An evening view of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
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After that hate-filled man killed those nine Christians in South Carolina, the families responded with profound grace and forgiveness. Of course, they did not try to dismiss the justice he owed the state, but to free themselves of bitterness that can rob us of inner peace when we are mistreated. That’s what African Christians did in the first few centuries of the church, when Romans threw them to the lions and burned them alive. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. After the Apostle Paul established the church at Thessalonica in Greece, immediately Christians began to feel the pain of persecution. Paul wrote to them, giving them counsel on how to respond. He wrote in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Paul realized that many times God changes our plans by changing our circumstances—without consulting us. He may permit rain to fall on our parade. We often experience trouble, sickness, or even persecution. The apostle discourages us from grumbling, knowing that God is refining our character for His highest purposes.
BLACK CLERGY CALL FOR CHURCHES TO FOSTER HEALING IN THE AFTERMATH OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
(RNS) A coalition of African-American clergy is calling on churches to serve as sacred spaces for healing in the aftermath of violence in Charlottesville, Va., and as the nation grapples with racism and other bigotry.
“We urge churches across the country to create safe and sacred spaces for prayer, healing, dialogue and honest conversations about the history and reality of racism, bigotry, anti-Semitism and white supremacy in this nation,” the black clergy said in a Friday (Aug. 18) statement.
“Our youth and young adults especially need a place to process this assault on their being and the very soul of this nation.”