Racial reconciliation and overcoming racial segregation must be a part of the church’s mission in the world today, says evangelical writer and activist Jim Wallis.

Wallis was speaking in a video interview with Sky Jethani of Christianity Today magazine’s Leadership blog which considered the question of whether tackling racism is part of the church’s call or a distraction from its core mission.

The Sojourners founder argued in favour of the former.

"Racial segregation is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Overcoming racism is not social action; it is integral to the Gospel,” he said.

“Race, class and gender are fundamental human divisions that are specifically overcome by the reconciliation we have found with God and with each other.

“Racial reconciliation and racial justice is integral to the Gospel. It’s not optional.”

Wallis went on to say that Christians should live in such a way as to make the world a better place. He pointed to the example of slave trade abolitionist and evangelical Christian William Wilberforce who had encouraged Christians at the time to take a stand against injustice.

"Wilberforce dint say ‘It’s ok for Christians not to own slaves, that should be enough’ but he said ‘the slave trade is against God's heart and God’s law’," he explained.

"Martin Luther King didn’t say ‘We just want Christians to let blacks to come to their soda fountains and ride their buses but we don’t want to change any laws or policies’.

"Where there is an opportunity, it is perfectly right for Wilberforce [to stand against injustice]."

Joining Wallis in the video interview was Mark Dever, senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC. He argued that tackling racism should not be regarded as the sole prerogative of the church, but rather something that should be confronted by all people.

"Racism is not a problem only Christians should be concerned about. It is a human concern,” he said.

Although he maintained that it was appropriate for Christians to be active in addressing racism, he suggested that the church should not consider it a priority issue.

“I am reluctant to think that the church is specially called to solve this problem in society. Christians ought to think broadly and not narrow down the mission of what we are trying to do,” he said.

“It is an appropriate thing for all of us to do as people made in the image of God.”