On the prior Tuesday, Keith Scott, an African-American man, was shot and killed by a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer. Several nights of peaceful and not-so-peaceful protests followed the incident and citizens of Charlotte struggled to assess what exactly happened and why.
Our pastor, Talbot Davis, had interrupted his sermon series to conduct an unusual, but much needed presentation, one in which we as a congregation could begin the process of dialogue--authentic conversation--in order to get on the right path.
I love the fact that our church, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, is a body of diversity. From our first day at the church, Maria and I began meeting people from different parts of the world and from different ethnic groups within our own city. We enjoy fellowship with these people and feel at one with all of them as we worship and as we serve the community as volunteers.
Pastor Talbot's message last Sunday consisted of a dialogue with Ron Dozier, an African-American man who is our Pastor of Missions. Both men spoke about their view of the world from their own racial perspective. Perhaps I wasn't too surprised at what was discussed, and I think it's because this church body is one of love, acceptance, and open conversation anyway. There were some good points made in this frank discussion (my thanks to Talbot and his sermon notes):
- Avoid clichés like “just pray” (when an event like the one last week occurs).
- Avoid unflinching support for authority on one hand and unthinking endorsement of the protesters on the other.
- Healing starts – BUT DOES NOT END – with some authentic conversation.
- Turn off the noise: TV news, Facebook, etc., and turn to the Bible.
- You may have an opinion, but social media doesn't have to know what it is.
- We need to know that "the cause" is the Prince of Peace--Jesus--and we need to focus on Him.
Last Sunday's service was unusual. It opened a dialogue, and it was one that we needed.
God, please heal our city.