A Heavy but Hopeful Moment
“I feel numb.” “I feel weary.” “I feel raw.” These are all responses that I have heard in recent days from many individuals across our church family. It seems everyone is struggling right now in an unusual way. For a myriad of reasons, this moment we are living in feels heavy and I feel it along with all of you. To move forward, there is much that needs to be said, discussions to be had, and changes to be implemented but for right now, I want to take a few moments to help us all to have a better sense of why life feels so heavy and how we can begin to move forward together.
Historic Moment of Suffering
We are all enduring an historic moment as a society due to COVID-19. We are hurting on a societal level due to the impact of the virus and the radical, unprecedented disruption to life that has come because of it. We all are collectively experiencing mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering due to social distancing and the economic downturn. At the same time, we are seeing a large number of protests, with countless participants, against racial injustice in communities across the nation. The brutal, racist murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have been a catalyst for public outcry that have helped further expose the deep and enduring racial inequity that so desperately needs to be addressed. Due it seems, in part, to the effects of COVID-19 (rawness, simplicity of life, etc.) there is a greater outcry for racial justice in our country than there has been in a long time.
Personal Sorrows
Those two factors are enough for us all to feel overwhelmed. Yet, we are all suffering on a personal level with our own journeys. In the midst of social distancing, each of us is experiencing personal challenges, some connected to the larger, societal ones, but others inherent to our individual lives. Many have it far worse than me, but I have had struggles recently. Just to use me as an example, as many of you may know, I lost a ministry friend a few weeks ago, which has been hard. At the same time, I have had some health issues related to my heart and sleep, my father has had heart surgery, and my sister has new health issues related to her heart. In the middle of all of this, I am concerned with what the future holds for my nephew Teresa and I helped raise, whose father is black, my daughter and my Brazilian son-in-law who’s 1/4 black, and my future grandchildren (God willing!). All of these concerns are on top of caring for my family and the general feeling of being “disembodied” and disconnected from my church family and friends. And, as Paul said, “besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches,” (2 Cor 11:28), and CoaH Brookline, foremost. As I said, many have it worse than me, and maybe that includes you, but my point is, none of us are untouched by sadness, sorrows, and suffering right now.
The Black Church
Why then, am I hopeful? If all is so difficult and weighty, where is the hope? Simply put, my hope is in Jesus and his faithfulness. For the last 2000 years, in every corner of our planet, Jesus has carried his church through even the most difficult of times, whether war, famine, persecution, disease, or systemic oppression. In our own country, and very relevant to this cultural moment, the resilience of the black church is a testimony to the faithfulness of Jesus and to the people who looked to him for hope when our country and the white church offered little. Certainly, the Jesus who sustained the black church for 100’s of years through slavery, civil rights, and to today, is the same Jesus that will meet us right now.
So, while I am hopeful for seeing change in our larger society and culture, I am even more hopeful that the church can become a truly glorious multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community, all because of King Jesus. And this call begins with us, as City on a Hill. We are a multi-ethnic church, but we have a long way to go to be a place where the gospel unites us into the family Jesus wants us to be. Many non-majority family members find participating in the life of our church challenging and I, along with many other majority folks, do not take that into consideration often enough.
What now, Pastor?
If we are going to move forward to be the beautiful, multi-ethnic, joy-filled, unified family Jesus died on the cross to redeem, how do we press forward? If we want to be that community and be a part of bringing racial justice in our culture, what do we need to do? I want to give some simple suggestions, but I want to first make the point that this is a marathon not a sprint. A lot of people can get excited about this vision for change and it lasts right up until the next thing that gets their attention. We are not about that. We have the vision to work toward being that church in Revelation – the people from every tribe and tongue and nation, unified together, worshiping Jesus but that we have Spirit-empowered, long, slow work to do in order to “push the ball down the field.” At the same time, we have the vision of being a part of Jesus’ kingdom in the world where “God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven” and justice reigns in our city and nation, but there are no quick fixes for that. So, my first bit of advice is “buckle up” for a long and challenging ride. The end is worth it, but the path is not easy.
A Few Steps for Right Now
Pray – I’m not talking the cliché “go pray” that gets thrown around. I’m calling for the “fast from food, get on your face, pour out your heart, plead with God” kind of prayer. And this type of prayer is exactly the type of prayer God has used to revive his people and bring change. Pray for repentance, for revival, and for change. We speak of change and seeing racism end but in truth, how much are we praying for it? In essence we are saying, “my ideas and my strength are enough. I can effectually be a part of bringing justice and unity in my life, church, and world on my own.” We CANNOT overcome 400 years of racism in the church and in our culture by human power. We need the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, individually and as a church, to move forward. One of the most significant things you can do right now as an individual, and as a Community Group, is pour out your heart in prayer, give vent to the sadness, hurt, and other emotions, and look to Jesus, asking him to bring justice, peace, unity, and restoration.
Listen – let others share their struggles with you. Listen to their perspective and their experience. Listen to them as they are processing everything. Listen as they share about their numbness and pain. Some may not be ready to share right now but you can let them know you are ready to listen. One of the ways we minister to each other is to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2 and CoaH’s Church Covenant). We do that sometimes by simply being a loving person willing to listen. Do not concern yourself with correcting someone’s perceptions or ideas even if you know they are wrong or unbiblical. There is a time later for theological, historical, or cultural reflection and correction. Right now, is a time of deep emotions and it is best for us to create a loving space where people can share. Let us practice James 1:19 “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…”
Give grace – Recognize that each person’s journey is different. When it comes to the topic of racial justice, one person may be fully equipped with years of study and thorough knowledge in this area. Another may be full of anger, hurt, frustration, and fear. Another may be just becoming more fully aware of the racial issues in our country. CoaH is a church of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Grace must rule in our relationships and this will require us to have love, patience, and gentleness with each other, as Christ has had all of those things, and more, with us.
There are many steps to consider and resources to be shared, which will happen soon, but at this moment, these three practices are important for us to establish a foundation for moving forward. This coming Sunday, I will be talking about racial reconciliation in the church as we look at what it means for us to be “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel and not frightened in anything…” (Phil 1:27b-28). Pastor Mike and I will be doing an extended Q&A after the Facebook live worship. On Sunday, I will also share plans for a church-wide Racial Reconciliation study starting soon. Please be in prayer for Mike and me as well as for everyone who will be tuning in on Sunday.
- Pastor Bland