Tyrese
Puritan Board Sophomore
Hi Friends,
Sorry for starting a new thread on this but the original thread was either closed or restricted. Anyways, I wanted to respond to Rom's post which I'll share here:
"...my first commitment in finding a church is to find one that Glorifies our God, is Scriptural and aligns with my convictions.
Also, I have never felt uncomfortable being around God's People - even if I am the only minority. We share a bond far greater than the color of our skin, or even the language that we might speak. If joining a Reformed Church, the members of that church will be taking vows towards your children in covenant as you become members. This is a beautiful lesson to our children that though we might not look like each other, the people of God are bound to each other in covenant due to Christ's work for His Church. Even if our brothers and sisters in Christ are not of our same race. A beautiful testament to God's saving work, to both the Jew and Gentile. This is the same testimony that your family already shares, is it not?
Now, if there is a Reformed Church in NJ that is sinning against people of color, but claims to hold to our form of doctrine, then certainly there is something rotten in it and its leadership should come under discipline.
But usually, there is no such issue and yet a congregation may very well be mono-ethnic. For a variety of reasons - Reformed theology in America is now only making inroads into minority communities, so be patient. In a lot of ways, it is only now making its way into many white communities as well
And certainly, this issue will never change if every person of color decided that they needed to find a different church that was already diverse. I'm not sure how diversity is achieved if no one of color is willing to be joined to that church.
Sometimes we need to serve in this way so that others of color will feel comfortable joining. Your family being there will only make it that much easier for the next person of color who walks through the doors of that church."
First let me say that there's a lot of good stuff here; in fact it's excellent. But the problem is that it is only the right answer to a real problem; that's it. Basically Rom knows the right answer. Here's the thing, so do I. But sadly the 'right answer' is not what it's like for many people in majority white Churches. Obviously there's some exceptions, but aren't there always? Rom, you said, "Now, if there is a Reformed Church in NJ that is sinning against people of color, but claims to hold to our form of doctrine, then certainly there is something rotten in it and its leadership should come under discipline." That's interesting and I definitely agree with you here, but does it really have to go this far? I'm not sure what anyone else's experience has been but I've been to several white Churches and it's been the same in everyone of them. Simply put, people aren't interested. We spend all of our time trying to adjust to the culture, and let me tell ya, it's tiring. It's disheartening when you've been in a Church trying to make connections with people, only to see new people of the same color come in and blossom as if they've been apart of your Church for years.
Let's be honest here, culture means something. It's not just something we can turn off and turn on. Rom, you also wrote, "Your family being there will only make it that much easier for the next person of color who walks through the doors of that church." I so wish this was true. But again, it sounds good, and it's right teaching, but it just doesn't play out like this in real life. From my experience, here's what happens: The the white members hang out with the white ones, and the black ones kick it with the black ones. And eventually the black ones leave. I cant speak for every Church, but this has been my experience since I've been Reformed. I've been going at this for about ten years now. This is reality, especially when your married to a person of the same color and race as you are. Now I realize this is controversial, and some people may not like it, but it's important. I don't want this to be a debate, but only a honest back and forth with brother Rom.
Thanks
Sorry for starting a new thread on this but the original thread was either closed or restricted. Anyways, I wanted to respond to Rom's post which I'll share here:
"...my first commitment in finding a church is to find one that Glorifies our God, is Scriptural and aligns with my convictions.
Also, I have never felt uncomfortable being around God's People - even if I am the only minority. We share a bond far greater than the color of our skin, or even the language that we might speak. If joining a Reformed Church, the members of that church will be taking vows towards your children in covenant as you become members. This is a beautiful lesson to our children that though we might not look like each other, the people of God are bound to each other in covenant due to Christ's work for His Church. Even if our brothers and sisters in Christ are not of our same race. A beautiful testament to God's saving work, to both the Jew and Gentile. This is the same testimony that your family already shares, is it not?
Now, if there is a Reformed Church in NJ that is sinning against people of color, but claims to hold to our form of doctrine, then certainly there is something rotten in it and its leadership should come under discipline.
But usually, there is no such issue and yet a congregation may very well be mono-ethnic. For a variety of reasons - Reformed theology in America is now only making inroads into minority communities, so be patient. In a lot of ways, it is only now making its way into many white communities as well
And certainly, this issue will never change if every person of color decided that they needed to find a different church that was already diverse. I'm not sure how diversity is achieved if no one of color is willing to be joined to that church.
Sometimes we need to serve in this way so that others of color will feel comfortable joining. Your family being there will only make it that much easier for the next person of color who walks through the doors of that church."
First let me say that there's a lot of good stuff here; in fact it's excellent. But the problem is that it is only the right answer to a real problem; that's it. Basically Rom knows the right answer. Here's the thing, so do I. But sadly the 'right answer' is not what it's like for many people in majority white Churches. Obviously there's some exceptions, but aren't there always? Rom, you said, "Now, if there is a Reformed Church in NJ that is sinning against people of color, but claims to hold to our form of doctrine, then certainly there is something rotten in it and its leadership should come under discipline." That's interesting and I definitely agree with you here, but does it really have to go this far? I'm not sure what anyone else's experience has been but I've been to several white Churches and it's been the same in everyone of them. Simply put, people aren't interested. We spend all of our time trying to adjust to the culture, and let me tell ya, it's tiring. It's disheartening when you've been in a Church trying to make connections with people, only to see new people of the same color come in and blossom as if they've been apart of your Church for years.
Let's be honest here, culture means something. It's not just something we can turn off and turn on. Rom, you also wrote, "Your family being there will only make it that much easier for the next person of color who walks through the doors of that church." I so wish this was true. But again, it sounds good, and it's right teaching, but it just doesn't play out like this in real life. From my experience, here's what happens: The the white members hang out with the white ones, and the black ones kick it with the black ones. And eventually the black ones leave. I cant speak for every Church, but this has been my experience since I've been Reformed. I've been going at this for about ten years now. This is reality, especially when your married to a person of the same color and race as you are. Now I realize this is controversial, and some people may not like it, but it's important. I don't want this to be a debate, but only a honest back and forth with brother Rom.
Thanks
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