DOES THE KINGDOM OF GOD INSPIRE YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

Moving from Routine practice to Inspired Engagement

Recently I’ve had several conversations with both Black and White clergy about my interest in helping clergy develop an anti-racism aspect to their ministry. These are people who share my desire to help churches to address one of the most volatile issues confronting our society. You may share their belief that:

1. The Gospel we proclaim contradicts the racism that divides both church and society.
2. The history of churches either defending racists behavior or avoiding the subject altogether is shameful.
3. We personally would like to have an approach to anti-racism that strengthens our church witness and helps heal racial division.

WHAT ARE OUR MEMBERS LIKE?

Yet these friends have each said something like:

1. The percentage of church members who would like the church to build a positive anti-racism ministry is probably under 10 %.
2. Most clergy are nervous about even raising the subject although they secretly believe that God’s message should include healing these divisions in both church and society.
3. They believe that members are comfortable with the routines of worship and living an acceptable life of being nice. 

SO MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS

Is it possible to develop an approach to proclaiming/living the Gospel truth with respect to racism that:

1. Invites the membership of a church to trust God enough to explore what God would want of the church membership with respect to racism.
2. Shares that understanding of faith with other churches and invite them to participate.
3. Results in a more vital church and positive witness to our society.

WILL YOU JOIN ME IN THE SEARCH?

I would like to discover a list of people who would be willing to review and give me feedback on resources that can assist clergy in that journey.  I believe that GOD IS NOT DEFEATED BY RACISM and may, in fact, be whispering a call to some of us to find new ways of engaging our members in a fresh spiritual journey.

My focus is on the individual churches that are planted across this county in every town and village. It dazzles my mind to consider the impact of all those churches instructed by a shared Bible to be united in a faith that encourages them to “love their neighbor” and accept the commission of being entrusted with the message of reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

I will continue to blog about this and hope that you will not only read the blogs but encourage others to be connected as well.

You can see all of my work in this area at my  website  www.smccutchan.com