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.*

___________________________________

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.