It only takes one.
Have you ever set up dominoes? When I was a kid, I loved to set up dominoes one by one closely connected on the floor around my room. I would use bridges for them to go across and put them in shapes and pray that my little brothers didn’t come in and set them off before it was time to put them into motion! It only took one to start the chain reaction.
There is power in that one.
In order for every life to be saturated by the hope of the gospel in South Carolina, the church must come together and be unified in order for God to set us in motion. There are a variety of barriers that keep this from happening, such as power plays, family feuds, and racial segregation.
Although each of these barriers has its hardships to overcome, overcoming racial segregation that occurs each Sunday morning is long overdue. There was a time where there was no black church or white church in South Carolina. We were all under the same roof, but those sitting in the balcony were slaves of those below, so there was no genuine unity.
During Reconstruction after the Civil War, black churches began to form because of their new freedom, and they began to cooperate with one another. Since that time, we have been separated. During the Civil Rights movement, our schools integrated, but our churches remained separated. Today, in South Carolina there are nearly 2,000 churches filled with white people and 1,000 churches filled with African-American people. Although there may be no ill will between these churches, there is distance that has the potential tobreed distrust.
We have made strides toward unity, but we must not be satisfied with where we are. This unity must go deeper than just a pulpit exchange once a year. When pastors begin to actually become friends with other pastors from different cultures, they begin to trust one another and work together. They model to their congregation the great importance of listening to one another to gain understanding. The best place to unify may be serving their lost community together. Since the public school is a common gathering place for the community, churches may consider joining forces together in mentoring and serving the school.
A beautiful thing will happen when friendships are built. We will begin to unify as one, and the world will take notice. We need each other to reach every life.
Our country is divided. Politics is not the answer. Jesus is the only answer for genuine unity. The church has an opportunity to join hands across the aisle.
Who will start the chain reaction?
Be the one.
The IMPACT conference on Feb. 20 seeks to inspire churches to come together in unity as ONE church for ONE mission. Register today at www.scbaptist.org/impact.