Anti-Racist Clergy
Who would want to be known as a racist clergy? Certainly not people who read this blog. I doubt if there are many other clergy who would be pleased to carry that banner. Whether you are liberal or conservative, a community activist or a passive conflict avoider, almost any clergy person would affirm that loving your neighbor includes not supporting the division and hate that is associated with racism.
A Novel with a Message
The question, however, is how or even whether you act on those beliefs. How do you become constructively anti-racist in your ministry? My novel, Shock and Awe: A Church Recognizes Its Racism and is Awed by God’s Invitation, seeks to explore that issue in story form. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VF9KRPK .
PRACTICAL STEPS
The real issue, however, in what practical ways you can guide your church in a constructive anti-racism ministry that yields positive results rather than sparks conflict among the members. That is what I am trying to do with two non-fiction books.
Racism and God’s Invitation: Systemic Racism plagues our Society and Distorts the Church’s Ministry. Our Faith Invites us to Move Beyond Denial and Guilt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FRSXKV8 ,
Racism and God’s Grace: Truth and Reconciliation for American churches.
A FREE GIFT TO FAITHFUL READERS
However, in this blog, I want to reward my faithful readers by offering them a free copy of a power-point video that provides guidance on how a church can engage in a church-wide conversation around the topic of faith and racism. The objective is to offer a framework for such a ministry that results in spiritual growth for members and builds teamwork among churches. The end result is the church proclaiming a Gospel that is Good News in this difficult era. In fact, what I’m offering even takes advantage of our dependence on technology to communicate with our congregation.
If that intrigues you, go to recorded version Anti-Racism Ministry 3-7-21.pptx and click on slide show from the beginning. It’s about 45 minutes long. I’d be interested in any feedback on how to make it better. You can contact me at steve@smccutchan.com .
PAY IT FORWARD
It’s FREE, but I would ask you to consider this. If you find the video helpful, consider “paying it forward” by sending the link to at least 4 other clergy friends and maybe one regional church leader.
In this current atmosphere, we need to work together to offer constructive ways to heal the hate and division that is cropping up in our society.
