The Topeka Capital Journal ran an article last Saturday on this journey that TD and I have been taking. (I’ve written about how TD and I got connected before.) I’m pretty humbled that people are starting to take notice of what we are doing, but I hope a bigger story doesn’t get lost in all this attention.

We want to live out the reality and hope of Jesus for our city. We – the Church – want to be a redemptive voice of blessing for our city.

In order for that to be a reality, we must deal with another ugly reality – racism.

I’m going to walk a fine line here that needs to be understood. There are some major issues facing our city (and nation). We have schools that need community involvement. We have parents in need of job training, financial tools, and parenting help. We have students that need access to technology and better study tools. We have multiple contributing factors in our community that are feeding a human trafficking problem that needs eradicating.

These are issues that need the hope and healing of Jesus. Guess who is designed to deliver that hope and healing? The Church. Not a church. Not a denomination. Not a personality. The Church. The called-out people of God on the mission of Jesus under the power of the Holy Spirit.

So on one hand, racism isn’t the biggest issue that we’re taking a look at. It’s just not. And it can’t be. Jesus has to be the point. He is the only one that brings real healing and hope. The Church is about being His bride, nothing else. The Church can’t have any other agenda except to be on His mission. That can not get lost in all of this.

BUT when the Church continues to tear itself apart from itself because of color and culture, she’s not really the Church anymore. At best she is the wounded, broken version of what God intended. Like it or not – race continues to be the single most dividing issue inside the church. For all the studies and research clamoring on how ineffective the church has become in presenting the person of Jesus, the reason may be as simple as this:

It’s really hard for a lost world to see the love of God in an institution that still practices segregation.

What’s the answer?

Let me start with a humble confession:

I. Don’t. Know.

I know we can’t keep doing what we’ve been doing and expect different results. I know that for now, we deal with what God has put in front of us. We pray like crazy, listen deeply, and then courageously take steps into the unknown as He is leading. I know I want more than just an annual pulpit exchange and periodic men’s breakfasts together. I know there is a mission TOGETHER that God is calling us towards as Christ-followers – not white Christ-followers or black Christ-followers.

I know that while the differences are real and significant, what we have in common in Christ is greater. And at the end of the day, His grace is sufficient.

May we all learn how to walk deeply in His grace.