Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Rejecting White Supremacy

Yesterday the SBC failed to pass a motion condemning the alt right movement and white nationalism. This article details what happened. I encourage you to read the original resolution by black pastor Dwight McKissic. It's tragic that people didn't back it as it was. Many Baptists (I hope I am accurate in saying many) were dismayed by their failure to pass this resolution and some have been working to see another form of it passed. I pray it does pass today, but damage has already been done. The following words poured from my heart this morning as I struggled with what happened. *Update: It did pass.*

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Curtis Jones and I, and our church Bayou City Fellowship, denounce the Alt Right and everything it stands for. We renounce the influence of white supremacy in our world, in our country, in our state, in our city, in our community, in our church, in our families, and in ourselves. 

We recognize that white supremacy is deeply embedded. We recognize that powers and principalities of darkness work with the cooperation of sinful humans to manifest, maintain, and advance the evil of white supremacy throughout the earth. 

We recognize that white supremacy is especially insidious and is an affront to the Creator when it lives inside the Church. 

We renounce the privilege we hold in the world that was sinfully gained for us through the oppression of others, especially black slaves who made many of our ancestors and their future generations wealthy and powerful. We recognize that white supremacy has continued to thrive and shape-shift since the ending of slavery in the United States. We recognize that we are blind to it in many ways and we need Jesus to put salve on our eyes so that we can see. 

We confess that even when we hope or think we are getting free from this ancient stronghold, there remains a lifetime of transformation, education, repentance, sacrifice, and relational healing that must take place. We grieve our past, present, and even future participation in racial injustice. May God have mercy on us.

We ask our black brethren and other people of color to forgive us for our grievous sins against them and their children. May God lift you up and strengthen you in every way. He prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies. May He anoint your heads with oil and cause your cups to overflow. (Psalm 23:5)

We pray to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 

We offer ourselves to Jesus Christ for His glory through the work of racial reconciliation. We pray for the purification of our motives, for humility, for teachability, and for self-forgetfulness. We pray to be servants who do the work required. We pray to wash the feet of those we have hurt. We pray to love with our whole hearts.

We look forward to the joy of worshipping at the throne of Jesus with every nation, tribe, and tongue, together reflecting the image of God.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Tears, tears, tears.... Yes. This is my heart, as well. Thank you, Curtis & Amanda Jones. Bless you. Lord, have mercy on us all. Have your beautiful, redemptive way in, through, and among us.

~Lauren (of Emerald City Bible Fellowship in Seattle)

Yoli said...

So beautiful. Thank you for boldly speaking truth and humbly seeking right relationship. I hope I can meet you one day to say thank you face to face, but until then, thank you sister!

Kami said...

Praying with you!
Our Church, Southland Church, in "the middle of nowhere" Steinbach Manitoba Canada, just held another Church Renewal weekend with Over 300 delegates from over 20 countries across the world. At our Prayer Summit, we sang 'How Great is Our God', each in our own language. It gives me chills to remember it, as it was a clear picture of The Church, the beautiful diverse church, standing before God, in united worship. I long for and pray for this kind of unity, purity, peace and worship to fill the Church across North America and the world.

Unknown said...

Thank you for putting words to my thoughts.

Barrett said...

Powerful, and liturgical. Should be used in SBC churches this coming Sunday.

Angelica said...

Oh Amanda! Reading these words gives me so much joy, and HOPE for my beautiful dark skinned babies. They are growing up in a world that has ones such as you crying out, and standing up for what is right. I pray with you, and realize that God is truly working! Praise to him!

Unknown said...

STANDING WITH YOU IN CALIFORNIA!

NJMommy said...

Thank you for posting this, Amanda! I'm just seeing it now.

Mantox said...

Thank you Baby Bang , all races are equalis what I believe, regardless of skin color religion etc