multiracial churches

[kvanlaan]

Sorry, but what I am getting from Charles is not that minorities cannot 'understand' the RPW, but that there are certain cultural practices that go along with race that may make it unusual for certain races to worship in an RPW kinda way.

 

[Andres]

okay well then the church (which we make up) has a responsibility to teach and help the minorities understand. And for the record, this minority loves the RPW

 

[kvanlaan]

But brother, I speak to those who I meet about the gospel. It just happens that because I grew up and work in a Dutch community, I meet mostly Dutch people. They are CRC or URC or FRC and that encompasses about 80% of the people I meet. Another large percentage are Ethiopian and Chinese, and we do talk to them as well. Those we meet outside of that also get the gospel, same as anyone else (I think my son is fairly close to getting disciplined at work for spreading the gospel in the packing line at the greenhouse). And yet our church is 99% white and Dutch. Is the gospel failing us? No. Do we discriminate in who we witness to? No. But I am also not going to move into another cultural community because I want to see more variety in the faces at church. It is just a natural consequence of our background. I love my black/hispanic/asian/middle eastern brothers in Christ. But the culture that goes along with their ethnicity tends to keep them in a certain mode of worship that may make our method of worship unpalatable. I realize that we see more to it than method/style, but to many, that's all it is.

 

[boschertjd18]

I mean no offence ---- but most Black, East Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and even Portugese and Italians do not generally like the RPW and ordered worship. I know this because many of them tell me so. For that matter white teenagers and white people in their 20s do not like it either. The reasons are cultural not racial.

I definitely agree the issue is cultural, and not about ancestral background or skin color/features. But then the question becomes whether or not the church should be culturally sensitive and/or target certain cultures. And if so, how and which ones?

 

[AThornquist]

It truly disgusts me when churches are intentionally separated by race. However, most often I don't think people separate by race "intentionally." Perhaps people fail to reach across boundaries though.

For my own little church out in northern California, we are 95% white for one reason only: there are two groups in the area, white and Hispanic. Many of the Hispanics don't speak English. Thus, the Hispanics mostly go to the Spanish services at the Catholic, SDA, and JW facilities. Several in my congregation (I am one) are in the process of learning Spanish so that we can reach out to them.

 

[Wayne]

. . . should the Exclusive Psalm singing churches adopt so called Negro Spirituals as their worship? . . .

Actually, it's the other way around! For those of you who haven't seen this before, it's quite interesting, though slightly off-topic:

THE church elder’s reaction was one of utter disbelief. Shaking his head emphatically, he couldn’t take in what the distinguished professor from Yale University was telling him.
"No," insisted Jim McRae, an elder of the small congregation of Clearwater in Florida. "This way of worshipping comes from our slave past. It grew out of the slave experience, when we came from Africa."
But Willie Ruff, an Afro-American professor of music at Yale, was adamant - he had traced the origins of gospel music to Scotland.

[from Educational CyberPlayGround: Roots of Black Spirituals, Lined-out Hymnody, Gaelic Psalm Singing,]

See also:

The line connecting Gaelic psalm singing & American Music
[Willie Ruff ? The Kepler Label]

 

[charliejunfan]

Brother, I am not sure if you wrote this post in haste or perhaps I read it in haste, but some of your comments seem particularly ignorant.
You say, "God wants conformity and unity, NOT "diversity". For the sake of clarification we are not talking about diversity in worship styles here. While we may not all be EP, I believe the majority of us on this board hold to RPW.
You seem to be basing cultural diversity solely on the type of worship a church holds. Are you saying that African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians can't understand RPW? No one ever asked any church to adpot negroe spirituals so why would you make the connection that this is what would be needed to draw in African-Americans? I personally find these sentiments offensive.

Sorry that you are offended brother, I know this thread isn't about adapting to other worship styles and I guess I quoted you only to try and give the reason I think there is a shortage of other races in Reformed churches. I guess all I should say is that I think it definitely IS a matter of music Worship style and since it is I think that we Reformed have to be stronger in convincing the shallow evangelicals of our rich and biblical worship heritage.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Again sorry I offended you, I hope I made sufficient clarification brotha

Sorry for rehashing, but I don't want to make any assumptions about what you are getting at. Just for my own clarification, you truly believe that the reason Presbyterian churches aren't racially/culturally diverse is because black/brown people don't like the RPW and "ordered" worship?

No, what I am saying is that for most people whether white, black, or rainbow, Reformed worship is boring to alot of people!!!. So instead of just convincing people of TULIP and leaving them at that we should teach them about TRUE worship.

Oh, and I think convincing people of Reformed theology is hard enough with ones own race, so trying to convince someone of another race seems even harder therefore we stick with what we think will be an easier target.

I am also not accusing anyone here, I am just sayin ;p

 

[steadfast7]

No, what I am saying is that for most people whether white, black, or rainbow, Reformed worship is boring(until understood I guess). So instead of just convincing people of TULIP and leaving them at that we should teach them about TRUE worship.

True worship is worship is Spirit and Truth. Orthodoxy means "right opinion" and can also be translated as "right worship."

Oh, and I think convincing people of Reformed theology is hard enough with ones own race, so trying to convince someone of another race seems even harder therefore we stick with what we think will be an easier target.

I am also not accusing anyone here, I am just sayin ;p

With God, all things are possible. He knows who are his.

 

[raekwon]

Y'know, just about any "worship style" can be brought into line w/ the RPW. Maybe the reason (or one big reason) that there aren't many culturally/racially diverse (or largely black/latino/etc) presbyterian churches around is that the prevailing culture of American presbyterianism -- largely white and affluent -- is being unduly imposed.

Thoughts?

 

[kvanlaan]

presbyterian churches around is that the prevailing culture of American presbyterianism -- largely white and affluent -- is being unduly imposed.

I don't understand 'imposition' here. We use confessions that are hundreds of years old and Northern European in nature. That sort of locks us into a form that is not ethnically diverse. It's nobody's 'fault', it is just a form that we follow. I know that even our hymnal was last revised in 1959 (and those of you who are EP may have much older versions).

If you look at just about any TR church, you will find this sort of thing. I know of FRC churches where not only are they all white, they're mostly related! And yet, there is outreach, there are missions, these people are not slouches. But that form of worship (EP, quiet, reverend) does not 'fit' with many people. So while they may have been saved through preaching by an FRC pastor, they attend an evangelical church. No problem there, it's just an issue of cultural practise, In my humble opinion.

 

[raekwon]

presbyterian churches around is that the prevailing culture of American presbyterianism -- largely white and affluent -- is being unduly imposed.

I don't understand 'imposition' here. We use confessions that are hundreds of years old and Northern European in nature. That sort of locks us into a form that is not ethnically diverse. It's nobody's 'fault', it is just a form that we follow. I know that even our hymnal was last revised in 1959 (and those of you who are EP may have much older versions).

If you look at just about any TR church, you will find this sort of thing. I know of FRC churches where not only are they all white, they're mostly related! And yet, there is outreach, there are missions, these people are not slouches. But that form of worship (EP, quiet, reverend) does not 'fit' with many people. So while they may have been saved through preaching by an FRC pastor, they attend an evangelical church. No problem there, it's just an issue of cultural practise, In my humble opinion.

True enough, but what I'm talking about has nothing to do with any confession. What I'm talking about has more to do with stylistic things -- things in which we have freedom (which is what the RPW exists to preserve). Things like musical style, length and manner of preaching, overall character of the worship service (for instance, you mentioned "quiet" and "reverent", as if to say worship can't be reverent if it's not quiet*). These are matters to which the Regulative Principle really doesn't speak, and that's a good thing!

The imposition I'm talking about is the imposition of a particular style of worship upon a people, as if style is a matter of God's command. It's not. I'm not ignorant enough to say that "anything goes" in worship, of course -- but like I said, almost any stylistic variance can easily be done in a way that falls into line with the RPW.

* And I know you didn't say that, but that's an implication that can be readily drawn there.

 

[ColdSilverMoon]

Y'know, just about any "worship style" can be brought into line w/ the RPW. Maybe the reason (or one big reason) that there aren't many culturally/racially diverse (or largely black/latino/etc) presbyterian churches around is that the prevailing culture of American presbyterianism -- largely white and affluent -- is being unduly imposed.

Thoughts?

Rae, I think you're right on. When most PCA members think of a worship service they probably think hymns or relatively "subdued" spiritual songs with a soberly delivered sermon with no interaction by the congregation. I think most PCA churches could do more to consider the stylistic preferences and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities.

But it is a two-way street - just as predominantly White churches shouldn't worship in an exclusively "White" style, so Blacks and Hispanics (and others) shouldn't seek out only worship styles that they prefer. Both mistakes are forms of selfishness and narcissism.

 

[kvanlaan]

* And I know you didn't say that, but that's an implication that can be readily drawn there.

Nope, didn't. I don't think that at all. But see, I'm also not a dyed-in-the-wool RPW guy. We're of the Dutch tradition, and don't have the same focus on the codification thereof as the Presbyterians (I think). But it does mean that my way of worship likely won't fit with a recent convert who is Latin/Philippino/whoever that comes from a different culture. I'm not against more exuberent forms of worship in their entirety, but just see it as more of a balancing act once you go down that road. For some reason, the headcoverings, dark suits, and so on do not lend themselves to that sort of thing.

I think most PCA churches could to more to consider the stylistic preferences and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities.

I just don't see the need to change it. We have non-Dutch members in the URC, but they conform to this style of worship - that's what a URC church is. We shouldn't be monolithic, but neither do I think we need to cater to other styles of worship because of "felt needs*". I just think that if this is why we are doing it, the motivation is off, because we are changing to be more palatable to others, and not to be closer to a scriptural model.

* And I know you didn't say that, but that's an implication that can be readily drawn there.

 

[ColdSilverMoon]

* And I know you didn't say that, but that's an implication that can be readily drawn there.

Nope, didn't. I don't think that at all. But see, I'm also not a dyed-in-the-wool RPW guy. We're of the Dutch tradition, and don't have the same focus on the codification thereof as the Presbyterians (I think). But it does mean that my way of worship likely won't fit with a recent convert who is Latin/Philippino/whoever that comes from a different culture. I'm not against more exuberent forms of worship in their entirety, but just see it as more of a balancing act once you go down that road. For some reason, the headcoverings, dark suits, and so on do not lend themselves to that sort of thing.

I think most PCA churches could to more to consider the stylistic preferences and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities.

I just don't see the need to change it. We have non-Dutch members in the URC, but they conform to this style of worship - that's what a URC church is. We shouldn't be monolithic, but neither do I think we need to cater to other styles of worship because of "felt needs*". I just think that if this is why we are doing it, the motivation is off, because we are changing to be more palatable to others, and not to be closer to a scriptural model.

* And I know you didn't say that, but that's an implication that can be readily drawn there.

I see your point, but what's the difference in singing Psalm 19 to the tune of an English folk song and singing it to the tune of a Negro Spiritual? If there is no Scriptural difference, why not engage in all types of styles and cultural preferences when it comes to worship services?

 

[Fly Caster]

From Dabney's Letter to Gen. Howard

...this might explain some things-- at least in the South.

Nor has our section neglected that noblest and highest interest
of all races, the spiritual interest of the negro. She has
diffused among the blacks a pure gospel. She gave him the
Christian Sabbath, and fortified the gift with laws and penalties,
capable of being executed in his behalf against his own
master—laws so efficacious that enforced Sabbath labor was
almost utterly unknown to him. She gave him a part in every
house of worship built throughout her border (for never have
I heard of one church in all these States where the slaves were
nDt admitted along with their masters), besides building more
temples for his exclusive use than the Christianity of the North
has built for Pagans, in all Hindostan and China together. She
has given him evangelical preaching, unmingled with the poison
of Universalism, Millerism, Socinianism, Mormonism, or
with the foreign and disastrous element of politics. For nearly
all the church-members of this people are connected with the
great orthodox and evangelical denominations; and having
'been a preacher to Africans for twenty years, I have never yet
heard a sermon addressed to them, or heard of the man who
had heard it, in which the subject of abolition or pro-slavery
was obtruded on their attention by a Southern minister. In
one word, the South has so far cared for their souls as to bring
five hundred thousand of them into the full communion of the
church, thus making them at least outward and professed
Christians—a ratio as large as that prevailing among the whites
of the great, Christian North....

...But a more conclusive reason is the alienation which the armed
and clerical missionaries of the North have inculcated in the
breasts of these people, lately so affectionate and contented.
The negroes have been diligently taught that their masters
were their enemies and oppressors, that their bondage was
wicked and destructive of their well-being, and especially that
the religious teachings of all Southern ministers were "doctrines
of devils," because they would not shout the shibboleth
of abolition. The consequence is that the black race will no
longer listen to the Southern people, or be guided by them.
Take as evidence my own instance, which I cite precisely for
the reason that it is not in the least peculiar, but reflects the
common experience of all ministers and people here. Before
the advent of your armies, plantation meetings were held weekly
in the different quarters of the congregation, on Saturdays,
in working time, cheerfully surrendered by the masters for that
purpose, which brought religious instruction within two or
three miles of every house. They are now all at an end. Six
years ago my congregation pulled down the substantial house,
built by their fathers only thirty years before, with walls as
solid as living rocks, which was entirely adequate to hold the
whites, and replaced it by a larger. One prominent reason was
that it was not large enough to hDld the servants also. They
constructed in the new house three hundred commodious sittings
exclusively for the blacks. Last Sabbath, under a bright
and cheerful sun, those sittings were occupied during public
worship by precisely three persons; and at the afternoon service,
held in a chapel-of-ease, primarily for the blacks, there was
not one present.

http://dabneyarchive.com/Discussions%20V4/To%20Major%20General%20Howard.pdf

 

[charliejunfan]

Sorry that you are offended brother, I know this thread isn't about adapting to other worship styles and I guess I quoted you only to try and give the reason I think there is a shortage of other races in Reformed churches. I guess all I should say is that I think it definitely IS a matter of music Worship style and since it is I think that we Reformed have to be stronger in convincing the shallow evangelicals of our rich and biblical worship heritage.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Again sorry I offended you, I hope I made sufficient clarification brotha

Sorry for rehashing, but I don't want to make any assumptions about what you are getting at. Just for my own clarification, you truly believe that the reason Presbyterian churches aren't racially/culturally diverse is because black/brown people don't like the RPW and "ordered" worship?

I mean no offence ---- but most Black, East Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and even Portugese and Italians do not generally like the RPW and ordered worship. I know this because many of them tell me so. For that matter white teenagers and white people in their 20s do not like it either. The reasons are cultural not racial.

Brotha! May we all strive to be a Christian race rather than a cultural one!

 

[kvanlaan]

I see your point, but what's the difference in singing Psalm 19 to the tune of an English folk song and singing it to the tune of a Negro Spiritual? If there is no Scriptural difference, why not engage in all types of styles and cultural preferences when it comes to worship services?

I guess for no real reason besides that's how we've always done it, and why are we changing it? The nasty truth of the matter is that culture plays a part in how we worship. I would not feel comfortable in an SBC "Night of Praise" service, so I never went when I was in university. I just don't feel that that is how I am to come before the Lord. I'm not saying that it is scripturally without warrant on every point, but I am not comfortable with certain aspects of it. I do feel that the reformed notion of doing things, while naturally influenced by the culture at the time (to an extent) was a return to the Bible/early church in as close a way as possible.

In regards to the early church services, I found some of the quotes in this thread fascinating:
http://www.puritanboard.com/f18/what-did-early-church-service-look-like-55751/

Found this on Wiki (can't comment on its validity):

Worship

first worship services were liturgical gatherings, which followed essentially a "Christianized" synagogue liturgical framework, and met in sections of homes quartered off especially for worship. Christians considered each other to be brothers and sisters, each contributing their respective gifts to the community. Gatherings featured hymns, prescribed prayers, and readings, especially from the scriptures (Old Testament). The first thirty to sixty years would not have known the writings of the new covenant as they had not yet been written, Christ's teachings being transmitted through the liturgy, its hymns and prayers and through oral Tradition. Eventually, once they had become known, Paul's epistles and later the gospels and other texts were read during the initial liturgical services. The Lord's Supper comprised a communal meal with prayers in memory of Jesus. Services were known as agape feasts or love feasts.

Second century sources, such as the Didache, specify that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are for the baptized only. In his First Apology, a letter of defense written to Roman emperor, Antonius Pius, 161-180, Justin described a newly baptized member of the community sharing in the bread and wine of the Eucharist, which was restricted to the baptized.[126]

Despite Ignatius' rejection of Judaizing (see above), Christianity continued many of the patterns of Judaism, adapting to Christian use synagogue liturgical worship, prayer, use of Sacred Scripture, a priesthood, a religious calendar commemorating on certain days each year certain events and/or beliefs, use of music in worship, giving material support to the religious leadership, and practices such as fasting and almsgiving and baptism.

Christians adopted as their Bible the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures known as the Septuagint and later also canonized the books of the New Testament. There are however many phrases which appear to be quotations and other statements of fact, in the early church fathers, which cannot be found in the Bible as we know it. For example in Clement's First Letter he states that Paul "reached the limits of the West", and also appears to quote a variant form of Ezek 33.

At worship, early Christians greeted each other with a holy kiss. Church leaders restricted the practice to keep the worshipers from taking pleasure in it, such as specifying that the lips be closed.

Many practices which later became characteristic of Christian worship had not yet developed. Singing was generally without instrumentation and was normally in unison. Many Christians had lost their lives rather than offer a mere pinch of incense to the emperor as to a god, and so the use of incense was strongly frowned upon even in Christian worship. These practices and others, such as the use of elaborate vestments and grand buildings, became popular only once the Peace of the Church changed the political situation and the growing prosperity of worshippers made them possible.

If the argument is to reject our traditions in favor of returning to those early church practises, I am more for it. But just to substitute one traditon for another? Not sure that I can get behind that.

 

[charliejunfan]

No, what I am saying is that for most people whether white, black, or rainbow, Reformed worship is boring(until understood I guess). So instead of just convincing people of TULIP and leaving them at that we should teach them about TRUE worship.

True worship is worship is Spirit and Truth. Orthodoxy means "right opinion" and can also be translated as "right worship."

Oh, and I think convincing people of Reformed theology is hard enough with ones own race, so trying to convince someone of another race seems even harder therefore we stick with what we think will be an easier target.

I am also not accusing anyone here, I am just sayin ;p

With God, all things are possible. He knows who are his.

I don't know what your point is with the worship in Spirit and Truth thing unless you're referring to John Frame in which case

And as far as me sayin it's easier to speak to ones own race, maybe I should have said cultural upbringing, but anyways, I know all things are possible with God but I'm merely suggesting that cultural phobias is something alot of people struggle with and I definitely wouldn't classify it as racism. In fact, I have spoken to many people of different races about Reformed Theology/Reformed Worship etc...I just didn't want to brag before, but now I am

 

[Romans922]

Are there Presbyterian churches here in the U.S. that are even 40% African-American?

The easy answer to that is 'yes'. I visited one PCA church south of Atlanta a few years ago where my father and I were the only white faces in the room. Inform and Transform| Redemption Fellowship

I think Redeemer in Jackson would meet the criteria, but it is more racially mixed. I believe there are also churches in Baltimore, Birmingham, and Chattanooga that have large Black memberships.

And, of course, there are multiple ethnic Korean presbyteries in the PCA, scattered ethnic Mexican congregations, and a sprinkling of other ethnic groups.

There are at least two Black PCA teaching elders in the North Texas Presbytery. Both are at predominately white churches.

Redeemer in Jackson is still predominately white, I might guess 75-85% white.

 

[charliejunfan]

I attended a PCA in Tucson where there was both a black girl(Simply Nikki on pb) an indian guy, Alex(cool guy and friend), and a few latin people!

 

[Southern Twang]

I think we often confuse race with culture. I particularly don't want to go to a "black" church. By black I mean the stereotypical singing and preaching I've experienced first hand and seen on the television. Nor do I want to go the stereotypical "white" church where there is hardly any enthusiasm.

But in both cases, am I not attracted to these places because of race? Ultimately it's because of the culture I was brought up in. I am not saying that one culture is wrong or right, but I should maintain the right to choose a congregation where the majority of a people happen to be of one particular race without being hinted as a racist, even a subtle one at that.

People of color (if that phrase even means anything) often do stick out like a sore thumb in a white church. Often times, from my experience, the majority race in the room doesn't care.

 

[Edward]

Redeemer in Jackson is still predominately white, I might guess 75-85% white.

Thanks for the correction of my post.

 

[aadebayo]

The church that I fellowship here in Luton (My church is in Dunstable) is 95% caucatian. I prefer the church because the bible teaching is sound and there is no error. I have been to many black majority churches and I only know of 2 that are sound in doctrine. I believe that doctrine should be the first priority in deciding where to fellowship. This is because issues such as race and the like will not be a problem if the doctrine preached by such Church is osund.

 

[bradofshaw]

Redeemer in Jackson is still predominately white, I might guess 75-85% white.

Thanks for the correction of my post.

But who's counting?

I should add that I say this because many people, being earnest but misguided, ask about numbers as if our church's goal is to achieve some sort of racial equilibrium. The goal is to preach the gospel to our community and see the lost saved and the people of God built up as one body. Praise God that He is bringing blacks and whites together into one body in our church!

In all humility, I struggled with whether to post this. I don't mean to ruffle feathers or offend any. This is my perspective on the race issue based on the privilege I've had to be a part of Redeemer Church in Jackson (who some might label "multicultural"). I admit I did not grow up in the south and may not have the whole picture. I know many on this board have experienced far more of the South than I (whether black or white). I am also no expert in reaching out across racial lines. I admit I struggle to do this well in my own personal life. Setting the RPW issue aside (which I admit is important)...

In answer to the discussion of whether diversity matters, it should be noted that there is considerable cultural divide, generational sin (among both blacks and white), and false teaching (in both the black and white church) in Jackson that supports the notion of a separate black church and white church. One of the regrettable things in our city's history is that the church as a whole (including the PCA) has let the black community fall into disarray and failed to pursue it with the true gospel. Many in our city are trapped in a very false gospel (health & wealth/social/political gospel), which often exacerbates some of the considerable social disorder in the black community (i.e. drugs, crime, abuse, single motherhood, failing schools, etc.).

I am amazed at the fruit God is bearing among black students at Jackson State University (A historically black college) through RUF, which was recently started by one of our black members. Many of these young people are hungry for the true gospel and are eager to learn. Most have never interacted with preaching like this, and have heartbreaking stories of abuse or manipulation by the religious leaders they've had on campus in the past. Whether prevailing cultural changes are just now allowing a ministry like RUF at Jackson State to flourish or whether the Lord has just seen fit to work at this time, it is startling the fruit that is being born by earnest but meager efforts to reach out with the reformed gospel into the black community. For what it is worth, the Lord has raised up several faithful, committed, reformed black leaders in our church and is using them in the work at Redeemer.

I don't say this as though there were never any such efforts prior to Redeemer's founding. Far from it, Redeemer exists because of the efforts of its predecessor, Trinity PCA. I do say this because there is good reason for the church to purposely pursue the lost across racial lines, and when people see blacks and whites worshipping together in a city with Jackson's racial history, it says something about the gospel and the God we serve. The prayer is that the Lord will show his power in redeeming this city, and that necessarily includes healing the racial divide.

 

[Mushroom]

From what I understand, Rome in Paul's day was pretty racially diverse, yet I read nothing in the scriptures that addresses racial disvision in the Church then. I wonder what the difference is between then and now that Churches were planted all around the Mediterranean that apparently had fellowship and mutual respect for one another over the first several centuries of Christian history? Is it purely cultural, or was there something different about evangelization that we're missing? Doesn't the Gospel transcend culture?

 

[Montanablue]

From what I understand, Rome in Paul's day was pretty racially diverse, yet I read nothing in the scriptures that addresses racial disvision in the Church then. I wonder what the difference is between then and now that Churches were planted all around the Mediterranean that apparently had fellowship and mutual respect for one another over the first several centuries of Christian history? Is it purely cultural, or was there something different about evangelization that we're missing? Doesn't the Gospel transcend culture?

Actually, I think there's a fair amount talking about racial and cultural differences in the New Testament. Ephesians particularly seems to be addressing divisions in the church because of these problems. Also, there's the constant tension between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians - some of which is religious/theological issue, but some of which (I think) was also racial and cultural.

 

[Edward]

I don't say this as though there were never any such efforts prior to Redeemer's founding. Far from it, Redeemer exists because of the efforts of its predecessor, Trinity PCA. I do say this because there is good reason for the church to purposely pursue the lost across racial lines, and when people see blacks and whites worshipping together in a city with Jackson's racial history, it says something about the gospel and the God we serve. The prayer is that the Lord will show his power in redeeming this city, and that necessarily includes healing the racial divide.

I'm going on dim recollection here, so if someone has more accurate info, I'll welcome any correction. When what became Northpark moved to the location east of I-55, there was some work done toward acquiring their old property in West Jackson and planting a Black church there. For several reasons, most of them unknown to me, that project never came to fruition. But there were PCA men working toward the goal in the mid or late 1980s.

 

[bradofshaw]

I am amazed at the fruit God is bearing among black students at Jackson State University (A historically black college) through RUF, which was recently started by one of our black members. Many of these young people are hungry for the true gospel and are eager to learn. Most have never interacted with preaching like this, and have heartbreaking stories of abuse or manipulation by the religious leaders they've had on campus in the past. Whether prevailing cultural changes are just now allowing a ministry like RUF at Jackson State to flourish or whether the Lord has just seen fit to work at this time, it is startling the fruit that is being born by earnest but meager efforts to reach out with the reformed gospel into the black community. For what it is worth, the Lord has raised up several faithful, committed, reformed black leaders in our church and is using them in the work at Redeemer.

I should amend this to say that the work being done at Jackson State's RUF is by no means meager. I should have used a better word. Strategic or targeted is really what I was trying to get at. Elbert McGowan, who leads the RUF, and the others who help out, pour their time and energy into the ministry. However, I am amazed that the Lord is using something as seemingly small as an on-campus Bible study to accomplish big things which are largely unprecedented as far as a reformed work being established in the black community in Jackson.