Yesterday, at Valley Christian Church, we set aside the current Summer sermon series we are in and instead, I preached a sermon addressing the racial tensions that our country now sees played out with regularity in current events. The name of the sermon was “The Reconciled Church”. Racial reconciliation has been a passion point for me and for the church I pastor for over 20 years. The county our church is located in is 80% white, while the church I pastor is less than 50% white. If you’d like to view the message, check out the link to the video HERE.

Below is a brief outline of the sermon.

The Reconciled Church

2004 Race Relations in America “Very Good” or “Somewhat Good”:

74% Whites

68% Blacks

2015 Race relations in America “Very Good” or “Somewhat Good”:

45% Whites

51 % Blacks

“In a divided society, only the church can model unity.” –Bishop Joseph Garlington

➢ “Sunday morning, the most segregated hour in America” –MLK 1968

➢ Today, only 5% of American churches are racially integrated (integrated = 20% or more representation of all minority groups).

Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 
Five Reasons for Racial Reconciliation:
1. Each of us is created in the Image of God. (Genesis 1:27, Acts 17:26)
2. The Church should be a glimpse of Heaven. (Acts 10:34b-35, Revelation 7:9, Galatians 3:28)
3. It is the most noticeable way we can show love for our neighbors. (Matthew 22:37-39, John 13:34)
4. We’ve been reconciled to reconcile. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
5. We are in a strategic moment regarding race. (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

What Can I Do?

Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way you will follow Christ’s teachings. Galatians 6:2
“Personal friendship is the only antidote to fear.” –John Dawson