Open Letter to SoMo District AG

Our district, like other districts is divided into geographic regions called sections. It's a good setup. There are presbyters and officials within a reasonable distance to take care of and represent local churches. At the last Southern Missouri District Council meeting of the Assemblies of God, they voted to create a section for black churches. There was a spur-of-the-moment caucus to nominate and elect a black presbyter to represent them in the district. This is not based on geography like all the other sections. It spans the length and breadth of the entire district. The only criteria this special section is based on is race.

The intended purpose is to create diversity in the AG. But the fact of the matter is this is nothing more than a Christian version of affirmative action. On the district level it would look nice to be able to say that we have x number of black churches. "Look at how diverse we are!" But on the local level, where the rubber meets the road, it segregates. "Oh! An African-American! There is a black church down the street. Why don't you go there?" Are we going back to the days when we put signs over buildings stating "Whites or Blacks Only?"

Instead of segregation we should try integration. Why can't we worship together? What happened to the part of the Bible that says, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28) I think it would be safe to add that there is no black, white, red, yellow...whatever.

Perhaps the problem lies more with our churches and pastors. Has the issue of race been thoroughly dealt with here? I know that in my neck of the woods, racism is still alive and well. It's obvious to me that it is still infecting our churches also. I don't think the answer to this problem is to segregate. The answer is for our pastors and churches to deal with the sin of racism and accept one another in a true spirit of Christian brotherhood. Let's work toward reconciliation. I'm not talking about just the "white" churches; black churches need to get this point also.

Diversity is wonderful. Segregation is ugly. When will we get our eyes off of color and onto the greater picture of the beautiful and wonderfully diverse Body of Christ?

Don't get me wrong. I love our District and our District Officials. And I will support them. I just wish we would have thought this one through a little more.

-pc