While 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 our society, is it not time to recognize that true unity - a unity that respects and celebrates diversity - cannot be achieved apart from the establishment of churches which intentionally and joyfully reflect the passion of Christ for all people of the world?

For it is not the institutions of government, nor of education throughout America that have been ordained by God to this task, but rather the local church, the bride of Christ; we, 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).

Surely, it breaks the heart of God to see so many churches - in this city and throughout this country - segregated ethnically and/or economically from one another, and that little has changed in the fifty years since Martin Luther King observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the land.

Brothers and sisters, it should not be so.

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

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.

The Passion of Christ
In John 17:2, Christ clearly defined His mission. He was sent to the world to give eternal life to all who would believe. Reaching the lost is what it's all about; it remains today the passion of His heart.

So after first interceding for the apostles (vss. 6-19), He prayed for you and me. Specifically - three times in four verses (20-23) - He prayed that we would be one, or "perfected in unity." Our unity, He declared, will be a visible witness to the world of God's love for all people. Our oneness will demonstrate that He is Messiah, who alone can bring peace to men.

In John 17, then, Christ not only defined His mission, but delivered to us the most effective means for reaching the world with His message of hope. He did not tell us to write a book, publish a tract or develop a program; He called us to be one - on earth as it is in heaven - so that the world would know God's love and believe.

The Pattern of the New Testament Church
Have you ever wondered why you have to read eight chapters into the Book of Acts to find anyone willing to leave Jerusalem for the sake of the Gospel? Consider, too, that in Acts 10, the apostle, Peter, is challenged to explain the fact that he has converted a Roman soldier to Christianity. Again, the question is why?

It was, indeed, difficult for the early believers to understand that Christ intended His kingdom to extend beyond Jewish borders, to encompass people from every nation, tongue and tribe. Even into Acts 11, they still don't get it! For in various towns, they speak of Christ only with the Jews (vs. 19).

But in Acts 11:20, a significant step is taken when men of Cyprus and Cyrene intentionally take the gospel to a diverse city called Antioch and speak of Christ with both Jews and Greeks alike. As a result, considerable numbers there come to Christ. Barnabus is sent from Jerusalem and later, Paul, himself, makes this church home. In time three missionary journeys are launched from the church and the gospel is spread to all of Asia Minor - and into Europe, as well - making the church at Antioch the most influential church of the entire New Testament!

Why did the church at Antioch care about the world? Because the church at Antioch reflected the world; they were a multi-ethnic people with a multi-ethnic leadership (Acts 13:1) who considered it essential to send their money, their men and their message of hope abroad - to friends, family and countrymen in obedience to Christ.

With this in mind, it is not coincidental that believers were first called "Christians" at Antioch (Acts 11:26). As Jesus, Himself, made clear, He is most clearly recognized in the unity of His children (John 17:20-23).

Divided By Faith
In their book, Divided By Faith, sociologists Michael Emerson and Christian Smith find that evangelical churches may actually (though unintentionally) be perpetuating systemic (institutional) racism throughout America.

Not only did their research confirm (to no one's surprise) that most American evangelicals attend an ethnically and/or economically segregated churches, but more significantly, that we spend 70-80% of our time relationally (i.e., time outside of work, school, sports, etc.) with those who attend our same, local church. Thus, they conclude, evangelical Christians are not only racially segregated from one another, but relationally segregated, as well.

So how does this perpetuate the system?

Apart from ethnically and economically diverse relationships, we cannot understand others who are different from ourselves, develop trust for others who are different than ourselves, and/or love others different than ourselves, etc. Apart from understanding, trust and love, we are less likely to get involved in the plight of others different than ourselves. Without involvement, nothing changes; and, the disparaging consequences of systemic racism remain entrenched in our culture.