Does Racism Exist in the Church?

Pastor Robert L. Taylor
Aug 15
2 min read

This message is a response to someone asking about whether or not racism was in the church. As a Christ follower, I love the church. My concern for the church and for the well-being of its people motivates my exploration of Christian complicity in racism. The goal is to build up the body of Christ by “speaking the truth in love,” (Ephesians 4:15) even if that truth comes at the price of pain. Speaking the truth in love is not just about being honest but about doing so in a way that builds up and encourages others. The goal of speaking the truth in love is to help believers grow to become more like Christ. According to the Bible, there is ONE human race, descended from the first humans, Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:27 along with Acts 17:26 confirm that God made all nations from one man. Scripture doesn't support the concept of multiple human races, but rather emphasizes our shared ancestry and unity as descendants of Adam and Eve.Yes, unfortunately, racism does exist within the church, and has a complex and troubling history in many denominations and traditions, particularly in America. However, the church is not uniformly complicit with racism! The same Bible that racists misused to support slavery and segregation is the one abolitionists and civil rights activists rightly used to animate their opposition and resistance. The church is made of imperfect people with sinful natures. While the church is founded on the teachings of Jesus (perfection), its members are human beings, and therefore, flawed and imperfect. It’s a place for imperfect people to come together, learn, grow, and find support, rather than a gathering of perfect individuals. In essence, the idea that the church is made of imperfect people highlights the reality of human fallibility within the Christian community and emphasizes the importance of grace, forgiveness, and ongoing spiritual growth. Be encouraged!