Distance from a black church
This past Sunday at Elevation Church, we had a guest speaker – Pastor Terrell Murphy of New Birth Charlotte. Wow, it has been a long time a-comin’ for me to hear a black preacher. I’m not going to waiver to the political correctness of ‘African-American’ because in the black neighborhood I grew up in, black folk called themselves black folk. If you have never heard a black preacher, you are missing out on a unique style of preachin’. Pastor Murphy preached a Bible message that definitely challenged me.
About midway through the first service sermon, I found myself wanting to meet some of my brothers and sisters in the New Birth congregation. Why? Listen to the sermon and you’ll see. The message boils down to partnership and unity within the body of Christ. Before Sunday, my mind picture of one of ‘my’ churches and one of ‘their’ churches coming together would bring about a lot of head-butting, disagreement, and self-defeat. I have to admit that I have been one of the ones to believe that white churches and black churches go in different directions and therefore could not form an effort alliance. Not because I had ill intent and feelings about a race different than my own, but that ‘it just doesn’t work that way.’ What a pack a lies that is.
Pastor Murphy’s sermon jogged my memory of what Jesus’ desire is for His body; to be different but all together accomplishing things for the glory of our Savior. Thanks, Pastor Murphy. You have brought me close to the hearts of your congregation though I have met not a single one of them. May HIS kingdom come!
