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Last week, I discussed (with Justin Giboney) division among Christians in the public square and how to think through and address that reality. This week, we turn our attention back to division inside the church. Why? Because ethnic division in the church impacts the church’s witness outside its walls. And we will find it difficult to persuade our culture of the beauty and power of the gospel (as it relates to ethnic unity) until we first model it in our churches.
Currently, there appear to be two primary approaches to addressing racial/ethnic (we discuss the two terms in this interview) unity in the church in 2021. I am, of course, using broad categories here, but I believe these to be accurate descriptions of the current approaches. The first (on the more conservative side) is that church leaders should not substantively address or at least engage this issue because doing so signals a surrender to the influence of unbiblical principles and ideologies and, more particularly, “wokeness.” And the second (on the more progressive side) is that church leaders should adopt critical theory and cultural strategies wholesale without filtering them through Biblical principles. I am convinced (1) that this is a false choice and (2) that it is more important than ever to pursue and model Biblical unity in our churches.
And that is why I am grateful for this conversation with Dr. Irwyn Ince, who serves as a pastor at Grace DC Presbyterian Church and executive director of the Grace DC Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission. Rev. Ince is a graduate of City College of NY (B.E.E.E, 1995), Reformed Theological Seminary (M.A.R., 2006), and Covenant Theological Seminary (D.Min., 2016). And he recently authored the book The Beautiful Community Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best.
Key Takeaways:
- How Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission (ICCM) helps churches become a congregation that welcomes all cultures.
- A review of a key breakout session at the Gospel Coalition conference with Mark Vroegop (former GCP guest), Dr. Ince and Kori Porter (the CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organization advocating for religious liberty for all people).
- How ethnic identity can be a form of idolatry for all of us and why we need to find our identity in Christ while recognizing and valuing differences.
- The important distinction between the term “race” and “ethnic” and why Dr. Ince prefers “ethnic” (hint: it has something to do with Scripture).
- An in-depth description of how ICCM helps churches move toward ethnic unity. Some great questions every church leader/member should ask: “Who are we? Where are we? Who are our neighbors? Why are we the way we are? What are the lines of division or fracture that only Jesus can heal?”
- How pastors can lovingly but truthfully engage this issue with their congregations.
- A brief discussion about critical theory, Biblical truth, common grace and the fact that black Christians have been talking about ethnic unity and justice long before critical theory came on the scene.
- An encouragement and vision for unity from John 17:20.