For what it's worth, the church is listening. Or at least hearing. Job candidates are being asked directly what they think of you (e.g. of #defundChurchwide).
I took it as a positive for your message, for you: you're making an impression, the word's getting out. It was a Zoom thing, so hard to get a good read on the person who asked the question. But, it was apparently a young person: so I'm inclined to hope for the best. I thought the answer was illuminating.
Pr. Lenny, In Dear Church, you point to our church's White ways of working (preaching, singing) with both music and scripture that merit deconstruction. In the last month, we have heard Gospel lessons from Matthew, parables that rely upon the king/slave castes of being (18, Unmerciful Servant; 22, Wedding Banquet for tomorrow's lesson). My question is this: what do folx in the pews do in response to these narratives? Historicizing isn't cutting it for me, and I'm just a lay person sitting in the digital pew right now. How do preachers in this church blow up the king/slave structures effectively? We need to read differently, explicate differently, and I seek something more than sweet church-lady respectabilility--let's just say 'servant' instead. Is it viable for leadership to yank these passages out of their historical comfort zone, and hold them up for scrutiny? How have they been used to perpetuate racial castes in the American Christian tradition of a church that has never been separate from the interests of the White state? Best, Debra
Yes, I know the book ("pretty popular" was a little snarky). I'm looking for something more specific. I am honestly trying to understand why you are pushing so hard against churchwide leaders and not synodical leaders. What specifically have they done that you consider "white supremacy"? Just and honest question.
And Mark I have given not only 5 blog posts of an answer. A whole books worth. As well as I talk about it every time I have the mic. I’m just being honest here I was snarky because you are asking me to encompass years worth of work in a comment section instead of actually reading the ton of content I have already put out there. Wouldn’t that seem a little strange to you ?
I have written whole chapters on this. Sorry I’m not stopping my day to cram them into a comment section for you. To convince you. When A lot of other people already get it. Ask them instead of asking a Black person to do your research or emotional or intellectual labor for you on the spot because you believe you deserve an answer from me. My blog my page. Not how it’s going to work.
You are correct. Do what you like with your page. I know you don't like a fellow member of the church asking you a hard question, but you are doing something now, that you didn't do in your book. You are attacking our presiding bishop in ways that do not sound like the truth in love. I'm simply asking you a direct question and wondering why you are having such a hard time answering and backing up your charge of white supremacy in our churchwide leaders?
For what it's worth, the church is listening. Or at least hearing. Job candidates are being asked directly what they think of you (e.g. of #defundChurchwide).
Really ? How lame. How do you feel about someone holding us to account? You cool with us not listening?
I took it as a positive for your message, for you: you're making an impression, the word's getting out. It was a Zoom thing, so hard to get a good read on the person who asked the question. But, it was apparently a young person: so I'm inclined to hope for the best. I thought the answer was illuminating.
I'm noticing that the gofundme has closed for donations... is there another place we can send funds at this time?
Pr. Lenny, In Dear Church, you point to our church's White ways of working (preaching, singing) with both music and scripture that merit deconstruction. In the last month, we have heard Gospel lessons from Matthew, parables that rely upon the king/slave castes of being (18, Unmerciful Servant; 22, Wedding Banquet for tomorrow's lesson). My question is this: what do folx in the pews do in response to these narratives? Historicizing isn't cutting it for me, and I'm just a lay person sitting in the digital pew right now. How do preachers in this church blow up the king/slave structures effectively? We need to read differently, explicate differently, and I seek something more than sweet church-lady respectabilility--let's just say 'servant' instead. Is it viable for leadership to yank these passages out of their historical comfort zone, and hold them up for scrutiny? How have they been used to perpetuate racial castes in the American Christian tradition of a church that has never been separate from the interests of the White state? Best, Debra
I wrote a whole book where I did that Mark. I even entilted it a "Love Letter" to the ELCA. Its pretty popular would you like a link?
Yes, I know the book ("pretty popular" was a little snarky). I'm looking for something more specific. I am honestly trying to understand why you are pushing so hard against churchwide leaders and not synodical leaders. What specifically have they done that you consider "white supremacy"? Just and honest question.
And Mark I have given not only 5 blog posts of an answer. A whole books worth. As well as I talk about it every time I have the mic. I’m just being honest here I was snarky because you are asking me to encompass years worth of work in a comment section instead of actually reading the ton of content I have already put out there. Wouldn’t that seem a little strange to you ?
I have written whole chapters on this. Sorry I’m not stopping my day to cram them into a comment section for you. To convince you. When A lot of other people already get it. Ask them instead of asking a Black person to do your research or emotional or intellectual labor for you on the spot because you believe you deserve an answer from me. My blog my page. Not how it’s going to work.
You are correct. Do what you like with your page. I know you don't like a fellow member of the church asking you a hard question, but you are doing something now, that you didn't do in your book. You are attacking our presiding bishop in ways that do not sound like the truth in love. I'm simply asking you a direct question and wondering why you are having such a hard time answering and backing up your charge of white supremacy in our churchwide leaders?
I have provided more than enough publicly available materiel on this. Like a ton.
Again you are demanding intellectual labor. On the spot. I have the right to say no.
Basically I said what I said. If that isn’t enough for you oh well.