The Church's Mission is Not Racial Diversity
Some of the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (of which I am a proud member) seem to have become fixated on the problem of racism in America's churches. Where do they see evidence of racism? An example often cited is that "Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week," because churches tend to be predominantly white or black. But is this really evidence of racism? No.
First, let's be clear that there are not only churches that are mostly white, but there also churches that are mostly black. But I've never heard anyone accuse a church of being too black. The criticism is usually only used as evidence that white Christians are still very racist.
Second, what goes on in churches is not segregation. Segregation is when an organization intentionally separates itself from people of another race. It shows disrespect for, or does not allow participation and membership to people of another race. But I challenge someone to name just one church in the Southern Baptist Convention that intentionally excludes the people of another race in their constitution and bylaws, or to identify just one pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention who preaches in favor of racism and segregation. These would be true examples of racism. But they don't exist.
Third, the church is not the most segregated institution in America. It is marriage. In the vast majority of cases white people marry white people, and black people marry black people. Is this evidence of racism? Of course not. People tend to marry people who are similar culturally. And in America, black culture and white culture are very different. We tend to dress differently, talk differently, listen to different music, watch different movies, etc. And that's why white people tend to marry white people, and black people tend to marry black people. It's not about racism; it's about culture.
The same thing is true for churches. People tend to plant their roots in a church that fits them culturally. They choose a church based on affinity. It's about having things in common. It has nothing to do with race. And since black culture and white culture are so different in America, black people tend to congregate with black people, and white people tend to congregate with white people. And that's not racism. Only when a church intentionally excludes or is disrespectful to people because of their race is there a problem.
The real problem in the Southern Baptist Convention are people who accuse a church of racism simply because it is too white, and who define a church's spirituality by how racially diverse it is. On the contrary, true racism exists when a church makes it a goal to be racially diverse. This means that they intentionally target people because of their race, show favoritism when a particular race visits the church, and hire staff on the basis of race. They are treating people differently according to race. That's called racism.
The answer to racism in America's churches is simple. The church must continue to teach people that all men are created equal, and deserve equal treatment regardless of race. And churches must set out to reach as many people as possible in their community, regardless of race. In other words, churches must focus on reaching many people, not many races. The goal of racial diversity only perpetuates racism because it keeps the focus on race rather than on people. Seeking racial diversity only distracts the church from its true mission -- seeking and saving the lost.
First, let's be clear that there are not only churches that are mostly white, but there also churches that are mostly black. But I've never heard anyone accuse a church of being too black. The criticism is usually only used as evidence that white Christians are still very racist.
Second, what goes on in churches is not segregation. Segregation is when an organization intentionally separates itself from people of another race. It shows disrespect for, or does not allow participation and membership to people of another race. But I challenge someone to name just one church in the Southern Baptist Convention that intentionally excludes the people of another race in their constitution and bylaws, or to identify just one pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention who preaches in favor of racism and segregation. These would be true examples of racism. But they don't exist.
Third, the church is not the most segregated institution in America. It is marriage. In the vast majority of cases white people marry white people, and black people marry black people. Is this evidence of racism? Of course not. People tend to marry people who are similar culturally. And in America, black culture and white culture are very different. We tend to dress differently, talk differently, listen to different music, watch different movies, etc. And that's why white people tend to marry white people, and black people tend to marry black people. It's not about racism; it's about culture.
The same thing is true for churches. People tend to plant their roots in a church that fits them culturally. They choose a church based on affinity. It's about having things in common. It has nothing to do with race. And since black culture and white culture are so different in America, black people tend to congregate with black people, and white people tend to congregate with white people. And that's not racism. Only when a church intentionally excludes or is disrespectful to people because of their race is there a problem.
The real problem in the Southern Baptist Convention are people who accuse a church of racism simply because it is too white, and who define a church's spirituality by how racially diverse it is. On the contrary, true racism exists when a church makes it a goal to be racially diverse. This means that they intentionally target people because of their race, show favoritism when a particular race visits the church, and hire staff on the basis of race. They are treating people differently according to race. That's called racism.
The answer to racism in America's churches is simple. The church must continue to teach people that all men are created equal, and deserve equal treatment regardless of race. And churches must set out to reach as many people as possible in their community, regardless of race. In other words, churches must focus on reaching many people, not many races. The goal of racial diversity only perpetuates racism because it keeps the focus on race rather than on people. Seeking racial diversity only distracts the church from its true mission -- seeking and saving the lost.
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