This year the institute launched a new devotional titled Wisdom for the Journey. I did this because too often we ignore the spiritual dimensions of social justice work and fail to make meaningful connections between the gospel and our work in the world. The prophetic segments of the Black Church have always made these connections and drew deeply from the well of the spirit to fight the evils of racism. I have spent the past three months reimagining how we think about the topic of privilege. I think it has been an insightful series. For this month’s devotional, I invited some clergy and scholar friends to share reflections, insights, questions, and ways the series will inform their life and work. I pray that their words deepen insights you gained from the series and provide wisdom, inspiration, and strength that grounds your work for the days ahead.
Dr. Brogdon writes in “Re-Thinking Privilege Part 2”: “In our public racial discourse, privilege is a pejorative term that many equate with being a ‘bad person.’ The topic of privilege, particularly white privilege, creates so much anger, tension, and ultimately confusion.” I feel this so deeply. I’ve watched — and participated in — anti-racism initiatives rooted in shame, blame, and self-righteousness. They all had short lifespans and were ultimately counterproductive. Dr. Brogdon’s call to reframe privilege with humility and Gospel love opens the door to practical, sustainable anti-racist ministry that aligns with my faith values. Thank you! – Rev. Kristin Dollar, Director of Programs at Just Faith Ministries
I’ve always thought of “laying down my life” in terms of actually dying. This series has prompted me to think about my life as the privilege my life affords me. When giving up my privilege allows my neighbor to live more fully, that is laying down my life, and when I do that, we both can live flourishing lives. I am excited to think about this in terms beyond myself and begin working to have my church community think about what “struggling with our stewardship of privilege” and living lives of “tension rooted in a radical concern for others” looks like as we put it into practice. – Rev. Kelly Hale Minister of Pastoral Care, Crestwood Christian Church (DOC)
Fifteen years ago, I visited Haiti as part of a small group immersion experience. In one particular impoverished neighborhood, there was a lush soccer field. When we asked the adults living in the neighborhood why they would want land and resources dedicated to a soccer field rather than something that would address their poverty, they simply replied, “The soccer field is our livelihood. If we see our children experiencing joy, we have hope.” It was a powerful reminder of my own privilege and how that privilege makes it impossible for me to assume I have anything of value to offer those experiencing poverty, injustice, or marginalization, beyond simply affirming their experience and supporting what they articulate is most valuable and life-giving for them. Unfortunately, too often Christian charity is saturated with the assumptions of those of us with privilege. What would it look like for Christians to approach direct service with the intention of reducing the number of people that need to be served every month or year rather than consistently trying to serve more? What privileges would need to be stripped away for us to adopt this mindset? – Susie Tierney, Executive Director of Just Faith Ministries
Productive wisdom for the journey forward to a greater liberation must eventually become materialized faith in good actions. It must also be the intentional act of a consolidated unity among God’s people. I say those things from the theological outset because the spiritual act of rethinking privilege is one that requires courage, transparency, and vision. For a few of yesteryear’s prophetic souls who were willing to stand against systemic harm done in the name of privilege, it cost them their lives. And even as we have matriculated into the 2/5 portion of a new century, it seems like the abundance of racial hegemony as founded in Eco-capitalistic oppression and nepotistic suffering is as fresh as the morning air. The evangelical Sunday morning truth is that the demonic freshness of American privilege continues to be harmful and hurtful on unprecedented levels of modern-day humanity. But nobody in the Christian church is saying “Amen Preacher” to a biblical plan of action that will help to alleviate both the oppressor’s way of thinking atheologically (mesmerization) and the destructive harm that is strategically reaped upon innocent people (materialization).
One of my favorite hymns of the Black church is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Somewhere in the first stanza the hymn writer says that “What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer.” I am certain that people of faith across denominational boundaries have prayed to God asking God to hear their humble cries and deliver them from the evils associated with human superior privilege. On my read and watch of where our fallen world is heading, it feels like privilege has more power than prayer. In other words, the privilege that is associated with praying to our transcendent God does not line up with the privilege that the majority groups use to dehumanize the minority groups. While I am convinced that the prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16), I often wonder about what type of (G)god the Church is praying to. Sadly, the privilege that the Church operates in is just as demonic as the privilege that is consistently leveraged in the secular society. Oppression succeeds when privilege systemically works over against any culture, group, or race of people. It kills their dreams and stymies their growth. Here, all hope is lost for a few moments. What gives? – Rev. Dr. Darvin A. Adams, Pastor of the Lane Tabernacle CME Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Sociohistorical myopia is a persistent and pervasive challenge in discipleship and teaching. Yet the pressing questions of this (and any) moment demand a perspective that is constantly increasing in depth and breadth. Rather than either succumbing to the anxiety of a volatile society or making haphazard decisions without adequate reflection, we need resources that will direct us toward the wisdom preserved in Scripture while drawing thick comparisons between current and historical conditions in the Church and throughout society. The Rethinking Privilege series is a helpful guide into the complex territory of ministry in the 21st century. I plan to use this prophetic collection of articles, questions, and prayer as a personal devotional, a guide for group conversation, a tool for decision-making (particularly in controversial matters), and as I prepare and deliver biblically faithful and culturally relevant sermons. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Brogdon and the Institute for Black Church Studies for this valuable source of discernment. – Rev. Beau Brown, Pastor in Whitewater Valley Presbytery