Note: this letter was sent out to the Ren Core (Membership).
What we are seeing this week in America and around the world is historic. The merciless killing of Mr. Floyd—as you’ve likely seen with your own eyes on video—has become what some are calling “strike three”. It is the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. The outrage is not merely over the blatant police brutality against this one man but it is the countless blacks who have been victimized by police in recent years. It is an outrage not just against the crimes against blacks that were exposed and went viral but it’s the thousands upon thousands of incidents that happen when no one is looking.
The outrage is warranted and I hope we are united in our full support of it.
MLK said, “riots are the language of the unheard”. Was he encouraging riots? Not exactly. He was just stating a fact. When people are crying for justice again and again but nothing changes it eventually reaches a boiling point. This is how riots and revolutions begin. They can get violent. People are killed. Buildings are burned to the ground. Beautiful architecture is destroyed. It’s ugly.
It seems to be the case in the last week that most of the protesters are passionate and peaceful. Some are passionate to the point of fury and just want revenge (a very human reaction). And some seem to be hijacking the chaos out of selfish gain, to, like, score a flatscreen or a new pair of sneakers. Ugh. It’s important to make these distinctions so we don’t focus on just the vengeful and the greedy looters. Nobody who is serious about racial equality is applauding the violence and looting. It would be a grave mistake to even make that a focus.
Let’s not miss the point of the protests.
The blood of innocent blacks cries out from the ground for justice. The black community, along with many others, are crying out for justice. The groaning has come up before the Lord and God is moving in response to it. Change is in the air. The Lord Almighty is shaking America and making the voices of the oppressed be heard with a mighty volume. Praise to God for this!
Some have wondered what needs to be reformed exactly. Should police wear body cameras? Many do but this does not stop racial violence. Stricter sentences for police who abuse their power and victimize blacks would be good. But it’s not enough. Change must be in the heart and mind. Racism flows from a sinful heart. This is where the Gospel comes in. This is where the church can help. The solution we offer gets to the root. The Gospel can change the worst racist into someone who reflects the love of Christ. This was always the approach of MLK. He exposed racism and inequality and called the country out of darkness and to the foot of the cross.
I know the Ren family knows everything I’m saying already. We have a beautiful community rich in diversity. There is a tremendous love in our church that recognizes color but does not discriminate based on color. We are champions of those in society, whether homeless or refugees or widows or fatherless or the poor. It infuriates us to see oppression and injustice. It’s okay to be angry. Romans tells us to let our love be genuine and to hate what is evil. It’s not only okay but is godly (like God) to feel rage against things that bring pain to fellow humans!
I want to encourage all of us to be careful what we post on social media or what we like or don’t like. I’m just shocked at the numbers of Christians who seem to be acting in ignorance and are on the wrong side of things. Part of the reason is because of political loyalties but listen, we have no loyalties to the Democratic or Republican parties. Our loyalty is to King Jesus! And to truth. Let’s not allow the leaven of party politics to work its way into our faith expression. This sort of thing is destroying the testimony of Christians in our day (selah).
Let’s take the posture of listening and learning. Even if we are educated on issues of racial equality there is much to learn. I’m learning more and more each year the specific ways I benefit from “white privilege”. I’m understanding more and more just how real racism still is in our country. Let’s talk about these things and pray with fervor for change. This is our generation. Will our grandchildren look back and wonder why we tolerated such evil? Will they be completely baffled that we could even call ourselves Christians? Oh that we’d come alongside our brothers and sisters of color and stand with them. If they are pouring out hurt and rage, may we empathize and not critique their tone. If they are acting in revenge may their actions not hinder us from hearing their message. May we weep with those who weep (Rom 12).
The above isn’t an essay. It’s just the unpolished rambling of my heart and things I’ve been thinking about. My intent is not to impress you with eloquence—I’m quite sure I need not worry about that—but I just want to stir you to prayer, thought and action. Let’s be agents of change during this season in our spheres of influence. Let’s represent Christ well.
Love you all,
Pastor Scott