We are grateful to God that our churches were intentionally built to be diverse according to Jesus’ call to \u201cGo make disciples of all nations.\u201d However, we all live in our cultures in 150 nations of the world that deeply affect us. The United States is experiencing a national racial crisis like no other since 1968. Our US churches are still becoming aware and awakening to the depth of pain in our African American members and in others. We are committed to King Jesus above all others. We mourn with those who mourn as Jesus did and welcome opportunities to repent of our sinful natures to transform more into the image of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please join us this Saturday, June 6 at 12 pm EDT for a Unity Devotional presented by the ICOC US Social, Cultural, Unity and Diversity Team (SCUAD). The Unity Devotional will premiere on the ICOC YouTube channel<\/a> and on the Disciples Today Facebook page<\/a> and ICOC Facebook group<\/a>. Michael Burns will be the host. Michael is a teacher for the Two Cities Church in Minneapolis, St. Paul, the epicenter of the current national crisis due to the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of four policemen. God has used Michael to produce numerous books, videos, podcasts, workshops among us on how to biblically deal with race and culture in our churches: michaelburnsteachingministry.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a time to lay our political views and our strong opinions at the foot of the cross, the most unjust event ever in history. In his crisis, Jesus washed the apostles feet and said, \u201cNow that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another\u2019s feet” \u2013 John 13:14. Let us come together to mourn with each other, serve and listen so we can each be a better instrument of light in this dark world. We are grateful for our brothers and sisters around the world who are sending prayers, empathy and encouragement. May we return the love in your distress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The answers remain the same in all crises. Jesus is Lord and Savior. It is up to us to live as disciples in new ways to make a difference together as one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. <\/i> \u2013 Ephesians 4:2-6 <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Please join us this Saturday, June 6 at 12 EDT for a Unity Devotional presented by the ICOC US Social,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[21],"tags":[54,72],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-2989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","tag-north-america","tag-race-and-culture"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ArminArm2012WDSVEmbling.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-Md","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2985,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/over-500-icoc-us-church-leaders-diversity-response-training\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":0},"title":"Over 500 ICOC US Church Leaders Gather for Diversity Response Training","author":"dtadmin","date":"June 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"On Monday, June 1, over 500 church leaders of all races from all parts of the United States gathered in a Zoom meeting on a day's notice to receive input on how to respond to the current racial crisis in the country and our churches.","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DiversityZoom2020-06-01at8.05.17PM.png?fit=700%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DiversityZoom2020-06-01at8.05.17PM.png?fit=700%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DiversityZoom2020-06-01at8.05.17PM.png?fit=700%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DiversityZoom2020-06-01at8.05.17PM.png?fit=700%2C389&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2194,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-elders-service-team-report-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":1},"title":"ICOC Elders Service Team Report 2021","author":"dtadmin","date":"December 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Elders Service Team is a diverse team of elders that meets almost monthly to discuss the churches and church discussions that affect our fellowship of churches as we strive to spread the Gospel.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/WalterandKimEvans.jpeg?fit=500%2C580&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2211,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-women-s-advent-devotional-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":2},"title":"ICOC Women's Advent Devotional Series","author":"dtadmin","date":"December 4, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"For the second year in a row, the ICOC women\u2019s website, WomenToday.international, is posting a new quiet time devotional from December 1st until Christmas Day. Written by our sisters in churches around the world, the overarching theme this year is \u201cThe Spirit of Christmas.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Women's Ministry"","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doveofpeace.png?fit=786%2C552&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doveofpeace.png?fit=786%2C552&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doveofpeace.png?fit=786%2C552&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/doveofpeace.png?fit=786%2C552&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3253,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/built-together-for-the-praise-of-god-2019-icoc-delegates-meetings-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":3},"title":"\u201cBuilt Together\u201d for the Praise of God \u2013\u00a02019 ICOC Delegates Meetings Report","author":"dtadmin","date":"October 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"During the week of October 7-11, representatives of our fellowship of 700 churches from around the world gathered for the annual ICOC Delegates\u2019 Meeting. Expertly and graciously hosted by the San Diego church, over 250 men, women, and \u201cnext-generation\u201d delegates, Service Team members, and observers from ICOC churches came together\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/icocleadershipmeetings2019.png?fit=961%2C442&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12246,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-elders-service-team-report-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":4},"title":"ICOC Elders Service Team Report 2022","author":"dtadmin","date":"April 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The ESC continues to work for unity as together we strive to honor God\u2019s mission for us in this world.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ELDERS.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ELDERS.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ELDERS.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ELDERS.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ELDERS.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2484,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-philippines-2020-in-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":2989,"position":5},"title":"ICOC Philippines 2020 in Review","author":"dtadmin","date":"March 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A year like no other. 2020 was unprecedentedly full of ironies for the ICOC Philippine family of churches. It was a year full of challenges and victories. A year of isolation and unity. A year of sad endings and happy beginnings.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/icoc_philippines_laoag_logo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/icoc_philippines_laoag_logo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/icoc_philippines_laoag_logo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/icoc_philippines_laoag_logo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/icoc_philippines_laoag_logo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ArminArm2012WDSVEmbling.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2989"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=2989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}