Reconciling the Most Segregated Time in America

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Rev. Dr. Lavonia Ray (L), president of the Baptist Ministers Union, introduces the panel of ministers at the Separation Sunday Forum. Panelists above: (L-R) Tyrone Greenlee, Moderator and Chairman of CFAUC; Dr. John H. Grant, Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Mark Siler of Circle of Mercy Congregation of Asheville; Fr. Jim Abbott, recently retired rector of St. Matthias Episcopal Church; and Reverend Spencer Hardaway, Pastor of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Photo: Urban News

Why is Sunday worship the most segregated time in America? History teaches us, and tradition tells us, the story of why churches are so separate.

During slavery, Africans in America found refuge in the teachings of Christ. In a time where life was extremely hard, Christianity gave them hope. When Africans did attend church, (to their owners’ chagrin), most were not welcomed, and if allowed in were required to sit in separate areas of the church. In response, slaves organized their own services and, eventually, their own churches. Since that time, the separation between races in churches has not changed much at all. According to statistics, only 7 percent of America’s churches are considered racially mixed.

Ministers from area churches met and organized a forum on February 28
at the Wesley Grant Community Center to discuss the question: “Why is
Sunday morning worship the most segregated time of the week?”

Rev. Dr. Lavonia Ray stated he couldn’t recall a time (until now) in
Asheville and Buncombe County where people are experiencing so much
racial division and tension. “It’s time we face what is keeping our
Christian communities apart,” said Ray.

For some, calling the church segregated tends to make them
uncomfortable, because it implies that its members are racist. Since
family and church go together for many American Christians, family plays
a big role in the church one may attend.

Dr. John H. Grant responded by sharing how people tend to gravitate
toward the familiar, and people tend to worship in churches where they
feel comfortable.

While no one disagreed with that observation, one panelist suggested
that separation among the races on Sunday morning was caused by people
losing sight of their oneness in God.

 

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Community member Kathey Avery addresses the ways racial inclusion and advocacy could play an important role in our religious community.  Photo: Urban News

Among the audience, there was a consensus that what happens on Sunday
morning is a result of racism that exists within our community Monday
through Saturday. While other discussions centered around the economic
hardships caused by the racism, others spoke of white privilege and
customary practices, and how to bring groups of people together.

The gist of the discussion could be summed up this way: “Family members
tend to be of the same race; therefore a person more often than not
ends up in a church with members of his or her own race. Additionally,
having a family tie to a church instills pride into a person, which
makes it incredibly difficult for that person to abandon their church
for an integrated church.”

But it’s essential to remember, or learn, that many churches that are
dominated by one racial group were not formed out of racial animosity.
It’s very difficult to bring people together as one body when people
have personal ties to a particular church, or follow generations of
family members who have worshipped at the same church for a century or
more.

“We understand this type of religious conviction — which brings into
question Christian values, but we’re reluctant to give up old habits
easily,” said one attendee.

The discussion will continue through pulpit exchanges and by community
members participating in the upcoming Stand Against Racism Events. The
Urban News will keep readers informed on this widely debated issue, and
on the scheduling of additional forums.