He has created each of us unique and we can appreciate the distinct gifts and experiences that we bring into the Church. Colossians 3 says:
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Next week, we will commemorate what Jesus did for us on the cross. And, that cross, which means redemption for us, can also mean reconciliation - for fallen humanity to God, and for those who call upon His name. If we claim the name of Jesus, that means that we all are God's children, we are of the same spiritual family, bought by the same blood. That can powerfully bring us together as a dynamic force in this world to bring attention to the glory of God and the name of Jesus.
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I think we can admit that the Bible has a unique and effective way that leads to peace among people of different ethnic backgrounds. Ephesians 2 puts it this way:
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
He is speaking here specifically of Jews and Gentles, but I believe it indicates God's heart toward all becoming one through the cross.
Yesterday on The Meeting House, I featured a guest, Bishop Robert, who focused on the importance of Christian unity. And, there's an area of unity that calls for Christians to take bold steps to get it right, and that is racial reconciliation.
LifeWay Research has conducted a new poll of senior pastors about that overall topic. According to a summary of the survey at the Christianity Today website, "Nine out of 10 American pastors say they recently encouraged racial reconciliation. Their favorite method: Breaking bread with someone of another ethnicity."
The findings show that 72 percent of these pastors surveyed "have shared a meal with a diverse small group of people (less than 10) within the past month." And, over 4-in-10, 44 percent, say they have experienced that sort of meal in the past week. That, to me, is astounding - and encouraging.
Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, stated that a majority of pastors "have been socializing with other races and ethnicities and have led prayer on racial reconciliation,” he noted. “But less than a third have addressed economic inequity or publicly lamented injustice.”
But, pastors do seem to be speaking out in the overall topic area of racial reconciliation - 45% related that "they have preached on racial reconciliation in the last three months." They have by and large received little negative feedback. But, their congregation leaders do not seem to be asking the pastors to preach on the subject: Almost three-quarters of pastors say "they have not been urged by church leaders to preach about reconciliation, while about a quarter" have been.
But there is no doubt work to do - a study from 2015 indicated that about two-thirds of churchgoers felt their church had done enough to be diverse, and a 2014 study showed that most pastors indicated that they should pursue greater racial diversity, even though their congregations were predominantly one ethnic group. Both those surveys were conducted by LifeWay Research.
Well, there is plenty to talk about here. There is no doubt action being taken to bring understanding between the races - sharing a meal is what a surprisingly large number of pastors are doing, and why not? It provides an opportunity for face-to-face conversation, and through talking - and listening - bridges can be built.
We have different backgrounds in the body of Christ, differences of experience, and various approaches to the work of the Lord. And, as I said in my conversation with Bishop Robert aired yesterday, diversity should not be divisive. Actually, as some view the topic of diversity, it lends itself to causing division. In the body of Christ, thinking with a Christian worldview perspective, we are called to celebrate our differences.
I think it's also important that our desire to pursue racial reconciliation is not largely symbolic. McConnell pointed out that a relatively small number of pastors had not addressed economic issues or injustice. This is a different level, as I see it, on the racial harmony scale - but, it involves subject matter that the Church could feel confident in addressing. If we believe the Scriptures speak to every area of life, then we certainly can be involved in trying to bring economic opportunities to impoverished communities, and speaking out regarding the proper meting out of justice in our cities. The Church has been given a voice, and we can use the wisdom of God in order to show the world how people from different racial and cultural backgrounds can work together.
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