Do Likewise
More Free, At Least
In Atlanta, few predominantly white churches within the I-285 beltway are growing. Most, in fact, are rapidly declining, despite a variety of reform and renewal efforts. But most black churches and those of other ethnic groups are growing. While I don't fully understand what is going wrong in the white churches, I am beginning to sense what is going right in so many African American congregations. They are by no means perfect, but life is there. The whole self is engaged there. The Spirit moves there.
What if it turns out that the greatest source of renewal for Christianity in America is to be found in churches led by those once called "racial and ethnic minorities"? What if the day is coming, or is already here, when white Christians will have to undertake yet one more release—the release of our sense that we are the ones who know best how to do church? What if we find ourselves crossing those invisible but real racial boundary lines on a pilgrimage to discover where true Christian vitality is to be found?
Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Gushee's columns are available online.
Other articles on racial reconciliation include:
Exit Interviews | Why blacks are leaving evangelical ministries. (January 15, 2007)
Behold, the Global Church | It's time we figured out how to talk--and listen--to one another. (November 11, 2006)
Catching Up with a Dream | Evangelicals and Race 30 Years After the Death of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Jan. 17, 2000)
Playing the Grace Card | Christians hold the missing key to racial reconciliation—but it won't be popular. (July 13, 1998)
Breaking the Black/White Stalemate | Jesse Miranda and William Pannell discuss the next step in racial reconciliation. (March 2, 1998)
The 'Jackie Robinson' of Evangelism | When Howard Jones broke the race barrier on Billy Graham's platform, he faced rejection from both sides. (Feb. 9, 1998)
Racial Reconciliation: After the Hugs, What? | The next step for racial reconciliation will be harder. (February 3, 1997)
Christianity Today's series on evangelicals and racial reconciliation includes:
Color-Blinded | Why 11 o'clock Sunday morning is still a mostly segregated hour. An excerpt from Divided by Faith. (Sept. 22, 2000)
Divided by Faith? | A recent study argues that American evangelicals cannot foster genuine racial reconciliation. Is our theology to blame? (Sept. 22, 2000)
The Lord in Black Skin | As a white pastor of a black church, I found the main reason prejudice and racism hurt so much: because we are so much alike. (Sept. 25, 2000)
Shoulder to Shoulder in the Sanctuary | A profile in racial unity. (Sept. 28, 2000)
Common Ground in the Supermarket | A profile in racial unity. (Sept. 27, 2000)
We Can Overcome | A CT forum examines the subtle nature of the church's racial division—and offers hope. (October 2, 2000)
Do Likewise
David P. Gushee
David P. Gushee serves as Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University, where he also chairs the Mercer Lyceum initiative on rebuilding democracy. His column ran from 2005 to 2007.
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Comments
Linda
I can tell you what's going on in Atlanta for many of the white churches since I live here. They're full of P.C. Pulpit Pimps who are accomodating the culture instead of preaching the whole counsel of the Bible! However, we have the Juanita Bynum scandal here, too, so the black church has some bad actors.
louisquinze
I find it sad that Christians see black and white and not just persons.
Paula
I have attended several services with my fellow African American friends. I can say when I leave one of their services I feel that I can take on the world on conquer anything. Also, when I've attended an African American church, I have been well received. I've never felt so welcomed in church as I do theirs. I think where white churches fail is that 1.) they're not as friendly, open, accepting, and welcoming as white churches. 2.) many of the mainstream churches are stuck in rituals and tradition and are afraid of branching out to worship in ways that promote freedom. These same churches want to put God on a strict schedule. Yes, we need order, but mainstream churches need to quit acting as the "frozen chosen". 3.) On the other hand, the contemporary evangelistic movement, while offering freedom in worship, doesn't always teach deep spiritual, scriptual truths. Racial integration in worship is what Christ wants. Afterall, we won't be segregated there.