Reconciliation Ministries

Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, visited several sites to discuss reconciliation.

Pasadena Police Department

Mr. May conducted a community race relations workshop July 31 for the Special Enforcement Unit of the Pasadena Police Department.  About two weeks previously Lieutenant John E. Perez and Officer Brad May (Curtis’ son) had met on campus at Mr. May’s office and requested the workshop.

About 20 or so officers were present. Mr. May focused on law enforcement with people of color in the inner city and why the police are often met with resistance. He discussed walls that separate people, such as race, gender, religion and economy. He then shared the following steps toward reconciling relationships: 1) confession, 2) repentance (change), 3) reconciliation and 4) restitution (restoring and mending broken relationships).

Mr. May explained different types of racism and the cycle of oppression. To establish common ground, Mr. May used a videotaped message on racism given by Police Chief Bernard Melekian in the Pasadena WCG congregation.

In discussing the cycle of oppression, Mr. May pointed out that we are all socialized into accepting false history as truth, stereotyping information and other biases. It’s reinforced by our educational institutions, the media, churches and other people. The net result of these falsehoods is disillusionment, anger and guilt.

He shared a number of personal experiences with racism in general and with the police. He talked about having the police call on him to get him out of a particular neighborhood more than once, and even having a gun pulled on him and being subjected to verbal abuse by the police.

Mr. May ended the session by praying for the officers. He explained that the Bible shows that they are servants of God as they help enforce the law and keep the peace. 

Workshop in Lufkin, Texas

Mr. May conducted a Racial Healing and Reconciliation Workshop, Sept. 13 at the old Lufkin Junior High School auditorium.

Mayor Louis Bronaugh welcomed everyone. Speakers and subjects were Faye Townes, Racism Against Black Women; Jaqueline Harmon, pastor of Kelty’s United Methodist Church, Racism Against White Women; Walt Scalen of Stephen F. Austin University and Word of Life Church, Racism in General. The speakers showed that reconciliation is needed in all phases of life.

  Mr. May spoke on Racial Healing and Reconciliation, showing three videos, two of which showed blacks being discriminated against even today, and contributions blacks have made to our society that have not been made known to the public. 

Attendees learned that Christianity could never coexist with racism. As we let the love of God flow through us, our thoughts will become action. This will become the healing process through which ignorance, social conditioning and stereotyping will be replaced with the love of Jesus Christ. Cynthia Krieger.

National Summit on Racism in the Church

   Mr. May and his wife, Jannice, attended a conference on Racism in the Church, June 11 to 13, put on by the Cincinnati Area Pastors  (CAP) and shared by the National Religious Broadcasters.

   CAP is “committed to working together against racism and animosity within the body of Christ.”

Speakers included Mark Noll, Wheaton College; Glenn Plummer, chief executive officer of National Religious Broadcasters; T.D. Jakes; Bill Hybels; and Fred Price.

Pastor Ray McMillian, conference leader, said: “The church in America has never been one, therefore we have not shown the world that we are Christ’s.”

 
Curtis May with Lufkin
proclamation given to him by
Mayor Louis Bronaugh.

Mayor Louis Bronaugh

Curtis May (center) with some of the Pasadena
police Special Enforcement Unit.

Bill Hybels and Curtis May

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2003