SOME ARE RIGHTLY DISGUSTED WITH RACISM IN SBC CHURCH

My stomach churned with disgust as I read my friend, Johnathan Pritchett's outrage and disgust (read here/link), regarding a Mississippi pastor, who refused to allow the marriage of a black couple in their church (/link).  This is more than an outrage; it's incredulous in this day and age.  This pastor and a minority of church members barred a couple from joining hearts and hands in marriage under God, simply because of the color of their skin?  They deserve a blistering and immediate response from the SBC.

Often racism goes unseen, unreported; it flies under the radar of the public at large. Sometimes it is subtle--a handshake and smiling face, but rarely an invitation to home-cooked dinners.  Secret ballot votes for deacons, or the seeking of white pastors in predominately white churches. In these cases, racism fails the kindred spirit examination, the bless-be-the-tie-that-binds trial. It fails miserably.

Friends, this Mississippi church's action will not go unnoticed.  There is no way to fly beneath the radar. I am glad some (here, here, and here), in our convention are calling attention to it.  Yet, I am deeply saddened that reality of this shameful attitude necessitates exposure.  It should not be.  Not among Christians.

I do believe God is cleaning house and opening wide the doors of the sin and unholy attitudes of our convention.  We need to open our hearts, our minds and remove the blinders over our eyes.  Racism is not going to go away with the election of the first black SBC President.  This is clearly seen in the action taken by this church and it will be a monumental test upon us as a convention of churches which seek to uplift Christ and bring glory to God.

This action did neither.  It spits in the face of our Savior as sure as they were standing at Calvary over 2,000 years ago.  It erases any glory God could have received by hearts joining together to reject the racism living in the hearts of members.  Sadly, it addresses a weakness of character in the leadership of this church.

May those who were unaware be the force of change.  May they have the courage to do what is right and just in the eyes of God over this duplicity in spirit and mindset of their calling as ambassadors for Christ.

Make no mistake, my Southern Baptist brothers and sisters: God is cleaning house.

If we will not repent, then God will expose our hypocrisy in the courts of public opinion.  Our sins will not go unnoticed.  At the same time this church will face a reckoning, it behooves us to pray for God to use this incident to pierce the heart of that Mississippi church membership and convict them of their sin.

May their cancerous hate be cut out from their midst as they beg forgiveness of this couple.  May God be glorified in this church's humble apologies in days to come and their resolve to change what needs to be changed in order to line up with the love of God and reconciling power of His Holy Spirit.  May our outrage over this situation not equal the unrighteous attitude of this racist incident.  May we admonish with the Spirit of God as our guide.  May we act in accordance with His will and Word.  selahV

Comments

[Dwight McKissic]

SelahV,

A word fitly spoken. A blessing to read. A balm in Gilead. Thanks.

Dwight McKissic

[selahV]

Dwight, thank you. And may I offer you my deepest regrets over this horrendous act of prejudice. My heart hurts for that blessed couple and for all brothers and sisters of color who still suffer the embedded hate and ignorance of racist minds. There is absolutely no excuse, none, for what Pastor Weatherford and FBC Crystal Springs allowed to happen in Mississippi. They threw dirt in all our faces and left imprints of mud upon the faces streaked with tears. My heart deeply grieves for you. I am so sorry. selahV

[Dale Pugh]

I'm with you, SelahV, and I hope that this incident, while very difficult for FBC Crystal Springs, will be a lesson for all of us in the SBC. I also believe that men like Dwight and Dr. Luter should be given the opportunity to lead the way in our Convention as we move past such attitudes. Thanks for your post.

[selahV]

Thanks Dale, my heart bleeds for this situation. It does nothing to help heal wounds of those who've been harmed by the bigotry in our country, AND around the world. I am also reminded that in Christ we have forgiveness and mercy. And just as we receive new mercies each morning, those who repent receive that mercy also. Thus we must all, white and black, forgive others for the very acts that sicken us. Unless we forgive, we destroy the bridge which leads others us across to paths of hope and peace. I pray these folks in Mississippi will humbly seek forgiveness. As well, I pray those hurt by the actions and inaction will let go and let God be glorified in the situation through reconciliation. selahv

[Jeremy Crowder]

I agree with Johnathan Pritchett and we have been on some blogs were we seemed to be outnumbered in our outrage at the Pastor's actions. I really feel that a few members are being given way more responsibility for this sin when the buck should stop at the Pastor. It is the Pastor who has a calling from God to lead and the Bible is clear that a Pastor is suppose to guide the flock. The Pastor is not suppose to run from threats againist people in his flock that are sinful. I don't believe in keeping peace in Church if it allows sin to fester. We are finding out in so many horrible stories like Penn State etc. that ignoring sin and not rocking the boat helps nobody. When you allow racism for a second to prevail then your making a huge spirtual mistake. I pray that no Pastor will ever make the mistake of this Pastor. I also pray that this Pastor will consider a different profession if this is how he intends to do ministry. My remarks are unkind to the Pastor here and elsewhere but I fear being kind on this issue. I fear if we don't make it clear how we feel that souls will be lost. People will think we don't love all people that we don't love our neighbors as ourselves.