Photo Credit: Church Leadership
[From the Archives, 2017. Today we are going through a raw and painful season, hopefully that will lead to real change in how we extend love to one another and how we work to heal the hurt in our society. I made very few adjustments in the text…because it is as true today as it was then.]
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
– Galatians 3:28
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. – Ephesians 2:14
Racial segregation in the church must break the very heart of God. How is it that we, who love Jesus and want to live as He modeled and taught us, continue to live and worship apart from one another racially?
We live in a racially complex city. Richmond, Virginia, was once the capital of the Confederacy. Even now, the racial divide is shamefully wide. The church, both black and white congregations, has Christ’s mandate to come together. To be reconciled. To live at peace with one another. To enjoy community together.
My family is part of a church that has a vision to reach Richmond. Our city is ethnically diverse. To reach Richmond includes figuring out how to not just be another white church in the neighborhood.
Erskin Anavitarte is a Christian songwriter. On his website, he also identifies as a diversity spokesman and adoption advocate. He is a Kingdom builder and a reconciler. This is a man who calls us to enlarge our lives and our churches to include one another.
Photo Credit: Erskin Music
He wrote a little song Black & White which really touched my heart this week. Simple and yet profound lyrics.
“One song may not make much difference, but my prayer is that we remember that God made us all and perhaps bridging the gap begins by focusing our eyes on Jesus. That’s the message of this song.” – Erskin Anavitarte
After our country’s last election, I was burdened afresh how racially polarized we are as a nation, and even in the church. This can’t be the case, in daily life, for Christ followers. Not in daily life. Not in corporate worship. How do we come together?
As we worship the Lord today, we ask Him for wisdom and for opportunity. We ask for compassion and understanding. We determine to “love beyond the limits of our prejudices…to speak love and embody love” (Rev. Michael Walrond, Jr.).
Today, God loves both the black church and our essentially white church, both in the same neighborhood. Oh God, help us – to join together with each other – with those who love God also…and who love this city in a way that can stretch our own love…Maybe it could go beyond the reach of either of us. Just maybe.
[Let’s close in worship now. Check out the super helpful links below, later.]
Worship with Erskin and me, would you?
The most segregated time in our country
Is Sunday morning 11 o’clock
Black churches, white churches
Right next door
They’re on the same block.
Both with hands raised high for Jesus
Still a million miles between us
Black people; white people
Remember the God who made you and me equal
Not some people but all people
Remember the God who made you and me equal
We all want to walk with Jesus
We all want to be about His will
How do we break down the unseen walls
Where bridges need to be built
This song may not change your mind
Jesus won’t let me keep it inside.
Black people; white people
Remember the God who made you and me equal
Not some people but all people
Remember the God who made you and me equal
Maybe it all begins
By not focusing on ourselves
Fixing our eyes on Him
Living our lives as friends.
Black people; white people
Remember the God who made you and me equal
Not some people but all people
Remember the God who made you and me equal.
Photo Credit: James Estrin, The New York Times
YouTube Video – Erskin – Black & White – Official Lyric Video
A Shift in Demographics at a Church in Harlem – Samuel G. Freedman
YouTube Video – Global Spirituality: Pastor Michael Walrond at TEDxHarlem
They’re Playing Our Song – The Secret Multiracial Churches Know About Music – Michael O. Emerson
7 Key Characteristics of Diversity-Oriented Churches – Brian Leander
Racial Reconciliation in Richmond, Virginia? – Wendy McCaig
[Links below showcase Christian comedians who help us with some of the things that unnecessarily make us uncomfortable with each other’s church cultures…although I couldn’t find one that caricatured white church worship for blacks. Could someone help me?]
YouTube Video – Gary Owen – My First Time at a Black Church