3 Ways for the Body of Christ to Promote Racial Reconciliation

May 27, 2020

This blog was written by one of our team members, Tim Hack.

“Most African Americans have had at least two life-altering experiences that are burned into their memory—the moment they realized they were black and the moment they realized that was a problem.” (Excerpt by Dr. Eric Mason from his book “Woke Church”)

I had the privilege of growing up in the suburbs of the greater Washington metropolitan area around people of various backgrounds, belief sets, and religions. After high school, I began to see and feel the social injustices that took place in the country in which we live. I saw the discrepancies between the claim that America is free and the reality of countless minorities being mistreated, some ending in death.

I began to realize that I too experienced racism without even being aware of it. I started to notice the subtle, hurtful gestures made towards me because of my skin color. The questionable stares that strangers would give me in public. I found myself getting frustrated at the same jaded ignorant “black jokes” I heard countless times that simply weren’t funny, but that I found myself “laughing” at because I didn’t want to allocate energy towards correcting and in return experiencing conflict. I even vividly remember an incident where I was apprehended by the police for “fitting the description” of a crime while simply walking from my house to a friend’s. I had the thought, “this might very well be the end.”. 

My parents made it clear, I was already at a disadvantage in the world. They reminded me that I had to work harder and outperform Caucasians to achieve success, since the world wouldn’t view me as an equal. I heard comments like “you’re the whitest black person I know.” And in response ask, “what is a black person supposed to look, act, and talk like?”

It took a toll on me growing up continuously seeing large densities of people that look like you struggle. Fatherlessness, incarceration, poor education systems, gentrification, homelessness, violence, and addiction are trends amongst many African American communities. These trends root back to slavery and the fact that throughout history many groups have made a strong effort to keep black people oppressed.

So why am I sharing this and how does this pertain to you?

I wanted to begin this article with a framework for us to see that there are serious social injustices that continue to take place across the country that the Church has historically ignored. The specific sin of racism has been a deeply rooted stronghold in the US since its conception. Because this sin is so deeply rooted in our country, drastic action needs to be taken. I believe this begins with us, the Church, the body of Christ. We have been vocal about other hot button social issues that need to be addressed, but have seemingly neglected discussing and taking action on issues regarding race. The problem is that many don’t see it as an issue while others reject its existence. Others link it to politics and think the Church should stay out of it, to avoid getting “messy”. Some individuals have very broken mindsets when it comes to race and don’t desire to see change happen. The world needs to see the Church go first in the fearless pursuit of diversity. Secular organizations and institutions should not be the foundational example for the world when it comes to diversity; that is the role of the Church. Something must change.

Why is it important for the Church to value racial reconciliation/diversity?

The epicenter of the issue of racial injustice is found in neglecting the doctrine of the "imago dei." This phrase means the image of God. Genesis 1:26-27 says, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." All people are made in the image of God regardless of the color of their skin. The Creator of the Universe values diversity. If He didn’t then he would have made us a bunch of copy and pastes and we would all look, talk, and act the same. However, He didn’t, He intricately made each of us different. John makes this clear in Revelation 7:9-10, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” In neither scene (pre-Fall Eden in Genesis nor in the New Heaven and New Earth) is racism found. Racism is a sin, period.

The antidote is the Gospel. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection not only reconciles us to God, but also to one another. 

All throughout scripture we see Jesus model what it looks like to sacrificially love all people; even those we consider his enemies. There are three characteristics that I believe that we can take from Jesus and actively apply when addressing racial reconciliation. Jesus had awareness, he acknowledged, and took action. We see all three of these exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this parable, Jesus tells a story about a Jewish man who was robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. Two Jewish religious professionals passed by, but decided to intentionally ignore the man's situation. Eventually, a Samaritan man passed by and saw this man's desperate condition. Unlike the previous two men, he stopped and sacrificially loved the Jewish man. He bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, paid the cost, and cared for him. What made this story so shocking to Jesus' initial audience was the conflict between Jews and Samaritans. They despised each other.

Awareness (Wake Up)

If we are going to make an impact, the Church must first be aware of the ongoing injustices minorities face in America (feel free to reference the list of resources below). One way we can be aware, is by reaching out to friends, co-workers, and associates that are minorities and asking poignant questions. Ask them what it is like to be a minority in America. Ask them what are the struggles that they face on a consistent basis because of the color of their skin. And ask them what are practical ways that you could be a proponent of change in your environments. Many minorities feel that their voice has not been heard. So, when you have these conversations be mindful to be intentional in being quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19).

Acknowledgement (Speak Up)

The difference between the Samaritan and the other two people passing by was that the Samaritan acknowledged the man. The Bible literally says that he had compassion for the Jewish man. When asked what to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus is referencing everyone when he says “neighbor”. 

We need to speak up when we hear or see racism because it is an offense against our neighbor. I am not just referring to speaking up on social media but when a racist statement or action is made we must interject and speak up out of truth and love. If we are going to say that the Church is the hands and feet of Jesus, we must have compassion on our neighbors who feel that their voices are not being heard.

I have heard many ask how they can model this for their families. Racism is often instilled in many at a young age. Teaching our children about the injustices that have and do take place in America is a big part of this. Many have grown up believing that this country has always been for any and everyone and that racism no longer exists, however it is quite the opposite. Speaking truth and providing clarity regarding racism is a key proponent in reversing it.

Action (Step Up)

We must have the awareness to acknowledge our neighbor and take bold action. The Good Samaritan not only stopped but cared for him to a great extent. Having the awareness and knowledge is one thing but taking action is what will bring change. “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:14-26).

Repent and Forgive

Radical change begins with us individually. We must first ask the Lord to search our hearts and reveal to us where any racist mindsets, notions, or belief sets may exist and repent. We must repent… For those who have experienced racism we must have a forgiving heart. When we have a repentant heart and are quick to forgive we are emulating the image of God.

Learn and Submerge Yourself into Other Cultures

We must leave our bubble of comfort to branch out and learn about other cultures. Be willing to submerge yourself in spaces and places that you usually wouldn’t. It is hard to reach someone if you don’t know anything about them. Go to a multi-cultural festival, start a book club and read books on the topic of racial reconciliation, take in media that is geared at educating others of social injustices (podcasts, movies, etc.). It might feel uncomfortable and you may feel out of place at first but, it will be worth it; as believers we are called to be uncomfortable.

Befriending Those That Don’t Look Like You

One way you can take bold action is by evaluating your friend group. Do all of your friends look like you? I am not saying you need to neglect all of your current friends, but I am challenging you to look for people that do not look like you and befriend them. This is a challenge for everyone. Open up your home and invite others into your house for meals, game nights, movie nights, etc. Parents, this can have a long lasting impact on your kids lives. What does it look like for them to see their parents going first in opening up their homes and inviting people of various backgrounds into their living spaces to break bread and commune together? It doesn’t have to be weird. Inclusivity and vulnerability are a big part of what it is going to take for us to see change. If we are going to reach the world with the gospel we are going to need to get out of our comfort zone and pursue relationships with people that do not look, act, or believe the same things that we do.

At the end of the day the true catalyst to racial reconciliation is the Gospel. Jesus is the ultimate picture of the Good Samaritan. He took bold action for His enemies (us) by dying on the cross for our sin. Not being racially insensitive isn’t the main goal. The main goal is to be more like Christ. That we would bring the New Heaven to earth right now (Matthew 6:10). We cannot have jaded thoughts about others because of the color of their skin or be ok with the dismal treatment of our neighbors all while calling ourselves the body of Christ. What would it look like for us to follow Jesus’ example, by laying down our lives for the sake of others? Gone are the days where we will be complacent to the screams of the injustices in America.

Resources:

If you would like to know more about the injustices discussed in this blog, the book “Woke Church” by Dr. Eric Mason is an excellent resource. Many of the ideas and concepts discussed above in some way were sifted through Dr. Mason’s book. 

“The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism” by: Jemar Tisby

“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by: Michelle Alexander