He 'took the life of my friend': Sunday services time for reflection, healing, understanding

At the packed Watermark Dallas evangelical church on Sunday, Pastor Todd Wagner spoke about the ensuing chaos from Thursday, whenfive Dallas policeofficers were gunned down, and how hetexted a few of his friends on the force, including church member Michael Smith.

"He never texted me back," said Wagner.

Smith, 55, one of the officers killed that evening, was too busy running towards trouble,giving his life to ensure that people had the right to protest, Wagner said.

He would also provide security for the pre-school classrooms, and wasknown by many of the young members as just 'Officer Mike'.

"He was a blessing to us. He was a blessing to this city."

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Wagner'ssermon, more personal because of his connection to Smith, sounded on larger themes that were likely being preached this Sunday at churches across the city. Sunday gave religious leaders a chance to address their members, possibly seeking comfort or understanding, andan opportunity to discuss the deadly events in Dallas.

But it was also a chance to discussthe issues of racial strife across the U.S.and the importance of healing festering spiritual wounds and understanding differences.

Wagner spoke about the gunman, Micah Johnson, and how he wished he had known him before that fatefulThursday night. And if not him, then he saidhe wished there had been somebody who knows Jesuswho could have listened to Johnson, and understood his anger, rage andmotivation.

'Evil act'

There was no justification for what he called Johnson's"evilact."

"It took the life of my friend," Wagner said.

Wagner said it was tragically misinformed he described it asthe anger of man who didn't solve problems, but created problems for his city and himself.

Police did the right thing by subduing Johnsonwith deadly force, Wagner stressed. Still, people need to learn to care about how people feel.

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"There are still MicahJohnsonsall over our city,all over our country, allover our worldand Christwantsyoutogo to them and to love them," he said."Andwhenthey act out inanger, you realizeit'shurtpeople who hurt people."

Perspective changed on Black Lives Matter

People need to understand how black peoplein America have different experiences with some law enforcement, Wagner said.Herecently gained a newperspectiveofBlack Lives Matter, Wagner told his mostly white congregation.Initially, he thought it was a racist and divisive movement, becausefromhis perspective,all lives matter.

Butwith the help of his black friends, he said thatperspective has changed, and he has cometo a different understanding.

"When someone says to you, 'My house is on fire,' it's not compassionate for you to say, 'all houses matter.' When Isay, 'my stomach needs food' and you're well fed and say,'all stomachs need food,' and Idon'thave food, you'renot helping me."

Instead, he said that when someone says Black Lives Matter, ask why they are saying that.

"Are you telling me that you think I don't believe that? Is there something I've done personally to make you feel that way? Because man, I want to ask you to forgive me if I've ever made you feel that your life doesn't matter. Because your life matters a lot to me."

Hold hands and pray

Meanwhile, across town at the ConcordChurch of Dallas, Pastor Bryan Carter also spoke of the events in Dallas, but focused more on the racial divide in the country. Hebegan hisservice for his predominantly black congregation byasking them to hold handsand pray.

He asked for prayers for the city, its leaders, and the police. But he also asked that his church members pray for the family of AltonSterlingandPhilando Castile, two black men fatally shot by police last week. And he asked for prayers for Black Lives Matter, and for racial healing and harmony.

Each church member had received an index card when they entered the church, and Carter asked everyone to write down how they were feeling and what God wascalling them to do.

"Whatever that may be. You'refeeling concerned, or angryor feeling hurt. So many people inthis roomhave been affected so many ways this past week."

Carter said his "soul is downcast"over the events of the past week, but also from other police shootings of black men, from the lack of prosecution against those officers,and for those who belive that we live in a post-racial world because the U.S. has a black president.

Racism takes many forms, he said,from the white man who stormed into a black Charleston church and killed nine people, to the events on Thursday.

"Either way racism continues to exist. We cannoterase 350 years since 50 years of the civil rights movement."

Members of hiscongregation are feeling confused,angry, uncertain, andfrustrated, Carter told reporters following his sermon.

'Looking for a safe place'

"They are looking for a safe place, they've been in their home watching the news over and over again and on social media.This is the first time they've come to a gathering, they've come to a safe place and you can share how you feel."

Leo Evans, who was one of the members who wrote onthe back of one of the index cards, said he expressed his anger and concern.

"I am angry about so many people getting killed for no reason andI'mconcerned about getting someoneto step up and speak up."