United in the Ministry of Reconciliation
Dr. John Perkins and I at a Wesley Seminary gathering in Marion, IN.
Shortly after Martin Luther King Jr. arrive to pastor a little church in Montgomery, Alabama:
…an African American woman, Rosa Parks, was ordered off a city bus because she violated the city’s laws for racial segregation. A meeting was held at one of the city’s black churches. The crowd that night was confused, angry, disheartened. No one knew for sure what to do, though all agreed something ought to be done. Toward the end of the meeting, someone thought it might be good if the new young preacher in town would speak. King rose, began hesitatingly, worked into a rhythm; the congregation joined in, the Spirit descended. Someone said later, “We gathered as a confused crowd; we left as a movement.”[1]
Of unity Jesus prayed:
John 17:21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Unity that is described in John 17 is the kind of unity that God exemplifies – Father, Son and Spirit. Some translations of this passage of scripture use the word ‘one’ rather than ‘unity’ in verse 22 –the emphasis being many as one; yet still unique. The glorious trinity a demonstration of the unity we can enjoy with God.
One of the most miraculous possibilities of the church is unity. Jesus prayed for it; and in praying for it He also told us why it was so important. Through unity people would recognize Him, and the Gospel, knowing it to be true.
It is blatantly obvious that unity is a word that stands in contrast, well, to just about every discussion we are having in western society: At a time when the discourse of ideas and differing opinions are exchanged with vitriol for us to see and hear---in the news; in artistic expression; on campuses; through social media---we can clearly see why a message of unity would be noticed.
Yet, unity even in the Body of Christ is elusive. We are inundated with reminders of how fractured the fabric of our society is. Those we have come to expect to lead, and embody traits like unity, kindness, hopefulness, have fallen short. In recent memory, whether in business, politics, the arts or spiritual leadership leaders have demonstrated just how human they are . We don’t have to look far for the truly sad stories of the moral failures; situations of questionable judgement or financial controversy in the Church and otherwise. For you and I, this shouldn’t lead to proclamations of judgement but of prayer, intercession, reflection and compassion.
That said, now more than ever we need the supernatural unity Christ prayed for to be demonstrated. It will be. It will come through the ministry given to each of us. To the Church---the ministry of reconciliation.
Dr. John Perkins an author, speaker and unifier is one who ministers in reconciliation today and has done so for decades. Through community development, books, lectures, writing and sermons Dr. Perkins has been active in the ministry of reconciliation for 60 years. He contends that a mistake has been made regarding reconciliation. By defining reconciliation in terms of race we have missed what the true problem is, and made the true solution more difficult to embrace:
‘But as I come closer to the end of my journey, I am aware that community development can only take us so far—because this is a gospel issue. The problem of reconciliation in our country and in our churches is much too big to be wrestled to the ground by plans that begin in the minds of men. This is a God-sized problem. It is one that only the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can heal. It requires the quality of love that only our Savior can provide. And it requires that we make some uncomfortable confessions. G.K. Chesterton said, “it isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem” We’ve not been able to arrive at the solution because we haven’t seen or acknowledged the problem.”
“ This is a God-sized problem. It is one that only the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can heal. It requires the quality of love that only our Savior can provide. And it requires that we make some uncomfortable confessions. ”
I believe that without the Holy Spirit filling us to overflowing; developing his fruit of patience, long suffering and gentleness in our lives (Gal. 5:22)---we won’t be able to acknowledge the problem, or our complicity in it.
We all have our own story and unique experience. Mine is growing up in a fun, generally safe middle class white community. The color of my skin, the smell of curry on my clothes and the knowledge of what it feels like to consistently be the only colored person in a room; are synonymous with growing up. As is the shame of not speaking up when other students derided ethnicities or cultures; participating in bullying new immigrants, rather than stoping it. After all, I was born here, they weren’t. It was either bully or be bullied and I, sadly, took the former option. In my preteen years many Christians thought it was affirming to say ‘We just think of you as one of us, you’re white on the inside aren’t you?” What is more unpalatable than the comments made, was my complicity in being accepting of them.
Having that personal experience, and watching my immigrant parents work hard, and work through the mostly quiet, sometimes not-so-quiet, prejudice all around them; I realize that the problem isn’t racial. The problem is a lack of determination to be reconciled to one another. The first step of which is to admit the need for it.
There is a cost to this whole idea: There is no reconciliation without suffering: Paul’s reconciling ministry to the world that requires self-sacrifice and inevitably results in suffering
‘Irreconcilable differences’ is a term that I grew up, as did many kids of the 80s. Divorce was increasing dramatically, families torn apart by agreeing to disagree. I believe that was and is a reflection of the broader problem of giving-up on coming together. Of deciding we have ‘irreconcilable differences’ with one another --- across racial lines, socio-economic levels, educational backgrounds, political affiliations, religious beliefs. We may not want to murder one another, or spout racial slurs, or cause physical harm to one another.
But are those really the standards by which we want to measure? We must be reconciled to one another. Not racial reconciliation; or social reconciliation but just reconciliation.
It is possible.
The Cross is the great equalizer, allowing those who once were on the outside to now be a part of a miraculous family. Jesus crossed racial boundaries (John 4); social boundaries; economic boundaries and educational boundaries consistently (John 4, Matthew the Tax, the prostitutes, and religious leaders)
Jesus prayed for the unity in the church because it would be a miracle working testimony of God’s love. But first; you and I both have to give up the quiet prejudice that still lives in our hearts. Rather than being angry or afraid, let’s be extravagantly hospitable and unafraid, by the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 1:7); Opening up a spot at our family table for those who are unlike us--socially, racially, physically, economically, educationally, religiously. In doing so we will find the beauty, love, uniqueness of others; and feel the joy in knowing those who are different than us. Like Jesus did.
Dr. Perkins held his brother as he died. He was murdered; the victim of a vicious racially motivated shooting. During the civil rights movement, Dr. Perkins was beaten and tortured at the hands of white police officers. Yet he has found, in Jesus, the strength to forgive, to come together with those unlike himself, and lose his life in the service of a higher call to a ministry of reconciliation.
As in Dr. King’s day, and that of the beginning of the Pentecostal movement at the turn of the century; we too can come together seemingly confused and conflicted; and leave a movement. United in the purpose and ministry of reconciliation. Jesus has made it possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Though our spirit is willing our flesh is weak, God help my flesh to follow your Spirit, and reconcile myself to you and with others. In Christ’s Name –Amen.
Jesus Prays for Unity: John 17:15-24
15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! [3]
[1] Willimon, William H.. Pastor: Revised Edition . Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition. Loc. 225
[2] Perkins, John, and Karen Waddles. One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race. Moody Publishers, 2018.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Print.