Sadly, the most segregated institution in America today is the church. This article from 2008 is very insightful in pointing out many of the obstacles faced by churches who desire to be multi-ethnic. I found the following statements from the article to be very helpful/challenging:
"Americans may be poised to nominate a black man to run for president, but it's segregation as usual in U.S. churches, according to the scholars. Only about 5 percent of the nation's churches are racially integrated, and half of them are in the process of becoming all-black or all-white, says Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-author of "United by Faith," a book that examines interracial churches in the United States."
"... the first-century Christian church grew so rapidly precisely because it was so inclusive. ...the church inspired wonder because its leaders were able to form a community that cut across the rigid class and ethnic divisions that characterized the ancient Roman world...Biblical precedents, though, may not be enough to make someone attend church with a person of another race. Something else is needed: a tenacious pastor who goads his or her church to reach across racial lines, interracial church scholars say."
[One pastor speaking of his own experience said...] "Some parents talked about the importance of a multiracial church, until their kid became attracted to someone from another race within the church."
"Only when ethnic groups no longer feel compelled to abandon their entire culture on Sunday morning can a church claim to be interracial...An interracial church isn't one in which all the black members act, dress and worship like the church's majority white members to make them feel comfortable...Interracial churches resist 'taking one dominant identity and forcing everyone to fit into it.'"
As part of a local church that is pursuing racial diversity, I found this article surprisingly helpful (It is not too often CNN has a decent article on Christianty - in my opinion.). The neighborhood in which I live is predominately black and my job has me working with about a 95% hispanic population. Growing up in Iowa, going to 98% white Bible college, and living in a suburb of Detroit (not to be confused with real Detroit), I was never confronted with the need for racial diversity. By the grace of God, I don't believe myself to be racist, but I find myself so comfortable within the white culture that I don't realize the arrogance that can lie beneath the surface. That being said, here are some questions to ask yourself today as America reflects upon the life of Martin Luther King and the cause he represents.
1. Do you ever find yourself making "we"/"they" distinctions within the church based purely on matters of race?
2. How much would it bother you if the service didn't start "on time"? (I've learned that this is a "white person" mentality and that making this a huge priority can communicate a message of cultural superiority within the church.)
3. When is the list time you referred to something as being "flesh colored" because it matched your own skin tone?
4a. If your music on Sunday mornings didn't sound like old school Maranatha, Coldplay (aka Chris Tomlin), or...I guess there isn't a third option within white churches, would you still be able to engage in the singing? Hint: Look through your worship cd collection and try and find one cd that reflects music of a different culture...can you do it?
4b. Do you secretly hope the music in heaven doesn't sound like Latin Salsa or Hip Hop?
5. Do you have any friends at all of a different race? (Note: I'm not recommending you go out to find a token black/hispanic/Asian friend just so you can say you have one, but does the fact that you might not have one reveal the exclusive circles you run in?)
In conclusion, I don't believe the ultimate solution to racism or segregation in or out of the church is a charismatic, motivational pastor or spokesman. I believe these people simply are to be the communicators of the solution, namely the gospel. The gospel that boldly preaches that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal. 3:28) and that one day, people from every tribe and tongue will surround the throne worshipping Jesus together forever (Rev. 7:9). It is only through the cross of Christ that we can be set free from our pride and sin of racism. Those who reject Christ need the gospel so that they can be made alive and set free from their slavery to sin, and religious people need the gospel to reveal that their love of racially diverse people will never save them or earn them merit with God. We worship a Jesus who never committed the sin of racism, but on the cross became a racist on our behalf 1 Cor 5:21 and absorbed the wrath of God for that sin so that those who believe in Him might be saved (Romans 3:23-26).
Those are some of my thoughts today. I encourage you to think on these things as well. Comments/criticisms are always welcome. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, especially if you disagree with me or have questions. Lastly, it's very possible that I've included something here that is subtly or explicitly racist and I didn't even realize it because of my own blindness. For this I apologize and will gladly receive correction.
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