Our first steps toward a unified future: What Anglo pastors can do to build bridges with Black and brown Christians

This last week for me has been mentally exhausting, to say the least. On one hand, I have been pastoring during a global health crisis for the past three months. On the other hand, for last month or so I have been trying to shepherd black and brown people as we handle a myriad of emotions from seeing our people murdered in their homes and in the streets.

It has not been easy.

The recent murders of Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, two of which occurred on camera, have caused unrest all across America. In response, millions of Americans have banded together in protest of these atrocities that are committed far too often in black and brown communities.

While some have remained silent, I have been encouraged this time around to see the public support from many of our Anglo pastors, churches and Christians. But what is most encouraging is their desire to enhance their ministry to black and brown people in their churches and communities while working toward truly becoming multicultural churches.

For churches looking to stand with people of color, I’m not sure you are going to be able to help us process our pain because, frankly, you haven’t been through it. However, you can help work towards creating a more inclusive and valuable experience for those minorities who look to you for spiritual guidance. Here are some initial steps to take:

Listen to the stories and experiences of Black and brown people in your churches.

This is vital. No change will come without listening. No one but black and brown people know what it’s like to be black and brown. There are many places where, despite racial differences, our experiences in life are interchangeable, but this is not one of them.

You cannot begin to minister adequately to black and brown people if you are not willing to listen for understanding. This is not a time to listen to fix or even respond, but strictly to apprehend the depth of our trauma.

I have tried to live by and graciously apply these words from Proverb 18:13 most of my adult life. It trumpets that “The one who gives an answer before he listens—this is foolishness and disgrace for him.” These words have never resonated more.

Don’t worry if the conversation is awkward or uncomfortable for two reasons.

First, talking about an issue like this is going to come with its rough patches because it is so personal and charged.

Second, this may be the first time some black and brown people are going to be in a space with white people who genuinely care to hear their stories without judgment or attempt to discredit them.

Listening is the prerequisite for change. Listening is love.

Call a unified (all races) solemn assembly inviting the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and rid us of racism (reverse racism), prejudice, preconceived notions, stereotypes, unconscious biases and unhealthy church structures.

The Church needs revival and renewal around this issue in so many ways that I cannot explain in one sitting. We are all broken and compromised when it comes to race.

So much has happened in our history, and so much has been swept under the rug.

We need the divine introspection and correction of the Holy Spirit (Ps. 139:23-24). We need to give Him free rein to comb through our hearts and demolish any and all traces of contrarian beliefs, thoughts, attitudes and feelings about people made in the image of God.

Ungodly attitudes must go! These strongholds must be torn down (2 Cor. 10:3-6). This is not excessive; this is necessary. The retention of strongholds contrary to the Gospel is idolatry. They need to be confessed and openly condemned as we all repent and turn.

We need to pray and fast and pray and fast some more, until true revival happens in our hearts.

Work to create a discipleship culture that includes fighting racism, racial prejudice, and discrimination of marginalized people groups as a tier-one Gospel issue.

Combating racism and prejudice, in all of its forms and likenesses, is just as important as any other condemnable activity that seeks to strip anyone of the dignity, honor and respect due to a person created in the image of God.

The Church has radically joined together to fight other dignity-robbing issues, as we should, but racism is far too often overlooked and only discussed when a certain instance is magnified by the media and public outrage.

We need sermons (series) on racial reconciliation and injustice. We need a small group curriculum that engages people in healthy, difficult and fruitful conversations. We must financially support parachurch ministries and missionaries who do this work as a full-time calling from God.

Reform in this area is essential to the qualitative growth of the Church and will ultimately lead to the Church’s renewed relevancy in black and brown communities.

Please know that this is not all that needs to be done or said. However, I believe this is a healthy starting point to create a foundation for the heavy lifting to be done if we want to see God’s will be on earth as it is in heaven as it relates to racial reconciliation in the Church.

Gary Knighton serves as pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in West Hartford, CT, and Protestant chaplain at the University of Hartford.