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Ardent Fidelity

reflections on a Christ-centered life by Chris Krycho

Published: April 3, 2012

Comments: 3

Topics: church, ethnicity, race, women

On the same topic I’ve been hitting a lot recently:

My pastor kindly asked me to read and review Bloodlines for him. His interest wasn’t merely in the book, rather he wanted to know how he could serve his congregants better, which I applaud and am most grateful for. Ever since reading Piper’s book I have been thinking about my experience at my local church and in my Christian walk. I have always been one of the few black females in my church, though I will say there are a growing number of young college females. The purpose of this article is to outline some of the thoughts I have had that I haven’t seen considered. I don’t presume to speak for all reformed black females but I do think these issues need to be addressed or at the least looked at by white pastors. I am black, female and reformed which makes me a bit of a “rare breed”.

Dear Pastor: From a black female congregant→
(via Trevin Wax)

Discussion

  • Ame thought to say: 1:54am on 4/4/2012

    “But, it took time for God to reveal His Word and His heart to me. And now in marriage, because God has been so very gracious to me, I can/do submit, and even to a white man. I also love to be home with my children. This is a miracle that only God could do in my heart. I had to (and continue to) fight not only the world, not only feminist thoughts, but a culture that would say I sold out.”

    i think this statement, “But, it took time for God to reveal His Word and His heart to me.” is pivotol and very important for all christians to take note of. we need to allow God time to work in peoples’ hearts, and it will rarely be the way we think it should be.

    “a culture that would say I sold out” … i cannot relate to being a black female, but i can relate to this, especially from legalistic christians.

    “For some of you, these thoughts may have never crossed your mind. That’s okay! God is building His church and allowing for honest and open conversations so we can all know how to love and serve each other more effectively to His glory and praise. If you are reading this and considering it in any way, thank you. Let’s take the conversation further than merely black and white theology as we contribute to the needs of the all the saints.”

    AMEN. when i became a single mom, i began to get to know other people in ‘minorty’ groups in ‘the church,’ and my eyes were opened. extra kudos to this woman to see beyond herself and to see how this applies in other ways, too.

    Offer a rejoinder↓
    • Chris Krycho thought to say: 1:51pm on 4/4/2012

      Yes, to all of this. I especially appreciated that she was willing to work with her white pastor and congregation and help them along the way. There are plenty of well-intentioned, non-racist white people who just lack information. (And vice versa with black people, no doubt. And people of every skin color and ethnicity.)

      Offer a rejoinder↓
      • Ame thought to say: 12:40am on 4/5/2012

        “There are plenty of well-intentioned, non-racist white people who just lack information. (And vice versa with black people, no doubt. And people of every skin color and ethnicity.)”

        you are spot on here. you can replace “non-racist white” with a plethora of ‘types’ of people. there will always be those who could care a less about anyone or anything despite the truth, but there will be a good amount of people who are willing to try given the knowledge and direction and leadership.

        Offer a rejoinder↓

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