Are cross-racial appointments of African American pastors to white congregations our best strategy for racial integration in mainline denomination worship? What is your opinion? After more than 10 years of serving as both laity and clergy in cross-racial contexts, I’m ready for some honest and open dialogue, and I hope you will join me.
Recently, I was devotional worship leader for a denominational district meeting in which at least 80% of the attendees were white. I led this group of mostly clergy and some laity in singing an a cappella African American Spiritual and another familiar song in Spanish. In order to heighten involvement, rhythm and fun, I randomly distributed percussion instruments – maracas, tambourines, and shakers – so that people could join in with more than just singing. After the meeting, several white people spoke to me very candidly and apologetically about their “lack of rhythm,” declaring that it was inherent or hereditary, or both. Even seasoned clergy lamented and apologized for their white congregations’ inability to sing or “pull off” these songs, “no matter how hard they’ve tried” over the years.
As much as I hear this (I heard it again yesterday in my own predominantly white church) I could not help wondering for the hundredth time, why we believe that cross-racial clergy appointments of African American clergy to white congregations is the answer to the racial integration of mainline denomination worship. Why is the burden on the clergy of color, and not vice versa? Is this the best way to build and achieve racial diversity in the worship context? And if it is the best or only way, how can we better prepare these clergy and the congregations for such deeply personal and cultural precipitation?
Share your thoughts and experiences. Maybe we will have a revelation!
