Why we still need the Black Church: As a leader in what is called; “The Black Church,” and yet, as one who is fully committed to ecumenism because I believe that ultimately we are all ONE IN CHRIST, the killing of Michael Brown and the aftermath in Ferguson, MO; much like the Trayvon Martin tragedy, points out the stark, painful divide in our Christian community. The lament by MLK that; “Sunday at 11AM is the most segregated hour of the week” is not just because we worship in different buildings, but we worship with vastly different perspectives. So, I thank GOD for the Black Church. This past Sunday, while virtually every majority black congregation devoted significant time addressing the tragic death of yet another black male youth and the lingering social injustice and racial inequalities that are the reality of being black or brown in America; so many of our white brothers and sisters sat in pews where if anything was said at all about Michael Brown, there was a brief, awkward petition for calm and healing. I’m prepared for the angry push back arguing that I shouldn’t generalize. Some will suggest that there are some white pastors and churches that spoke out strongly this past Sunday and that regularly stand in solidarity with us in the black community. But the reality is that far too many of our white brothers and sisters have remained silent. Contrast the churches’ response, black and white, to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. We all came together to grieve, to pray, and to unite because we understood that we all lost something precious that sad day. My earnest prayer is that we would likewise come to understand that when any child is killed senselessly we have also suffered a shared precious loss. To my white brothers and sisters, as ONE with us IN CHRIST, no matter what your individual opinion may be about the events surrounding the deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, and the many other unarmed young sons being buried every week in our communities - cant you see, hear, feel, and share the pain and struggle that is ours. Live out the words of Scripture that calls upon us to; “weep with those who weep.” Our Christian unity demands that you not only pray with us, but that you SPEAK OUT and STAND UP for justice with us. PUT YOUR HANDS UP with us! Only then can we truly become the “Beloved Community.” Only then will our sitting in pews together and singing hymns together have real meaning. “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” - Dr. Martin Luther King
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 02:53:36 +0000
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