The collective heart of a grieving nation continues to shatter as protesters shout in vain over the exploding crises between local citizens and law enforcement. When will this end? How will it end? Where are the civic leaders who will coalesce efforts to address this national pandemic?

A society needs the important work of its dedicated police officers. Yet, another young black man has suffered death at the hands of a white policeman. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Baltimore’s Freddie Gray. What a heart-wrenching blow to a loved one’s heart to learn that a son, brother, or friend died in the custody of the very officers who have sworn to protect him.

Even deeper, people – our communities – are restless. Their feelings are real and must be affirmed. How can young black men continue to die from the bullets of police officers’ weapons? In each of these murders, the young man was unarmed. Common sense dictates that a systemic problem is at play. We must not grow numb to the odious realities that plague our communities.

As I listen to the news, I hear the cry of a nation. I hear the mothers and I hear the fathers. I hear the urgency of the moment. White people, Black people, more people must be willing to participate in a national movement for positive change. While I condemn the protestors’ destructive behavior, I cannot ignore the underlying tension that fuels the frustration. Violence destroys more than it heals, and history teaches that violence does not solve problems. If we want to see change, we must face the ugly truths about racism, classism, and sexism, and seek conciliatory approaches not only for justice, but also for healing.

While we need everyone to participate in change, I extend a special appeal to the Church. The Spirit of Jesus Christ calls the Church to “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18). A Spirit-filled Church, moreover, must proclaim a liberation that emancipates the entire community, which includes police and civilians, from the hostility inherent in systems of dehumanization. The Spirit sends the Church to clarify the ambiguity that fear and hatred inflict upon people. The Spirit of Christ compels the Church to fight for the rights of the oppressed, to bring healing and reconciliation among people, and to lead those who are astray back to God.

I applaud religious leaders in Ferguson, New York, Cleveland, Baltimore and other cities for their relentless efforts to communicate the broader community’s anger and frustration and to encourage a level of civility in this time of national crisis. Now is the time for the Church to rise with a voice of moral consciousness to jolt a nation that is far from just. The Church must work with city, state and federal officials to bring order to this disarray. The Church’s prophetic voice must establish an unrelenting commitment to be the Church in the face of crooked, perverse and often competing evils. If there is going to be a change, the Church must play a role that is proactive, prodigious, and prophetic.

I am especially grateful to have been the first ever formally endorsed invited guest and observer from the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) at the National Council of Churches General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Nov 10-12, 2009). This was truly an historic occasion.

The theme of the Assembly was “Rejoice Always, Pray without ceasing, Give thanks in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, NRSV.) Some commented that although at first glance this seemed inappropriately optimistic in the face of world conditions, it actually reflects the Church’s faith that God has called them together to proclaim the gospel and restore justice to the world. Staff leaders of two sister two organizations – the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and the Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service – each described alarming conditions in which millions live in the nation and around the world, and called upon the member communions to recommit themselves to proclaiming this gospel of hope and justice. Dr Kinnamon in particular said it was appropriate for Christians to be openly outraged about the state of the world. However, he also called the NCC to repentance and to remember the cause for which God first raised it up: the unity of the body of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dr Kinnamon also invited me to address the Assembly briefly, bringing greetings from the Church of God and from other Pentecostals in expressed appreciation for the meeting. I particularly stressed the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today. There was a great deal of applause then and later personal expressions of affirmation for the global role of the Church of God and Pentecostalism in general today. Partly as a result of this public exposure and partly as a result of some previous personal relationships, I spent a great deal of time talking with people about global Pentecostalism. I also passed out some literature and contact information. Many inquirers approached me. In short, I shared my Pentecostal testimony with others!

The NCC GA also had regular worship services with each one led by a different Christian tradition, and daily prayer times and Bible studies (with Bibles provided by the American Bible Society through the mediation of President R. Lamar Vest, former Presiding Bishop of the Church of God). The emphasis overall, however, was on social action. Emphasis was on alleviating poverty and establishing justice and peace; but economic crisis, health care reform, nuclear proliferation, and global water shortages were also addressed. A few times climate change came up too, along with some evidence of prolife presence and women’s rights advocacy. Ecumenism and interfaith issues repeatedly surfaced. A highlight was when Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty came. After breakfast, he addressed the GA, highlighting the importance of God and religion in American public life and government. Further, Dr Richard L. “Dick” Hamm, Executive Director of Christian Churches Together (CTT) was present and strongly stressed partnering with Evangelicals and Pentecostals to the entire GA. We have agreed to follow up on discussing Pentecostals and CTT.

As it turns out, another Pentecostal, my friend Andrew Hudson, was also present. Andrew was one of two senior stewards at NCC. He was a steward last year as well through application and this year he was asked and nominated to be one of the leaders of this group. He was also the chair of the worship committee for the New Fire young adult ecumenical conference in the preconference program. The committee was made up of 3 members and 12 denominations. Brother Hudson was the only Pentecostal. He is the son of a Church of God pastor and is himself an ordained minister from Western North Carolina. Andrew is a 2nd year Master of Divinity student at Princeton Theological Seminary. Further, he is the co-moderator for ACTS (Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Theological Students) at Princeton Seminary. He is the multicultural ministries director for Mt. Bethel Church of God in Trenton, NJ and a member of the youth advisory board for the Church of God in NJ. Brother Hudson is as an example of some of our best and brightest young ministers and students who are becoming increasingly interested in ecumenical ministries. We were both very well received.