This Sunday, we’re looking forward to dialoguing on the gospel and race. This may or may not be something that’s on your radar, so I want to provide you with 7 reasons as to why you must be a part of the conversation:

  1. We all have a story. There is no question that our backgrounds and experiences (both positive and negative) have shaped much of how we see people, as well as how we respond to people. Our stories are important because we don’t live in a vacuum and thus don’t operate in a vacuum. What we believe will shape how we live. On Sunday, we get an opportunity to tell our stories.
  2. “Their story” is also important. We all know our own stories, but how much do we know the story of our brother or sister? What has it been like for them to live as a (enter ethnicity here) in America? What have been the advantages? What has been difficult? If we are all part of one body with each belonging to the other, then “their” story is absolutely important. On Sunday, we get to hear others’ stories.
  3. Philadelphia is multi-ethnic. Our city is one of the most ethnically diverse places in America. There are not many places in the world where you can work, play, and live alongside people of every color in the rainbow. Our neighbors are multi-ethnic. We are called to love our neighbors. But what does it look like for us to do that? On Sunday, we get to consider what loving my (different than me) neighbor looks like.
  4. It’s an opportunity for honest conversation. We all know that conversations on race can be hard. There’s always a fear of whether your offending the other. But thankfully our unity in Christ allows for us to safely engage and celebrate our diversity within the Body. On Sunday, we hope to tackle some hard questions:
    1. How have you experienced racism in your own life?
    2. How were other races viewed and engaged in your upbringing (family, church, etc.)?
    3. Are homogenous churches okay? Or is a homogenous church missing something? Why or why not?
    4. What is it like to be (enter ethnicity here) at Seven Mile Road ?
    5. In what ways is Seven Mile Road doing well in fostering multi-ethnicity?
    6. What are some ways that we could improve as a church?
  5. Seven Mile Road desires to be multi-ethnic. Sociologists define a multi-ethnic church as one where no more than 80% of the congregation is of one ethnicity. 80-20 is fairly generous. And yet still, only about 2% of churches in America fit the definition of multiethnic. By God’s grace, we’re a part of that 2% at Seven Mile Road and yet we want more. Our desire is for our church to look more like our city, and ultimately more like the Kingdom. No church stumbles upon multi-ethnicity. It requires intentionality. On Sunday, we get to consider what a intentional pursuit of multi-ethnicity would be like for our church.
  6. There’s free food.
  7. There’s free childcare.

Now that you’re convinced, register here (Please be sure to register so we can plan for food accordingly). See you on Sunday at 5.

Ajay Thomas

by Ajay Thomas

Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.