A day of racial healing in Houston

By Pat Barnes

At 9 a.m. the workshop began with a presentation on racial conditioning by Cherry Steinwender and Barbara Hacker, co-founders and co-directors of The Center for the Healing of Racism.

Their presentation was followed by a viewing of the award-winning documentary Ethnic Notions. The video depicts how many of the negative stereotypes of African-Americans originated, were perpetuated and changed to match the needs of the dominant European-American group.

A panel of 12 people was then moderated by Gerald Witte, Houston South pastor. Questions such as these were posed and answered: Why the emphasis on race relations? What do you say to a white or black member who says: "I'm not a racist. I don't need any special training?"

(One of the training sessions offered by The Center for the Healing of Racism discusses "unaware racism"--things that well-meaning people do out of ignorance, but that are offensive to minority groups. An African-American can benefit by expressing his or her painful experiences in a safe and accepting environment. European-Americans can grow in sensitivity by hearing and understanding another's pain in this area.)

Several members from diverse ethnic groups discussed their painful experiences of racism in the church.

It was emphasized that the intent was not to place blame or make anyone feel guilty for something they did not do. The emphasis was on taking responsibility for our own personal views and actions toward others who are different from us.

After lunch, church services were conducted with split sermons by Mssrs. Albrecht and May. Each related experiences of growing up around diversity, and experiences within the church.

Special music was arranged by Murdock "Doc" Gibbs, a local church elder from Dallas, Texas. The song "Holy Mighty Majesty" was presented in a mix with four types of music: traditional marching music, country, rap and Caribbean. The presentation showed that it's not the music but the words that can make a song unacceptable, and that we can appreciate all kinds of music.

The Center for the Healing of Racism is a Houston group organized in 1989. The center offers a 10-week workshop three times a year. Each week a different aspect of racism is discussed, such as how racial conditioning is perpetuated, unaware racism, internalized racism, cultural racism and institutional racism. The workshop is solution oriented and has served about 10,000 people since its inception.

Mr. Witte commented, "One of the uppermost priorities as church pastors is to have racial healing in the church worldwide, not just in Houston, Texas."

Praise God for this healing that offers hope of racial reconciliation that will bond the church as never before.

FORUM ON RACE RELATIONS--From left: Cherie Witte and Dee Beam with Cherry Steinwender and Barbara Hacker, co-directors of The Center for the Healing of Racism in Houston, Texas.

Racial forum

By Rodney Lain

Houston pastors Dee and Chris Beam, along with Gerald and Cherie Witte, brainchilded a production Jan. 13 that provided a forum for WCG members to publicly address issues of race and culture in our fellowship.

Guest speakers were the three founders of the Houston-based Center for The Healing of Racism. Two of them, Cheryl "Cherry" Steinwender and Barbara Hacker, spoke on America's racial history and explained the effects of American racism on its minority and majority citizens.

Afterward Mr. Witte moderated a panel discussion that consisted of at least a dozen members and pastors. The panelists recounted acts of racism and prejudice at Ambassador University, and in other areas of our fellowship. Many tears were shed after tales of trial and much applause answered tales of triumph.

That afternoon, Curtis May gave a sermon titled "Why I Stayed in the Church," which followed a sermon by Mr. Albrecht, who based his message on Ephesians 2:11-13. He apologized, on behalf of Pastor General Joseph Tkach and the Worldwide Church of God, for the past institutional racism that minority members suffered at the organizational and doctrinal hands of the WCG.

I looked around and took in the sight: a multicolored river of humanity flowing through the meeting hall. I was personally touched by my white brothers' presence. If Joseph Tkach, Mike Feazell and others are anything like Mr. Albrecht and my "brothers" Curtis May and Murdock Gibbs, the WCG can have 10 percent of my paycheck anytime.

And to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever ethnicity: I hope any talks, sermons or changes that spin off from this effort will not offend anyone.

I hope we will not dwell on black anger and white guilt, which are usually the end results in similar discussions. We definitely didn't dwell on it in Houston.

Regardless, race has to be talked about. Speaking of which, one point made by our presenters was that we are lying to ourselves if we believe that forgetting (ignoring) the past will heal the wound.

Blacks and other minorities need to be told that the WCG has changed on this point--and even then, it will take a while before some believe that statement. And whites need to be told that they are not superior because of [a supposed] Israelite heritage. Hopefully, they will quickly accept the truth of that statement.

I hope that all will take an active part in the healing that will surely come from this weekend. It will be painful for some in our fellowship to face our racial legacy. But many of us have faced it throughout our association with this fellowship. I intend no anger with these comments.

I finally feel good about the WCG. It seems like I needed to hear Mr. Albrecht personally tell me, "We need you." Me. Not someone like me, but me. And for the first time, I can really and truly say that I'm proud to be a member of the Worldwide Church of God. The great, almighty, triune God truly dwells among us. And he wants me.

With a holy kiss, Rodney Lain

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God,1996