Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 13:2 (Spring 1999)
Article: Overcoming Barriers
Author: Jennifer Sudderth

PP 13:1 (Winter 1998) p. 16

Overcoming Barriers

Jennifer Sudderth

Jennifer Sudderth received her MA in Christian Education from Bethel Theological Seminary West in 1982. She was ordained through American Baptist Churches USA in 1992. Currently she leads Tree of Life Ministries in San Diego, CA and teaches at Rancho del Rey Middle School in Chula Vista, CA. In addition, she travels extensively, sharing the gospel message with men and women cross-culturally

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 NRSV

Jesus Christ wants his body to become one—every church, every person. He wants his body to experience the unity with him and with each other that he experiences with his Father. But this unity is hindered by barriers of many kinds.

These barriers may take tangible and intangible forms. But whatever their form, they are always accompanied by one thing—fear, fear of our differences and the unfamiliarity which those differences bring.

In order to become one, we first have to overcome our fear of differences by facing them and by changing the way we perceive them.

“There Is No Longer Jew Or Greek...”

As an African-American, I have experienced, too often, the sting of racial discrimination. I have seen in the eyes, heard in the words, felt in the deeds of others their contempt, yes, even their hatred of me. Yet, I know that it is not me that they are hating; for the barriers they have erected between us have not allowed them to know me, to find out who I really am.

No, it is their lack of information about my heritage, their insecurity about my freedom, their fear of everything my skin color represents in their minds that keeps them from seeing and appreciating my worth, and makes them respond differently toward me than they would to their own kind.

The beginning step in overcoming barriers is to recognize our differences and see them as helps, not hindrances; channels, not barriers. There is value in learning to love and appreciate the rich heritage and unique experiences that come with different cultures, different people. The Apostle Paul expressed it best when he said: “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews...I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” As Christians representing Christ in the world, we should be willing to accommodate ourselves to the culture of others in order to save some.

My own childhood was a living example of Paul’s ideas. I was raised in the barrio of the city and attended a predominantly Mexican-American ...