Over at Church Marketing Sucks, Joshua Cody wants to know why more predominately-white churches didn’t celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr Day yesterday. MLK Day, Cody argues, was a perfect opportunity for churches “to move towards breaking the ‘white church/black church’ stereotype.”
So I’m curious: did your church commemorate MLK Day in any way? Did the sermon or worship service incorporate any of the themes we associate with MLK Day? How about other special outreach events yesterday? And does your church fall into the ‘black church’ or ‘white church’ stereotype?
If your church didn’t do anything do mark the holiday, do you wish that it had?
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January 22, 2008 at 19:02
Here’s a duplicate of my post on Church Marketing Sucks.
Great question! I work in a predominantly white church in New Hampshire. We are about the only state that didn’t recognize MLK Day until only 2005 or so. Previously it was “Civil Rights Day” and a minor holiday only.
Our (Episcopal) church did nothing during worship to commemorate the day. But we did have about 15% of the congregation join the local interfaith council for a viewing of the film “At the River I Stand.” The film is a partial biography of MLK and his activity in Memphis. There was a discussion afterward.
January 23, 2008 at 08:49
I think the problem of racial stereotypes has more to do with cultural differences than with skin color.
White and Black culture is so different and has developed on different paths, and I think that’s a large part of why we don’t hang-out as much. To my white friends: would you enjoy attending an African American church? Black friends, would you enjoy a “white” church?
If not, why not? Probably more because of the style of music, the preaching style, the dress, the peoples’ interaction with each other – the culture – of the church.
The question is (perhaps?): how can we merge these two cultures successfully? Can/Should a (little ‘c’) church transcend culture?
January 23, 2008 at 13:01
As I recall, MLK was mentioned in conjunction with the offeratory message at my church. More could have been said, I’m sure.
I would love to attend a Black church occasionally. I don’t know if a steady diet would suit me, but I have often thought that [predominently] white and [predominently] black churches should form alliances [i.e. be “sister” churches]and do occasion combined services and pastoral exchanges. I think it would do a lot toward enhancing our understanding and compassion for each other. It would help us to find the common ground in our faith, and be more sensitive to the needs of our respective cultures where they diverge. Some musical exchange wouldn’t be a bad thing, either!
January 23, 2008 at 15:16
Though I am white, I attended a black pentecostal church for two years in the 1970s after I was saved. The music was incredible, the singing was unmatched the joy was contagious and the presence of the Lord was palpable.
My brother, who is a wealthy developer, has been attending a predominantly black fellowship and prayer group faithfully for 3 years every friday morning. Sure there are cultural differences, but I feel that differences and alienation fades away as we focus on the real presence of the Lord. Heaven will not be segregated and Jesus taught us to pray, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We better get used to it.
The other venue I see that seems to be thoroughly integrated is the TBN TV network. I disagree with the prosperity emphasis but aside from that, these folks are pretty cross-cultural. Black hosts, white hosts and a rainbow of guests and audience.
The church I have attended for the last 20 years has a few black people, a few hispanics and a larger population of asians. Martin Luther King day was not celebrated in church, but then again, neither was presidents day. If we begin to celebrate all the national holidays in church do we become a state church? I could argue both sides.
But thank God that in Christ “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female” (or black or white).
January 23, 2008 at 16:51
I think it is great that churches are even thinking about celebrating MLK day. I think sometimes that we as people as a whole forget that MLK not only advocated for African-Americans but for all people in his quest for civil rights. That being said, It both delights me to know that the intent to celebrate is apparent but also that it is only in our minds for one day. Our church has developed a Racial Reconciliation class that runs quarterly using a book called “More Than Equals ” by Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice.the celebration of MLK goes on all year long. What MLK stood for is an actual core value of our church as well as a foundational part of the vision of our church.
More emphasis should be put on the life-style of MLK in breaking down racial barriers especially on Sundays than “Did we show a powerpoint slide or mention his name. I say all that to say We have got a long way to go,and kudos to those of you that have begun the journey knowing that it is a lifetime and lifelong pursuit. Start with the poerpoint slide but don’t stop there.
January 24, 2008 at 04:49
I would like to say that faith is the substance of things hope for and the evidence of things not seen and Doctor Martin king had a dream some dreams come true and so don’t why because you can dream/dreams but what is it base on your dream. Or the faith that Doctor Martin Lurther king base his on and it was god and it was so and so his dream came to pass because he did what thus saidist the lord say do. His faith in god was bigger and stronger then any man has ever seen and the dream was fullfill so that black people all over the world would be equal in every in every scent of the way and that’s what i talk to my 9 year old daugther about today to let her no if it was’t for people like Martin having and marching for our rights we would be where we are to day and to let her know that because of him he has open door’s already to her furture.
January 25, 2008 at 10:57
Our church celebrated by working all day Monday in a poor neighborhood nearby. We have adopted that neighborhood and have had work days (painting, landscaping, roofing, setting up fences), as well as a picnic with an open invitation to anyone in the community. Not quite like having a Powerpoint presentation in church, nor having a race reconciliation class. But the work/outreach was very intentionally scheduled for MLK Day.
Oh, and our church is predominantly white and the neighborhood mostly white and hispanic. (As if that ultimately matters. :-))
January 26, 2008 at 16:20
This year our church, which happens to be predominately African American, will focus on the topic referenced from Matthew 6:33’s “… seek the kingdom first and (God’s) righteousness all these things will be given to (us).” I have found that the focus on Dr. Martin L. Kings Jr. Celebration purpose is to rekindle the memories of the long road traveled and the encouragement to move further toward the mark of racial, political, economical, and theological freedom depicted from our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.
That being said, our leadership did not specifically give a message that would drive the acknowledgement of Dr. King himself, but rather encourage the congregation to be actively promoting the mantra of Kingdom First. Thus, church members (about 2000) celebrated this special day with lifestyle application rather than high-lighting “The Dream”.
My wife and I attended the San Francisco Freedom Train Celebration by taking the train full of diverse cultures and lifestyles to march in the rain through the streets of San Francisco to the Civic Center along with about 14,000 marchers this year. There were many youth and young adults, about 45% under 21 years of age, as well as older patrons like myself who march each year – I missed only 3 out of the 22 MLK Day Celebration marches, praise God! Nevertheless, there were many members from not only “my” church, but other churches from the California South, and East bay areas rekindling the memories of those who fought and bled for the freedom we enjoy today, and re-energizing “The Dream” for the long road ahead.
Your BIC,
OMOtunde
January 27, 2008 at 00:59
In my opinion the color of the church should have very little to do with the celebration. Martin Luther King, JR was a great man. But I don’t necessarily think that a lack of commemoration or celebration of his day should be seen negatively.
In perspective the influence MLK had on most white people was far less than those who are Black.
I have the utmost respect for Mr. King and all that he did. It was a great, noble, and righteous endevour. However, I just don’t find it necessary to create a church sermon around his accomplishments. There are many famous Christians who achieved great accomplishments for mankind, our country, and the church. But I do not see us celebrating their birthdays in our churches.
He was a good man…but he was just a man nonetheless. Is what he did noteworthy and worth of praise? Yes. But does it belong as the topic of a sermon? Maybe…but maybe not.
I can’t recall any of my churches every doing anything for MLK day. shrugs I never put much thought in it.
January 27, 2008 at 01:04
I have to agree with someone else’s comments. The reason there isn’t as much mixing of colors in churches is because the cultures are really different. I’ve been to a predominantly black baptist church. It was an interesting and educational experience, but in all honesty I couldn’t handle that type of Sunday every week. “Whites” tend to do it a different way.
I think people make a bigger deal out of color than their needs to be. Everyone talks about unity but honestly I’ve never experienced or seen a church discriminate against someone because of their color. I hear all this need for unity and unity meetings when I think that a lot of it is a perceived problem. Granted, in some areas there are problems…but most Christians I’ve met aren’t anything close to racist.
I think many of these so-called unity meetings aren’t necessary… “For there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus”... and I think these meetings generally cause a race issue that people only are made aware by such meetings…