Christians ignore those with different skin color
I would guess that most religious people in the United States exist in a diverse culture working and living with people of all sizes, colors, religions and political persuasions.
Not surprisingly, they exist in the workplace, their social life and their business life in a peaceful and respectful way. To answer Rodney King's question following the Los Angeles riots: Yes, people want to get along.
Then why are our churches so segregated on Sunday mornings? The worship hour, as someone pointed out in the 1960s, is the most segregated time of the week. Thirty years later, it's still is - Christians simply do not reach out to people who have a different skin color.
In every other fragment of our society, we are required to deal with a diverse corps of people who sell us things, offer helpful services, work with us and live next door. But in church, color becomes part of a church's identity. The color of the church might as well be in the church's name - First Caucasian Church of Whitebread.
This phenomenon has always puzzled me and, I have observed, it happens all across the United States.
I would also like to know how you managed to create an integrated congregation: the racial makeup of your neighborhood, programs that speak to children coming out of diverse cultures and efforts to reach out to people who speak another language or have a different color of skin.
Do congregations ever sit down in an adult forum or a church council meeting to discuss how people of different races and ethnic backgrounds can be evangelized to join the worship hour? I fear they do not. Then what happens to the Great Commandment, to go into all the world baptizing and teaching the gospel of your Lord Jesus Christ?
In this day, major corporations are mandating that every employee spend a few hours in diversity training learning how to tolerate and respect people who differ from the mainstream. That includes differences in how people get around: with canes, crutches, wheelchairs and walkers. It also includes the way people communicate, some with another language (including American Sign Language used by people who are hearing-impaired).
Let me ask you: Are Braille Bibles and hymnals available in your worship space for those with impaired sight? Do you employ an American Sign Language interpreter? If your neighborhood is changing, do you evangelize every resident rather than picking and choosing on the basis of skin color? Has your denomination offered any kind of diversity training for pastors and parishioners?
Further, is your sanctuary friendly toward those who use wheelchairs, canes and crutches to move about? Check your restrooms to see how easy it might be for those in wheelchairs to use.
Does it nudge your conscience just a bit to know that business and government are doing more to unify the nation around diversity concerns than any of our churches? It makes me wonder how long it will take to move Christians to the point where they accept diverse people in the churches as a natural part of being Christian.
Here are a couple of suggestions to help your congregation become a body that reflects the diversity of society:
Begin with children. If you live in a changing neighborhood or community, offer after-school recreational programs that will draw children who would otherwise be left home alone. Saturdays and Sunday afternoons are great times for inexpensive outings with neighborhood children who otherwise have little chance to travel outside an environment that may be dangerous to their futures.
Continue with adults. If you have an adult forum or Bible study, intentionally invite guests who are familiar with another culture. Begin with religious people who will be able to offer insights into other churches, synagogues, temples or mosques and then open the doors to other races and cultures.
The trick is to start, persevere and never stop. This nation will become a melting pot of races, cultures and religions only if religious people try to do their part. It is an exciting opportunity and a holy duty.
Clark D. Morphew
9-2-94
