announced. I asked him a heartfelt question regarding his thoughts, based on something I saw him post on Social Media. It was his response to me that I believe most Caucasians do not, and cannot understand, but we must try to empathize with if we are to move forward towards unity in the church and ultimately the nation. At the end of his response to me he said, “I am horrified and scared that it might be my son one day.” I have recited that statement over and over in my head for the past 48 hours. So what is the answer? As the Lord’s church in America we have a responsibility to be difference-makers and change agents in our communities who show compassion. As Christ’s Church we MUST understand that:
NOBODY WINS WHEN A LIFE IS LOST
God created man in His own image and EVERY life is valuable. Furthermore, God loved His creation so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for all mankind. Regardless of how different each of our sins are, the truth is we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). In spite of our sin, God never stops valuing us or loving us. The Apostle Paul wrote to those in Rome, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us.” (Emphasis mine) So, whether a person appears to be the most godly person you know, or the most vile criminal you can think of, none are without sin, and ALL are valuable to the Lord. Whenever a life is taken, justified or not, the church (Christians) should see it as a tragedy and it should challenge us to get out of our comfort zones, our buildings, our homes, and BE the church to prevent it from happening again. What if no one had shared the message of Jesus’ saving grace with me when I was on a path of destructive behavior that was certain to get me killed or in prison? What if no one told you about Jesus? The second greatest commandment is that we love our neighbor as ourselves…the time to do that is now.
CHANGE BEGINS IN THE CHURCH
As I look out across the sanctuary every Sunday I see people of many races and nationalities worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ together. That is not something that has happened by accident. Neither has it happened because my wife is African-American since many people have not met my wife (We have 3 worship services on Sunday and she usually only attends one). As a church, we have purposed that through the grace of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit that we will create an environment where people from all races and nationalities are welcome. We will not tolerate anything less than honoring every person as God’s creation, and we celebrate that we will spend eternity together:
- “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9)
I have seen several prominent African-American pastors weigh in, as well as New Orleans Saints Tight End Benjamin Watson, who is also a Christian. I agree with them that at the root of all forms of prejudice is SIN. The church in America MUST be intentional about building bridges between different ethnic groups if we are to ever bring about change. It is not enough to visit communities that don’t “look like us,” hand out some needed items, and think we have done our part. I am speaking to both African-American Pastors/congregations, as well as Caucasian Pastors/congregations when I say that we, the church, have failed in building bridges of reconciliation and understanding by refusing to be intentional about worshiping together. Christ’s Church needs to stop hiding prejudices and justifying segregated worship with statements like, “Well, I like our type of worship music better;” or other statements of the like. The Scriptures clearly state that we should deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23)…that includes ALL of Christ’s followers.
It has been said that church services are the most segregated hours of the week. As much as I would like to yell, “BLASPHEMY” regarding that statement, I can’t because sadly that statement is true. Before becoming a pastor I traveled extensively around the states ministering in churches, schools, and neighborhoods for 17 years. I visited hundreds of churches and with the exception of a few, most of the churches were either all Caucasian, or all African-American (with the occasional one or two people of a different ethnicity). As long as this continues to be acceptable and the norm, we will have more Fergusons. So, for Christians of all races, the time is long overdue for us to unite against our common enemy…the devil, and change our world together for the glory of God.
And when troubles come, and they will, let us hold fast the Lord’s instruction:
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:15-17)
Let the world see a different Church…a unified Church…a powerful Church…a Church that looks like a glimpse of Heaven!
-Pastor C
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