If we are all one in Christ Jesus, then this should mean a break down of all the social barriers in society when we come together as God’s people. We often focus on race and gender issues but also significant in churches is the matter of class. When we look at Galatians 3:28-29, we see that although there isn’t a direct relationship between the Jews/Gentiles division and modern racism, that there is a link and some important principles for tackling the issue. I would argue that the same is true when it comes to class. What Paul has to say about slavery may not directly apply but the principles affect this issue.
Speaking specifically about the UK church, although this probably applies in other countries too, you are more likely to be middle class than working class if you are a member of a church, more likely to be a graduate, more likely to live in the suburbs than the inner city or on a council estate. If God has broken down the social barrier of class, then this should not be the case.
So, our first challenge here is the need for churches in our inner cities and on our council estates. This means that we need to be planting churches or re-planting/revitalising them in areas where there currently is very little Gospel witness. This also means that we want to see working class people called, equipped and encouraged as they plant and pastor churches. This will require different approaches to raising up leaders. We cannot rely on traditional Bible Colleges to meet the need.
It also means that we need to look at our churches and what happens now. Would a working class person feel welcome if they turned up. If they became Christians would the church know how to disciple them? Would they be encouraged to use their gifts for God’s glory, to serve in the church. What is the likelihood of them growing into leadership.
We also want to think about what are all doing and whether that commends or hinders the Gospel. We would take seriously racist comments and hopefully sexist ones too but I wonder whether we’d be willing to challenge or even rebuke those who show prejudice in the way they speak to and about people from working class and estate background?
There can be subtle things as well. Barriers we put up and we are not even aware of. It’s been pointed out so often that, just as the problem centred on mealtimes in Galatia, so too with the church today. For example, if we are in the habit of inviting people around after much planning for dinner, then the organisation, formality and even the thought of eating with people you don’t know so well is likely to put a lot working class people off.
Then there’s the words we use in preaching, the quotes we cite, the stories we tell to illustrate, even the music we use. How much of those things imprison us in one cultural context and put up walls against another? Churches would do well to think through these things.
Faithroots 