GLUE

On Race, Church and the American Future

The following is an excerpt from the book, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church (Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network, 2007, pp. 183, 184). It is worth considering in light of U.S. Senator Barak Obama's recent speech on race and the subsequent conversation it has generated. Please forward a link to this post for others you know who may be interested.

"Although government and educational programs, together with the efforts of countless individuals, groups, and agencies, have long sought to eliminate prejudice and the disparaging consequences of institutional racism still deeply embedded within society, it is time to recognize that such a dream cannot be realized apart from the establishment of multi-ethnic churches that intentionally and joyfully reflect the passion of Christ for all people of the world. For it is not the institutions of government or of education that have been ordained by God to this task; rather, it is the local church, the bride of Christ—we who are his people (John 17:1–3, 20–23; Acts 11:19–26, 13:1, 16ff.; Galatians 3:26–28; Ephesians 4:1–6; Revelation 5:9–10).

Concerning the movement of American Christianity toward racial reconciliation in the 1990s, author Chris Rice wrote the following profound words in his book, More Than Equals:

'Yes, deep reconciliation will produce justice, and new relationships between the races. Yes this will lead Christians to become a bright light in the public square. But I have become convinced that God is not very interested in the church healing the race problem. I believe it is more true that God is using race to heal the church.'

Through the biblical transformation of our minds and wills, we will be able to emotionally engage the concept of a multi-ethnic and economically diverse local church. Indeed, we will not only come to understand the passion of Christ for local church unity, as I have described throughout this book, but we will desire to pursue it for the sake of the Gospel. Yes, it is Christ’s will that we become one with believers different from ourselves so that the world would know God’s love and believe. As a by-product, society will be affected, 'racial-reconciliation' will occur, and the church will be restored to a place of prominence in the minds and hearts of those outside its walls.

Indeed, this is the power of unity.

This is the Gospel of Christ."

A Sad Goodbye

On Saturday, March 8, I received a call from my brother-in-law, Bob Foot, in Australia. Just more than three weeks after returning home from Australia, my sister, Jean, finally succumbed to cancer. Her untimely passing was sadly inevitable, but according to Bob, the end came peaceably with him at her side.

The following note was my last communication with jean, an email that "... sure did pick Jean up," according to Bob. "I had to read it to her twice," he later told me. For those of you who have followed this story and prayed for her, here's what I wrote ...

Hello Sis,

I heard you're not feeling too well and thought I would write to cheer you up! I had a wonderful time with you and Bob recently and I will never forget my time with you all in Holloway's Beach! I truly I felt like the two days we spent together made up for the circumstances of our childhood which kept us apart and, more recently, the distance between US and Australian shores that has done the same. Indeed, I think you would agree; it sure felt good and right when I was with you all; it felt like family, and that we are! I will forever treasure the memories.

Since as a pastor, I see many marriages up close and personal - some good and some not so good - I thought you should know how blessed you are to have had such a wonderful husband like Bob; and I thank God for his unconditional love and support of you in sickness and in health. In fact, I told some here in the states that Bob treats you more like Christ than I think many so-called Christian husbands might treat their wives in similar circumstances! So I want you to know that I admire him greatly and thank God you have had such a good and caring man to love you the past twenty years. I know, Bob will always carry you close to his heart; and I look forward to he and I remaining good mates through the years!

Mostly, however, I am writing tonight to let you know that I love you and thank God he gave me a sister like you. And I pray that in these days of your suffering, you will be comforted by the Spirit of God, whom I pray to be with you even now. For God loves us so much, Jean, that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so that we who believe in Him should not fear death, but trust Him for eternal life. And in fact, this is what the thief on the cross did in his last moments on earth by saying, "Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom." And simple as that, Jesus promised in response, "Today, you will be with Me in paradise." I pray these words give you hope and faith for the future.

So sleep well, tonight, sis, and know that you are loved. Linda and all the kids send their love (especially Kate:-)

Your brother with love,

Mark

Book Awards and Finalists Announced

Recently, I learned that Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church has been selected as a finalist for annual awards sponsored by two of North America's leading Christian magazines.

First, the book has been selected as one of four finalists for a 2008 Christianity Today Book Award in the Church/Pastoral Leadership category. According to CT's website featuring award winners in 2007, these awards are given to "titles that bring understanding to people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission."

In addition, the book has been selected as one of five finalists for a 2007 Outreach Resource of the Year Award in the Leadership Training category. These awards reflect "a reader-chosen survey of the best products that change the way churches and individuals build relationships with the unchurched." Past winners of these awards can be found on their website.