Charlottesville: How Should The Church Respond? -- By: Ken L. Davis

Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 21:2 (Fall 2017)
Article: Charlottesville: How Should The Church Respond?
Author: Ken L. Davis


Charlottesville:
How Should The Church Respond?

Dr. Ken Davis

Abstract: The recent Charlottesville, VA, event and its aftermath nationally revealed that racism and ethnic discord are still real issues in our nation and on our streets. This article seeks to help churches move past rhetoric to a biblically based gospel response. This article proposes seven practical steps that churches and leaders can implement to bring genuine racial reconciliation in our divided communities. The popular concepts of “race” and being “color-blind” are challenged as unhelpful; instead, the way forward is to grasp the biblical concepts of ethnicity and the celebration of difference.

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In light of the recent public turmoil in the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, Bible-believing Christians should reflect on how we can respond from a biblical worldview perspective. As a long-time (over four decades) observer /researcher of America’s increasingly diverse demographics and a church planting participant in urban multiethnic ministry, I am deeply concerned that we independent (unaffiliated) evangelical and fundamental Baptists be among the leaders to model how Christians can make a difference to bring about racial reconciliation in our divided nation and communities.

Too often, our history as churches and as a movement has not been exemplary. Fearing an embrace of the liberal social gospel, we avoided any involvement in community race

relations. Sometimes we sadly demonstrated open or latent racist attitudes and behaviors—or were complicit by our silence. Some of our schools have in the past excluded blacks because of an unbiblical view of “inter-racial marriage.” Our churches have not always enthusiastically welcomed and embraced ethnic minorities.

In recent times, many of our local churches have struggled with how to reach racially and economically changing neighborhoods in order to transition their ministries to become more multicultural. Too often, the growing ethnic and racial diversity of our communities is not reflected in our churches.

So in these times of racial and political discord and division, how should the church respond? In particular, what can pastors do to lead their people with biblical conviction to be on mission with Jesus and make a difference? How can we be instruments to see racial reconciliation realized in our communities and churches?

In light of the above realities, I would like to suggest six foundational observations regarding racial reconciliation to lay the groundwork for seven practical recommendations for church leaders.

Foundational...
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