On this #MLKDay , I had a few thoughts about American multiethnic/racial/cultural churches (MEC):

•If your MEC doesn't sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing", you're missing out

•If your MEC only marches for "Life" and nothing else, you're missing out

•If your MEC pastor doesn't get some "Amens" from the congregation, you're missing out

•If your MEC doesn't address racial injustice as a gospel implication, you're missing out

•If certain topics are too controversial to talk about at your MEC, you're missing out

•If your MEC never partners with historic black churches, you're missing out

•If your MEC doesn't have grandpas and grandmas who can tell stories from the civil rights movement, you're missing out

•If your MEC doesn't sing some traditional black gospel, you're missing out

•If your MEC has only African Americans leading worship and not in positions of power, you're missing out

•If your MEC only seems to only find energetic white 20-somethings to hire as interns, support staff, etc., you're missing out

•If your MEC doesn't make space for difficult conversations around race or ethnicity, you're missing out

And finally, if your MEC doesn't get everything right, you're just like the rest of us and, if humble before the Lord, might be ready for the Spirit to move