The Church needs an update on its views on race
The Church has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in 2020. Christians in the United States are embracing conspiracy theories like QAnon with stronger resolve than their alleged faith in Jesus. They are ignoring the needs of the homeless. They support the caging of immigrants. And, the Church is standing on the wrong side of the line when it comes to racism.
Note: We capitalize the “Church” to reference the image of Christian organizations as a whole in the United States. We recognize that many church organizations strive to present a different image than what is often seen in popular media.
The ongoing problem with race in the Church
The Church has always been a part of racism in the United States. American Christians were slaveholders, supporters of segregation and perpetrators of years of ongoing racial injustice. It should be no surprise then that leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention formally dismissed “critical race theory,” which is the practice of exploring embedded racism in American institutions and culture.
There are many problems with this dismissal that we would hope are moot to point out, but the fact that leaders of a major denomination in the USA are choosing to ignore and dismiss racial issues shows that we still need to get the word out.
Racism is still very real in the USA, and the Church is not immune to it.
Confronting reality
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)
Look, we doubt that many Christians like these leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention are advocates for racism. They’re simply just ignorant of the real issues, willfully or not. They embrace the concept of “Well, I’m not racist, so they should just get over it.” It’s great that you might not be racist, but the institutions this country was built on have their roots in racism.
Wealth exists today that was built on the back of slaves not too long ago in our history. Advantages in the workplace have undeniably favored white people for years. Discrimination in the Church is undeniably real.
If you consider yourself a Christian who is not racist, then it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Call out the issues you see. Take a stand with those who are victims of discrimination, even if it means tarnishing your reputation or making enemies.
Be like the Christian Paul describes in the verse from Philippians above. Put the needs of others before you and join their side in advancing their place in this unfair world.
Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey
At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. We are currently going through a new sermon series titled “To Hell With Normal.” It’s all about redefining what we consider normal in life as we seek to make our lives more like the way Jesus would have them to be.
Do you want to grow in your faith or are simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.