THE DREAMER WAS RIGHT:

Dr. Martin Luther King’s words still ring true:  He noted that Sunday mornings in America is still the most segregated hour of the entire week.  If Jesus’ prayer “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” really to be taken seriously, then churches must take another look at the church and not at the culture.  We are the problem!  Unfortunately, there is still a large racial divide in the North American Church and thus in the culture.  The church has failed!  The number challenge is to get the church out of denial. 

THE CHALLENGE IS THE SAME:

Having said all of that I now say that there are rays of hope as new generation of leaders are more committed to cutting of the “sins of the fathers”  Let’s face it, this challenge was is not new to our generation.  The first century church had it’s Jews and Gentile challenge.  Do we eat what “those folks” eat or do we do the “spiritual thing” How do integrate a bunch of “self righteous” law keepers with a group of people who came to Grace without the law.  Everyone knows that “Black” music and “White” music is like oil and water! 

A NEW APOSTOLIC PARADIGM

I would purpose that the time has come for the Church to find a new paradigm.  One that is sensitive to, reflective of’ but not defined by; yea but one that transcends culture.  The first century church became a model for the culture to see what Christianity was supposed to be.  Imagine the shock when Philemon the slave owner and Philemon the slave were seen worshipping together in the same church service and then later having lunch together.  In a truly apostolic church-by  Apostolic I am speaking not merely of a doctrine but one that is truly Missional. The heart of that church must be examined on a continually basics to make sure that the vision/values motive is to reach the people- all the people that God has placed within its reach. 

THE DNA EXCUSE

I am aware of the “DNA” issue.  That argument goes something like this:  Every church is uniquely called to reach a certain kind of person.  There is some truth to that but a higher truth is found in the words of the most apostolic leader that ever lived. Ponder his heartbeat!  “Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people:  religious, nonreligious, demoralized-whoever.  I didn’t take on their way of life.   I kept my bearings in Christ-But I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view.  I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-Saved life.  I did all this because of the Message.  I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! (1Corinthians 9:10-23)  I believe that if the Apostle Paul walked the streets of our cities he would noticed the large ethnic pockets of “New American” and disenfranchised Americans who have given up on the “dream” that we are judged by content of character and not by the color of our skin.  He would go to their ethnic stores and sample their foods, learn to appreciate their music, he would attempt to speak their language. He would step into his pulpit the next Sunday and boldly  tell his declining church-in a community going thought a cultural transition- to go shopping at their store and invite some of “those” folks over to dinner, attend their next party and listen to the music because their church’s “DNA” was changing and that the change had already begun in his heart. Yes, before he preached one sermon about it, he would personally “get in on it” 

Here are some practical Tips: 

• If the Sr. Pastor wants the change it will happen!
• It must be a “God Thing” not just another program
• The leadership team must reflect who you are trying to reach
• The Worship style cannot be a “sacred” cow
• Change must be seen as a friend not as an enemy.
• Compassion for lost people must a high core value.
• Reaching new cultures must be seen as being an apostolic mandate that defines who we are not what we do.
• Prejudice must be lovingly confronted.
• Be prepared for problems.
  
  An important article to read on CNN Click Here

Chester L. Mitchell - Lead Pastor
Capital Community Church
Ashburn, Virginia  20147
Web: www.capitalcommunity.org

Web: www.chestermitchell.org