Living as 'One Faith' in Our Churches
By Diane Strzelecki

Are racism and prejudice still problems today? Are they problems in your church? According to Dr. William Griffin, Urban Ministry Consultant to the Northern Illinois District, honest answers to the following questions might reveal the unspoken and uncomfortable reality of many LCMS churches:

• Do you recognize that racism is a theological issue that needs to be addressed by the church?
• Are people of color or race accepted in the entire life of the congregation on an equal basis?
• Do you say that you welcome people of other cultures as members of your congregation but insist they leave their culture, worship style, and practice at the door?

"Once we start opening up the doors of our churches a little more, the people who come in those doors are going to be different – different background, different ideas, different race, different origin," says Pastor David Speerbrecker, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Homewood.

Getting past these differences can be difficult, especially when members feel that the comfortable familiarity of their church might be at stake. Enter the NID's "One Lord, One Faith, One Father of All" initiative, which offers workshops to churches in changing neighborhoods and churches who are trying to evangelize to different people. Led by Griffin, the workshops help people learn the history and current status of race relations in the LCMS in Chicago and understand the issues of other ethnic groups.

"Dr. Griffin helped us see that issues in schools, such as more students registering for the federally funded lunch programs, will soon be reflected within the community," Speerbrecker says. "He also showed us how these issues may become an opportunity for churches to minister to their community."

Rev. Tom Johnson, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran in Melrose Park, says a church can accommodate people without compromising the Gospel message. He should know. Approximately 30% of St. Paul’s congregation is made up of African-American worshippers. The church is home to a vibrant Hispanic ministry as well.

According to Johnson, honoring peoples cultures is an important part of making popele feel welcome. He recalls that recently a Mexican family in the church wanted to have a Quinceanera, the traditional coming-of-age service for a young Latino woman, and he did everything he could to accommodate them.

"We didn't want to deny their background or the historical significance of their culture," he says. "Pastor [Hector] Canjura and I led a service--very Lutheran, very much about the Gospel--but celebrating the Mexican tradition. On her head was placed the crown; in her hand was placed the scepter, and on her feet were her new shoes – all cultural symbols of her stepping into a new path in life, of her womanhood. It was a beautiful service."

Speerbrecker notes that the church needs to be intentional about including people of other races and cultures.

"At Salem, we've deliberately included African American members in leadership roles," he says. "It's a lot more upfront and welcoming to people coming into the church when they see a mix of members involved in the service and singing in the choir."

One of those leaders is Steve Harris, a member of Salem for nearly 38 years. He’s served in a variety of leadership roles both at Salem and in the district at large, including as a past member of the district Board of Directors. According to Harris, Salem is a very welcoming church to people of other cultures.

"This is not just me talking-- I’ve heard it from people who visited and then became members," he says. "It’s always been very welcoming to minorities."

Harris appreciates Pastor Speerbrecker's approach: that the neighborhood is changing, so Salem needs to change. Harris encourages all congregations to review their outlook on welcoming "different" people.

"Don't be afraid to make changes to be more welcoming to people of other races and cultures," he says. "Many times fear comes from just not knowing people who you’re not accustomed to being around. We need to see them as God's children, which makes them our siblings, and allow them to be involved and contribute. They have the talent and love of Christ just like you do."