From U.S. C&MA President John Stumbo:
The recent and recurring loss of African American lives, along with yesterday’s attack on Dallas police, gives further evidence about how broken our world is. I am asking that our Alliance family gathers together and prays for the families who have suffered loss, for sensitivity and discernment among the law enforcement community, for the healing of our nation over this and other social injustices, and for wisdom to know the role that we, as Kingdom people, are to play in displaying the love and justice heart of God.
Read more from President Stumbo regarding the Church’s response to racism and violence.
From Rev. Kelvin Walker, pastor of Bedford Community Church (New York), president of the C&MA Association of African-American Churches, and C&MA Board member:
All morning long, I’ve been mentally debating what to do or say. My soul is weary, friends. Here we go again. I’ve found that writing is a way for me to process and relate what’s in my soul.
So please give me the space to simply relate the hurt, pain, and fear I’m feeling. And know I’m not the only one. Many of my friends—brothers you also know—feel the same. We’re your pastors, your teachers, your bankers, your neighbors. We sit by you in church and at work and at the ball field. Our kids play together. Yet we’re afraid to tell you what we live with every day. So please don’t brush this off. Take it seriously, and understand our hearts:
A BLACK MAN’S LAMENT
“License and registration . . .”
And within seconds, he’s dead
I’m sorry, y’all, please forgive me
But this is messin’ with my head
Two men in two days . . . this can’t possibly be real
Now we’re at 115 this year (or more—I’ve lost count)
I don’t even know how I feel
I think I’ve just kept quiet out of fear
Would I be treated like Williams and Lecrae
But as one who serves the God of love and justice
There is just no way
I can’t continue in quiet
While I’m weeping in silence
And not be a prophetic voice for change
Because, if I do not say something
Or do something
Or stand for something
Then Alton and Philando have both died in vain
It’s time to admit it and own it and deal with it
Or more black men will be lost
Without us addressing it
I can’t wake up another day like this
And before you think I’m over-dramatizing things
I HAVE been stopped for no reason
On MANY occasions
And when I go into the store, I’m ALWAYS aware
All eyes are on me for more than just a stare
This is not made up; this is for real
And as long as we’re silent, then nothing will heal
Or change
Or shift
And more lives will be lost
And I, for one, am tired
Tired of living in fear, so please hear
I’m not asking you to “get it”
I just want you to understand
This isn’t the rant of “an angry black man”
It’s a Black Man’s Lament
That won’t just go away
The shame of it is I wake up with it every day
What will I do? What mistake will I make?
What turn will I turn that puts my life at stake?
I try to think differently—believe me, it’s no fun
But with every news report I think
Will I be the next one?
Or my sons?
Or my grandsons, if nothing is done?
‘Cause I’m 50 years old
To date, nothing has changed
So why should I have hope for my grandsons?
Dear God! They CAN’T stay the same!
So I ask you, don’t debate me
Join my lament instead
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll get inside my head
And see what I see and live what I live
And feel what I feel and understand why I give
Or am giving my voice to say, “No more. This has to stop!”
And then, don’t just lament with me
Join me in saying, “NO MORE!’
From Rev. Jonathan Schaeffer, pastor of Grace Church (Cleveland, Ohio) and chairman of the C&MA Board of Directors, in a message to his congregation:
Would you pray for our nation as we once again grieve the loss of life through violence? USA Today reported that 60 people were shot over the July 4th weekend…in Chicago alone. Then, there’s the deeply disturbing video from Baton Rouge…and another from Minnesota. This morning, we awoke to the devastating news of numerous police officers being killed in Dallas. Grieving families in every case. In the spirit of Philippians 2:3-4, let’s pray for our leaders, and also be among those who see every person with super high value, as image-bearers of our Father. No doubt His heart is grieved as well.