Many churches pride themselves in being an open door to people of all races, backgrounds, ages and color. However, a church in North Carolina has suddenly caused a lot of stir.

Executive pastor Makeda Pennycooke, an African-American, sent out an email to a list of her church’s volunteers, asking that “only white people” greet those attending the church services at Freedom House Church. She said that “the best of the best” should be at the front doors and that “first impressions matter”. We learned this when the email that Pennycooke sent out was showed to local news station WBTV by a woman who received the email .

The email also said ”We would rather have less greeters on the front door if it means that the few that we have will represent us the best.”

It was reported that executive pastor Makeda Pennycooke sent out the email saying “white greeters only” because she was in the mindset that her church needed to attract more white people to worship at Freedom House Church.

When news leaked that this incident had taken place, the church sent out a sincere apology. Pennycooke has also apologized for her actions. A member of the church told WBTV, “The email was sent by one of our longtime pastors in an attempt to emphasize that our greeting team reflect the racial diversity of our entire congregation. However, she admitted it was a mistake to over-emphasize any specific group and sent an apology email within 24 hours of the original email going out.”

The church also told WBTV, “The pastors have been meeting with staff and church members to confirm their commitment to diversity and to ensure nothing like this happens again.”

In this day and age you would think that racist comments would become obsolete but unfortunately, this may be sign we take two steps forward and one step back in the fight against racism.

[Image via Youtube]