Tearing Down The Racial Walls

Leadership Matters, part 5 of 10
In the book of Nehemiah we are learning how Nehemiah brought leadership to bare, to construct the walls around the city of Jerusalem. In this message we’ll take a break from the series of Nehemiah and look at how to tear down the sinful walls of racial indifference that exists in the church by holding a joint service with other churches in Rochester. In this paneled discussion format message, we’ll talk to pastors about different biblical principles they have used to build a bridge across the racial divide so that we can all learn to be model Christians in the area of racial reconciliation.

Download the notes.

I) How have you been affected personally by racism and/or prejudice in your life?

Pastor Pete Dillard, 1 Kings 12:9
Rabbi Jim Appel, 2 Corinthians 3:14-16
Bishop Dave Singleton, Luke 17:1 (TEV)
Pastor George McKnight, James 2:1-9

II) How has the church failed in building a bridge over our past history of racial prejudice for African-Americans, and our historical connection to Jewish people?

Pastor Pete Dillard, Acts 10:9-16
Rabbi Jim Appel, Romans 11:17-18
Bishop Dave Singleton, Matthew 15:3 (KJV
Pastor George McKnight, 1 Corinthians 12:12

III) How are we succeeding in building a bridge over the things that have divided us in the past?

Pastor Pete Dillard, Acts 8:26-31
Rabbi Jim Appel, Ephesians 3:6
Bishop Dave Singleton, Hosea 6:3 (TLB) and Proverbs 9:9 (KJV)
Pastor George McKnight, Ephesians 2:19-22

IV) What can these people right here (black, brown, white, all races) do both individually and collectively as a church to be a better witness for Christ and our unity in Him?

Pastor Pete Dillard, 1 Peter 1:22
Rabbi Jim Appel, Psalm 122:6, Romans 1:16
Bishop Dave Singleton, Ecclesiastes 9:10 ™, Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV) and Acts 12:5 (NIV)
Pastor George McKnight, Romans 13:8-10