Comments on: Part 1: Lament that Leads to Partnership in God’s Transforming Work https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/ Strengthen The Soul Of Your Leadership Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:00:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731303 Tue, 06 Oct 2020 14:20:26 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731303 In reply to Wayne Bridegroom.

Wayne, Thank you for taking time to sit with this reflection and for being so honest in your response. I have taken a few days to sit with your words as well and what I appreciate most is your willingness to share your story and the place of disillusionment you find yourself in right now. I am especially moved by your specificity in describing what you have tried, what you have prayed for and witnessed, and how that has produced such deep disillusionment. I am sure you speak for many. It strikes me that your last sentence is very consistent with Jesus’ instructions to his disciples in Matt. 10–that whatever town you enter, find out who in it is worthy and stay there till you leave…and if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave… “Those willing to learn” is often a smaller group but investing in them is more fruitful in the end. May God help you to find those few and go deep with them.

]]> By: Wayne Bridegroom https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731296 Sat, 03 Oct 2020 13:56:34 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731296 It has taken days to figure out how to respond. Fatigue is such a key word. I retired a bit over a year ago after 45 years in a church on “the wrong side of tracks.” We deliberately chose to stay rather than move. While the sin of racism has been leveled at Blacks and Native Americans (my wife’s great grandmother was full blood Chickasaw – trail of tears 1837) the longest in this country, I’ve seen much the same behavior toward Hispanic and Southeast Asian. Our particular neighborhood is overwhelmingly Hispanic.
For over 27 years pastors in our city have been praying together on a weekly basis with an annual 3 day prayer summit as well. I’ve had to deal with the reality that there are times when I chose my prayerful words wisely for the sake of “maintaining the unity of the faith in the bond of peace.” Two weeks ago it was suggested that we pray for Franklin Graham and his DC prayer walk which took place last Saturday. My prayer would have been that God would bring that brother to repentance over his racism and nationalism. Alas, any sense of the unity that has been built over the last 3 decades would have been……… (Graham came to CA a few months ago to rouse the churches to stand against “those ungodly progressives” and several evangelical churches refused to attend that mega event much to the ire of the prayer group) From time to time 2 Black brothers come to the prayer meeting but other than that, it is white ministry leaders. I’ve decided to withdraw from the group.
It occurred to me that I’m sick and tired of white blindness after a mere 27 years. Our example of 4 ethnic churches connected with our congregation is looked upon with awe in our city. But nothing seems to change the (unaware of) attitudes of white superiority. I give up. What must my brothers and sisters of color feel after centuries of this garbage? I am going to those few willing to learn.
By the way, Tisby and Ibram X Kendi are gems!!

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731295 Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:09:06 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731295 In reply to Rose Jackman.

Amen to that!

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731294 Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:08:16 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731294 In reply to Rodney Page.

Indeed…so much to acknowledge and atone for. Grateful for YOU and the privilege of walking together in these deep places of truth, lament and hope.

]]> By: Christie https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731293 Fri, 18 Sep 2020 04:50:45 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731293 YES and AMEN.

]]> By: Jim Moynihan https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731292 Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:25:11 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731292 In reply to Darryl Jenkins.

Thanks, Darryl. Blessings!

]]> By: Darryl Jenkins https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731291 Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:30:49 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731291 In reply to Ruth Barton.

I totally agree

]]> By: Darryl Jenkins https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731290 Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:29:58 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731290 In reply to Jim Moynihan.

Thanks Jim for the clarity. I agree, there is indeed a level of fatigue and frustration. I am grateful to hear about your engagement. We all have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact. Appreciate your clarification. Be well

]]> By: Rodney Page https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731289 Thu, 17 Sep 2020 21:33:28 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731289 Amen! Deep, yet uncomfortable, Truth and Wisdom! America, and the church, have much to acknowledge and atone for. As a strong man of color for 72 years in America, I dearly appreciate the honesty and truth of your sharing. “How long, O Lord? Psalm 13.

]]> By: Rose Jackman https://transformingcenter.org/2020/09/a-spirituality-of-racial-justice-and-healing-part-1-from-passive-lament-to-prophetic-lament/#comment-731288 Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:39:50 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=13136#comment-731288 Thanks for the response to the lament of so many and making us understand in your reflection that “silence is violence “ and the need to listen deeply and have the courage to respond .Oh that our indifferent ways may not cause God to impose” limits on Himself”

]]>