Reconciliation . . .
So, my denomination receives a special offering at this time of year to support the work of becoming a pro-reconciling/ anti-racist church among the company of saints. This work is focused primarily in race relations and dismantling systemic bias within the denomination that preferences whites. If you follow the argument that one must start somewhere, then reconciliation ministry that works to create just systems free from a bias “for” or “against” race is not a bad place to begin. The problem is that we are primarily happy with “separate, but equal” within our denomination as are most mainline congregations, it seems to me, though as a white male of privilege I make that observation with little discomfort. Within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we have perceived co-equal General Minister & Presidents though we unite under one person with that title; and though we like to think of ourselves as progressive, the fact that our organizational GMP is a woman is a theological problem for some that would claim our heritage or freedom. The fact that Hispanic, Asian, and African-American members all have their “own” acting GMP, all male for that matter, seems lost on many in the same way as saying that Trinitarianism is not biblical nor monotheistic. This is reconciliation? But, we receive funding from members to support the work of reconciliation ministry trusting that one day, not too far off, our theology will catch up to our pragmatism and reconciliation can mean something broader than it does today. I was asked to give the “moment for mission” at our congregation on Sunday about the Reconciliation offering. I failed to note that 50% of the gifts from Oklahoma congregations return to the Oklahoma Region to support our funding of ministries that work for justice which are currently focused on race and economics.
A few years back our expression of Christian witness embraced an identity statement that defines the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as “being a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.” One way to interpret this widely cast net is an invitation to reconciliation, to reconcile, as individuals and congregations, with persons and systems that are within our sphere of inflluence. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that kind of community of faith?
We can reconcile a bent, bruised or broken relationship with a friend, co-worker, family member, or someone we once shared a pew with or attended our church.
We can reconcile that celebrating an open table, inviting everyone and anyone who claims Christ, means practicing and being accountable to the way of Jesus, love God and neighbor as yourself, consistently no matter the barrier: race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status or any other negative “ism” the world embraces.
Or, we can reconcile ourselves to the ways the world works. If we just acquiesce, accept, that there will always be money in politics, or we will always have the poor with us, or there is little we can do to change the systems that govern then we will get along in life with less anxiety, maybe a bit happier.
Today and next Sunday, (Oct. 2) Disciples congregations will receive the Reconciliation Ministry Offering. This money is used to fund our denomination’s mission priority to become an pro-reconciling/ anti-racist church through experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue across racial/ethnic difference. This congregation, Bethany Christian Church, is a mirror for others about how to integrate being reconciled beyond racial and ethnic conversations. Where Week of Compassion provides blankets, clean water, and emergency funding for those in crisis, our Reconciliation ministry provides grants to congregations that are intentionally involved in making justice happen. Being reconciled, embracing reconciliation, is an expression of Christian witness. As you consider your gift to support the work of Reconciliation ministry in our denomination how will you reconcile participating in that kind of community of faith?