A message from Pastor Tim Locke...

Church Family,

We are witnessing real tumult in our country right now. It’s heartbreaking to see the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. It’s equally heartbreaking to see citizens riot and loot our city. There are real issues that need to be addressed in our culture and society that are being eclipsed by anarchy.

The easiest way to see the need is to engage people we know, trust, and love. Remember though that many in our black and African-American communities are hurting and experiencing great pain. We need to be patient, empathetic, and understanding in our conversations. Some might not be emotionally able to engage. This week I was able to speak with Emanuel and Justina Dix, who serve the predominantly black community of Summerhill. I was grateful for the important perspective they shared with me about the issues failing their community. There are historical and current barriers in our system of banking, education, housing, criminal justice, and employment systems that limit the black community. As one of our members, Stephen Helwig, said to me, “While we can look historically and see that this is as good a time as there has ever been to be black in America, it should also be clear how much work is still left to do.” Most of us are not experts in race relations or systems that oppress, but we should be willing to listen and learn. I so appreciate what Justina said: “We know the problem is sin, and we know the solution is Jesus.”

We need to be wise and biblical in how we respond to the inequities within these systems, but we cannot ignore them or use the riots to deflect from them. Believers have always been called by God to pursue righteousness in the world and, when Scripture declares something oppressive, to pursue justice. Because politicians are hijacking real issues of oppression to further their agendas, this becomes a divisive issue that often cements the tribalism we are experiencing. This applies to multiple issues within our culture, like the value of the unborn, but the current issue is the experience of the black and African-American community.

As a church, we should stand with our neighbors as they decry unrighteousness. In the Old Testament, the foreigner would often be taken advantage of as they traveled through foreign lands. They would not be given shelter or were overcharged for it. They would not be given opportunities to build homes, create business, or have the protection of the courts because they were foreigners. God speaks out against his own people for this oppression and calls them to pursue righteousness, or he will come and mete out justice. When Israel refused to respond, persisting in their oppression, God intervened, handing out their parcels of land to foreign invaders. We have a responsibility to our neighbors.

Like the Good Samaritan, we are called by God to engage each other righteously—regardless of race or creed. As fellow image-bearers and as members of the community, we are our brother’s keeper. Hear the call of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Notice that while Micah is addressing God’s people, he says, “O man.” Doing justice, loving kindness, walking humbly are issues for every human. The story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37, answers the question “Who is my neighbor?” It also answers the question, “What is written in the law?” It brings us back to the summation of the law, to love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37).

I’m convinced that as believers, we should stand for George Floyd and his family. This was not righteousness, so we should mourn and pursue justice. I believe that we should listen and learn from the black and African-American members of our community, walking humbly before them and the Lord. I believe that when oppressive systems are exposed, we should oppose them and demand that our elected leaders change them, or vote them out. I believe that we should be careful not to adopt ideologies that are being used to advance corrupt agendas. Some of the current situation is simple right and wrong; some of it is complicated and requires discernment to remain biblical. I will put together some resources to help you do some investigation, but one book I would immediately recommend is Heal Us, Emmanuel by Doug Serven.

Now is a time for renewal and reconciliation. Now is a time for mourning and lament. We should all be praying, “Heal us, Emmanuel.” Christ is the great reconciler! We have hope in his ability, and we look to him for wisdom and grace.

God bless you,

Pastor Tim Locke

[Ed, Stephen Helwig]