I am so grateful for Pastor Kevin being willing to do this interview series with me. In a way I feel I am getting to know him through this series. We lived in the same city before he moved, but due to my ministry being intensively focused on refugees and immigrants I do not have much time to interact with other Americans from churches.

As we were chatting yesterday, I found out we have the same blood type. We could literally save each other’s lives with transfusions. We also both share the same Lord, Holy Spirit and Heavenly Father. Yet sadly if we were in a coffee shop others might only notice we have different skin colors. Kevin is available to speak in churches. If interested, leave a comment.

If you missed Part 1, I suggest reading it first and then come back to Part 2. Kevin is choosing the order of the questions he answers. I am sharing them unedited so you can hear his voice. Part 1 link- Let Their Voices Be Heard Part 1.
PART 2
What are some examples of encountering racism in the church that you have experienced?
Unfortunately, this is one of the most sensitive realities I deal with. Primarily, because this has been my profession for about 25 years and the arena I have moved in most of my life.
Going to church as a child I was keenly aware that I belonged to a “Black” church. Of course I thought nothing of it as a kid and I even considered it somewhat celebratory. There was a sense of freedom to worship without inhibition. There existed a sentiment that one time a week for at least an hour black folks could spiritually express ourselves without the fear of being judged or scrutinized by white people.
However, what I didn’t realize was that houses of worship across our country were only perpetuating the evil of racism through segregated experiences. It is often quoted that 11 o’clock Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week in America.
For quite some time American Christians have been okay and even supported the deception of establishing churches as “white”, “black”, “latino”, “asian” or any other ethnicity for the sake of style or preference. We will not experience a segregated Heaven!
Oftentimes, as a Black pastor, some of my white colleagues assumed I led a black congregation. Certainly, there were those that were black that attended but nothing could have been further from the truth. Along those lines, I was onced asked by a white pastor to preach at his church. His congregation was predominantly white. He also asked if I could bring my choir, assuming they were all black, he asked if we could sing Old Negro Spirituals. Needless to say I found this offensive.
Probably the most hurtful experience of racism I’ve experienced happened in a forum where black and white pastors gathered to talk about racism and racial reconciliation. As black we were asked to share our stories and experiences of racist encounters. This was enlightening and profound. As the dialogue continued one of our white brothers asked what could the churches do to help break the racial divide. As others offered suggestions I sat quietly and pondered my response.
Finally, I offered, “Stop holding your pulpits hostage!” I continued, “If you’re sincere then hire black pastors to be a part of your leadership and allow opportunity for their faces to be seen and voices to be heard in your pulpit.” “At the very least have one of us fill your pulpit.”
As the room grew silent one pastor retorted, “My people aren’t ready for that!” I was stunned and appalled! The only remedy for the people of God to be readied is for the leader to prepare them. We as the Body of Christ must move to the front of the issue regarding race.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Words of Wisdom. Thanks, for sharing! 🙏
Thank you. 🤗
Feel it is important to share
Good for him for speaking up, and for you for sharing. ❤
Glad to share. So important that he spoke out
Yes it is important to share, I also re-blog
Thank you my friend 🤗🤗🤗
Always a pleasure 🙂
Thank you for sharing, this is profound and enlightening. If it cannot be curbed in the house of God, then there is no hope.
It needs to be addressed and dealt with in the house of God
That would be the primary place to begin.
yes and Amen!!!
I pray that I have never have made statements as insensitive & hurtful as those Pastor Kevin describes here. In my opinion, the character of a pastor & his/her ability to deliver a Biblically sound message are far more important than the color of their skin, their nationality or cultural background. As believers in Christ we are called to a higher standard.
Yes we are
Thanks for sharing! Great interview. Churches are really segregated. Now I usually look for the multi cultural ones.
Good choice little sister. How are you?
I’m ok. I actually had to go into the office for work the last 2 days. 🤗
How was that?
It’s good to connect with my coworkers but I think I’ve gotten used to the work from home lifestyle.
working from home is nice 🙂
Really interesting interview. I think assimilation is really important and segregation is always wrong. I know that a lot of people may be against having POC in their church but like he said it’s up to the leader to prepare them.
Yes it is. I am grateful he is doing the interview
Very interesting article. The response from the pastor that said his congregation was not ready for a black pastor in his church is quite sad. Most people view the churches as social clubs and have no relationship with the Lord.
Yes it was so sad