tylerpspeaks

[tylerpspeaks]

An Unlikely Instructor

Recently, cell phone footage showing two black man arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks made major waves on social media and in the news. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/starbucks-ceo-apologizes-to-2-black-men-arrested/2018/04/15/f681607e-40ab-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html?utm_term=.2dd8b40f285a) These two men were waiting on a colleague for a meeting then abruptly asked to leave, and later arrested by police. Officers were called just two minutes after the men entered the coffee shop.  Just days later, news broke about a black 14-year-old young man, in a metro Detroit suburb, who was shot at simply for knocking on the door of a resident to ask for directions as he had missed his bus. (http://amp.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/black-teen-misses-bus-gets-shot-at-after-asking-for-directions-in-rochester-hills?__twitter_impression=true) Thankfully, this young man was not physically injured. These debacles comes on the heels of the Stephon Clark tragedy.  (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/03/21/police-shot-a-man-20-times-in-his-back-yard-thinking-he-had-a-gun-it-was-a-cellphone/?utm_term=.f31bba11a89b) Clark was killed in his grandmother’s backyard by Sacramento police while unarmed and only holding a cell phone on March 18. As much as we attempt to escape it, the realities of how black people are viewed by society and policed in America are still major issues in 2018.

Last July, I was pulled over by police, handcuffed and my vehicle towed and impounded because two white officers alleged I was attempting to purchase marijuana about two miles from my home. Of course, there was no evidence, no weed, no money exchange and no witnesses; their word against mine. I never will forget the tears, fear and confusion on my family’s face when I entered my home that day after this ordeal. Then, to make matters even more incredible, I had a warrant put out for my arrest because I had missed a court date regarding the arrest that I was never informed about. After multiple court appearances, close to $3000 in fees for my vehicle, bond, etc., and finding a lawyer pro bono (thank God) this matter was resolved. However, today, despite being completely innocent, my record is now marred. Thankfully, I avoided the 45 days in jail I was facing. I will never forget the pressure, anxiety, uncertainty and fear I felt living everyday and serving my church with legal proceedings hanging over my head. Why am I sharing this? What many believe is just several unfortunate and isolated incidents is a sad reality for men of color in America. I’m not seeking sympathy.  I and people of color desire change. We want progress; not pity.

One silver lining to the Starbucks’ incident that I was encouraged by is the corporation's response to the arrest of the men in Philadelphia. The Lord Jesus once declared, “...the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.” (Luke 16:8). Man, how right was The Lord? Oddly enough, I believe there is much we, The Church, can glean from how this coffee juggernaut handled this terribly unfortunate situation. I do not agree with everything Starbucks has done thus far, however their swift action, desire for restitution, and use of this incident as a teachable moment for their entire company are extremely evident.

Immediately after the video surfaced CEO Kevin Johnson publicly apologized and said their goal is to do "whatever we can to make things right" and promised "any necessary changes to our practices that would help prevent such an occurrence from ever happening again." Next, the following Monday on “Good Morning America” the CEO labeled the incident as "reprehensible" and later stressed he wanted to meet with the men to discuss "a constructive solution”.

"I've spent the last few days in Philadelphia with my leadership team listening to the community, learning what we did wrong and the steps we need to take to fix it," the CEO declared.  Showing they are committed with more than words, the coffee enterprise will close 8,000 stores and corporate offices for “racial-bias education” seminars for their over 175,000 employees. Because of ONE INCIDENT in ONE STORE, Starbucks has immediately enacted company-wide change.

I am not naive enough to think Starbucks has ended racism/discrimination (of course much of this reaction was to save face publicly and quail outrage and protest) and there is much I would even add, but unfortunately their response is still better than how many churches I’ve observed have reacted to the racial tension in our country.

If the CEO of a coffee company (a middle aged white man) can respond swiftly and with grace and empathy, take the approach of becoming a listener and learner, vehemently denounce the offense, and seek restitution for offended parties, why then do so many pastors and churches desire people of color to just move on after generations of covert and overt discrimination continue to be the experience of too many minorities within The Church?

If the brain trust at Starbucks realizes that people in the majority have inherent blindspots and bias, yet desires to teach and train them how then can The Church  not to do the same?  We continually ignore America's practice of segregation. The Church seems to think it can achieve diverse churches and unity while many white Christians continue to circumvent taking the time and interest necessary to learn more about the daily experience of the people of color around them, and the lingering, rampant presence of prejudice and racism that gravely affects that people group.

You may not agree with everything I have said or with Starbucks' approach, but I sincerely hope we can agree that non-action is not an option. The Gospel that we cling to in Ephesians 2 spells out how the finished work of Christ reconciled us back to God and reconciled us to each other, making one new body in Christ. The segregated, divided church we have today is American, but not biblicial. We see in the New Testament Church that preferential treatment for The Hebrew widows was not accepted and was rectified in Acts 6. Paul openly confronted Peter for his racial bias in Galatians 2. In Acts 11, with The Antioch church, we witness something that was completely revolutionary in the first century:  men of African decent leading along side Paul and Barnabas as equals in the church. Unity and diversity is not new to Jesus’ church historically, it was just forgotten before the church arrived on American shores.

Quick wins...

Knowledge is power

Read books (more than just theology) from people of color, watch documentaries, and talk to the previous generations about how we ended up still so confused, polarized and divided in 2018. Knowing the history, some of which is ugly and painful, will allow us to see how certain mindsets and systems of power developed to do so much harm.

Words matter 

Spend much time learning the historical meaning and etymology of phrases we throw around casually every day.  One of the main issues is that we are using the same words; but these words have different meanings to different people. Do you know the difference between the definition of racism and prejudice? Do you know the difference between chattel slavery and indentured servitude of The Bible?

Cross the lines

Intentionally engage, connect and befriend people who don’t look, think or vote like you. Have you ever attended a worship gathering outside of your context? Have you ever spent time among the people that you draw such definite conclusions about?  “Desegregating” your life will cause a revolution in your thinking.

Make the switch 

Strive to elevate and equip qualified people of color to make decisions and lead. Do not relegate them to strictly diversity or racial issues.  Many view diversity alone as the win, but that is not enough. In many cases, that is just assimilation. It is not true unity if people in the majority continue to always lead.

TLC 

To quote one of my favorite solo singers of all time, Otis Redding, “Try a little tenderness”. Literally, we are attempting to do something that we have never done well in this country. All of us need to wear The Gospel and exhibit the kindness, grace, love, and patience of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

[tylerpspeaks]

#timeflies #firstlaunchteammeeting @cornerstonechurchdetroit (at North West Detroit, Detroit, Michigan)

[tylerpspeaks]

has loved learning more about Mother Clara Hale, Tertullian, and Francis Grimké so far for Black Church History at @cornerstonechurchdetroit ... Wonder who’s next? 🤔🤫🤐 (at North West Detroit, Detroit, Michigan)

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is ready geeked for this Sunday at @cornerstonechurchdetroit ... New series on “The Lord’s Prayer” and we are laying out what we working towards in 2018 & beyond!!!! #moreofHisGrace #moremilestones

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😳😳😳#savethedate #moredetailscomingsoon

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#merica

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CAN NOT WAIT to preach tomorrow!!! “My depression, my pain and my hope” from Psalm 42. #ohgivethanks #ifeelapreachcomingon

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#Cornerstoneturnsone (at North West Detroit, Detroit, Michigan)

[tylerpspeaks]

Divided We Stand

"It's a shame we are so divided as a country."

"The reason we are so divided as a country is because we are focusing on race too much!"

"It's not as bad as it once was, right?"

"Let's focus on what unifies us!"

"I don't see why they are protesting."

These are all statements I’ve heard often, but increasingly lately.  Many people, on all sides, are just tired of discussing matters of racism and injustice. However, it is one of the main unavoidable issues of our present day. Interestingly enough, some view this dialogue as unfruitful; even counterproductive.  Many Christians desire to “just focus on The Gospel.”  Then, our president tweets or another verdict leaves people of color feeling more deflated and dejected.  Unforturanetly, a video surfaces of an unarmed black man killed seemingly every few months. Last week, we witnessed the senseless murder of Patrick Harmon in Utah. (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/05/patrick-harmon-utah-police-shooting) On and on and on... Lives being taken unjustly.

Recently, NFL players were met with vitriol during a scathing tirade from the President of the United States.  He condemned players who protested by kneeling during the National Anthem and declared they should be fired on the spot, even referring to them as, "S.O.B’s.”

And then, right on schedule, this weekend's incident happened.  Vice President Pence abruptly left an NFL game in Indianapolis due to player protests, further fanning flames of discord between the current administration and athletes.  By the way, there was yet another white supremacist march in Charlottesville, VA if you didn't know (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/10/08/white-supremacists-say-rally-charlottesville-model-more-protests-across-south/744087001/)  Another white supremacist rally took place on Saturday.  Yes, in the year 2017!

Some Americans are tired of the protesting. They are tired of the rhetoric. While others are tired of feeling marginalized and ignored.  They are tired of acts of covert and overt racism being ignored in this country. Some people are tired of the dialogue and believe it is worsening matters.  Many Christians are tired of fellow followers of Christ seemingly choosing their allegiance to America over their allegiance with minority Christians.

We are divided.  Terribly.  Even those who claim to be a spiritual brotherhood in Jesus Christ are split on many fronts.

I would like to debunk the theory, however, that talking about race and protesting further divides us racially doesn't promote unity.  Let's be honest. Have we ever had true unity in America?  Has there ever been an equal distribution of rights for everyone?  Has there ever been a time when the majority class was not far above minorities?  I believe the main ingredient to unity is equality.  However, the unfortunate reality is equality has never been pervasive on American soil.

I believe many subconsciously believe "unity" boils down to minorities silently suffering and the majority thriving, thus ignoring the minority's plight.  Some, more overtly, suggest the people born in this country just “stop complaining” and "leave if they don't like it here.”  Shockingly, this rhetoric was even declared in some churches across America in the wake of the NFL/National Anthem controversy.

More subtly, it is possible to jump to the conclusion that solidarity has been reached just because the voiceless have been momentarily quieted or have become too defeated to even cry out anymore.  Perhaps, on the other hand, some have assumed unity achieved simply because those in power have a fleeting moment of clarity and guilt.  Some people point to the end of legalized segregation and prejudice, and the ascent of other ethnicities, socially and economically, to support this claim.  I’ve even heard many Christians highlight the recent multi-cultural church movement as a major stride and proof that unity has been accomplished. (They neglect to mention most of those in leadership of these churches and denominations are still primarily middle-aged white men)

Do you remember the early to mid-1990's?  Millennials do your Googles. The beating of Rodney King by four LA police officers was caught on tape and resulted in a shocking not guilty verdict.  The result of this was nation-wide rioting, primarily in Los Angles.  In 1992, my own city of Detroit had a similar scenario, where Malice Green (another unarmed black man) was beaten to death by two Detroit policemen.  Green was struck in the head approximately 14 times with metal flashlights.  Furthermore, rap groups NWA and Body Count, cause a national frenzy with their respective songs "F*** Tha Police" and "Cop Killer" protesting police brutality and harassment. Do I even need to mention O.J. Simpson?  I hope you get my point.  So the current events of 2017 are far from uncharted territory for America.  The conversation of racism and the reality of the unjust treatment of non-whites in America is as old as The American Flag many cherish so dearly.

Where do we go from here? Let me ask it this way: Can you properly cure a disease without an accurate diagnosis?  What would happen if cancer went undiagnosed in a person's body?  Death is the only plausible scenario.

So often we treat racism and injustice like a common cold; not like the cancer it actually is. Like cancer, racism and division must be: (1) accurately diagnosed (2) radically treated and (3) constantly monitored.

An Accurate Diagnosis

Unfortunately, I've had several family and friends suffer from cancer.  When the disease was diagnosed, they weren't given a vague, cryptic prognosis.  On the contrary, the prognosis was meticulous and measured.  There was an urgency to the matter, not apathy.  It was detailed and direct. The prognosis was grounded in rationality, not ambiguity.

To cure discord and foster unity, we must precisely diagnose the issues and not merely skim the surface.  So often to preserve our comforts and the comfort of others we discuss matters vaguely purposely. We need to ask direct, hard questions and process critically if we desire to resolve the many issues preventing unity among all Americans.  We have to stop just nodding our heads and calling racism a heart issue, but GO MUCH deeper.

Why do so many churches and denominations have so few or no minorities at all in leadership?

Why are black people five times more likely to be incarcerated than white people despite being roughly only 13% of the population? (Please read: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/18/mass-incarceration-black-americans-higher-rates-disparities-report and https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/26/america-has-locked-up-so-many-black-people-it-has-warped-our-sense-of-reality/?utm_term=.4a388981845e)

Why is the economic and education gap so wide between the schools in the inner city and suburbs?

Why is white most always the standard of beauty in America (see Dove’s latest advertising fail)? (http://time.com/4974075/dove-apology-racist-ad/)

Why were so many white Christians more outraged by NFL players protesting than the white supremacist march in Charlottesville a few weeks ago?

Radical Treatment

As soon as cancer is detected and diagnosed, treatment begins expediently to prevent further cell multiplication or "spreading."  Sadly, I think many have become so accustomed to our country's “pseudo-unity” and subliminal/low latent racism, they have excepted that as sufficient.  “Hey, I go to a have black friends.” “I support adoption and I’m pro-life because most of those babies are black.”  “I’ve read The New Jim Crow!”

What lengths are you willing to go to in order to see inequality end and unity begin?

Are you willing to get involved in the criminal justice system to see reform, or assist someone in the legal system's black hole?

Are you willing to leverage your resources, relationships, and reputation for someone who doesn’t share those privileges?

Are you willing to submit to minority leadership or learn from a minority as a white person?

Are you willing to connect with a church that is diverse ethnically and socioeconomically?

How can you tangibly be a means of blessing to schools in the inner city that are experiencing scarcity on all fronts?

Again, what personal steps can you take to close the gap and promote unity? (Especially in The Church of Jesus Christ)

Constant Monitoring

One of the difficult things about cancer is it has a tendency to return.  Often, it returns more fierce and formidable than before. This is why once a person's cancer goes into remission, they still periodically get checked and health reviewed to make sure the cancer has not returned.

It is my firm belief that our ability to achieve unity across racial lines, must come by constantly revisiting and reviewing what we desire to avoid.  I’m honestly confused by Christians who say, we “talk about race too much,” yet they align their worldview and political allegiance; and allocate much energy to the issue of abortion.  We will not mend the division in The Church of Christ by quietly pressing minorities to assimilate; that is colonization; not authentic community. We constantly confront the uncomfortable issues of racism, hueism, sexism, and classism so we may garner true unity.

[tylerpspeaks]

can't believe it's been a year already! Come and celebrate with us on 10/22. #cornerstoneturnsone

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just a special delivery!!! I can't wait to preach through The Solas to celebrate the Reformation in October!

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#comethru

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#comethru2mrrw (at North West Detroit, Detroit, Michigan)

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@cornerstonechurchdetroit #thisSunday #newseries

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The Lost Ones

Cards on the table, I love The Bible.  But, recently, I am especially thankful The Lord has given us The Apocalyptic Writings in Scripture.  It is a soothing balm to my soul to know when it is all said and done, Jesus wins.  It eases my mind to know that one day soon, King Jesus will make all things new and ALL WICKED AND EVIL will cease.  Some days this is my only piece of solace in these tumultuous times.  I have clung to this reality in recent weeks.

As I saw pictures of 15 year Jordan Edwards and read about his senseless murder by a police officer a couple weeks ago, I fluctuated from anger to disbelief to sorrow.  I even found it difficult to interact with my 10 years old because Jordan's skin tone, haircut, and smile reminded me of his so much.  All day my mind raced, imagining being Jordan's parent and receiving that phone call.  Later that evening, as my son climbed on my back to wrestle, I read that The US Justice Department will not charge the Baton Rouge officers that were recorded murdering Alton Sterling last year.  

On the heels of these tragedies, news fell recently that Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby, was found not guilty of felony manslaughter in the shooting of Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old African-American man, despite his hands being raised and the murder being recorded.  I’m still struggling to process and reconcile these events.  Without hyperbole, I literally feel that those in authority can kill black men with little to no recourse in this country.  I can't help but feel hopeless as more unjust killings of on armed black men are recorded and are unpunished… I’m going to come back here, so follow me.  

As I pastor in Detroit, Mi, travel, pastor young adults, and engage Millennials and youth via social media, I’ve found myself becoming a sounding board to hear grievances and frustrations with The Church.  

Did you know 59% percent of Millennials (people around 28-30 and younger) that were raised in the church have left???  

Did you know 1/3 of Millennials are unaffiliated with any faith?  

Did you only 2 in 10 Americans under 30 believe attending church is important or worthwhile?  

(These stats were gathered from http://faithit.com/12-reasons-millennials-over-church-sam-eaton/ and https://www.barna.com/research/americans-divided-on-the-importance-of-church/#.V-hxhLVy6FD)

We can ignore it, minimize it, or gloss over it, but there is an exodus happening from The American Church.  Regardless of your context, youth and young adults are forsaking orthodox Christianity and the institutional Church for alternative faiths or no faith at all.  This exit of Millennials is very real and will have a massive ramification moving forward if not halted.

From what I gather, many Millennials today view The Church as either a cassette player or a reality t.v. star, or both.  Many think The Church is like a cassette player; something that is archaic, obsolete, and not useful today.  At one time many years ago, cassettes were revolutionary and transformed how we listen to music.  Today, the vast majority of us have moved far beyond cassettes.  Secondly, many view The Church as a reality t.v. star; a paid actor portraying a something they are not, while attempting to pass it as real.  People often on the outside question our authenticity and legitimacy because there are minor to glaring discrepancies in what we say in what we do.

So many Millennials (and even some Gen X'ers) view The Lord's Church as completely out of touch/socially unengaged or not vital to their existence.  What is even more shocking to me is the slow secularization happening in the urban core i.e. The Hood.  Similarly, like what happened in the late 1960's and early 1970's (during a time of much racial unrest), there is an exodus of blacks from Christianity to pan-African sects, Black Hebrew beliefs, Gnosticism, and even Atheism.  I’m stating what I SEE, not what I THINK; I personally know several who haven’t join Afrocentric cults.  I’ve recently engaged many black young adults and teens that either strongly doubt or completely deny the existence of God, Christ as Savior, and The trustworthiness of The Bible.  

Recently, platinum selling and Grammy Award winning artist Kendrick Lamar made huge waves while speaking on behalf of millions disillusioned by The Church, saying we need to preach the "hard truth" and not just have singing and dancing with messages about “your season coming.”  (I'm paraphrasing… Here is the article http://www.christianpost.com/news/kendrick-lamar-churches-need-to-preach-gods-judgment-not-just-hope-182590/). Unfortunately, it appears the Lamar has adopted Black Hebrew Israelite teachings and philosophy.  The slick presentation, pat answers, cliche responses, empty emotionalism in many black churches, selective outrage of white evangelism and watered down messages that appealed to and pacified previous generations will no longer work today.

Stop sending mixed messages  

The selective outrage many Christians exhibit confuses and frustrates people outside.  Many passionately protest the abortion of the unborn but need to "hear all of the facts" or ignore the obvious unjust killing of unarmed black men by police nationwide.  Many vehemently condemn gay marriage, but are involved in, excuse, support, or ignore heterosexual relationships that contradict God's Word in The Church.  Countless in "moral majority" strongly championed presidential candidates who were just... Unbelievable.  I think you get my point.  I personally get frustrated when I hear churches/Christians say they don’t speak on social issues/protest, but support particular political parties or claim to be “pro-life.”

I have said this on several occasions, but the startling and obvious silence coming from white evangelicals on matters of racial and social injustice speaks volumes.  And, black Millennials are hearing the deafening silence loud and clear.  I have literally lost count of how many times I've been asked by perplexed black Millennials why the church at large doesn't speak on matters of mass incarceration, housing and educational discrimination and other matters plaguing urban communities.  As I type this, I’m crushed by how Betty DeVos is attempting to make changes that will further cripple the inner city’s decaying school system.  But, continued silence from The Church at large with the acceptation of a vocal minority.  Many people in my community are tired of well-meaning suburbanites (both black and white) merely showing up for photo opportunities and mission trips.

Could you imagine the impact The Church could have if we placed our voice collectively and resources behind legitimate police reform, the unjust sentencing of black and brown men, and ending the prison industrial complex?

What if we showed how The Gospel speaks to every issue that we encounter and just not the few matters we choose?

Will continue to have selective outrage or shed collective tears for all who suffer injustice? 

Straight, NO CHASER

So many are disillusioned and disenchanted by what they are or they aren't hearing from The Church.   Again, in my context (Detroit, MI) there are so many are no longer entertained by the high theatrics and the over emotionalism that is prevalent in some black churches.  Countless amount of young blacks are leaving orthodox Christianity and sound doctrine for pan-African/Afrocentric sects/schools of thoughts because they are seeking more than a good whoop (i.e. sing preaching), the bomb choir, and an emotional release.  This generation is far more skeptical about The Bible and The God of The Bible than previous generations (http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/may/what-latest-bible-research-reveals-about-millennials.html) and is seeking truth in other places because many pastors/churches are either putting on a show or tip-toeing around/avoiding pressing issues.

When asked, many in their 20 and 30 are to hear us address what we are avoiding (http://faithit.com/12-reasons-millennials-over-church-sam-eaton/).  Contrary to popular belief, Millennials want to challenged not pacified.  They want to be pressed, not entertained.  They desire to hear hard truth, not soft sermons. They do not want you to tell them who to vote for, they need to hear how The Gospel impact every issue in our world and in their personal lives.  

My brother or sister, can you biblically and historically articulate why Christianity isn't a “white man’s religion?”

Is there cultural and contextual depth to your gospel presentation?

Do you address matter pertinent to the times we live in from a gospel perceptive?

[tylerpspeaks]

can't wait 2 tackle Peter's call 2 husbands & wives tomorrow. We'd love 2 have u as our guest. http://cornerchurch313.org/worship-with-us #1Peter

[tylerpspeaks]

Choppin It Up Podcast ep.10

https://choppinituppodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-10-emmett-till-trip-to-charleston-stereotyping-whole-ethnic-groups-kyles-racist-encounter-at-the-airport/?token=599db85490d41cefbe1da85137fd3332

Email our mailbag at choppinituppodcast@gmail.com with comments and questions that we’ll read on the air.

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(Producer) Kyle’s music: soundcloud.com/servantscorner

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