The church and Race Relations

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It has been said that the church is often the most segregated institution in America. As Christians should we be concerned about this phenomonon? I would like to share two stories of my personal experiences in Montana. I have experienced horrific racism from four churches in my town, all four are of main line denominations. I have had Pastors say to my face we do not want black people in this church. I might add that because of their attitudes it has strengthen my resolve to stay in a state that I love and to show the love of Christ through St. Paul Community Church. Yesterday in my church (God's Church) we had a new member give a testimony, she is white, she shared how she had grown up in a small town of 350 people and in 1982 her home church had an interacial couple come to the church, the Pastor told that couple they were not welcomed and not to come back. She and her mother walked out of church and never went back for they knew that was wrong. She has not been to church since 1982. She came last week because one of our ministerial staff invited her. She was very quiet, and our service went over time because we had so much to praise God about. I thought oh no, this worship style is so different. She may not come back. God is good, because her prayer partner was one of our ministerial staff that kept in touch with her during the week. She came back yesterday and asked if she could pick up people that need a ride to get to church like college students. I love her so much, and I love this church for we are all different colors. What can we do to bring down the walls of racism that is in our churches? Or do you feel it is a problem? Thank you and Praise God, for this young woman who is a part of our family. Isn't our God awesome!

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

Answers

Dear Rev. Rogers, I was shocked and dismayed when I read about the racism that you experienced from four churches in Montana. Clearly, these individuals are not led by the Spirit of God. I know of no incidence in the Bible where Jesus denied any race from accepting him. Certainly, it must be hurtful to you that people who profess to follow Jesus would make such statements. I have encountered subliminal racism in many white churches that I have attended. Dr.Charles Stanley, a Southern Baptist minister, who I admire and can be seen on the "In Touch" program worldwide preached about the flesh component of man many times. Once he said that when God saved man, he saved man's soul. He did not save man's flesh. The flesh is wicked. Dr. Stanley also said that this is the reason that some christians can be prejudiced even though they are saved. However, once a person gets saved , they then have to grow spiritually by bible study, prayer, fasting, trials and tribulations, God's grace and mercy,etc. The people you mentioned may have accepted Jesus but are not seeking and walking with the Holy Spirit. They are following after the flesh and thus are more susceptible to the tricks of the enemy. I hope that you and your church will pray that the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin. Finally, I would also like to say that this lack of spiritual growth is a major problem in too many churches. It seems that after the salvation experience, most new christians sit back and don't engage in regular bible study, prayer, and fasting.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001


Jazzman I must say this mission field that God has sent me to, is ready to hear the word of Chist. Historically Montana has had always had a strong white supremacist influence, and duringing the depression era had 54 cells of the KKK with membership averaging 200 per cell. That legacy is still here in this state, and that legacy dwells in many of the clergy in this state also. But God is an awesome God, and before Montana achieved statehood, God was sending Black missionaries to this state. The AME church has had a presence here since 1880's, the first pony express rider for Montana was a Black woman, the first owner of a utility company in Montana, was a Black woman, in the early 1900's, one of the state's most famous business person, was a wealthy Black woman who owned a chain of laundries in the state. And the "real leader" of the Lewis and Clark expedition that came to Montana was a slave named York, he was able to learn the languages of the Indians and trade and communicate with them for safe passage. This is my home and I love this state! I must say the majority of the problems I have had have been from clergy. The people of the state treat me wonderfully. God has a plan for the pacific northwest and he is using the AME church. Your points are well taken, how can anyone say they follow Christ and harbor hatred toward another human being based on color? I also want to add that I believe with all of my heart that the AME church will be instrumental in dealing with the "sin of racism" for we as a denomination was formed because of racism and used our christian response of love to grow spiritually and expand around the world. My next question, Dr. Martin Luther King's dream is not finished, I believe that the AME church is being called to finish that dream. Racism in epedemic, not only in America, but around the world. We are dealing with pure evil, and the solution will have to be a spiritual solution. Jazzman, thanks for your concern, I am happy, I am grateful that God has called me to do this work. I have been here nine years, and I am happy on this mission field. Joy and power in Christ, for there is nothing that can defeat us, not even racism. Love to all my sisters and brothers.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Among members of the Body of Christ the only color we ought to see is red.....which signifies the Blood of Jesus. In the book of Joel chapter 2 says God pour out his spirit upon ALL flesh, not just white flesh or black flesh, but ALL flesh. Race relations shouldn't be an issue, and should have outgrown this topic, however as long, we allow this demon, this spirit to control this part of all of our lives (and it trickles in the church) we are not ready to be raptured up to be with Jesus. It is a shame that we as an organism of Believers of the Lord Jesus Christ are STILL fighting like children over the "colors of crayons." Thank the Lord that He is colorblind

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

It may suprise you to know that my wife and I encounter more racism in the AME and other black churches than we do in the white churches. My wife is white and we live in an area that is 99.9% white so if I'm not at my church I attend in the neighborhood. In "black" neighborhoods we encounter overt racism. Other couples have also shared that same experience. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Re the Church and Race Relations. In my judgement, the church is not any more segregated than a lot of other institutions and entities in the USA, it is just more visible on the day we all go to worship. You ask "As Christians should we be concered about this phenomon?" W.E. B. DuBois wrote long ago that THE PROBLEM OF THE 20TH CENTURY IS THE PROBLEM OF THE COLOR LINE." It has abated somewhat in the world and in the U.S. through the heroic efforts of countless martyrs, sung and unsung in the civil rights struggles from Reconstruction Days to the present and also on the continent of South Africa through the struggles of the Inkatha Party and the ANC Party of Nelson Mandela. As Christians we should be concerned to the extent that we learn to live out in our every day lives, the principle stated in 1 John 4:20, 21. I doubt that it can ever be totally eradicated as a human evil for it dwells deep in the unchanged heart of humankind. Besides, Racism is just one facet of social abberation which we must combat. Our PRIMARY thrust as a church of Jesus Christ on this earth is to declare the Gospel as enunciated by Jesus and formulated for the chuch by the Apostle Paul. You ask, "What can we do to bring down the walls of racism that is in our churches? Or do you feel it is a problem?" The "walls of racism" of course are man made in that its root is in the hearts of those who choose not to "walk in the Spirit" but rather "in the flesh," that is, in the reasoning and dictates of the old Adam nature which is still with us, even if born again. It was that recognition that motivated Richard Allen and Absalom JOnes and others to walk out of Old St Georges Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Those walls however, can be breached and are being breached around the world in numerous places where local congregations come together in worship as well as work for the betterment of the communities where they are. It is a problem if we fail to address it on the levels of education, spiritual and physical as means of eradicating it from our life styles. You ask "How can anyone say they follow Christ and harbor hatred toward another human being based on color?" In John's first general leter written to clarify doctrine and to warn believers to "test the spirits" because many false prophets abounded, he too asks as you ask, "...for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how casn he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20) The AME Church, as a denominational body, at least gives evidence of knowledge of that text in its pronouncements for it states in its motto, "God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother."

Peace

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001



Pastor Paris,

I think the racism you felt in the black church has to do with your mate of choice---a white woman. Many Afrikan Amercian women have problems when they see a Afrikan American male with a white woman...

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001


Pastor Paris, your wife is God's choice for you and I am sure that the two of you have some powerful testimonies for what God has done through the two of you. And I thank you both for your sevitude. The two of you have been church planters, and active in your district. The AME church is blessed to have you both. I do hope we all continue to discuss the issue of race and how we as christians can work with God to eradicate it. One of the things I tell my congregation is not be silent, when we things that are wrong, for we are called to speak up for righteounous, Pastor Paris, keep holding up the light of love with your wife. And know you have many, many friends. I am one of them. Joy in Christ!

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

I don't care who Pastor Paris chooses as a mate...I am being real about the way some may view his choice. I have been around interracial couples and really don't care one way or the other. Sorry, I should have make that point in my previous posts.

On a personal note my daugther is Spanish....

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001


Hmmmm, interesting. My church is anglo dominated, but we do have two black families. There's also a mixed black/white family. Two of their kids are mixed race, and one is white. This being Texas we also have a number of families of Mexican decent, and we have had Asian college students. They've since returned to their native Indonesia and Taiwan. Of course the Oklahomans among the Texans always catch a little ribbing, and our pastor likes to remind us he's of Italian decent.

In this mish mash I've never heard a serious discussion on race in any context. It's not worth much discussion because it's not an issue. Potlucks bring out oohs and ahs as the various dishes are brought out, and there's always a little Spanish mixed in the conversation. But any mention of race is lighthearted, celebratory, and brief. (You white boys can't put away tortillas like my family! Hey Herman, since you make such good breakfast burritos, you're nominated permanent cook!) We see it as a minor part of an individual's identity, like a person's job. Celebrating an ethnic identity is certainly not a role of our church. No Kwaanza, Cinco de Mayo, etc. The closest we've ever come to anything like that was during the missions convention potluck, where we set up an Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and Texas table. Groan...pass the Rolaids.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001


Rev. Price your observations are very poignant, you refer to the different nationalities in your church as mish mash (I assume that the reference was to different nationalities, correct me if I am wrong) and you see no need to discuss race relations. I do believe we are discussing race relations on this board and sharing some personal and hurtful incidences, yet we press on in the name of Christ. There can be no healing I believe until all people acknowledge their own sin of racism. For people of African descent, the pain has been brutal, our own holocaust, is not even acknowledged in this country, (the holocaust of over 1 million slaves, men, women and children dying in root to America) the brutal reality of slavery, segregation and denial of our God given rights have left emotional scars on our hearts. I think it very significant that in South Africa the church is playing a role in atonement process of that country. There is also more discussion of reparations for those of African descent in America. Neo nazis groups, are growing around the world, and race is the calling card they use to gain entry into communities. As I have said before, Racism is pure evil, it will take spiritual answers from God and the church to intervene.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2001


Rev. Rogers,

The pastor that no longer welcomed the couple in the Church, needs to be converted and delivered. Yes there are prejudices in some Churches as there are prejudices in the US. We can't ignore it and pretend it does not exists.

I praise God, that he is doing a great work in the Church. Love is truly breaking down the wall of racial relationships in the Church. We are witnessing it on many television ministries.

It has been said that on Sundays during the hours when most Church doors are opened is the most segregated time in the US. Is that a problem or wrong? There is nothing wrong with segregation, it is forced segregation that is the problem. Just as, forced integration is a problem. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

As you continue to exhibit love in your congregation, diversity among people will be seen in your Church. That is such a blessing.

Something we can do, and perhaps it is a challenge; If we are in a Church that is predominately of one particular culture; we can invite someone of a different race to our Church. This is not to say that I believe within the Church of Jesus Christ, there is a problem. True baptised believers in Christ are not dealing with a racial problem.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2001


You know this argument is will always be at hand....we can go there about racism within us Afro-Americans. Like I said, before, Jesus is not coming back for a white church or a black church, but he is coming back for a bride who is without spot or wrinkle and covered by the blood He shed. I tell you right now, we all are mixed with something in our natural blood, but if you are not born again, you can be a man from Mars and a woman and Venus and still bust hell wide open. Come on now, this something that our time should not be wasted on, we OUGHT to discuss issues on how to get the crakheads and prostitutes to Christ, building homes for the homeless and yes, building bridges to close the gap among the races. When you are need nobody's thinking about color, the main concern is helping one another. In the day before Judgement Seat (I hope not the White Throne) Jesus is not going to asks us were you kind to the black lady or that white man, He going to ask us, did you love each other. Did you treat them right. Did you lead them to Me.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2001

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