What comes to mind when you think about the words “future faces of the church”? For some, the phrase may inspire thoughts of church visionaries. Maybe you’re envisioning the next generation of world changers in your student ministry.
But think a little differently with me. What do the people and leaders in your congregation look like? In 93 percent of American churches today, a majority of the faces are of one race.
What do you believe or hope these faces will look like five to 10 years from now? Do you care? Or are you one of the many leaders I encounter that laugh about or downplay the fact that the vast majority of U.S. churches are racially segregated?
Nearly 50 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. had the courage to address and challenge what he saw, calling 11 o’clock on Sunday morning “the most segregated hour in America.” Unfortunately, his observation still rings true today.
Rewind 2,000 years, and you find another leader even more passionate about a united kingdom. Jesus called for His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:16-20). The words “all nations” indicate that Jesus’ ministry in Israel was to be the starting point of what would later become the proclamation and sharing of the Gospel to everyone regardless of race, gender, socioeconomics or geography. Clearly, diversity is important to God. Keep reading
Hello Robin,
ReplyDeleteToday and this weekend is somewhat a milestone in my own life and faith journey. In the mid 90s, I moved back to Michigan from Northern Virginia where I had lived for a dozen years. During part of that time, I attended The Falls Church and note most the clergy from then are now in the ACNA. I attend a somewhat liberal ELCA church with my wife and am active in music, but still read the conservative voices that talk about sharing the Gospel not just the love of God only. I also read, Not Another Episcopal Blog and used to read some of Stand Firm in Faith.
Today I work as an article content writer for an online freelance concern, blog, and wanted to leave a comment so you would know someone out here noticed!
My blog is
grafted in and on the journey also at blogspot.com.
I will be back to visit or read on occasion, but keep up the encouragement that moves us forward.
Blessings in Messiah Jesus,
David Russell