Morgan, T.C. "Youth are key in moving past ‘feel good’ reconciliation." Christianity Today, 40 (13), 87.
OVERVIEW
According to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, racism continues to sharply divide American society. How can the U.S. start making changes to unite the society? Youth pastors of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) assert that the leadership lies among the youth. Through this belief, the youth leaders have focused on overcoming racial divisions through church-based outreach. This has been an excellent investment in their youth and their church’s outlook on racial barriers. Youth programs have been designed to maximize the intermingling of black and white teenagers. Through sleepovers, lock-ins, and work projects, the process of reconciling racial differences has begun. Essential is spending time with other groups and getting to know them for who they are—not just what their stereotypes imply. These Pentecostal churches’ youth programs have created opportunities for youth groups to break through their comfort zones. According to the article, "…Pentecostal churches are ‘way ahead of most churches…we laid down our old organization, buried it, and started again with a totally color-blind organization."
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
- What do you think about racial reconciliation emerging through this generation of youth? Is it possible? How would it work within your youth organization?
- Is racial division a problem within your organization?
- If your church or organization has limited resources or is more conservative in its outreach, how else can a curriculum be developed to integrate a multi-ethnic audience?
- How can you convince your church that it is necessary to bring reconciliation between the black and white races?
IMPLICATIONS
- Racial reconciliation is a vital to relationships within the church and other youth organizations, because we should all love each other.
- There must be more meaningful, long-term opportunities for young people to learn beyond the stereotypes of other cultures.
Yvonne Lam cCYS