The following race riots–thirteen in all–occurred in the United States between 1991-2020.
New York, NY (1991); Miami, FL (1991); Los Angeles, CA (1992); St. Petersburg, FL (1996); Cincinatti, OH (2001); Oakland, CA (2009); Anaheim, CA (2012); Ferguson, MO (2014); Baltimore, MD (2015); Milwaukee, WI (2016); Charlotte, NC (2016); Charlottesville, VA,* (2017); and Minneapolis, MN (2020).*
In 2017, Ed Stetzer, Founding Editor of The Gospel Project, wrote an article in Christianity Today magazine, which focused on the riot in Charlottesville, VA. The piece was titled “#Charlottesville, the Christian Response, and Your Church’s Call: Silence on matters of hatred and bigotry is antithetical to the gospel.”*
Stetzer advised church leaders to prayerfully address racial hatred in three ways. Below, I list Stetzer’s recommendations in bold type (The commentary is my own.).
1. Seek the face of God individually, and collectively.
I don’t want to see myself as a person who hates others, but in the stillness of prayer and scripture reading, I must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. Several years ago, an African American speaker at a Just Gospel conference encouraged Christians not to fear confession of racism, because Jesus forgives and redeems His people. The speaker reminded us, “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.”
The speaker’s words freed me to ask myself (and God), “Do I hate? If so, whom do I hate? Why do I hate? Am I active or passive in my hatred? Do I foment hatred in others? If my emotions and views don’t rise to the level of hatred, do I justify negative feelings and perspectives? Where do my negative feelings and perspectives originate?”
Some answers felt painful, but God’s free grace cleansed, healed, and restored me to Himself, as well as to my fellow human beings (1 Peter 5:10). The process continues: I struggle; the Holy Spirit convicts; I confess; I repent; God forgives; and God restores. The process feels painful, but my hope and joy grow. Praise His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6)!
My denomination addressed historical racism with overtures of confession and repentance in 2016, and in 2018, the first African American was selected moderator of the general assembly! On the contrary, one percent of my denomination’s teaching elders (ordained pastors) are African American.* In God’s strength and power, we press on (Philippians 3:14)!
2. Condemn bigotry, hate, and discrimination from the pulpit and through each ministry in the Church.
Stetzer wrote, “our silence on issues of injustice is sin.” Stetzer later continues, “this is not about politics or free speech. It is about evil and the gospel that defeats it. The time to stand up—and speak up—is now.”
In 2014, an African American told his pastor he couldn’t attend a church where the pulpit neither acknowledged nor addressed the shooting of Michael Brown*. The man’s pastor then asked him to lead a series of classes pursuing racial reconciliation, and a healthy interchange among parishioners ensued. Black parishioners emphasized their desire for white Christians’ support and defense against unkind and unjust treatment, not just when publicized events occur, but during day-to-day interactions, too.
Again, I ask, “Do I defend persons of color when slandered or slighted? Do I intervene when a person or group is treated unfairly? Do I minimize the impact of unkind, prejudicial, and discriminatory words and actions toward people of color? Do I invalidate experiences unfamiliar to me? Do I hold my civil and elected leaders accountable for decisions and actions affecting people of color? Do I advocate for justice in the legal system (e.g., prison reform and fair sentencing laws)?”
Churches and denominations may ask, “How do we respond/not respond to societal and cultural views of non-white people? How do we protect, defend, and care for people of color? Are we partisan in our approaches toward people of color? What are we willing/not willing to do in our services and ministries to engage people of color? Do we value and seek input from people of color about church life and activity? Do we seek and affirm non-white leadership? Are we educating ourselves and our congregants about racial reconciliation? How can we foster change?”
3. Reach out to targets [of racial hatred].
Establishing cross-cultural relationships before crises occur is key, because healthy relationships require trust, which develops over time. Who wants to divulge fragile feelings and circumstances to strangers or acquaintances? Not me, and probably not people of color.
If and when needs are expressed, Caucasians need genuine humility. Assuming knowledge of non-white needs and resources disrespects non-white leaders, who possess emergency response systems and support services designed for their people. We can love through service, yet in a way people of color request.
Most importantly, pray!
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
O Great God*
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
Amen.
*https://www.nytimes.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-georgia.html
*https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/05/28/george-floyd-remembered-gentle-giant-family-calls-death-murder/5265668002/
*https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/white-supremacists-plead-guilty-to-rioting-in-charlottesville
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_racial_violence_in_the_United_States#Timeline_of_events
*https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/august/charlottesville-christ-and-your-church-how-pastors-might-re.html
*http://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/8245/20160628/presbyterian-church-america-pca-approves-overtures-confessing-repenting
*aampca.org
*Song by Bob Kauflin and Sovereign Grace Music
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