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I am a mainline pastor serving a congregation that is white and conservative. I know my place and my job and my people. They are my sheep and I am committed to pastoring them well. That being said, y'all have to stop telling me what I MUST say and how I MUST say it.
I promise I don't shy away from white supremacy and how Jesus is telling us we gotta choose God's way or the way of power and money and comfort but not both. I go there, but also I do it in a way that invites people in. I don't know if I get it right all the time.
But I also know that the ways that would make me feel like YES! LOOK! I SAID THE THING! Would ultimately alienate my congregation completely, but boy would I be doing it "right." It would probably feel good in the moment. That is not my job.
As a white liberal who really would be most comfortable pastoring a white liberal church, I don't need those who can say the thing without pushback to tell me what to say. I am moving my congregation to self reflection. I am asking them to examine their hearts, are you?
I hear that you are saying "white supremacy is evil" from your pulpit! I am so glad. That is a starting point.
Are you asking your church, and how are we complicit and what sacrifices will we make to not be complicit?
Are you willing to root out the evil in your flock?
Are you asking your church, and how are we complicit and what sacrifices will we make to not be complicit?
Are you willing to root out the evil in your flock?
This probably sounds more defensive than I am. I am not defensive, I am confident in saying I am doing the work that needs done in my community even when it is uncomfortable for pastor and parish.
I am weary of white people sitting proudly in the right rhetoric with no action.
I am weary of white people sitting proudly in the right rhetoric with no action.
Also, I am not above reproach. If you have concerns that I am not doing the work I need to do to uproot white supremacy in this country and in the church, please tell me. I welcome critique ESPECIALLY from my not white siblings in Christ. But we have to talk about context.
