Here is a question for you:  What skin color is your church?

Should churches that represent Heaven and all of its glorious human diversity (people from “every kindred and every tribe”) be able to be identified by the prominent skin color of the people who attend?  For example, in the USA, we have Black churches, White churches, Red (Native American) churches, Brown (ie.Hispanic) churches, and Yellow (ie. Korean) churches.

Many years after the end of government sponsored and enforced racial segregation, the Christian churches in American are still some of the most segregated places in our nation.  And most people are not even bothered by that fact.  In fact, the popular church growth movement has taught multitudes of churches and Christians that churches grow better when they are segregated by race, ethnicity, economic status, and/or skin color.

The truth is, however, that segregated churches are a contradiction of the place they claim to represent — Heaven (and the kingdom of God).   Paul taught that Jesus tore down the “wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles — that people who were divided should now be united in Christ.

For Christians to worship primarily with people who have the same color of skin as they do is a denial of God’s healing and reconciling power.  The glory and the power of the Gospel is shown not when people assemble with people who look like them, but when people worship with and love people from across racial lines.

Anybody can gather with people like them.  However, it takes the supernatural love and power of God to gather with and love people you have been taught not to appreciate.

How we Americans need to finally tear down the walls in our churches and unite in love with believers of different skin shades than our own.  Then the world will be able to see that our religion is real and not just rusty ritual. This can help.