Week 4 - What Now?

Over the last three weeks, we have surveyed the history of Lexington in regards to racial inequalities and racism itself. From slavery, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights Movement, we saw how our very own city was complicit when it came to racism in America. I am sure many of the images you saw and history you read brought feelings of anger, frustration, confusion, or utter despair. For others, it brought indifference or more questions.

One of the reasons why history is so important is because it gives us an opportunity to learn from those who came before us. It illustrates how people have acted (or not acted) in times of pressure or tension. History gives perspective for those in future generations (like ours today) on what to do or what not to do when certain injustices arise in our world, cities, or even in our personal lives.

So, what now?

For many Black and brown people, 2020-2021 doesn’t seem all that different from the 1960s and before. True, slavery has been outlawed, and there are no federally-legislated Jim Crow laws. However, this past year has vividly demonstrated to us that there are some strong lingering effects of our nation’s racist past that have not been dealt with. Over-policed Black and Brown neighborhoods, unarmed killings of Black people, economic disparities between white people and minorities, incarceration rates that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities and families. All of these you can trace back to a time in our history that was covered in this series.

What role can a predominantly-white church like ours play today? How can our church contribute towards solutions, unlike the white churches from the eras of slavery, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights?

We can pursue the Bible’s call to justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Yes, history is important and there are many ways in which it helps us. But, the God we read about in the Bible gives us a more powerful and effective way to do racial reconciliation. To follow Jesus is to live a life that is always pursuing justice, compassion, and reconciliation.

In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, the Apostle Paul teaches on the importance of reconciliation as a ministry of the church both corporately and individually. Furthermore, Paul teaches that we have the ability to pursue reconciliation because of Jesus, who “has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Because of this, God’s people can in fact live and operate in the world as “one new man (or creation)” (Ephesians 2:15). This truth that we find in the Scriptures gives our church the ability and means to pursue racial reconciliation in our personal lives and within our city.

Now, more than ever, predominantly-white churches in America have a great opportunity to not only learn from its past but also be a part of the solution going forward. Do we presume to know exactly what the solution is for you or your family? No, but it will require you to think racially about all of life - where you live, who you spend time with, how you interpret the news, and you’ll even begin to pick up new themes in the Scriptures.

Another question: do we know exactly how we are going to address issues of race at Hope Presbyterian Church? No, but we do know that we want to walk in humility with a learning posture as we engage these issues in faith through a gospel lens. We’d love for you to join us and have God surprise us in the days ahead!

- Jared & Marshall