Racial Unity
“I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” — Jesus, John 17:21
Our country continues to experience deep division related to race. As the Elders of Trinity West Seattle, we are mindful of how easily that division can seep into the Church. Because Jesus purchased our unity through His death and resurrection, we want to guard that unity and walk in it with humility, clarity, and love. In that spirit, we offer this statement to express what we believe Scripture teaches about race, reconciliation, and the mission of God (Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:13-14; Ephesians 4:1-6).
The Image of God
We believe every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). Regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religious background, God has given each person inherent dignity, honor, and purpose. Every ethnicity and every skin color reflects God’s creative beauty. This remains true even after the Fall, and Scripture teaches that God will hold all people accountable for how we treat one another and how we honor or dishonor His image in others (Genesis 4; Genesis 9:5-7).
The Sin of Racism
“Racism is a philosophy based on a contempt for life. It is the arrogant assertion that one race is the center of value and object of devotion, before which other races must kneel in submission.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Racism is rooted in sin. Sin separates us from God and from one another, causing harm and brokenness that can persist long after individual actions stop. Racism can take cultural, institutional, relational, and personal forms.
The history of our nation includes the devaluing of Black lives through slavery, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and unjust systems woven into society. We therefore affirm the intrinsic value of Black lives. This does not diminish the value of any other ethnicity. It is a way of standing with those who have been historically devalued.* We also recognize that racism has harmed many ethnic groups in America. Its lingering effects reveal our need for gospel-shaped healing and transformation.
The Death of Racism: The Gospel
The gospel of Jesus Christ destroys the walls that divide people by race, gender, or nationality (Ephesians 2:11-3:21). Jesus breaks down hostility and makes one new humanity at the cross (Ephesians 2:14-16). Our unity across ethnic differences flows from our reconciliation with God through Christ. Scripture points to a future in which people from every tribe, tongue, and nation are united in worship before the Lamb (Ephesians 3:6; Revelation 7:9-10). Racial reconciliation is not a political project. It is a gospel reality.
We give thanks for the Church’s historic role in movements toward justice, but we also lament and repent of the Church’s complicity in racism in America. We seek God’s healing and commit ourselves to living out the reconciliation Jesus accomplished.
God’s Multi-Ethnic Mission
Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations. The Greek word “ethnos” refers to ethnicities (Matthew 28:19). Christianity is global and inherently cross-cultural. Yet many churches remain voluntarily segregated. Although our nation and schools are increasingly multi-ethnic, many churches have not reflected this growth.**
We long to become a church that reflects the beauty and diversity of God’s kingdom. As Jesus’ vision takes root in local churches, we believe congregations will begin to reflect the communities in which they exist (Acts 11; Acts 13). Seattle is a multi-ethnic city. Becoming a church that reflects that reality requires intentionality, humility, and the work of the Holy Spirit. We want to cultivate relationships across differences, practice impartiality (James 2:1-9), and love one another as Christ has loved us (1 John 4:7-21).
Racial Reconciliation and Justice Goals
Because we belong to Christ and desire His kingdom to come on earth as in heaven, our convictions must become action. We commit to these goals:
Prayer. We lament racial brokenness in the world and in the Church. We repent of ways we have contributed or remained passive. We seek the unity of the Church and intercede for our leaders and communities.
Equip the Church. We want to form people who understand God’s heart for justice and reconciliation. We aim to shape our worldview through Scripture and help one another live this out in our spheres of influence with humility and ongoing learning.
Partner Across Differences. We seek relationships with churches and leaders who are culturally and ethnically different from us. We want to listen, learn, worship together, and share life in both formal and informal ways.
Service and Outreach. We want to meet practical needs and build relationships with people who differ from us in ethnicity, class, or culture. Because Jesus is Lord, we proclaim the gospel through both word and deed.
Celebrate Diversity. Where we already experience diversity, we want to highlight and celebrate it as a gift from God and a glimpse of His coming kingdom.
We believe God will use these commitments to lead us into deeper unity and greater faithfulness in our city.
For Further Study
Books
Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility
Videos and Podcasts
Here’s a helpful local ministry providing an example for how to Wrestle With Reconciliation.
A helpful podcast on race in the church, As In Heaven. Particularly, this episode.
Pastor Joel’s sermon on what it means to be Gospel people in a Broken America.
Pastor Joel’s sermon on what it means to be the Unified Church in a Divided World.
Pastor Harvey Drake’s Racial Unity workshop at Trinity, May 2022.
Dr. Eddie Koh’s Multi-Ethnic Ministry workshop at Trinity, June 2022.
Pastor Lonnie Arnold’s sermon and Q&A at Trinity, September 2022.
Articles
Racism and the Church: Overcoming the Idolatry
A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory
*We must also clarify that while we affirm that black lives matter, we disagree with the ideologies of the organization of the same name.
**Taken From Soong-Chan Rah here: http://pca.st/owancfl5