The Church is THE Place!

GUEST BLOGGER: KEVIN WILHELM

Why should a church care about the issue of racial reconciliation? That's the question I have been reflecting on a lot lately.

It seems so simple to me. The church should be THE place to talk about hard topics, controversial topics. Jesus never shied away from something because it was too hard. He also didn't worry about how He would be perceived because He was preaching and talking truth, which He always did.

We know issues don't go away by not talking about them. If the church never talked about sex outside of marriage there would still be adultery, If the church never talked about addiction it doesn't mean there would be no more addicts. If we didn't talk about greed we would still witness greed in people in this world. And if we didn't talk about race there would still be racism.

Jesus had a lot to say about how we should treat each other and it always begins and ends with love. "A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these". Mark 12:31.

Jesus also cared about the oppressed and marginalized. In his time when he was alive in human form He mostly talked about the poor, widows, orphans and prisoners. There are Bible stories about His love and compassion for foreigners and immigrants, for adulterers, for those with literally gross health issues that most people ignored or feared.

This blog is not about politics. This is about knowing that Jesus showed love and took action when He saw people being oppressed, or taken advantage of or discriminated against. He loves unconditionally and so should we. To me part of loving others is to do what I can to lift others up. To do my part so that we can all thrive in life. My role as a Christian is not to judge. Leave that up to God.

I am part of the racial reconciliation group that has been meeting on Monday nights for about a year. We desire to be a bridge to our church community and the community at large. To show who Christ is. We are a group dedicated to learning and growing in our understanding about what the Bible has to teach us about how to love and help the oppressed in the times we are living in today. We don't have to agree on everything or share the same perspective. We welcome people who are open to exploring these topics with us in a safe space regardless of their opinions about race and racism.

One of the highlights of my year so far was when FC participated in the Juneteenth celebration by handing out two thousand bottles of water to people who were thirsty on a hot, hot day. "For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home." Matthew 25:35.

It felt so wonderful to serve people. Folks were grateful and often expressed their thanks and love in return, although that wasn't necessary. We were being the hands and feet of Jesus that day, pointing people to Christ,

These are the kinds of opportunities we explore on Monday nights as we desire to make meaningful progress toward racial reconciliation within our church and in our community. I feel closer to Christ when I engage in these efforts and when I talk with others even if they don't share my current point of view. I am filled with the Holy Spirit when I take action to help the oppressed and marginalized.

We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. So God is the perfect example of why the church should care about racial reconciliation. Being united in Christ is the only foundation we need to talk about or to accomplish anything, He is always enough in spite of our differences. We just have to keep our eyes on Him and do what His Word says.

So let's talk; let's meet; let's grow together and be reconciled with each other just as God desires.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CONVERSATION (starting back up in October) Click HERE.