Clarifying Sermons that Articulate my Heart on Prejudice
Any person who is married can understand that things can be so easily misunderstood. Misunderstandings complicate relationships and strain new friendships. Over the past years, I have spoken out about prejudice and racism in various forms. Sometimes I feel heard and understood and sometimes in a social media post of some kind it feels like I have failed miserably. Over the past season of ministry many have asked me thought provoking questions about the role of the church as it pertains primarily to the black community. Many questions like the following have been asked…
How can I be more effective in reaching those in the black community? Why does it seems minorities do not seem to stay in our church? Are you blowing things way out of proportion? Do you feel you have fallen into a media narrative? Are you becoming more a political preacher than a Bible preacher?…and the list goes on.
Since I was being asked the same questions nearly every week, I thought it prudent to recognize my unique perspective and start thinking in depth about what my response should be. My mission as a Biblical Evangelist has not changed and I have written in detail about what the mission is HERE. However, I was noticing a pattern of ministry leaders simultaneously concluding that there could be more to this ‘color gap’ than meets the eye.
My brothers and I started a podcast series to initially answer some of the questions that I was receiving. A few recordings in, I started noticing that these issues were so far reaching that other topics needed to be addressed. The podcast format that we decided upon was that each brother would lend their perspective to current trends and issues and my perspective would be seeing the cultural trend as it relates to the church . I believe this format aids in the explanation of certain ideas that are harder to convey in a simple lunch conversation between two ministry leaders.
My favorite feedback from the podcast is not that an individual has had their mind changed to some belief, but the greatest compliment is, “Hmm, you made me think" OR “ I have never seen it like that before.” It is not a conversation of right and wrong, but a conversation that is to enlighten understanding. Some have posed questions about my commitment to the Lord or whether speaking on racial issues rivals my calling as an evangelist. I believe I am to be committed and faithful to preach all Scripture including the uncomfortable parts. I have challenged congregations to remember the last time they have heard a full sermon on prejudice; and many people in church for 30+ years cannot recall one single sermon. I purpose to you as the reader, that something is broken! Therefore as a faithful preacher of the Gospel, the Lord has laid on my heart this specific burden; although, it is not at all the only neglected topic in Scripture, I want to do my best to not hide from the reality and ugliness of a sin that is causing so many divides in our nation and world.
Recently, I preached at my home church and poured my heart out about these matters. I will probably not speak on these matters in an avenue like this again therefore I wanted those who may be curious to understand what my Biblical basis is for speaking on these matters. I am thankful to have the support and love of my home church. These are not easy times to navigate as a believer, but I do believe the timeless truth of Scripture will be that which directs thy paths.
The Blindspot of Prejudice encapsulates why I believe the Scripture shows us that prejudice is more prevalent than we think.
Ugly Praying introduces the theme of lamenting. Lamenting with others is critical for profitable empathy with another group of people who we may not understand.
