Along with the vast majority of people in the evangelical Church in America, I would have never called myself racist. Although I grew up in an area and during a time when racism was alive, I can’t remember a single instance of ever saying anything mean or thinking anything unkind towards somebody based on the color of their skin. When people would bring up racism, I knew I was free of any wrongdoing of that nature. Even as 2020 unfolded, I thought it still had nothing to do with me. I live in a predominantly White area now, but I would be perfectly happy inviting anybody of any race to join our community.
As the topic continued to grow, I was confused as the Church divided over this issue. When I look back on conversations I had regarding the topic of racism, I can easily see a common problem in all of them. We weren’t listening. We couldn’t hear what these voices were saying. Underrepresented people were telling their stories, their fears, and their struggles that most White evangelicals have never experienced, and we shut our ears and our hearts.
The Lord hears, though. He hears their cries.
My heart has broken. Now I can hear the cries of the oppressed who have been silenced by the White evangelical Church because of the color of their skin.
My eyes are open now and I am so sorry. I am not alone in this sin, however. My heart has grieved over the past year and a half as I have watched friends and Christian brothers and sisters shut their ears and hearts, not wanting to lose power or popularity, not wanting to hear the truth of what our actions have caused in the lives of others. Because of this shared sin, I want to apologize on behalf of the evangelical Church in America. We chose not to see you because we were too busy wielding power for our own benefit. We chose not to listen because you were not right in front of us. We chose to ignore you because the cost of listening would be too great.
To everyone who has been oppressed because of the color of their skin, my fellow brothers and sisters who God created in His likeness, we are sorry for listening, but not hearing you. We are sorry for the ways we have not shown you your God-given value. You are cherished and loved by God. He created you to be loved by others and filled with His Spirit. You have been oppressed when you should have been honored. We are sorry for being a part of this oppression. Please forgive us and allow us to show you Christ’s humble love in its place.
He will redeem them from oppression and violence, For their lives are precious in his sight.
Psalm 72:14, CSB
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