races

[hhhlga89]

The world has more racial harmony then the church. This has probably always been this way since the beginning of time. The Jews were not in harmony with the gentiles, and so the cycle continues.

Don't give me an exaggerated list of racial conflicts that occurred in the world in order to justify our sin. We are the church, we expect those in the world to hate each other(Titus 3:3), but when the church marches lockstep with the world, how tragic! I'm not writing out of anger, currently I'm in my room where I have been for a few hours now, relaxing. This is written out of reflection and disappointment. There are white churches, black, and Hispanic, messianic etc etc. Of course there are language barriers to which Pentecostals even have to segregate the races (think about that you charismatics reading), but aren't there English speaking white,black,and Hispanic churches? Why the gates between us then? This isn't really about blacks and whites worshiping in the same building together. That happens ALL THE TIME. I go to one of these "mosaic churches", but I can't help but notice that when the service is over (or before service) we are segregated into our own racial packs - the blacks chatting over here, the whites over there, IN THE SAME BUILDING! sure we say "hi, how are you?" "I'm fine, how are the kids?" To people of other races, but c'mon' how shallow is that?

I fear that many whites have a superiority complex that hinders them from talking to people of a lower social class, economic, or intellectual. That is FAR from hate though.

I fear blacks have a deep seeded resentment towards white people. Either that or their desire to "stick together" has caused them to shut others out.

*I'm not sure what is the primary reason other races segregate. I won't pretend I do.
Why don't many Christians of different races hangout?(many young Christians do have friends of other races, but I feel this is more of a cultural thing. By that I mean, I think they would have had friends of different races even if they were not Christians), or date/marry?, why aren't there many churches with a mixed elder leadership? We gotta get over this guys. Why couldn't the southern baptist elect their first black leader before America did?

If culture is our barrier then I'm afraid we are too carnal for a change. Christ should be our culture. Should we not have all things in common when we become christians(acts 2:44,Galatians 3:28). Unfortunately, my american christian friends, we do not.

I wrote about Christians as a whole, meaning this may not apply to certain individual (look around you, is everyone in your circle just like you or not?). To get you to see how i see the church as a whole I wrote in generalizations. And I don't want to offend anyone.

 

[kenisyes]

My wife always used to say that Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week in America.

She is regarded as the "first real white person" in the black megachurch in Dover. I remember when we used to sit and discuss the Kingdom of God at the pastor's dining table, when the church only had 70 people. The Jewish star in the sanctuary window, he will say is there because of us. You can see their Tabernacles' celebration in the book in my website.

And our prayer group I mention in these threads periodically, started when the Hispanic church asked us to help them start an English service. I remember the summer children's feeding program, and the American/Spanish/Hatian/black/white joint celebration for Pentecost. You can see the smiles in the scrapbooks in my website.

You are so right, the culture of Jesus is there for whoever wants to live in it. I just looked at your picture. You look like you're about ready to give it a try. Keep us posted how it works out.

 

[_Ryan_]

I also see that happen at sporting events, large ones, however at the high school level, smaller groups, the people of both races, black and white, do interact with one another. I think this is because being on a team, which I have been on, you do not see color, you see another talented player, he can be black, white, Jewish, Hispanic, and will work together to make that team happen. I think parents see this, so maybe they have learned something about our generation, that we do not see race as a factor or a division between us and them.
Maybe if you have a Youth Group, this could be a start, if people see that the kids can work together towards a goal, building something or doing something for the Church, it may help the situation.

 

[Nautilus]

Its just something that happens. People tend to associate and group with other people like themselves. It happens in all things race, age, political ideologies.

 

[hhhlga89]

Amen, Kenisyes the church need more people like you and your wife who will place themselves in a difficult situation in order to break cultural norms. you spoke about the feeding program and the need for an english speaking teachers. its funny how God always puts one part of the body in need in order for the other parts to show love.The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" I'm reminded of the passage in acts where the church in Jerusalem was in need and the gentiles pitched in, breaking the hostility.

Yeah you're right about the whole team thing I see that happen all the time to. At work as well

 

[Hellooo]

I'm not white and english is actually my second language...I don't resent white people or other races, I just sometimes feel more connected to people who are like me. I don't see it as a negative...its no different than being more comfortable speaking to your own family versus speaking to the family next door. Of
course, I'm not referring to actual discrimination and hate which is always unacceptable.