I'm known for talking. A lot. It's my job to 'talk' as I teach God's Word to people. And in meetings, conversations, on the tennis court and the golf course I talk...a lot.
But after last week's killings (two black men during police encounters in Baton Rouge and Minnesota, five police officers in Dallas), I decided to remain publicly speechless until I decided what I would DO instead of SAY about the brokenness between races in America today.
Like you, I was broken-hearted for the families directly affected, while struggling with despair over our future as a (still) divided society. I don't know why, but I overwhelmingly felt challenged, as a Christian white man and a public leader, to DO before speaking, to put up or shut up. I was compelled to heed my older brother in the faith, the Apostle John, in so serious a matter as this: "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
What I DID first was to call two friends, one black and one blue, to say "I don't know how you feel, but I want you to know I care."
First I called my closest African-American friend and pastor Byron Davis (of Liberation Church). Second I called my closest friend who's an officer of the Huntersville Police Department, and Lake Forest Church member, Brian Vaughan. To each I said, "Brother, I can't begin to understand what you feel, but how are you doing and how can Lake Forest Church serve you and our community?"
After listening to them I decided to DO three things.
- White and Black Church Throwing Down on Race and the Gospel Together. Byron and I talked on the phone, then got together for coffee. We decided that me and Pastor Davis will address race, the gospel, and Christian responsibility together at each of our churches this fall. Byron and I 'swap pulpits' annually. And our churches partner in ministry to the homeless - all of which is beautiful and powerful for two predominantly white and black churches in relationship. But now is the time to take it farther and talk about THAT - race. We are planning two consecutive weeks this fall when we will preach TOGETHER at first Byron's church, then mine. About what God says to white and black Christians in this time and place, and what each of us is hearing uniquely from the Spirit of God. Then we hope to invite our congregations into an evening of listening and discussing with one another. When we announce the date of that Sunday, I'm asking all Lake Forest Huntersville tribe members to make it a priority to be present in worship then - not on the soccer field, the lake, or chillin' at Bedside Baptist that morning. I think the Lord will give us ways to 'love in deed and truth' coming out of that day. After discussing this on Monday, Byron graciously addressed our all-LFC staff meeting, and we prayed for him. I love this man, and wish I could preach from memory like him!
2.Grieve and Pray for the Thin Blue Line in Huntersville. My friend at Huntersville PD suggested we host a prayer vigil, so we did. On Tuesday July 12 (yesterday) me and Jesse and Valerie McLeod hosted a private prayer service at LFC-Huntersville for the Huntersville Police Department. This was natural, because with Jesse's leadership, he and I began a regular men's group for HPD officers a couple of months ago. Many officers attended the prayer event, some with their spouses and children. We acknowledged the increased burden last week's events have placed on their daily lives and work; we represented our town in thanking them for the top notch job they do of keeping the peace and working to treat every citizen with the dignity and respect that is their due as image bearers of God and holders of rights under our profound Constitution; and we pointed to our Good God to whom we can take even the worst of our anger, hurt and fear from last week. It was quiet and emotional, especially as we blessed each officer in attendance with the assurance that their daily work, when faithfully pursued, is a clear example of living according to God's will. To respect their privacy, I include only a picture of the prayer altar we used.
3. As as citizen and a community leader, ask the town of Huntersville and Mecklenburg County's leadership if we are implementing the best current practices for just, racially equitable policing. The ironic tragedy of the Dallas officer shootings is that their police department has become a noteworthy national leader in effective community policing. Their leadership has overseen not only a drastic decrease in their city's murder rate (by half), but also a growing decrease of use of force and citizen complaints about excessive force. These newer policies are not without controversy and debate, but results such as those are indisputable and, in my view, are a way of applying a 'pro-life' mentality to law enforcement. I'm going to ask the appropriate leaders about our strategy in our town and our county.
So that's what God has called me to do in response to the truth of what just happened, as a white Christian man who is a pastor.
Why? Because "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." II Corinthians 5:18
What is God calling you to DO, as part of his 'ministry of reconciliation'?
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