The Black and Reformed Christian’s Dilemma
November 27, 2007 by lionelwoods7
As I sat back studying the scriptures the other day. I realized that I as many other Black and Reformed Christians have a serious dilemma. We love the Lord and we are Black (or African American). Do to lack of Reformed preachers who are also black, typically that means we have to sit under predominately white ministries. Okay I am joking, ALL WHITE ministries. My friend Tyris and I get into this conversation at least once a week. We are excited to see Reformed Churches that are led by black staff. The problem is this is about as rare as Black Fortune 500 CEO’s. Of the black churches that are started I would believe that less than 1% are Reformed and I believe I am being a bit generous here. As you can tell by the name of the site we are theologically bent towards the Reformed Theological perspective and we also enjoy the culture birthed by Blacks here in America. So what are we to do?
Tyris has chosen the option that many Reformed Blacks choose. That is, he goes to a predominately (around 98% if I am not mistaken) White house church. Though I have never met his pastor, I respect him and think it was the best decision that he could make “ceteris paribus”. I have chosen the path of least resistance as it stands for now. I belong to a predominately black church which is a Bible Church. We are sound theologically but some of the richness of the Reformed position are not preached as much as I would like. The thing is this. For most of us who happen to be college educated. We work with whites, we live in the suburb which tends to be predominately white, and our kids go to schools that are predominately white. Now none of this is bad in and of itself; however, sometimes I long for the fellowship of Christians that are from the Black Experience. The joys and struggles of the Black Experience in America has a rich history and sometimes you want to hear that from the pulpit, or some of our current struggles that we face here in America can be addressed from the pulpit, but are usually not in white churches. Pastor Anthony Carter does a great job in his book “On Being Black and Reformed” in addressing some of these issues and reconciling them with the Sovereignty of God. He takes the Black Experience and filters it through the Reformed Theological Perspective and it is beautifully penned.
So some things become more difficult for black Christians versus white Christians. The number one is finding a church home. You see for a white American introduced to Reformed Theology his church hunt will be like fishing in an aquarium. For blacks it like fishing in the desert. There are over 10 Reformed Churches within a 25 mile radius of my home in Aubrey, Texas. The problem is they are all white. As I search through their websites not a black face pops up. This brings much anxiety and usually what happens blacks usually rob themselves and stay in churches they are more comfortable fellowshipping in. This is especially critical for those of us who know fellowship and accountability to be an essential ingredient in becoming conformed to the image of Christ. The other issue is that even if we do go to some churches in which are anxiety levels are off the chart, the staff and congregation doesn’t know how to communicate with us, so we usually leave feeling unwanted. I understand that this is also tough for white churches that have black visitors. There is always and do mean always a level of discomfort as you deal with people from other cultural backgrounds. And if I may be so bold, sometimes the Gospel isn’t the answer.
I believe the burden lies with both parties; however, I believe it more lies with the host church. Preaching and teaching from the pulpit should include racial reconciliation and also it should help educate people on diversity. We all understand that there “is no Jew nor Greek” within the body of Christ; however, there is Jew and Greek as it relates to culture. We live in America which is dominated by Anglo Saxon culture. Typically if you pronounce your words correctly, and use correct sentence structure (which I rarely do) then you talk like a “white man”. If you prefer Dockers and Cole Haans over baggy jeans and Nikes you dress like a “white man” and the list goes on. The problem is that this is true to some standard. If we want to play the Corporate America game you best learn Anglo culture and if you want to roll with the theological minds of today you best do the same. I am rambling here.
I say all of that to say this. There is something that can be done by these churches to ease the transition. Let me throw this in for kicks. I don’t believe a church should be all black either. I don’t think a “Black Church” is a biblical church and I don’t think a “White Church” is a biblical church. God has sovereignly placed us here in America together, with other cultures and He has done us a great service. We all bring something great to the table and we should all partake of what each of us have to offer the Body of Christ. I believe a church dominated by one particular race or the other does the body of Christ here in America a disservice. So what can these churches do? For a lot of the Reformed churches I recommend that they raise up black leaders within their congregation and that they purposely seek them out for Eldership candidacy. The first thing I do when looking for a church is look at the diversity of the Leadership. A diverse leadership always gives me warm and fuzzes. The same for when I am looking for a job. The first thing I do is attempt to see where they stand on issues such as diversity and promotion rates for blacks. There are way too many churches without any black leadership and they are hurting their chances of wooing black congregants. This may not be important to this church but it is important to Christ.
In conclusion the dilemma will continue unless we do something about it. God did His part by tearing down the walls that divided us. There is no such thing as a race, we are all one in Christ, the problem is we retreat to what is comfortable. White churches cater to their white congregations and Blacks to their black congregations and at the end; we don’t reflect the New Jerusalem. John said he saw people “from every nation” in Revelation 7, but all I see is churches dominated by one nation or nationality. The local fellowships within a given nation should reflect the diversity of that nation. China is predominately Chinese so they have a valid reason. America is a melting pot and we have no excuse. I know a specific pastor (Pastor Eric “Gunny” Hartman of Providence Church in Garland) who is making strives to rectify this issue. We should do all we can to join in his struggle. This can be accomplished with a lot of prayer and a lot more dying to ourselves and our comfort. Paul beautifully coined this mindset in Philippians 2:1-4.
Lionel, you are telling my story. I intentionally googled “black reformed” and came across this particular article. I am trying not to get frustrated as I and my family look for a new church home. As a reformed black man in Pittsburgh, I am struggling with the idea of sacrificing the type of worship experience my wife and I have known all our lives for true teaching. I am saddened that I am even in this position. The black churches I have been visiting lately….well, I’m not sure I could call it teaching at all. When I attend church I go hungry, and I have been leaving the same way. I too have a passion to bring reformation to the Black community, but how will a “white church” in a “white community” help me do that. I could go on and on, but I just wanted to say thanks for putting my feelings at this exact moment into words.
Great post! I struggle so much in this area and often see myself as immature for feeling the feelings you expressed in the post. I have no answers. It is refreshing to at least hear these things expressed.
Where have you guys been hiding this site? Shame on you…great site…useful, functional and much needed information.
Your words sound like my words, thoughts and anxieties. I have been Reformed for 16 years now and being in congregations where my wife, my sons & I are the only black Christians is causing me great struggles. As a matter of fact, I will be having a phone conversation with a black reformed Pastor regarding this very dilemma tonight. Of course he Pastor’s a church 300 miles from where I live. I am at my wits end with this situation. I have also wondered if my inability to cope in an all white setting is due to immaturity on my part. I need an answer from our Redeemer.
I recall years ago, in Shreveport, La, the local news presented a series titled “The most segregated hour in America.” I wasn’t too surprised, yet still dissapointed to learn that they were reffering to the Sunday morning church hour. This subject is difficult, dangerous, and yes, in much need of serious contemplation. It reaches deep into the black psyche and exposes personal bias’ that have been formed based on the often brutal reality of this nations history. Personally, it took sometime to come to terms with the fact that scripture was used too justify, support and sustain slavery. I know now, it was done by depraved men under the control of sin, and in no way diminishes or alters the truth of God. The sin these men unleashed on blacks continue to devastate. Personally, I believe that is why the Nation of Islam, particularily in the black community, was able to gain some level of respectability. Our history makes us yearn for something, almost anything black, rather than have turn to the the white community for salvation.
It is when we mature in the knowledge of God, seek, search and understand the scriptures for ourselves that we realize that what is being presented to us in the black community is not Christianity. It became painful for me to continue to sit under pastors exhibiting no understanding of theology, no expository teaching, and no sound biblical truths. I grew angry and resentful on Sundays listening to “foolishness”, and watching them walk on the pews, shouting and screaming. I looked around and the people were estatic, enjoying themeselves, “having church.” I’d drive home wondering, what in the world just happened. I hadn’t learned a thing, my would throb (from all the shouting), and I’d be mad. During the week I’d listen to and watch white pastors calmly and intelligently teach the bible. I’d wonder to myself, why can’t my church be like that? I was aware of, but always dissmissive of the fact that my church was in the “hood”, yet I was returning home to the “burbs”. Passing at least a dozen white churches, I never seriously considered entering any of them. Why? No, I’d just watch them on TV in the sanctity of my home. In the burb. Why? What an immature hypocrite. But still why can’t I get sound biblical teaching in the hood? So now I am without a church home. My friend Tyris never misses the opportunity to invite me to visit his church. My work schedule provides a convient excuse for not making it. But tell me, what is the truth of the matter?
I tell you what brother Nate, if there are non-negotiables in every black church within a realistic radius then a “white church” could be your only option. Tyris couldn’t find one so that was his only option. I will say that not being in some type of fellowship, rather that is a house church or a mega church is sin. I have written on this extensively. You will not find a Christian in the bible outside of fellowship. Paul’s primary purpose as a missionary was not to convert people but to plant churches and he established churches throughout Europe. He charged Timothy and Titus (shortly before His death) to appoint elders (pastors) and gave the qualifcations for such men.
We live in an autonomous society today. What I hear today is “it is me and my bible”. The problem is that is anti-biblical. We are commanded to submit to and obey our elders, use our gifts for the local and univesal body, and love our brothers and sisters all of these are impossible, outside of some type of local fellowship where people can learn you, and hold you accountable. So for me this is a non-negotiable and disobeying this is disobedience to Christ the head of the church and not man.
I will pray that you would find such a plance to get planted and rooted.
yo brother lionel,
I too can identify with your dilemma however I do so as one from the inside looking out. let me explain by the way of a true story.
a few years ago two black believers discovered reformed theology and like most of us decided to leave the church of their culture and heritage and join an all white reformed fellowship. however they prayed consistently that the Lord would send someone to plant a black reformed church in their area so that they could see reformed theology spread to our brothers and sisters and hopefully begin to match our rich church heritage with reformed theology.
well lo and behold our gracious God did just that. someone came to this major metropolitan area and planted the only black led and styled reformed church in that area which was a short drive from where they lived. for awhile it was great. here was a black man and his family (a brother who by the way could have easily accepted a lead position at a suburban white church) teaching the scriptures and engaging their community with reformed theology from our perspective. and yet for some reason one of them chose to return to the all white reformed church. since a reason wasn’t given we really don’t know why this happened. i suppose the old saying is true ‘the white man’s ice really is colder’.
i can identify with this because i too know of several black reformed christians who chose to attend overwhelmingly white reformed churches (some even have to drive past our fellowship to do so) instead of ours. i know of other black reformed pastors who tell a similar story. we don’t know why this is so perhaps someone can enlighten us.
btw: the sermon feed should be up shortly.
peace
pastor lance
I would love to find out why the guy left Pastor Lance. I used to believe there were no Reformed Blacks alive until God sovereignly introduced me to Anthony Carter via his book, then I checked his blog and you guys were on there, then I went to Council of Reforming Churches and wahlah! Thus the idea for this site became a reality. I pray that Reformed Theology would ignite a passion for the Sovereingty of God and classical theological readings. Don’t know what God is going to do but it is going to be fun.
I am now praying for the same type of Chruch in the Metroplex. Though I go to a solid church, I would love to sin in a fully reformed Chruch (that is predominately black). You know Texas has had its share of problems anyway. I would like to say, thanks for what you do! Thanks for being faithful to the scriptures and desiring his glory over the riches of this world. God bless.
This is my first time participating in this form. I am very sorry to sound so strident, but you leave me little choice!
“For a lot of the Reformed churches I recommend that they raise up black leaders within their congregation and that they purposely seek them out for Eldership candidacy.” How are they going to do that if people like YOU “I have chosen the path of least resistance as it stands for now. I belong to a predominately black church which is a Bible Church.”
For the record, I happen to be black. I work at a company that is 90% nonblack, and am frequently in situations where I am the only black person in the room. That is not unusual of course, so do the vast majority of blacks. So why do we put up with it when it is “outside our comfort level”, especially when the whites at our jobs are not saved? Because we do not have a choice. Either we go into the white man’s world to make money, or we go unemployed. You know, there are some brothers who actually do refuse to gain legitimate work because they don’t want to work for the white man and his racist system that oppresses us. Or at least they claim to. Now of course I cannot advocate that for the Bible says that the man that does not work shall not eat, but at least these people are consistent.
But the fact that so many blacks have no problem going to the white man’s workplace FOR FORTY HOURS OR MORE EACH WEEK because we desire the MONEY and PRESTIGE that THEIR JOBS PROVIDE US but when it comes to going to the white man’s church EIGHT HOURS A WEEK OR LESS, we want to talk about being in our comfort zone and being culturally respected. If we will sacrifice our racial identity chasing that dollar bill, why not do it for God? Now come on, maybe these lily white Reformed churches have members and even some pastors that have a bit of the stain of racism in their hearts (and since that is the case please acknowledge that I John says that the man who says that he is without sin is a liar and James said that we should confess our faults to one another meaning that we do indeed have faults to confess, and no I John and James were not written to sinners but to CHRISTIANS WHO SIN), but at least they are not doing some of the wicked evil things that you KNOW these corporations are doing.
This is not to say that all Christians should quit their jobs because we work for companies that make money off war, oppress the poor, promote immorality in the culture, and do all other sorts of wicked things, but we should not pretend that working at a company like that - which describes most of them unless you are fortunate enough to work for a small family owned business or similar - is somehow better than having to sit next to someone who doesn’t want someone that looks like you living in their neighborhood or dating their daughter for a few weeks. The difference is that you can work for that evil company for 50 years and it will still be evil, because the vast majority of the people that run and work for that company are not born again, but by fellowshipping with the white man that has the stain of racism in his heart God will either use your presence to A) deliver him from that wickedness if he is born again or B) drive him off from that church because he is offended by your presence if he is not (addition by subtraction!).
That truly is a revealing statement of where our priorities are, what we truly value, and what is first in our lives. In order to get a job and make money, we put up with the white man. But in order to go worship God, we put up with “the richness of the Reformed position are not preached as much as I would like.” Black Christians, White Christians, Jewish Christians, Asian Christians, Hispanic Christians, blind and deaf Christians, hermaphrodite Christians (yes they do exist) need to get to where we are willing to sacrifice ALL for the faith just as Jesus Christ sacrificed for us despite being worth so much more than all of us put together, and that means being willing to get over our cultural chauvinism and rubbing some elbows with folks that we are uncomfortable with and that are uncomfortable with us. Simeon Niger (which means Simeon the Black) did it in Acts 13:1. As far as we know, it was just him, Lucius of Cyrene, and a bunch of Greeks and Jews at Antioch. The same with “the black dwarf” Athanasius. Were there any other blacks at the great victory of Christianity over Arianism at the Council of Nicea other than he? I have a write - up about the brother here: http://healtheland.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/interesting-that-we-do-not-study-athanasius-during-black-history-month/
Now the thing is that I found this entry when doing an Internet search looking for videos from black Reformed pastors to put on my weblog … the only videos that I have so far are from white guys like R.C. Sproul, D. James Kennedy, and Chuck Baldwin. So then, maybe YOU can solve this problem for me one day. I hope to return here in a couple of years and see where you have joined that white Reformed Church and yourself become an elder. Again, sorry that I was so harsh, but I did not know of any other way to express myself.
May the blessings of Jesus Christ be upon you.
FYI Lionel, NehemiahPaul is Gerald here in KC and not Nate in Omaha. Glad to hear us looking for a solution with the dilema. Hopefully our work is not in vain and something will be thought of to get some Biblical solutions to these issues. Lord’s Blessing to all. In Christ Alone.
First, let me say that I am grateful to God for you Christian brothers who are looking to increase the “Reformed Black Church”. I have in recent years done a lot of what you all have done. Currently we attend a PCA church in AZ. The pastor is an awesome caucasian brother. The majority of the people that attend seem to be good hearted people (and yes they are all white). I just found out the other day I would be moving to Texas soon, but when I looked for reformed churches in the area (Wichita Falls), none of them appeared to be “black” or have at least a good mix. I was hoping that since we were going to Texas there might be one (that was truly mixed) so that (and this is mainly for the children) they could grow up in a church with diversity. Who knows, maybe God will allow me to do some things for him there (as far as pastoring is concerned). I fully understand the dillemma that you wrote about in your article. I did the same on my blog speaking about the problems in the “black” and “white” church. Hopefully I provided some answers and if not, at least point some areas that could be positively affected. Be blessed brothers, I feel there are more of us coming around to embrace the truth in Christ through the reformed faith.