FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why Are We Striving to Be An Intercultural Church?
An Intercultural Church is a Church that represents the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 3:28. “ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is no line between ethnic groups or cultures in the Intercultural Church. Paul emphasizes that our identity is 100% in Jesus Christ. What makes us one is our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The foundation of the Intercultural Church is the work on the cross.
An Intercultural Church is not trying to exist together, but is deliberate in co-existing together in every possible way.
An Intercultural Church does not only embrace diversity, but seeks to learn more about its diversity.
An Intercultural Church allows differences in culture to be a strength instead of a weakness.
An Intercultural Church understands there is no dominant ethnic group, and that all ethnic groups bring value to the church.
An Intercultural Church rejoices over the bridges being built and the walls that are being torn down within the Church and community.
An Intercultural Church is intentional about its selection of leadership, worship styles, and ministry programs.
An Intercultural Church has zero-tolerance for racism, discrimination, and inequality.
An Intercultural Church creates programs and trainings that enhances communication and awareness between all ethnic groups.
An Intercultural Church celebrates its unity in Christ and knows that unity will build the Kingdom of God.
Intercultural Church wants to mirror what heaven will look like when Jesus returns for His Church. Identity in Christ must supersede any other identities, if the Intercultural Church will be successful for the Kingdom of God.
How do I explain racism to teens and young adults?
What is racism? According to the dictionary racism is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized." Essentially, racism is discriminating, judging, hating, or treating someone different based on the color of his or her skin.
What is important to remember: Racism is not always blatant or intentional. Sometimes one can be racist and not even know it. The reason is socially accepted stereotypes that have been building for over hundreds of years in America.
There are two major forms of racism that needs to be acknowledged and fought against: The first is personal bias, discrimination, or racism. This can be as blatant as using a racial slur or as subtle as believing someone is good at sports based on the color of his skin. These examples and everything in between are not at all Christlike. Like Jesus told us in John 7:24, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
The other is institutional racism. This form of racism is built into some of our nation’s institutions (prisons, schools, housing, policing, healthcare, etc.). Some of these racism systems and institutions have caused a disadvantage to different groups for generations.
Since we are all children of God, we have to make sure that we personally treat everyone equally and help our institutions do the same. According to Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one."
What is wrong with saying, "I don't see color?"
Phrase: “I don’t see color.”
Meaning: "You don’t see me."
This phrase is used, oftentimes, as a tactic for avoiding feelings of discomfort stirred up by the topic of race. Reciting it, as if to say, "Let us not make race an issue by not acknowledging it as one." Also, this phrase has been used as the mute button in discussions about inequality of injustice.
When Caucasian people say out loud, “I don’t see color," they affirm their belief to convince the listeners and more importantly themselves. The problem with our country’s desire to be “post-racial” and "color blind" in terms of seeing the inherent worth of an individual regardless of skin color, is that you can dismiss all the concerns, experiences, and real world issues of racism that plagues this country from both an individual and larger societal level.
We acknowledge that many White Americans want to be in support of the Black movement by saying that they “don’t see color,” however; they are totally missing the entire point. We want them to see our color. (We are Black, and we do not want anyone to overlook this reality.) Therefore, in the professional fields, in corporate America and in the church, it should not matter what race one is categorized. Everyone should be evaluated in what he or she can add to the organization, and not by the race or ethnicity.
For a Caucasian person to truly understand Black people, it is for him or her to see the Black color. There is no need for them to pretend race and racism are illusions, unworthy of being discussed, or even acknowledged.
The process of eliminating one person’s unease simultaneously silences the voices of Black and Brown people in the conversation. Refusing to have a dialogue about race will not resolve the issue – it will only perpetuate them. This phrase is counter-productive because it diminishes the unique differences and experiences racial groups face.
How do I explain racism to my child?
From a spiritual perspective, it is important that every child understand that racism is an issue that stems from the fallen nature of man. Since it starts in the heart, it has to be addressed at the heart level. Our children should know that if we do not guard our hearts through a daily relationship with Jesus Christ, we are susceptible to racism and other forms of sin. A racist person is one who has not yielded his heart fully to Christ and is in need of a heart cleansing. ~Jeremiah 17:9—"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
It can be difficult to talk to children about racism. Some parents are tempted to shy away from having discussions with their children about racism, because it is an uncomfortable topic; and they don’t feel as if they understand the issues well enough to explain it to their children. The reality is, that as parents, there are many issues in our world that we don’t fully understand, but we still have a spiritual and moral obligation to help our children understand the dangers the issues present. As parents, we have an obligation to communicate the heart of God to our children.
In discussing racism with your child, there are a few practical considerations that may help you. They are as follows:
Silence is not an option
Michael Sidwell and Supreet Mahanti, of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), note in their article called, “Talking to Your Kids About Racism” that children can begin noticing physical differences in people as early as age five. (Sidwell and Mahanti, 2020) Therefore, it is important that parents not fall prey to the temptation to simply forgo having discussions about racism, even for young children. One healthy way to engage this discussion with a younger child is to help them celebrate the differences they see while highlighting for them in an age appropriate way the sin of racism. By celebrating differences and helping them recognize what they share in common with people who may look different than them, it can help them develop an appreciation for people who look different than them rather than developing a dislike for them.
For older children a good starting point is to find out what they know about racism and discrimination. It might be good to simply listen first, and then determine how to approach the discussion. By listening first, you will be able to determine what their viewpoint is and whether they have already developed strong emotions surrounding the topic. This information might help you to determine what information you need to discuss with them on the topic. James 1:19—“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
It’s okay not to have a full grasp on all the issues or to fully understand a particular event, but it is not okay to pretend the issue or event doesn’t exist.
It’s Okay Not to Have All the Answers
One of the greatest virtues of a parent can be the ability to acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers, especially when it comes to a complex topic such as racism. However, a simple lesson on the love of Christ, His love for all people, and the fact that He is a just God, is enough to at least set the baseline for children that racism in no way reflects the character of God. Even if you don’t have an answer to all of their questions, it helps to be able to give them a starting point. In fact, it can be helpful in the parent-child relationship for you to acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers but commit to learn with them as the issues unfold. Sometimes, just engaging the discussion, even without having all the answers can be helpful in easing their anxiety surrounding the issue.
While you may not have all the answers, it’s sometimes important to just start with what you know. Tell your story and explain your experiences and how they have shaped your view of racism. This may cause some reflection in older children and force them to think through or talk through their story and their experience, which can be helpful and shaping their perspective of racism.
Other Things to Consider
Other ideas for discussing racism with your children are to simply bring up current events surrounding discrimination and build a discussion; become familiar with topics of discrimination and racism trending on social media and initiate the discussion; or look for other natural opportunities to discuss the topic of racism. Additionally, you could ask your child to join you in exploring historic events that address issues of racism, like the Civil Rights movement in the U.S., the end of apartheid in South Africa, the Holocaust, and other movements that directly addressed the sin of racism.
Based upon your child’s emotional tolerance, you may want to also limit their exposure to social media and/or the news media. At some point, you may need to limit their exposure to predetermined blocks of time to help them appropriately assimilate the information they have seen or heard. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to navigate layers of anxiety before you can even begin a discussion on racism. You may also find that when they have been overexposed to the media, you have to correct misinformation before you are able to deal with the issue of racism.
Ultimately, the greatest way to talk to your children about racism is through your lifestyle. Be an example in your conduct. Let your children see you demonstrating love and concern for all people. Let them see you live out the principles of the parable of the good Samaritan. Let them see you call racism out, befriend people who look different than you, and display Christian love in all your interactions. I Timothy 4:12—“Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
What is White Privilege?
White privilege is the societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people in some societies, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances.