October 25, 2020
Elephants in the Church | Racisim
October 4, 2020 | Matt Nickoson
Thank you so much for checking out this page. There are many great resources to assist you in better understanding the issue of “racism” in the world today. Some of these resources are more practical with the focus being on what we can do about it, and others are more philosophical with the intent to help you better understand the issue and how we got here. Some common feelings as you study this subject is a sense of powerlessness, defensiveness, guilt, anger, and sorrow. We encourage you to prayerfully consider why you feel the way you feel, and ask the Lord to direct you. Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So, you are free to explore openly with God how He feels and how He wants you to respond and know you are free from condemnation in His presence.
While all of these resources are very good and helpful, at the end of the day the Bible is the best resource. There Paul says, “For (Jesus) himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:14, 22 NIV.
The issue of racism and division was normal in Jesus’ day as well and God can and will deal with it in His church. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Below you can watch the podcast four local pastors and I had the opportunity to a part of, each with our own experiences with racism in the church. If you would like to listen to this or other publications, click here.
- Going Deeper with video options:
- Going deeper with articles by Life in the Gospel: