Worshiping with our African-American sisters and brothers
another Twitter thread saved before the Flood
This morning, my wife and I got to worship at an historic black congregation in town. I know the pastor and we've been wanting to do so for years, but couldn't what with being a pastor myself most Sundays.
But this is what sabbatical is for - we get to rest and worship.
We've been to a variety of churches this summer, some liturgical, some non-denominational, all (except one), we've not been to before.
Each one had its own beauty and authenticity and proclaimed God's love in Christ to sinners.
But man, I wish I could tell you about the service this morning.
There was more joy and gratitude and Gospel packed into the first five minutes of that service than I sometimes hear in an entire service - including the ones I plan and preach!
And it went on like that for two hours. The liturgy was rich, Biblical and Trinitarian. It was spontaneous at points with the pastor asking the choir to lead in another song or two - and they did!
And the singing - well. You know: incredible.
One of the deacons prayed the intercessory prayer. It was so deep and moving and theologically rich that as he was praying, I whispered to my wife, "I don't know how to pray."
Even so, the pastor gave me the honor of leading in prayer for the spread of the Gospel later - with the organ playing softly in the background.
I'm Presbyterian, but truth be told, I love that feel. Not that my church should try it - we'd just mess it up. :-)
And let me tell you about the preaching. It was exegetical and expositional. The pastor took five verses from the Sermon on the Mount, made observations, gave wonderful illustrations, and applied it to our hearts.
Oh, did he apply it to our hearts.
And then, because the message was so challenging, he made clear that our obedience would not get us into heaven, that we are saved by grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone.
As clear an exposition of grace that I have heard.
When the service was over, the pastor shook each worshiper's hand and gave the Benediction from the back - again, full of Scripture.
More Scripture in that one benediction than in a year's worth of some suburban seeker churches.
But there is another thing that I know a little from past interactions & reading. There is a background, an experience, in the black church that many white evangelicals do not come by easily
There is a presupposition of hardship that must be met by faith and joy. It just… must.
White middle-class evangelicals are often "surprised by suffering" and then spend countless spiritual hours trying to get back to where they once were (e.g. me).
But those who grew up on the other side of prejudice & difficulty, suffering is assumed. It's what you do with it.
I'm still new at this so forgive me if this is simplistic or unkind in any way.
Worldly success aside, there is a power and joy in the black church that I wish we could learn from. Not appropriate, not borrow, not exchange on a Sunday now and then.
But really learn from.
As the pastor said this morning, "it does not matter what street you live on, the storms of life are coming for you."
Those of us who grew up privileged should condescend less (preaching to myself), sit down and learn from those who know what it means to pick up their cross.
I'm still not sure how to do that well. I'm no good at this stuff.
But perhaps worshiping together - and being so warmly welcomed as a fellow brother and sister in Christ - is a place to start.