After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-11 (NIV)
Our worship here on earth is preparation for worship in Heaven. Revelation 7:9 describes what worship in heaven will look like “every nation, tribe, and tongue” worshipping God before His throne. Crying out “Salvation belongs to our God.” Emphasis on our God. Galatians 3:26 reminds us that in Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NIV). It is our faith in Christ that unifies us, and makes us One body. When we get to heaven, there will not be a “Black” section, a “White” section, a “Hispanic” or an “Asian” section. No, it will be every nation, tribe, and tongue standing before the throne, worshipping God together as One. If earth is to serve as preparation for heaven, then our worship and the church on earth should aim to look more like heaven.
Unfortunately, the Christian Church in America has a deeply rooted history of separation and segregation. As the Church continued to grow and expand its borders, it did so creating sacred spaces of worship and denominations that were divided, and race was a factor. As we continued to worship and “make disciples”, we did so, separately. This division within the Church was not limited to race, as it also included a variance in how we interpreted scripture, and how we experienced God stylistically and culturally. However, amongst the various dividing factors within the Church, we cannot deny that race was certainly one of them. In efforts of being healed, and seeing “every nation, tribe, and tongue” worshipping together here on earth, we must first acknowledge that racial separation exists within the Body of Christ. Acknowledgement is the first step when it comes to change. We cannot heal or move towards a more unified body until we are willing to confront the issue, and admit it exists. We have to acknowledge it, and actually want to be healed from our ugly past of segregation and separation that is still reflected in our churches today.
In 2018, LifeWay Research conducted a poll, and studies show that “81 percent of Protestant congregations in America are still predominantly one racial or ethnic group.” So, sadly enough the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. still ring true today “eleven o’ clock on Sunday morning is still one of the most segregated hours if not the most segregated hour in Christian America.” Dr. King made this statement in a Meet the Press Interview in 1960, and 59 years later we still see evidence of his words today. Now, growth has certainly taken place, as “multi-cultural” and “multi-ethnic” churches are being birthed and cultivated around the country. However, we can surely see more room for advancement in this area.
One might ask, what are practical steps one can take in efforts of moving towards a more racially unified, healed and diverse gathering of worshippers? What is the heart behind it and where would one start?
I would respond in this way: First, you have to want it. You have to want to see “every nation, tribe, and tongue” worshipping God together. You have to want to see God’s people more unified as it relates to race. If we acknowledge the deeply rooted history of separation and segregation within the church, we must also acknowledge that it is broken and healing is needed. When it comes to healing, I am reminded of the passage in John 5 where there was a man at the Pool of Bethesda who was sick for thirty-eight years. He kept making excuses as to why he could not receive his healing. Jesus asked him “Do you want to be healed?” Then He instructed him to “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:1-8 NIV). As it relates to healing and racial unity within the Body of Christ, I would ask the same question. Do you want to be healed from our broken past? Do you want to come together and worship with people who may not look like you, or express their love for God the way that you do? If so, then “pick up your mat and walk.” Take action! In efforts of seeing worship on earth as it is in heaven, you have to want it, and then be willing to take the steps to make it happen.
Intentionality is key. You have to be intentional about coming together; it will not just happen. You have to intentionally build genuine relationships with people who do not look like, or perhaps, “worship” like you. You have to seek to understand, hear their story and life experience. It is not about convincing others to conform to “your” way, style or preference, but rather valuing and having an appreciation for what all persons can bring to a relationship and/or worship experience. As the Body of Christ, we are a diverse group of people, and that diversity is beautiful! We do not have to be color blind, but rather embrace, celebrate, and value our differences. We may express our love for God in a different way, and our skin pigmentation may differ, however it is the Spirit of Christ that unifies us.
This intentionality will include creating safe spaces to have conversations concerning race. In 2019, we are living in a social climate where racial division is very heightened. You can easily turn on the news, scroll through social media, and see stories or posts concerning race related issues. There is a temptation to take on the worldly perspective and practice of prejudice and racial division. However, as believers, we are called to have spiritual eyesight, and operate from a different system. We are instructed to pray and ask God for His perspective and His vision. We are called to view one another as equal, as persons who are all created in the image of God. There is no superiority. No race, or ethnic group is superior to the other. We are a people who are One in Him. A people whose hearts and minds are changed and transformed by the power of God’s Word and His presence.
Considering the climate we are living in, intentional conversations concerning race will be necessary. This conversation will serve as a time for persons of different ethnicities and backgrounds to come together, and share their concerns, experiences, or struggles pertaining to race related issues. This dialogue will include all persons: gathering in one place, seeking to understand, hearing the other person, being “quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19 NIV), entering the conversation with an open ear, seeking to address it from a biblical perspective, and looking to scripture as their support and guide. In our efforts toward seeing a more racially unified and healed Body of Christ, uncomfortable conversations concerning race will be crucial. We have to be willing to push past our comfortable state, and seek to hear and listen to one another.
Lastly, this intentionality will include persons or organizations creating spaces or services where diversity is encouraged and celebrated. This will include building relationships, and choosing to worship and have services with congregations and people of different ethnic backgrounds. This coming together will take time, work, and sacrifice. It will involve all parties and their “style” of worship being represented in the planning process and in the service. It will include all persons being willing to learn from the other, and open to experiencing God in a way that might not be comfortable or familiar to them. This may require persons to learn a song or chorus in a different language. Or perhaps, encouraging persons who are well versed in another language to pray or worship the Lord in their native tongue if they are comfortable.
The key is to ask questions. Explore what authentic worship looks like for all who are involved. Do not assume. Lay aside all assumptions, and simply ask. Humility will be essential in this gathering and coming together. Humble yourself and acknowledge that you do not have all the answers. Affirm that “your ” way may not be the “best” way, and that is okay. Be respectful and sensitive to all who are involved, and recognize that we all experience and encounter God in different ways. This gathering will urge all persons involved to broaden their perspective and allow themselves to be exposed to the Body of Christ in its entirety. It will force persons to look beyond themselves and their normal “comfortable” worship environments, and consider the Body of Christ as a whole. This Body is diverse, and it is a beautiful thing!
When we think about racial unity, healing, and reconciliation, as believers, we have the answer. We have plenty of scripture to support it. In fact, Christianity in itself is a ministry of reconciliation. Through Christ, we are reconciled to God and to one another. This reconciliation transcends race, ethnicity, and culture. As new creations in Christ, the old mindset is gone, and we now have a new perspective and view of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We now view one another as equal, and being One in Him. Ephesians 2:14 reminds us, “For He Himself (Jesus) is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” In the passage, the author was referring to Jews and Gentiles, however this is applicable for us today. Through Christ, all racial and ethnic barriers are destroyed. Those barriers were nailed to the cross. So, we have to be honest with ourselves, and with God. When it comes to racial unity and every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping God together, we have to ask ourselves if we really want it, and if we are willing to take the appropriate steps to make it happen?
One thing for sure is that we have the answer. The Body of Christ could certainly lead the way as it relates to racial unity in this divided world. Imagine a more racially unified and reconciled body of believers all worshipping the King. The power of worship and the power of unity would demolish the corruption of evil and division. There is power in unity, and God bestows His blessing (Psalm 133:3 NIV). If “every nation, tribe, and tongue” would come together, the deeply rooted history and cycle of separation would be broken. This unified sight would serve as a powerful witness and “light” to the world, and God would certainly be glorified. As believers, may our prayer and desire concerning our earthly worship, aim to reflect and look more like heaven.
BIO
Dr. Nia Allen currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, where she serves as a full time worship leader and recording artist. Her music can be found at: www.niaallenmusic.com
