"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Revelation 7:9-10)
The picture presented in Revelation chapter seven presents us with an inside view of the congregation of Heaven. It is a myriad of peoples and cultures and races all giving praise and honor unto the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! There is no segregation among these people. This is how the church is supposed to look, not just in glory, but today as well.
America has been called the great melting pot. This is a nation of immigrants, founded by immigrants, some immigrated by choice, others were brought over in ships against their will, some came seeking freedom from religious persecution while the most were just seeking a better life. The result is that we are one people united under one constitution and although we may not always get along, most are proud to be called Americans.
The church of Jesus Christ is also a melange of peoples and cultures. Although the original members were Jewish, we are told in the first chapter of Acts what this group was to eventually look like. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) This is reiterated in the second chapter on the Day of Pentecost when these 120 uneducated followers of a crucified itinerant rabbi began to speak in different languages from the surrounding nations. "And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians - we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.'"(Acts 2: 7-11) Luke, the author of Acts, chronicles those beginning years of the expansion of the Gospel as it left the area of Judea, into Samaria, Asia Minor, Africa and eventually into Rome itself. Along the way Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles were being called out of darkness into the kingdom of God, sharing the same Spirit and proclaiming the message that would go out into all the world and continues to this very day.
Yet if we look across the landscape of American churches, we don't see the rainbow of skin tones and voices should be a part of the family of God. The majority of houses of worship are composed of people who look, dress and talk alike. Many older established predominately white inner city churches are constructing new buildings and moving to the suburbs rather than adapt to the changing ethnicity of the neighborhood. It is reminiscent of the "white flight" that took place in the 1950s -1970s when, in reaction to forced school segregation, a large number of private schools were founded (many by churches). The new church plants that get the most attention seem to be those targeted to the upwardly mobile neighborhoods, where the incomes are higher and therefore more attractive to those who would contribute funds to such endeavors. While there are some great church planting efforts happening in urban areas, they often don't receive the attention as does the more "lucrative" outreaches in the 'burbs.
Why does this occur? Is it a form of subtle racism? Possibly, although I am sure that this charge would be accompanied by strenuous denials. Racism is a universal problem. It didn't originate with the marketing of human beings on the slave markets in Europe and North America in the 17th-19th centuries. It is evident all over the globe and throughout history. Jesus wasn't afraid to broach the subject, as evidenced in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Racism reared its ugly head in the early church. There were many in that first church in Jerusalem who were content to keep it as a Jewish body. Even though the church was birthed in Acts 2, there was no movement to take it outside of its regional locale until persecution arose after the stoning of Stephen and they were forced to take refuge in the countryside and in Samaria where they preached the good news to the despised Samaritans. Then in the tenth chapter the Lord sends Peter to go and preach the message to the gentile Cornelius and his household. Their resulting salvation and filling with the Holy Spirit was further evidence that God was bringing a people to Himself out of all nations, tribes and peoples, although some were still resistant. The false gospel that Paul confronts in the letter to the Galatians was being spread partly as a result of racism as well as theological ignorance.
I believe that people desire homogeneity. It is part of the human condition to want to be with people that are alike, both racially and culturally. Getting to know people from a different culture requires effort. It means that we will have to take the time to get know and understand them, their customs, dress and language, and share ours with them. There will be times when misunderstandings and offences (often out of ignorance) occur. The only time most people go out of their way to experience a different culture is when they go to a restaurant that specializes in that country's food. Getting to know people who are not like you also removes that most deadly reason for non-interaction, ignorance. Ignorance and fear go hand in hand. We fear that about which we do not know or understand.
There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Gospel is good news for all people. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations (Greek - ethnos, can also mean tribes or people groups). Our cities are made up a myriad of nations, tribes and cultures, who need to hear and believe this message. If we are to fulfill our duty as the body of Christ, we are going to have to be intentional about reaching out to everyone. This will not be easy, and may require us to be honest with ourselves about both our prejudices and distrust of those who are different than us. May we have the courage to go to our Father and confess our weaknesses and fears to Him and seek racial and cultural reconciliation in our churches. Lord Jesus,forgive us for our monochromatic tunnel vision and create in us a passion to be an earthly version of that heavenly congregation!
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