racial divisions in Pentecost

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Let me clarify my earlier post.  I am not suggesting that racism is
inherent in Pentecostal congregations.  It isn't.  We have many examples 
of churches with multiracial congregations and ministers from various
racial backgrounds.  The church I attend here in Boston is a prime example.
Listening to our congregation pray sounds like a meeting of the UN-and
that's when they aren't speaking in tongues.  We all use the language we
are most comfortable with when we pray.  For some that is Patois, Creole,
Spanish, Russian, English, the list goes on and on.  I do not see racism
within the members of our congregation, but I can't help but notice the
predominance of Caucasian males in UPC leadership.  I don't believe that  
there are any Pentecostals who would willing label themselves as racist,
but we have to admit that division among racial lines did take place after
the Azusa street revival.  I think we have done an excellent job of 
patting ourselves on the back and glossing over what really happened.

Many theologians have written extensively on the sin of racism and the
reluctance of the Christian community as a whole (not just Pentecost) to
confess this sin.  I don't think any of us on this list are going to admit
to racial prejudice.  I'm just asking everyone to take a deep look within
ourselves and within our organization.

Example:  A few years ago my pastor here in Boston moved to Texas along with
his family and our current music minister.  Our music minister is Jamaican.
Our pastor has been like a father/big brother to him since he first 
immigrated to Boston.  My pastor was moving to Texas in order to take an
administrative position in a church there, and he brought Kevin along 
thinking that it would give him a good chance to develop his ministry and
musical talents.  Upon arrival in Texas, however, my pastor was informed
that while Kevin was more than welcome to attend church services, he was
not to be allowed to sing, play, or to do anything which required him 
being on the platform.  My pastor submitted to this person's request and
found another church (not UPC) which would accept Kevin as a Black man and
as a minister.  This is just one example.  I could give you countless more
of people feeling unwelcome or being told to attend other churches on the
basis of their race.  I'm not going to do that, however, because I don't
think there is any edification in it.  In an ideal world, everyone would
practice what they preach, but that doesn't happen.  We all (I hope) agree
with Galatians 3:28 that we are "all one in Christ Jesus".  Yes, we have
come a long way since the division after Azusa Street, but that doesn't 
mean that we have arrived at complete racial reconciliation and healing.

Until we can eliminate the use of adjectives in relation to the title of
"minister", (i.e. Black minister, Latino minister, female minister) we will
continue to have racial inequality in leadership positions in the church.

-Lisa