Mixed Races

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Brotim wrote:

<< Before someone gets the wrong idea, I didn't mean to
 counsel against these unions but to ignore the social
 factors would be asking for trouble. >>

<<... the social problems should be addressed but as he said, 
to *prepare* and brace *the couple*.>>

Bro. Tim,

You hit the nail right on the head! It is not wise to ignore the prejudices
of the world, and expect them to go away. The whole purpose is to "prepare
the couple" for what could happen, so that if it does, they will not be
surprised, and will already have given some thought as to how to
respond/react in a Godly manner. Lack of preparedness can lead to division in
a family during adversity, rather than unity.

Someone else wrote:
<<I don't think there's any counseling to be done in the
situation.  As a pastor I think you should excuse yourself 
from this situation because it is a family thing.  >>

Counselling is not to insinuate that people do not have enough intelligence,
or are not spiritual enough to deal with potential problems. But, if you
believe that your pastor is a man led by God, whose job is to feed you with
knowledge and understanding (which comes from God, not the pastor), then who
else would you rather have praying (in agreement with you) for your children?

As far as it being a *family thing*, we counsel all couples prior to marriage
( a family thing, right?), not to advise against it, but to make sure that
they are preparing for the tough times.


<<The parents *knew what they were doing* in adopting this
"mixed raced" children and I'm sure *they'll know what to do* when their
children start dating.>>

If the parents really know what to do, this will surface during counselling
with the pastor , as readily as if they were unprepared. The counselling
session could very well turn into a discussion about the parents' hopes and
dreams for their children. So, where is the harm in discussing this with the
pastor?

These kind of assumptions, "they know what they're doing", and "they'll know
what to do", can be disastrous in any situation. 
Why, then, would we need Bible Study, if everyone knows what to do? 
Because none of us always knows what to do. 
Why then, ever counsel anyone, until trouble arises? 
To prepare them, of course, because adversity will come:

1 Pet 4:12
12	Beloved, *think it not strange* concerning the *fiery trial* which is to
try you, as though some *strange thing* happened unto you:
(KJV)

We teach our children how to handle an automobile in a dangerous situation,
and then hope and pray that it never happens. I don't want my son or daughter
to find out,  when it's too late, that they don't know how to steer out of a
skid, or drive on ice and snow, because I figured that they knew what they
were doing; otherwise how would they have gotten their license? I might as
well prepare them, because , if the Lord tarry, winter will come again this
year.


I can only hope (and pray) that saints in any situation would have a truly
compassionate pastor , who would:

1 Pet 5:2-3
2	*Shepherd the flock of God* which is among you, serving as overseers, not
by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3	*nor as being lords over those entrusted to you*, but being examples to the
flock;
(NKJ)

The pastor is not to be a dictator, but should be considered the best friend
a family has:

Heb 13:17
17	...: for they *watch for your souls*, as they that must give account, that
they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for
you.
(KJV)

To restate my position, of course I am not against mixed race couples.
Just think, without them, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the exploits of that
world-famous, self-proclaimed "Caublanasian", Tiger Woods.

Pastor Joe