Rodney O. Lain - January 1996?
This article was written while Rodney was involved
with the Macon, GA, Worldwide Church of God (WCG) congregation. It
was originally published on the MarkTab Ministries website, a site
which no longer exists. It is copyright by Rodney O. Lain. Links
have been retained when possible, but many go to the Internet Wayback Machine.
Text in all caps has been converted to bold; otherwise this is
essentially as Rodney originally wrote it.
In a recent "department heads'" meeting, our pastor led a
discussion about issues that could be or need to be addressed in
our congregation. At the end of the list was "race". I made a
comment, differentiating the terms "racism" and "race," gently
reminding the group that, although the former can be socially
stigmatized as an outward problem, the latter will always pose an
inward, spiritual threat. My comment was ignored and black and
white attendees were shocked that the topic even came up; they
immediately chorused that "race is not an issue" (FYI: the Macon
church is between 60-80% black; it was established because blacks
couldn't attend any other place; over the last few "splits" -
namely Global and United - there has been a significant exodus of
white brethren). One of the people in this "chorus" apologized to
me later and basically said he was wrong; there "could be" a
problem....
A few years back, a friend, who has spent over 20 of her 40+
years in the Worldwide Church of God, passionately expressed to me
in a private conversation that "the church took away my
[African-American] culture." I clucked my tongue at her comment,
brushing it off with a laugh. But later (see the next vignette),
the intent of her words struck me....
After having attended the WCG for a couple years, I moved into
my grandparents' home for my last two years of college. My
grandfather startled me with his comment one Sabbath as I was
walking out the door, headed to services: "You go to a 'white'
church, don't you?" I looked at myself, and assessed my subtle
transformation as though for the first time: I had on wing tips, a
white shirt, a suit, and a briefcase in my hand....
An attractive, young, white female was always "in my face"
whenever I (a black male) visited her congregation. I thought
nothing of it. Having been in the church for only a couple of
years, I was soundly and sadly disillusioned when her father
subsequently pulled me aside one day and asked me if there weren't
"some nice black females you'd like to talk to?" His comments
stayed with me and crystallized when later it dawned upon me that
the minister in that congregation had never read the church's new
administrative announcement about interracial dating....
Issue of Race and Culture
Each of these anecdotal and allegorical examples signify, to me,
the insufficiently addressed issue of race and culture in the
Worldwide Church of God. For years, I've wanted to bring this up,
but dreaded the ramifications, namely pastoral silencing and
"disfellowship" for "sowing discord". At the outset, I want to say
that I know this missive will brand me a "troublemaker" to
some.
To those brethren who say there isn't a "race problem" and that
I shouldn't be bringing this up, I say this: the fact that some
will say there is no problem is a problem in itself; the main
reason this needs to be brought up, if for nothing else, is to show
that not everyone agrees with that belief - it's a matter of
cultural perspectives, many of which have always been silenced in
some parts of the country. I am partially hesitant to even discuss
race, but I feel it needs to be expressed. I've bounced my comments
off of other more objective friends before setting pen to paper,
but in the final analysis, all ideas expressed henceforth are
mine.
Why Address Race?
Race needs to be addressed because, as the writer Ellis Cose
says, racial discussion tends to be conducted in one of two ways -
whispers or shouts: the shouters (they are of all colors) are often
so wracked with pain or ignorance that spectators tune them out.
The whisperers (also, of all colors) are so afraid of the truth
that fear stifles their voice.
What I want to do is to neither shout nor whisper, but to, in a
more honest manner than is generally encouraged, plead with the
ministry and laity (especially where race factors into the
congregational demographics) to share in bearing the burdens (Gal.
6:2) of being a minority in a world (and a fellowship) where being
a minority has not always been a plus.
Qualifying statement(s): Although I speak as a black male, I
accept that I do not speak for all black males in the
church, nor for all African-American members of the Worldwide
Church of God. But I do speak for those who have felt or still feel
marginalized and disenfranchised by being ignored in the
construction of the leadership pool and the wells of talent that
are drawn from. I have tried to play down the pathos
(emotion) in my comments and play up the logos (logic). And
although I speak as a black, I'm sure other American ethnics in our
fellowship can relate to some of what I'm saying, if not all. Also,
I hasten to add that I know firsthand, as well as secondhand,
many members and ministers who are racial-reconciliation
oriented and extremely culturally sensitive. I thank them. They
(Mike Veillon, Dan Hall, Mark Tabladillo, and Ken Frasier, to name
a few) gave me the encouragement to discuss this. I write this for
them.
Also, I hasten to add that I know firsthand, as well as
secondhand, some members and ministers whose actions and
words (or my perceptions of them), past or present, are racially
offensive and culturally ignorant; some are no longer with our
fellowship. Regardless of affiliation, I write this for them. Also,
I realize my own words and actions have been (or may be) racially
offensive and culturally ignorant. So I write this for myself, also
- a catharsis, I guess. But all of these views need to be
addressed. So, let's. As the prophet says in my favorite scriptural
verse, "come, and let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18).
Specific Issues
There are only a couple of aspects that I have chosen to
address, albeit superficially. These points stem from my subjective
and emotionally tinged experiences in the WCG, and I am aware that
they are very biased. But I was prompted a few years ago, when Mr.
David Hulme gave a sermon about facades, to stress transparency in
my personality; so, I drop my facade, brothers and sisters; I drop
what I term "racial etiquette"; and I bear my soul to you oh-so
briefly. (Now I understand that CAD is in flux, and cultural issues
may very well be on the agenda, but I have still been moved to make
my feelings known, and I appreciate Mr. Lohr's letting me have this
opportunity.) Some of these observations may not be an issue to
some, and they may very well seem pass. I welcome feedback about
each of them, and any others:
Issue One: Method of Worship
I think our liturgy (modes of public worship) will be and needs
to be transformed, due to the diversity of our fellowship. Mr.
Tkach has already stated that the Christian community would label
our present model as Presbyterian. In my culture-speak that would
be read "white". Now I have no major problems with this,
after having been a member for almost 10 years, and pretty much
acclimated to WCG culture (a couple of college degrees, and an
upcoming Ph.D. in English don't hurt, either). The problem I
do have is that our style may be a cultural barrier to
evangelism. Remember my aforementioned comment about my granddad.
He represents the type of person who would feel culturally stifled
by our modes of expression (low on emotion - too much of which I
now loathe - and a totally different rhetorical style -
African-American homiletics is high on emotional appeals). Now, I'm
not begging for a total change in our style of worship; but I am
hoping that we will become more flexible, esp. as we become heavy
on local evangelism. Since we are already reevaluating everything
in light of the new covenant, our worship services are already
becoming more ecumenical as I write. So this, I hope, is beyond
being a moot point.
Issue Two: Genetic Israelism
I've always had a bad taste about our "Israelite theology,"
which has been recanted, thankfully. For the last few years, I've
raised many a hackle when I argued that I was an Israelite. Let me
explain: I have French blood; therefore, I am a descendant of the
"tribe of Reuben"; ergo, I'm an Israelite. A fellow black WCGer
censured me once, saying I had to be white to be an Israelite. I
said "au contraire, mon frere. You are arguing that phenotype
[physical makeup] is a better genetic indicator than genotype
[genetic makeup], which is wrong." My main problem with this
teaching was the fact that some used this as a badge of racial
superiority (I know members who still believe the "son of Ham" and
"mark of Cain" fables about blacks, without applying sound exegesis
and hermeneutics); the sad flip-side of that thinking is that it
also bred racial inferiority in me (I can't speak for anyone else):
for example, "I'm not an Israelite, so I shouldn't even think of
applying to AC, because I won't be used in the Work - after all,
I'm not a Levite". Thank Jesus that that's over!
Issue Three: Other Issues
I could mention others, like interracial dating/marriage, for
example. I agree with Mark Tabladillo when he wrote me, saying that
the church has never been clear about statements like "Any two
people considering marriage will have some compatibility
differences, whether religious, cultural, or economic; the key for
success is to discuss these issues, what impact these differences
will have on them and their families, and determine to make a
commitment to make the marriage work despite those differences."
What does this mean?!
I'm sure others could present other views.
Let's Discuss Solutions
I know that I have broached a very sensitive subject. But I like
to bring up topics like these, not because I'm right or wrong, but
in hopes that I will start discussion. There are many sub-issues
here that I haven't addressed. It was intentional. Like the fact
that the church has done much to promote racial harmony in
recent years (articles by Messrs. Greg Albrecht and Norman Shoaf
come to mind, as well as Mr. Tkach, Sr.'s many sermons and
letters). Also I know that an emphasis on race isn't explicitly
stated in the church's mission statement - that may not be our part
in the Body of Christ. Groups like Promise Keepers are equipped to
make that a part of their mission statement, and I applaud their
effort. But we do have to become more sensitive to issues of color.
(Not to mention equally important issues gender and class).
Unifying Reconciliation in Jesus Christ
One point I saved for last, but it's prime in its importance:
our racial reconciliation and cultural sensitivity is in Jesus
Christ. "There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . there is neither male
nor female . . . [there is neither black nor white]; for ye are all
one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28 KJV). Jesus brought racial
reconciliation and cultural sensitivity: he associated with the
despised Samaritans (John 4:7-39); he gave honor to women (he
actually spoke to a Samaritan, and a woman at that!). So, we have
our model (speaking of models, Christian writers Raleigh Washington
and Glen Kehrein have written a cogent, timely, hard-hitting book,
Breaking Down Walls: A Model for Reconciliation in an Age of
Racial Strife. $9.99, Moody Press, 1993. 241 pgs.)
Studs Terkel calls race the "American Obsession" in his book
Race. Andrew Hacker says that black and white America has always
been segregated into "Two Nations" in the book by the same name.
The Southern Baptist conference formed over race. Many fellowships
are all-black or all-white. As you can see, race has terribly
scarred us, as a nation, and if we are really honest with
ourselves, as a fellowship. In spite, God has blessed the Worldwide
Church of God with a tremendous blessing: cultural diversity. Our
response should be to take advantage of it.
With the loss of talent and leadership over recent months, we
will need everyone to serve and use his or her spiritual gift(s).
Everyone. Before we do that, in some areas, we may have to
do some racial reconciliation and develop some cultural
sensitivity. Let's do it. And then we can get on with the important
work - our Father's Business of preaching Jesus to the world.
Thanks and appreciation,
Your brother in Christ
Rodney O. Lain
Rodney O. Lain teaches English and Journalism at
Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA, and is the worship
coordinator for the Macon, GA, Worldwide Church of God (WCG)
congregation.
