worship guide
Race and Reconciliation
A Worship Guide dealing with the issues of race, racism, and reconciliation from a Christian perspective. Find helpful resources as you approach this critical issue in your sermons and services.
Resources on Race and Reconciliation
Neither Jew nor Greek...
Practice Running Behind Theology
American Christianity wears the history of the United States on its congregations. Richard Allen formed what would become the African Methodist Church after being treated as second-class members by the local Methodist church in Philadelphia during the same summer as the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Throughout the antebellum years, racist concepts were used to justify the "peculiar institution" of chattel slavery in the South (though these concepts were not limited to the South, even among abolitionists). This history has resulted in parallel denominations and styles of worship, even among Christians who are otherwise substantially similar theologically.
Other historical forces have contributed to other ethnically grouped congregations. Immigrant communities which have come to the United States from around the world have often formed congregations where they can worship in their heart language and culture—though prejudice has often played a role in pushing these groups into enclaves where they feel safe.
In spite of some degree of integration since the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King's quote above remains an apt description of American Sundays today, even though most such churches disavow racism and teach equality in Christ.
Approaching Race as Christians
Race remains a difficult topic for American Christians. High-profile killings or beatings of Black people (or other people of color) by police frequently rock our communities and there is often strong disagreement about the best way to respond. Black congregations have little choice but be involved in politics when their own members fear for their lives when interacting with law enforcement. White-majority congregations have often treated these as political matters and have avoided direct involvement in advocacy—though there are hopeful signs that this may be changing.
Your church's ethnic makeup makes a big difference for how to approach race, so it is a little difficult to give general advice for approaching it in sermons or services. Very generally, here are three things that seem wise to us:
Educate yourself. There are many books by Christian authors from different backgrounds worth grappling with. These different perspectives are critical for understanding the issues. These can be great topics for reading groups within your congregation. Here's two reading lists to look at: one from the National Association of Evangelicals and another from the Gospel Coalition.
Leave your silo. Humbly seek out churches who you can partner with in ministry. Don't expect to lead. Expect to listen and learn and follow the Spirit. Build relationships so that you can be the body of Christ together.
Bring the issue of equality and justice into your sermons and services. This helps cultivate conversations within your congregation and shows that issues of race are not just political "footballs," but issues for Christians to see through the lens of Christ. We at TPW continue to look for resources to help you do this. See our links below.
Be Welcoming
Honestly assess how welcoming your church is to the whole community. The whole world may already be in your community in the form of immigrants and refugees. What would it take to make them feel welcome and included? How can your church understand and meet the needs of the people around you? The Kingdom of God is truly multi-ethnic. What would it take for your church to reflect that reality?
In September of 2023, we had the privilege of publishing a guest article from Mekdes Haddis, exploring this important topic. We hope you take a look!
