A Defining Moment

I witnessed a defining moment in the life of one particular church as a young assistant pastor. 

The pastor presented a plan to take a visitation team to a predominately black neighborhood near our church. I thought his plan would make a positive statement in our racially divided community.

Instead of embracing the pastors plan, the oldest deacon pounded his fist on the board room table and declared, "This church is for middle class white people."

All who were present sat in stunned silence.

We moved away from that church to a new ministry within a year and never witnessed the fulfillment of that vision. 

That incident, however, has had a profound effect upon my life and ministry. Racism nor prejudice should ever be tolerated within the local church.