A Response to the Death of Mr. George Floyd, the Ongoing Racial Injustice and the Church’s Call to Repentance and Reconciliation:
OroNaz wholeheartedly embraces the belief that God has distinctively, fearfully, and wonderfully made all human beings (Ps. 139). As such, every human being is of immeasurable value and worth. The story of God is one of reconciling people to himself (Rom. 5:11) and each other (Matt. 5:23-24). We are called to be instruments of reconciliation as we reach people from every tribe, tongue and nation (Rev. 5:9).
OroNaz is disturbed and is grieving the death of Mr. George Floyd of Minneapolis, MN. This is yet another clear example of the brokenness in our human community and we are speaking out of its injustice as the example of Jesus displayed time and again in his ministry. As a church we are committed to the clear biblical ethic that God is the Creator of all people, and that of one blood are all people created. We are committed to racial reconciliation as shown by Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection (Lk. 10, Matt. 22, 25, Jn. 4, Gal. 3:2, Heb. 12:14). We are first, the recipients of God’s reconciliation, for without Jesus we would be lost in the eternal grip of hostility, racism, injustice and exclusion. With Christ we have a compass, a hope, an example. Through Christ we are given the power to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God and our neighbor (see Micah 6).
In addition to our local church, here is a statement from our denomination:
As a local church that follows Jesus, we will not be silent while certain image-bearing brothers and sisters live in fear, discrimination and oppression. We will speak on behalf of the marginalized, abused and devalued for this is what Christ has done on our behalf and now taught us to do. Time and again abuse victims articulate that the cruelest and therefore hardest part of abuse is not the abuse itself or the evil of the abuser— it’s those who knew about it and chose to remain silent. OroNaz is a people that values life—all of life is sacred, from the womb to the grave.
To close, it would be good for those of us who call ourselves Christians, followers of Jesus, to be reminded of who we align ourselves under. Here are a few examples of Jesus to give us, His followers, a glimpse into God’s heart regarding injustices in humanity:
By God’s Grace,
Pastor Travis
OroNaz is disturbed and is grieving the death of Mr. George Floyd of Minneapolis, MN. This is yet another clear example of the brokenness in our human community and we are speaking out of its injustice as the example of Jesus displayed time and again in his ministry. As a church we are committed to the clear biblical ethic that God is the Creator of all people, and that of one blood are all people created. We are committed to racial reconciliation as shown by Jesus Christ in his life, death and resurrection (Lk. 10, Matt. 22, 25, Jn. 4, Gal. 3:2, Heb. 12:14). We are first, the recipients of God’s reconciliation, for without Jesus we would be lost in the eternal grip of hostility, racism, injustice and exclusion. With Christ we have a compass, a hope, an example. Through Christ we are given the power to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God and our neighbor (see Micah 6).
In addition to our local church, here is a statement from our denomination:
“The Church of the Nazarene reiterates its historic position of Christian compassion for people of all races. We believe that God is the Creator of all people, and that of one blood are all people created. “We believe that each individual, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed, should have equality before law, including the right to vote, equal access to educational opportunities, to all public facilities, and to the equal opportunity, according to one’s ability, to earn a living free from any job or economic discrimination. (Paragraph 915, 2017-21 Manual, Church of the Nazarene)
As a local church that follows Jesus, we will not be silent while certain image-bearing brothers and sisters live in fear, discrimination and oppression. We will speak on behalf of the marginalized, abused and devalued for this is what Christ has done on our behalf and now taught us to do. Time and again abuse victims articulate that the cruelest and therefore hardest part of abuse is not the abuse itself or the evil of the abuser— it’s those who knew about it and chose to remain silent. OroNaz is a people that values life—all of life is sacred, from the womb to the grave.
To close, it would be good for those of us who call ourselves Christians, followers of Jesus, to be reminded of who we align ourselves under. Here are a few examples of Jesus to give us, His followers, a glimpse into God’s heart regarding injustices in humanity:
• Jesus took his message to the masses, speaking and advocating wherever he could,
and created a movement based on justice, hope, reconciliation and love. (Matt. 4:23-
25).
• Jesus confronted the leaders about their wrong practices, evil thoughts, and destructive deeds. (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 11).
• Jesus made public proclamations and tried to change social biases, structures and injustices through his teachings and masterful storytelling. (Matt. 5-7).
• Jesus openly rebuked, held accountable, challenged, and called out people who refused to change from their foolish ways. (Matt. 11:20-30).
• Jesus empathized and advocated for the oppressed, hurt, abused, downtrodden, abandoned, alienated, and victimized. (Luke 7).
• Jesus went to places he wasn’t supposed to go, talked to people he wasn’t supposed to talk to and loved those predetermined unlovable by society. (John 4).
Oh Lord, how long? Hear us gracious God, the God of creation, nations, races, mercy, salvation and reconciliation—have mercy on our human family and give your followers wisdom that is worked out in love, hope, mercy and justice.By God’s Grace,
Pastor Travis