The term "woke" has become a divisive word.
My concept of woke can be best described by the words of an old gospel song and fervent prayers within the Black church: "He woke me up this morning and started me on my way. The Lord is blessing me right now."
In his book "Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Comfort Racism and Injustice" (Moody Publishing), author Eric Mason writes that if any group, institution or organization needs to be woke at this crucial time, it's the church — not just the Black church.
"Scripture makes it clear that we are supposed to be totally awake to what is happening in our world and steadfast in our commitment to fulfill the great commandments," Mason writes. "The church in America is not awake to the reality of what is happening in communities across this nation, and we are missing out on our calling to shine the light into these places of darkness for Christ's glory."
"Woke Church" is thought-provoking, disturbing, challenging, insightful, educational and, in the end, hopeful.
The 192-page book is "heavy," admits Mason, the founder and pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia.
Don't let the "Woke" title scare you. Mason doesn't try to play on White evangelical guilt or go off on political tangents. He does, however, lament the silence of the church during the horrors of slavery and "white evangelical's lack of involvement" and "verbal support of segregation" during the civil rights era.
Mason aims for a gospel-centered conversation around the issues of race and racism, defining woke as "able to understand how cultural, socioeconomic, philosophical and historical realities inform our responsibility as believers in Jesus Christ. His desire is "to encourage the church to utilize the mind of Christ and to be fully awake to the issues of race and injustice in this country."
The book centers around four themes or challenges: be aware, be willing to acknowledge, be accountable and be active.
"What needs to happen in the body if we are going to work together cross-ethnically is that white Christians must reach across the color line and begin building respect and trust for minorities," he writes. "Minorities must respond with open arms and hearts to these efforts."
Mason backs his themes with personal anecdotes, historical facts and his interpretation of the Scriptures.
"In Matthew's 23:23, Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees for their fastidiousness in tithing and their woeful neglect of the more important of the law — justice and mercy," he writes.
Mason closes on a glorious note, anticipating that day when a "unified multi-ethnic community" is in accord upon Christ's return.
"On this day, there will be no more injustice, police brutality, racism, classism, poverty, cancer, marches, riots, wars, hatred, killing, segregation, slavery, crying, dying, sickness, hospitals, inequalities or brokenness but Jesus will be all in all," he writes.