George Floyd

[Josh]

Is there some barrier to black people joining a CA church that I’m not aware of?

My black friend joined my first CA church long before I did. Meanwhile, my brother and his wife are still waiting around to be accepted as members.

More importantly, why do they have to join our church? Maybe people like to go to a church they feel culturally comfortable in and have family ties to. I don’t believe everyone has to be in a CA church or my own denomination. It’s really hard being an NMB seeker so I respect that a lot of people aren’t being led by the Lord down that path.

Nonetheless, if one wants to find plain Anabaptists of colour, you can find them in countries where most people are not white people.

[Robert]

There are actually more Mennonite Brethren blacks then whites. The largest population of MB is in Africa.

[joshuabgood]

There are actually more Mennonite Brethren blacks then whites. The largest population of MB is in Africa.

I should have clarified...I am referring to CA churches in the USA context. Thx

[joshuabgood]

Is there some barrier to black people joining a CA church that I’m not aware of?

Yes...I think there may be.

[Robert]

These are some older numbers, but we can easily see the trend.

Many African Mennonites would easily identify with CA theology and lifestyle.

[Josh]

Is there some barrier to black people joining a CA church that I’m not aware of?

Yes...I think there may be.

So can you explain why my personal experience was myself and my family faced more barriers (and still are) than my friend who happened to be black?

[GaryK]

Is there some barrier to black people joining a CA church that I’m not aware of?

Yes...I think there may be.

In Belize and Liberia the CA churches we attended were probably 98% black and the rest white. We taught the same NT principles most CA churches in America teach.

If practically speaking, we can't attract and keep anyone, I think our issues are much deeper than one particular issue.

[Josh]

In my experience CA seekers reflect the demographics of the surrounding local community.

[ohio jones]

What are the underlying assumptions, beliefs, cultural practices, power structures, et al that have relegated our churches to being white ethnic enclaves?

Location, location, location.

In my small town, there is (to the best of my knowledge) one black family. They are involved in the local charismatic-style church, which means the rest of the churches in town, including mine, are non-black enclaves whether we consciously choose to be or not. Actually I think viewing us as an exclave, a Kingdom outpost, would be more appropriate.

Should my congregation spend time navelgazing about our "underlying assumptions, beliefs, cultural practices, and power structures" or should we focus on welcoming and discipling whomever God brings us, regardless of their pigmentation? Should we round up a busload of blacks from their ethnic enclave 30 miles away and neglect ministry opportunities among the non-blacks in our back yard?

[joshuabgood]

Is there some barrier to black people joining a CA church that I’m not aware of?

Yes...I think there may be.

In Belize and Liberia the CA churches we attended were probably 98% black and the rest white. We taught the same NT principles most CA churches in America teach.

If practically speaking, we can't attract and keep anyone, I think our issues are much deeper than one particular issue.

I agree. I'd like for CA's in our context to have a learning conversation about what those deeper issues are...