Segregated Worship For Black History Month? Why The Church Must Say No

Imagine walking into a church and being told that you couldn't attend a fellowship event because of your race. It sounds like something out of the Jim Crow era, but sadly, this is exactly what's happening at Resurrection Oakland Church in California. 

Under the guise of celebrating Black History Month, the church is holding a "Black Fellowship Dinner" exclusively for Black worshippers, followed by a separate event open to all. While proponents may argue that this promotes cultural solidarity, the reality is that it fosters division, not unity. Worse, it directly contradicts the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible is clear: there is no room for racial division in the body of Christ. Galatians 3:28 declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This isn't a suggestion--it's a foundational truth of Christianity. Christ didn't establish His church so that believers could splinter into racial subgroups; He came to unite us under His name. Ephesians 4:3-6 calls on us to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." When a church chooses to segregate believers based on race--even under the well-meaning banner of cultural appreciation--it drives a wedge between brothers and sisters in Christ.

Proponents of racial affinity spaces within the church often argue that Black Christians need their own spaces to heal from past traumas and to express their faith in ways that reflect their cultural background. While no one denies the painful history of racial injustice, the church's response should be radical unity, not further division. 

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers of all backgrounds--Jews and Gentiles alike--and they worshiped together as one. No separate dinners. No segregated fellowship hours. Just the pure, unifying power of the gospel breaking down human divisions.

Furthermore, what kind of precedent does this set? If a church holds a Black-only fellowship, should it also hold a White-only fellowship? What about Hispanic-only or Asian-only gatherings? At what point does the desire to affirm cultural identity begin to erode the very foundation of Christian unity? 

The Apostle Paul sharply rebuked Peter in Galatians 2:11-14 for separating himself from Gentile believers out of fear of judgment from Jewish Christians. His message was clear: division in the body of Christ is never acceptable. Any church that promotes racial separation, even with good intentions, risks falling into the same trap that Paul condemned.

This event is not an isolated incident. Across the broader Christian landscape, churches are increasingly embracing racial identity politics, pushing believers into separate spaces based on ethnicity rather than drawing them together under Christ. This is not merely a theological mistake--it is a dangerous movement that mirrors the world's obsession with race instead of reflecting the kingdom of God.

Many will argue that affinity groups provide a "safe space" where people of similar backgrounds can find comfort. But since when was the church supposed to be about comfort? The gospel calls us to love and sharpen one another, even when it's uncomfortable. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." True biblical fellowship challenges us, stretches us, and brings us together--not because we share a racial background, but because we share one Lord and one faith.

Resurrection Oakland Church, and any other church tempted to follow this path, must take a hard look at Scripture and ask whether their practices align with the teachings of Christ. The answer is clear: Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may know that He was sent by God. Segregated events--no matter how well-intentioned--undermine this unity and distort the witness of the church to a watching world.

If we truly want to honor Black History Month, let's do it the right way--by celebrating the contributions of Black Christians alongside our White, Asian, and Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ. Let's break bread together, worship together, and stand as a united body, showing the world that in Christ, race does not divide us.

Because if the church cannot model true unity, who will?