COMMENTARY: Use MLK Day to reflect by Scott Sharman_11204

Posted: 1/19/04

COMMENTARY:
Use MLK Day to reflect

By Scott Sharman

Pastor of Alsbury Baptist Church, Burleson

I drove to the post office this morning only to find it closed in honor of Martin Luther King's birthday.  My first reaction was one of mild frustration.  My next was to consider why this day is set aside as a national holiday.

Several years ago I read "A Letter from a Birmingham Jail," the letter penned by King to white clergy critical of his efforts.  The letter powerfully defended the non-violent protests against institutionalized racism in Birmingham, Ala.  Furthermore, Dr. King questioned why the white clergy was criticizing rather than joining the protests.

Some believe America is past the need for the challenges presented by Martin Luther King Jr., forgetting that Sunday morning at 11:00 remains the most segregated hour in America.  Some believe that because public water fountains and restrooms no longer bear signs that read, "Colored," America no longer needs the message of justice and equality he championed.

Eighteen years ago I read an article that claimed growing churches do best when structured along demographic lines.  The author argued that churches are healthiest when the congregation looks the same.  While this may be argued sociologically it is indefensible theologically.

Fifteen years ago I shared with fellow ministers that our church had baptized three young men the Sunday before.  The simple truth that three individuals made public their personal commitment to walk with Christ was cause enough for praise but this was also the first time anyone could remember that our church had had an impact on a black family.  As I shared the testimony a fellow pastor muttered, "I hope you washed the baptistry when you were done."

Ten years ago I preached a message about the need to embrace the truths proclaimed by Dr. King, captured in the powerful statement from his March on Washington speech, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."  Following that message an influential member of the church said to me, "I hope you've gotten that out of your system."

Seven years ago I listened with anger as a man, a deacon in my church, told stories during a Sunday School party and peppered his language with the word, "nigger."

A year ago I was told that it was understandable that I was moving from Fort Worth to Burleson since the neighborhood was "getting darker every day."

A week ago I listened to a woman lament the fact that a church she had once been part of was struggling to keep its doors open, explaining the reason was not a lack of vision nor a reluctance to embrace missions and ministry, but because "blacks were moving into the neighborhood."

Some see no need for a national holiday that commemorates the birthday of arguably the single-most influential civil rights leader in American history.  I would have to agree if our reaction is frustration because banks and public buildings are closed.  If the reaction, however, is to prayerfully consider our own attitudes and actions then the holiday serves its purpose.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 2:28