Race & Faith | Imago Dei Church

Christ’s church is multicultural and rich in diversity! How we engage and celebrate a colorful palette of backgrounds and reconcile hurts.

Just Engaging

May 29, 2020/in Community, Race & Faith /by Pete

Minneapolis is burning. More black bodies are on the ground. Justice is not being served. Distrust, anger, and fear fill the air. The unrelenting, indefensible racial injustice is mind-boggling. For some. For others, nothing has actually changed. Their reality has just gone viral. Combine that with nothing to distract us and it seems like new segments of our culture want to turn a corner, press into the reality of this nightmare, and perhaps offer a better future to our children.

The skeptic in me wonders if the outrage will pass with the next news cycle. Will people post so passionately about racial injustice when they can watch football again? Will we invest time in discovering the pervasive pain of a racialized reality that many cannot escape from – when we can invest time discovering the next great all-inclusive resort to escape to? I’m hopeful we will.

Many are asking – what can we do? How can we help? What can we do to change this mess? As a humbled learner, I would like to offer a few suggestions for Christians in the majority culture to consider as a starting place.

Be humble or be humbled

Please recognize that while the desire to help, fix, change the current situation is most likely a good desire, it is also mixed with arrogance. One of my black friends gently exposed this to me. She pointedly asked, “why do you think things can change because you’re involved now?”

We must recognize that many people who are smarter, more dedicated, and more faithful – have gone before us. This is not a new situation. Many of us are just new to the conversation. We must be willing to learn our place in the conversation. Which may be serving the table, not sitting at it.

Take in what God breathed out

Search through and pray the Scriptures. Ask God to open your eyes to see His heart for the poor and the marginalized. Pray God’s Word and let God soften and transform your heart. Pray through Psalm 10, Psalm 82, Micah 6, Amos 5. My goodness, especially Amos 5. Does your desire to worship in a church building match your desire to work for justice in the streets?

Embrace Dignity

Support black churches and churches serving in marginalized communities. With all of my heart, I believe that a robust application and demonstration of the gospel through the local church for the glory of God is the hope of the world. There are faithful men and women of color anonymously pouring out their lives to care for a traumatized community. As a white man, I cannot fully understand their experience. My ability to help will be limited. But not eliminated.

Consider what Dave Chappelle said in his stand-up special “Equanimity.”

“When I read that letter, in the moments after I read it, I did something that many black men in America do not have the time or the money to do: I thought about how I felt.”

I can support black pastors in ways that empower them to care for people in ways I cannot. Did you know that many pastors serving in the most under-resourced areas do so for free? These community pillars work multiple jobs in order to shepherd people without requiring a salary. Can you imagine working third shift all week, raising a family, feeling traumatized, counseling people, and preparing to preach a sermon to a video camera on Sunday? When you don’t have a tech team?

That situation is not uncommon in the black church. But don’t pity them. Honor them. Be inspired. Learn from them. Recognize the strength, dignity, and supernatural perseverance God is granting these leaders to honor Him by feeding His sheep. Consider ways that you can support them so that they can have a minute to think about how they feel.

Delight yourself in the Gospel

Empowered by the Spirit of God, we can joyfully take these steps. Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords knew what His place was in every conversation. Yet, He laid down His privilege to invite us to His table – so that He could serve us. He washed the feet of His followers, demonstrating that He would scrub the stains off of our souls. He became our sin. Our apathy. Our arrogance. Our bitterness. Our unforgiveness. It was crucified with Him so that God could forgive us.

Through the gospel, not only are our souls emptied of our sin, our hearts are filled with God’s Spirit. Because of what Jesus has already done for us, we can now join Him in what He is doing for others. We can love God with everything we have. And we can love our neighbor as ourselves.

Let’s start there. Maybe we end there too?

Let Justice Run

May 6, 2020/in Race & Faith /by Imago Dei

Another human being was gunned down. In the streets. On his regular run. His name was Amhaud Arbery. He was a black man. This may be an extreme situation. It may be unique. It may require nuance to understand. But it is not uncommon. Botham Jean was shot on his couch. Atatian Jefferson was shot in her home. She was playing video games with her nephew.

Am I leaving out some facts? Sure.

Is there more to these stories? No doubt. Should that matter? To an extent.

The fact is America is a deeply racialized society. Always has been. That’s kind of what colonizing is, if we’re honest. Before New York was a new York, it was called something else by someone else. And then there was slavery. And more.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Life is objectively and historically difficult for black Americans. Traumatic, even. When I saw the video of Amhaud Arbery trying to avoid two men who blocked off his path, hopped out of their vehicle, and pulled out firearms, causing an understandable struggle to ensue – which ended Arbery’s life – it made me sick. That feeling of disgust was compounded by the reality that this horrific loss of life is “another one.”

As a white pastor serving in one of the nation’s most segregated cities, this messes me up. Not for my sake, necessarily, but because of how it impacts my friends. And their kids. I reached out to my friends to check in on them, let them know I was praying for them, and ask if there is anything I can do.

My black friends communicated that they can’t articulate how traumatizing this is. How sick of it all they are. How upset they are that they are not more upset or surprised. How afraid they are to just take a jog, now.

Can you imagine the anxiety you might feel if you did not know if you would make it home if you went for a run in the middle of the day? The fear and anxiety would be crippling.

Beyond Broken

I wish there was something I could. My heart breaks. A big part of me wishes I could change places. I wish I could take on the skin of my friends so that they could have some reprieve from this nightmare. Not because I think I could handle any of this any better. Not because I think I could fix anything. Just because I want to do something. At least share in the suffering. Even if I could swap skin, though, that would not heal the pain or stop the bleeding.

Borken to heal

Which makes me drop to my knees and thank God for His great mercy. From His throne in heaven, looking at this broken world from the perspective of eternity – God did take on our skin. The Son of God became a human being.

He put on our flesh to fix every problem and heal every pain at its source. He knows what it is to be falsely accused of crimes He did not commit. He knows what it is to be hunted down. He knows what it is to be executed in broad daylight. Jesus died an unjust death at the hands of unjust men to put an end to injustice – by taking it on Himself. The Son of God did more than take on our flesh. He took on our sin. So that it could be crucified with Him and we could be reconciled to God by faith in Christ. He shed His blood to end the bleeding. It is finished.

Three days after He was crucified, He conquered the grave. He ascended into heaven and promised to come back. When He does, He will wipe away every tear from every eye. Sin and death will be no more. Peace and joy – Shalom – will reign.

Take up our cross

So now, through faith in Christ, I can follow His lead and walk into the pain, brokenness and suffering of my brothers and sisters. Not with answers. But to share in their suffering. Because Jesus shared in mine.

For those who are shaken to your core – you can know that since Jesus suffered for you, He will now suffer with you. And that, not as a helpless victim. But as a conquering King. Who is full of mercy and compassion. He knows our pain better than we ever will.

The cross and resurrection guarantee that one day every wrong will be made right. Until that day, we lament. We pray, “how long o Lord?” “May your Kingdom come and your will be done.” “Let justice roll.”

Or perhaps, let justice run. Amen.

Only Whites

August 13, 2019/in Milwaukee Church, Race & Faith /by Pete

“Dad, I don’t like it when we’re the only white people there.”

“I feel like we’re “Waldo” and everyone’s looking at us.”

“When we go past that statue, we’ll be in the not-so-nice part of town.”

Have you ever had to navigate conversations like this with a kid? Have you ever had to wrestle with these kinds of feelings in your own heart?

Every Thursday this summer, a crew from our church has gone to a park in the 53206 zip code to do VBS, but Imago Dei Church style. Which is – simple, bare-bones. Just people getting with people to talk with people about Jesus. Oh, and food. We’ve partnered with another ministry that drops off lunch.

The 53206 zip code is right next door to where my family lives and where our church meets. We can and do walk our dog through these parks.

Here’s a few stats from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that describe what life is like in 53206.

A 2013 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee study found it was the most incarcerated ZIP code in the state, with a majority of its men having spent time in jail or prison.
Two-thirds of the children in 53206 live in poverty.
Nearly 95 percent of its residents are black. No other ZIP code has a greater percentage of African Americans.
Residents received the lowest rating for health outcomes from the Center for Urban Population Health in 2009. The rating was based on access to quality healthcare; health behaviors; physical environment; poverty and education.

Running a “Vacation Bible School” here looks, feels, and SMELLS different. From cigarettes, to BO, to diapers that clearly need to be changed, it’s not a comfortable environment for the affluent. Like me…or the people who live there.

And I am so glad that our church serves here, my wife faithfully brings our kids, and pushes me to come with. It has opened up wonderful, God focused conversations that we would not otherwise have. But converse we did while eating dinner in the safe comfort of our home that is less than one mile away from abject poverty.

So join us, if you will, for last night’s dinner conversation.

Kid: “I don’t like being the only white people there…”

Mom: “Do you know what it’s called when people only live by and interact with people who have the same skin color as they do? Segregation. Is that a good thing?”

Kid: “No. But why is it like that? Why do all the black people live in one neighborhood and all the white people in another? How did Milwaukee get this way?”

Me: “Well, there’s a long answer and a short answer. Most people prefer to be around people who are like them. But, we have to go back to slavery in America to really understand it. Shoot, we have to go back to the Garden of Eden…”

Kid: “But slavery is done. Why is it still like this? Why do the black people live in neighborhoods that are poor and play in parks that are dirty?”

Me: “Well, there’s a long answer and a short answer. Do you know how it’s uncomfortable for you to play there for an hour? How would you like to live there? See, when people with resources avoid living and playing in tougher neighborhoods like we were just in, then the tough neighborhoods don’t get the personal attention or structural investment that other, better resourced neighborhoods do get…”

Kid: “It still makes me uncomfortable.”

Mom: “Aren’t you glad that Jesus made Himself uncomfortable for you? He left heaven, to come into this tough world, to be around people who were nothing like Him. And that, not just to give us an hour, but to give us His life. He stepped into the nastiest neighborhood – a God forsaken, sin smeared cross – so that through faith in Him, we could step into eternal paradise.”

Ok, let’s put the kids to bed so that the adults can talk a little bit.

I’d like to make sure I’m clear on a few things. First, in no way, shape or form do I think that we are doing something heroic or even sacrificial. Communicating the gospel can change someone’s heart forever. But handing out a simple lunch one day a week for a few months in the summer is not going to fix Milwaukee’s problems. In some ways, what we’re doing may contribute to the bigger, systemic issues. But that’s a discussion for another day.

Second, please don’t pity the people living in 53206 or neighborhoods like it. Have compassion, sure. And be inspired. Moms working third shift because they can’t afford child care. Homeless kids showing off how they climb trees and can do backflips – with a smile on their face. The strength and resiliency in 53206 is nothing short of amazing. And by the way, there is SO MUCH good happening in these neighborhoods that the news is not reporting.

Third, I’m not so sure that kids like mine need to be “protected” from the realities in these neighborhoods. Poverty is more than financial or material. If you “protect” your kids from neighborhoods like this, you just might “expose” them to things that are far more dangerous.

Fourth, we can choose to ignore – or explain away – the realities of poverty, sin, segregation, and injustice. But when I see kids pouring out of the woodwork and people lining up for a modest sack lunch, it seems to me an awful lot like the places and people Jesus engaged. And the religious criticized.

Obviously, there is more to be said on all of this. To be continued….

…Hopefully by you in your everyday life

And probably in another blog another day…

…Certainly better people than me

And definitely by the God who will never leave us nor forsake us…

Time to Wake Up

October 12, 2018/in Church Partnership, Milwaukee Church, Race & Faith /by Pete

We are going to pursue a dream, that to my knowledge, has never been pursued. At least, not to the extent, depth, or length that we are considering. This may be foolish. It may be dangerous. It will certainly be challenging and exhausting. But there is a sleeping giant out there, and if she woke up, she would trash the gates of hell that occupy our city. Our dream, our prayer, is to see God revive existing churches in Milwaukee.

We believe that the local church is the hope of the world because the church has been entrusted with the message that brings eternal hope to all people – the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the gospel creates a new person, and new people form new communities that are committed to speaking and displaying the gospel in their communities, those communities will be adorned with hope and healing.

Many of the depressed and under resourced neighborhoods in our city are being sustained by the flickering flames of hope provided by small and faithful churches. These churches tend to be made up of people who live in the neighborhood and are led by a pastor who must work at least one outside job in order to serve the church as a pastor. There are many reasons for this situation including the size of the congregation. But more pressing is the reality that a church of people who live in a zip code where the average income is less than $24,000 a year, as faithful and generous as they may be, simply cannot afford to give enough to support a pastor’s salary.

Still, these pastors and churches provide a tremendous value to their communities. They are the shelter scared people turn to when another body hits the ground. They are the rock desperate people turn to when they can’t afford their next meal. They are the light that overwhelmed people turn to when they need to know there’s still hope.

“the church has been entrusted with the message that brings eternal hope to all people – the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

They are the ones we need to learn from. They are the ones we need to partner with. As we pursue this dream, I want to make sure that our hearts are in the right place. Our intention is not to offer support to “those poor people.” We intend to partner with and learn from them. Can you imagine how beautiful this could be? Can you imagine how much we could learn about faith and trust, community and service?

And if many of these under resourced churches have sustained their neighborhoods while their pastors have worked multiple jobs outside of their community, can you imagine what God might do through them if they were even just appropriately resourced?

Church, it’s time to wake up the sleeping giant, kick over the gates of hell, and watch God build His Kingdom and bring hope and healing to this world – and glory to His Name!

The Great Tension of the Black American Christian

January 22, 2017/in Race & Faith /by Joshua Harrison

Let me state 2 facts you may not be consciously aware of:

1.) Almost everything in the United States is catered to White culture, conveniently named simply “American” or “Popular” culture. This is why there is no preface for things targeted towards White audiences. There is no White Entertainment Television (opposed to BET), or Historically White College/Universities (opposed to HBCUs) because in the United States everything can be assumed White unless otherwise specified. The United States is not as inclusive as you might have been led to believe. For the same reasons, every minority has the disclaimer of the hyphenated “American” except for White people. They are simply American. In America, even though I am many generations removed from Africa, I am and may always be referred to “African-”American.

2.) Every minority group must adopt White Culture, but not vice versa. What I mean is most White people do not have to interact with minorities if they do not wish. If they do, it’s almost always on their cultural terms. However, avoiding White culture is virtually impossible for minorities especially if there is desire to advance in a career or any other platform. And like snowcapped mountains, the higher you go, the whiter it gets.

So what does this mean for me as a Christian? Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, those who believe in Him have been adopted by God (John 1:12). Thus, regardless of culture, we are family and there is an expectation of unity (Galatian 3:28). However, because of the nurtured white ethnocentrism of the United States, relationship unfortunately and unintentionally inherit this expectation as well. I often have the unspoken obligation to consciously consider what my white brothers and sisters will relate with to maintain conversation. The inverse is rare. There may be some attempt to try to relate to minority cultures, but if the cost is too high, there is quick disengagement. On a small level, this is why if my small group has a movie night, it will almost never be a movie I identify with. Most of my jokes and allusion fall flat, unless specifically catered to the culture.

There’s also a short tolerance for cultural deviance. Metaphorically speaking, other cultures are great accessories, but never worthy to be the main outfit. This is how Black Lives Matters turns into All Lives Matters. Another people group holding the spotlight exclusively for an extended period of time violates White Supremacy and it is met with extreme aggression. I’m often pressured to abandon my culture because “Christianity” in the United States has become White ethnocentric and any challenge to the culture can be mistaken as challenges to the faith itself.

For similar reasons, Christianity has been handcuffed to political conservatism, U.S. patriotism, and Republicanism. It seems like disrespect to the United States is taken as blasphemy to Christ Himself. People are eager to burn Colin Kaepernick’s Jersey for not standing for the National Anthem, but Bruce Miller jerseys stay intact after being arrested for allegedly beating an elderly person.

Surprising fact: The United States has been catastrophically evil toward Black people since being brought here in chains. America, today, is the best this country has ever been for Black people, so understand why “Make America Great Again” terrifies me and why I have criticisms of those who identify with the phrase or the political stance behind the phrase. For this reason, I have a REALLY hard time trusting White Evangelical Conservatives. Some of the most historical evil things done toward Black people has identified with this group. Some of the most racist, hateful, uncompassionate things I have seen have identified with this group. I’m off Facebook because my heart can’t take the onslaught of hate that is ubiquitous on the internet toward Black people from people who identify with this group. I’m anxious passing churches in small towns and rural areas. I sometimes envision crosses burning on front lawns of black families right after Sunday service. I think, “What would happen if I walked through those door”. Sadly, I’m unsure if I would be greeted as a brother, or another one of “those” that makes this country not so great.

I face the tension of having to tip-toe around racial political issues with evangelical friends with strong conservative affiliations because I risk them becoming defensive of criticisms of the consistent racism and conservation of White Supremacy in the Republican party. Despite countless historical accounts, I am met with an enthusiasm to defend a political system and party that has perpetuated the mistreatment of Black people. Among other Black people, I don’t have to be coy when I say people who vote for Donald Trump have lost their mind! Among most Black people this is “preaching to the choir”, but my honesty is reserved among loyal Republicans, making Trump a viable consideration for them. Unity with me means dealing with Black problems. Black problems mean facing the ugly political historical and present practices of the Unites States, especially in “conservative” systems.

Political tension does not end with the struggle with conservatism. I’m also hated by extreme liberals because I’m unapologetically a Christian. Feel this tension with me for a second: I’m hated by extreme Republicans because I’m Black and hated by extreme Democrats because I’m a Christian with varying degrees of disdain toward me along the spectrum. I argue there is no specific political party for Christians, but this is especially true to the Black American Christian.

My pastor asked me the question “How do you think the Gospel should impact our understanding of race and how can the church engage in racial reconciliation?” If I am honest, my answer really depends on who I am talking to.

If it is to my fellow Black brothers and sisters, the Gospel acknowledges our backgrounds, and in the same sentence minimizes it in light of our new race made in Christ. So there is no need to become like our oppressors and deify arbitrary attributes such as skin color or heritage. Your skin color and heritage is rich, bountiful, and beautiful, but it does not give you your worth. We are all equally valuable being made in the Image of God. That said, without Christ’s atonement for our sin, we are all equally condemn in the eyes of a holy God that shows no partiality. Let the fight for social justice be a catalyst to preach ultimate freedom through the Gospel. We can practice forgiveness because our Savior suffered a similar corrupt system like our own, but He sacrificed so that we can be reconciled with Himself. Go and do likewise.

To my White brothers and sisters, as you attempt to do the same, PLEASE do not be willfully blind. Acknowledge how your skin color has been deified in the world. Many things you believe to be normal has been rooted in White Privilege. Tragically, scripture has been used in horrible ways to keep this status quo. Use your privilege to right these wrongs as they are MONUMENTAL stumbling block for Black people. Do not feel guilty for being White. Your culture, too, is something to be cherished. Use it to fight for political social justice of all people. Be willing to cross cultural bridges to be able to relate to minority brothers/sisters in meaningful ways, even at high costs. Have a loose grip on your political views, and be willing to challenge them.

I’ll be honest. Racial reconciliation may never happen on this side of Heaven, but we’re foolish not to still fight for it. You can’t love God without loving your neighbor (1 John 4:20-21). So as the Church, let us show the world the passion of a just God who loves us all with no reservation.

Grace & Peace family,

j. Harrison