"And at the Crystal Cathedral’s ReThink conference this weekend, prominent Evangelical leader Chuck Colson made this statement: “Islam is a tragically regressive religion, because it has proven itself incapable of producing a great civilization.” Now, I’m going to blog about this more extensively later, but these attitudes pervade God’s Church. And we are not meant to be so."

I’m curious to know why you seem to disagree that this statement by Colson is true–it is true for more reasons than even Colson mentions. Islam…well, that’s another topic, but seriously, I don’t understand what this statement has to do with racism in the church. I don’t see the racism in Colson’s statement at all. It is simply a matter of observable fact.

Second, you wrote:

We demand that you look like us (as much as possible), speak like us (English only, please), believe like us (liberal, Judeo-Christian)2 and act like us (2.5 kids, nuclear family, share our values, etc.). So long as you conform to We, you may stay here, and you may thrive here. But if you do not, if you choose not to conform and instead to celebrate your distinctiveness, then you are a threat to We. You take Our jobs and You threaten to undermine Our values and Our way of life. So long as You demand that you be allowed to remain You, You will have no place among We. We will drive you out, and We will build walls to keep You out, where You belong.

I’m curious to know if you are speaking here with reference to illegal aliens? I wonder why you would be offended that there are many who do not want people breaking the law in order to live in the United States? Illegal is illegal. I don’t think it is so much that people don’t want different people in the United States (we’re like snowflakes as it is!) as much as it is that people don’t want illegal people in the United States. There are processes to go through in order to become legal. Right?

Third, I may be a bit naive or sheltered so please forgive me for asking, but do you know of any specific cases of racism in the ‘church’? I mean, if you want a more integrated worship, then what is stopping you from bringing in the masses that you wish to integrate? Is ‘church leadership’ a vital aspect of bringing a lost person to Jesus Christ? Or, better, couldn’t you just as easily go to a church where you are the minority and work with them?
Remember, I’m not accusing; I am asking. So please don’t get angry with me. I am a learner like you and I am simply curious to understand your point of view because this hasn’t been my experience in the church. Anyhow, I’ll be happy with any answer you give. Thanks a lot.

in Christ,
jerry

I am no way trying to play devil’s advocate – but I gotta ask, “How?” I am with you all the way on this one. I am a huge proponent of the 2 mile rule (but without the bit about sticking to one’s denom). I just don’t know how.

I agree with you that our churches should reflect our neighborhood.  Our Church is right on the line between the poorer black area of town and the new, wealthier, whiter suburbs.  And guess which group we’re targeting?  In fact, at least half of those who live within two blocks of our church (and the entire development that’s literally in our back yard) is black.  My problem is that we’re not a reflection of our neighborhood.  And that seems painfully intentional.  Thanks for the articles.  I’ll check them out!

It also reminds me how much the church needs to remind itself of the Gospel. All men are sinners and all stand condemned before God; there is no distinction. We are all helpless sinners who need God’s chesed and agape and charis and eleos if we are going to get into the promised land of the New Jerusalem. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus’ precious blood purchased for God people from every tribe and tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9). The rampant racism in the church shows just how bad we Christians must live in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We Christians would do ourselves much good in loving our fellow "Other" if we would preach to ourselves that we are no different before God than the "Other," we all need grace!

Well said JR!

The rest of us have the same responsibility – of course. I also want to say that – a church congregation will look like the neighborhood is located in. So we shouldn’t expect a melting pot where there is none to begin with.

There were actually two studies that I read a while back on how diversity hurts society and how church small groups are the best way to build relationships:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/08/05/the_downside_of_diversity/

http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/dhenninger/?id=110010477 (The Pros of Small groups)

Edgar.