Are you processing racial tension in America?  

One of 168's value is diversity: we pursue an ethnic and economic mosaic that is full of patience, grace, and truth (Jn. 4:39).

If you have 5 minutes this week, we want to provide you with a free resource.

Throughout this month, every Monday at 1pm, we will release one, short, audio recording to help us process racial tension in America.

In February 2023, we will release one recording on: 
Feb. 1
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 20 
Feb. 27

You can find the recordings here and here.

If you would rather read it, you can also find the full transcript below.

Episode 1: I’m Tired of Talking about… 

[Intro]
Today is February 1st. And throughout this month, every Monday at 1pm, we will release one, short, audio recording to help us process racial tension in America.

Back in January 2019, I, John wrote a piece to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. In light of the death of Trye Nichols, and although 3 years have passed since I wrote these words, they seem timely.

[Begin Episode]
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. In August 1963, King wrote that we must not be a nation “…who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

As a Christian tension cannot be avoided. Instead, tension is often the means by which redemption and healing are found. The entire Christian narrative was found on this cycle:

  • creation (formed for God)

  • separation (disjointed from God—living in the tension of disconnection)

  • redemption (justice initiated by God—through the tension of an infinite Deity dying in place for finite humanity)

  • restoration (reunited with God, as it was in the beginning)

In order for there to be genuine restoration in relationship, we must learn to sit—sit in tension. To be okay not being okay. To be okay enough to sit with another for long periods of time. To initiate, as Jesus did, the story of redemption.

It is easier to “prefer a negative peace.” But for a Christian, negative peace is not an option. Rather, we must believe that there is no greater joy than to model a long-enduring narrative of restoration between family, neighbor, stranger and country.

Just yesterday, a friend said, “A seed, only when it is planted feels the pressure (tension) of the soil and the weight of the water. But it is then that it bears fruit.”

Which will you choose this day? What kind of legacy will you leave?

My friends, hold the tension! Stay the course! As we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

[Outtro]
Hey there!

My name is John Jou and I help pastor 168 Church in the greater Chicago area. If this resource has been helpful, or if it stirred anything in your heart, we would love to hear from you. Simply find us on our socials, 168 Church or connect with us by sending us a message at info@168cc.org

Episode 2: [February 6, 2023]

[Intro]
Today is February 6th. And welcome back to part 2. Where throughout this month, every Monday at 1pm, we will release one, short, audio recording to help us process racial tension in America.

In our first episode, I briefly shared and encouraged us to take hold of Martin Luther King Jnr’s words and to become a people who do not prefer a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

Today, I want to briefly explore with you why a truly, multicultural and multiethnic church, beyond tokenism is so difficult…


[Begin Episode]

A few years ago I received a phone call from a church in Texas. The church was looking for a reference, as they were looking to onboard a pastor.

At the end of the call, they asked me, “Anything else you want to tell me about the candidate?”

I said, “Yes. Since the candidate is a second generation, Korean American, don’t be surprised if you need to invite and be more intentional about providing space for him to speak. Because generally, Eastern cultures are more indirect, focusing on how it said, verses western culture which is more direct, where the focus is on what, not how it is said.

After I finished my sentence, the caller responded by saying, “Oh! I would have never thought about that….”

Soong-Chan Rah, in Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church, shares 5 cultural expressions that we need to identify to navigate towards a multi-cultural church. As you think about these generally true expressions, I want us to not only notice how the sum of both parts paints the best picture, but which expressions your faith community might be missing:

  • Western culture* is generally focused on guilt… (responsible for individual sin)

  • Where Eastern culture is generally focused on shame… (responsible for corporate sin)

  • Equality (self-directed)*

  • Hierarchy (directions from above)

  • Individual Orientation (takes (or values) individual initiative)*

  • Group Orientation (act cooperatively)

  • Direct (focus is on what, not how it is said)*

  • Indirect (focus is on how it is said)

  • Task (focus on keeping good time)*

  • Relationship (focus is on building relationships)

Imagine the complexities associated with navigating these differences with just one person! Now imagine adding on to these complexities the diversity of language, worship style, food, cultural etiquette, and other external expressions.

And then on top of this, add on the racial history of America, and it is here where we find the most segregated hour is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.

Call me naïve, but I still believe that with hard, messy and sacrificial work, a genuine multicultural church movement is attainable. But I also recognize that I speak from a 2nd generation, Korean-American, privileged point of view.

But I do want to continue to dream—what would happen if every single one of us who identify with Jesus, not only processed our cultural heritage, acknowledging that the sum of both parts is the best picture, but continually asked one another:

  • “What part of your cultural heritage do you want us to know about and teach us about?”

  • “How can I sacrifice my own comfort to serve and love you better?”

  • “What areas in my life do I have cultural blinders on that need to be identified and transformed?”

  • “In what areas can I leverage my platform to welcome and honor you?”

  • “In what ways do I need to say I am sorry and make reparations?”

 A multi-cultural and truly multi-ethnic church that goes beyond tokenism is hard work. But what alternative do we have? For Galatians 3:28 is much better than the current reality of our 11 o’clock Sunday morning.

[Outtro]