A conversation on race

Well, there is hope today.

In an effort to foster racial unity among Christians, the leaders of the two largest Baptist denominations, one mostly white and the other predominantly black, will meet with pastors from both groups in Mississippi for a “Conversation on Race in America” today.

Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA, have expressed concern over racial tensions after the unrest in cities such as Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore and the shooting deaths of members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

Their voices carry moral weight, given the history of racial segregation in American Baptist churches. However, some black church leaders have acknowledged that they do not have the same level of influence on the protests triggered by recent events that they had during the civil rights movement. Show caption

Young said, "I hope that all of it in some way will result in some very practical ways in which the church can move forward with this issue and also help to influence the culture."

Like I said, there is hope today.

The prophet Daniel, talking to his folks in a prophetic voice, wrote this (though I think it applies quite nicely to us today): “Therefore I issue this decree: Anyone anywhere, of any race, color, or creed, who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be ripped to pieces, limb from limb, and their houses torn down. There has never been a god who can pull off a rescue like this.”

We, in the church, black and white or hues in-between, could do little less than pay heed to this. Anyone who does not kneel and worship such a God who can rescue Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is making a grievous mistake.

Any race, color or creed.

Any...

There is hope today in Mississippi of all places. May we pray hope becomes solid policy written on the hearts of us all.