Martin Luther King, Jr. lamented, “the
most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday
morning.”
This remains true nearly 50 years
later. One reason for the racial divide in America is due to
self-segregation. An article in The
Atlantic reported that 75% of white Americans have entirely white
social networks. On the other hand, 65% of black Americans have
entirely black social networks. In our era of desegregation, equal
opportunity and a dark-skinned President, we still choose to separate
ourselves by race.
The church, to whom God has entrusted
the
ministry of reconciliation, may be the chief offender in this
area. Self-segregation is actually taught in church growth seminars.
The father of the church growth movement, Donald
McGavran, called it “the homogenous church growth principle.”
He taught that people are most comfortable in a church where they
don't have to cross racial, linguistic or class barriers. This has
led to rapid growth of first generation churches but has failed to
address the racial divide that is hurting our nation.
The
Multiracial Congregations Project found that 92% of
American churches are predominantly mono-cultural (with 80% or more
of its members representing one race). The usual explanation for
self-segregation in the church has to do with worship style but that
is a thin excuse. The Project found that Catholic
churches, which are more likely to be multiracial than Protestants,
had little socialization and interaction between ethnic groups.
This racial divide causes
blacks and whites to view the causes and cures for racial inequality
differently. It fosters distrust and denial and stifles meaningful
dialog.
The church is God’s answer to racial
and ethnic strife. It is to be an agent of healing and a witness to
the world. The church was born in the multicultural milieu of
Jerusalem where God-fearing Jews of many nations heard Peter’s
message, each in his own native language. (Acts 2)
Christian radio preacher, Tony Evans,
says,
“It is especially critical during these days of tension and
uncertainty that we in the body of Christ intentionally seek to
bridge that gap.”
He admonishes us to work together so
that greater manifestations of God's Kingdom will be experienced in
our churches and our nation. “Pray that the differences endowed
upon us by our Creator will not divide us, but rather in embracing
them, they will highlight Almighty God’s ability to use diversity
for His glory and our good,” said Evans.
It is time to for Americans who are
followers of Jesus Christ to reach out to one another past personal
preferences, past hidden racial bias, past fear, past anger, and past
whatever excuse fits the moment. A nation where racial inequality
exists (for whatever reason) cannot be one nation under God.
The underlying problem is sin and the
ultimate solution is Jesus. Racial bias and all types of inequality
demonstrates an absence of love. It is an issue that Christians of
all ethnicities from the entire social-economic spectrum must address
together.
First, we must fellowship; we must
share meals; we must work together on projects of mutual interest.
Then, we talk about deeper issues as friends, as true brothers and
sisters in Christ.
