Dear Editor,
All of us lament the current rioting and loss of life in the United States related to racial tensions and injustice. Further I am very glad that most sensible evangelical churches would avow that they are against racism in all its forms. I am also thankful that there are many churches in our own country which enjoy a taste of heaven in having a multi-ethnic congregation where everyone gets on well with each other.
However, it has to be said that most churches are either predominantly white or predominantly black. Are the churches really setting a good example to the rest of the country, both here and in the US, in this crucial matter?
It would clearly be extremely difficult to suddenly try to engineer all congregations having a good racial mix. But could not leaders of groups of white churches and groups of black churches not get together to see if something could be done to at least show willing to break out of our comfort zones. Perhaps there should be a nationwide family conference for Bible-believing Christians which specifically addresses the issues of race, supported by both black and white churches? Christians of different ethnicities should at least get to know one another.
I know this is a doctrinal and practical minefield. But it is no good simply saying that we are against racism. Evangelicals need to do something to show the way to the rest of the nation for the glory of Christ.
Yours sincerely,
Dr John Benton, Guildford
