Segregated Sundays
It has been oft said that, "the most segregated time of the week is Sunday morning". What an awful indictment, for those of us who call ourselves Christians--for Christ, prayed for us to be one even as He and the Father are One (Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are
John 17:11 ).
In 2009, a year in which we have made some great strides, we still have some very great hurdles ahead of us. Some may think there is nothing wrong with the fact that most african-americans and caucasians still worship, separately. They attribute the separation to differences in styles of worship, preaching and church management. Well, how can we ever be one, if we cannot find commonality in worship and come together under the banner of Christian love. If we cannot accomplish this, it's as if we give credence to those racist groups who came before us who forced us to worship separately. If we worship together, we remove so much of the power of the racism and hatred that still permeates our society.
Imagine, if all nationalities and races of our society, would come together (without regard for the minor differences in worship) and began to proclaim Christ, boldly; what that will do to tear down the stronghold of racism in our country, is mind-boggling. It isn't time for conferences to figure out how to structure it--just begin to pass it on. Pass the word to your pastor. Everybody, begin to pray and reach beyond the boundaries, all races, all languages (translators, needed!!!) for the walls of separation to come down, that exist among racial lines. They have been up far too long.
We cannot end racism in secular society, until we end it in the church. I say, we can't really be the Church as long as racism exists among us. Love can't be actively working alongside hatred and bigotry. Anything that separates us, hinders the work of the Body. We must put an end to it. It isn't unconquerable--it is a strong hold, but our weapons of warfare "not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds".
It is of utmost importance that we address the issue, too; Scripture bears this out:
Remember, there are not to be any divisions among us (I. Corinthians 1:10), but we are to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment". As we cry out for revival in our land, we must cry out for reconciliation with our brothers and sisters in Christ, who may be different in some ways, but in the most important way, we are to be ONE.
"Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." I. John 2:7-11 KJV
John 17:11 ).
In 2009, a year in which we have made some great strides, we still have some very great hurdles ahead of us. Some may think there is nothing wrong with the fact that most african-americans and caucasians still worship, separately. They attribute the separation to differences in styles of worship, preaching and church management. Well, how can we ever be one, if we cannot find commonality in worship and come together under the banner of Christian love. If we cannot accomplish this, it's as if we give credence to those racist groups who came before us who forced us to worship separately. If we worship together, we remove so much of the power of the racism and hatred that still permeates our society.
Imagine, if all nationalities and races of our society, would come together (without regard for the minor differences in worship) and began to proclaim Christ, boldly; what that will do to tear down the stronghold of racism in our country, is mind-boggling. It isn't time for conferences to figure out how to structure it--just begin to pass it on. Pass the word to your pastor. Everybody, begin to pray and reach beyond the boundaries, all races, all languages (translators, needed!!!) for the walls of separation to come down, that exist among racial lines. They have been up far too long.
We cannot end racism in secular society, until we end it in the church. I say, we can't really be the Church as long as racism exists among us. Love can't be actively working alongside hatred and bigotry. Anything that separates us, hinders the work of the Body. We must put an end to it. It isn't unconquerable--it is a strong hold, but our weapons of warfare "not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds".
It is of utmost importance that we address the issue, too; Scripture bears this out:
Remember, there are not to be any divisions among us (I. Corinthians 1:10), but we are to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment". As we cry out for revival in our land, we must cry out for reconciliation with our brothers and sisters in Christ, who may be different in some ways, but in the most important way, we are to be ONE.
"Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." I. John 2:7-11 KJV
Do you mind? Please do me a favor, pass this along....Thanks!
***THIS WAS SCHEDULED TO POST ON MAY 7, 2009***
ReplyDeleteMY APOLOGIES!