Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
96b-51
June 28, 1996<
CHICAGO (DNS) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged social justice
advocates of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to remain vocal,
even as the denomination explores new models for public witness.
Jackson's words are encouragement for Disciples who have been
concerned that the church is lessening its commitment to prophetic
ministry.
The civil rights leader and two-time presidential hopeful recently
addressed the first conference of the Disciples Justice Action Network.
The year-old advocacy coalition drew 70 persons to its June 18-21
meeting here at Park Manor Christian Church.
In his speech Jackson railed against the racism behind a string of
Southern church burnings. "It's worse than a conspiracy," he said,
referring to the motives behind the arson incidents.
Jackson directed his criticism toward a broader audience than the hate
groups typically associated with this kind of activity. The harshest
critiques were reserved for political leaders and court justices. "White
suits are not nearly the threat that blue suits and black robes are," he
said.
Jackson challenged the church to lend its prophetic voice to the struggle
of African Americans and others for justice. "If you want to help,
straighten out the curves in the road. Put light in dark corners. Change
the structures of the world!" he said. "Must blacks bear the cross alone?"
General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm, however, called for
more individual, as opposed to institutional, involvement in social change.
"People are waiting for a balanced approach to reform."
Part of the reason, he said, is due to a "lack of respect for vertical
authority." As a result, there is widespread mistrust of institutional
hierarchies. Experience, rather than position, influences authority
today, according to the Disciples chief executive.
Along with the declining trust in institutional authority, truth itself is no
longer regarded as absolute, said Hamm. In addition, a growing sense
of victimization by all groups also hampers the effectiveness of old
models of prophetic witness.
Congregations, in addition to denominational leaders, must take
ownership in any activities of public witness, according to Hamm.
Denominational statements, alone, aren't enough, he maintained.
As a denomination, "we've been content to be right and to be ineffective,"
said Hamm. At the same time, the church has neglected to train and
activate lay leaders as change agents. The church, he said, must involve
people locally to see a connection between any expenditure of energy
and real change.
The church is now the subject of its own mission, according to the GMP.
And there must be balance between individual and systematic
responsibility.
The role of denominations in the struggle for justice, he says, includes
having leaders:
* take initiative in responding to issues of the day;
* maintain relationships with political leaders and their staffs;
* identify partners to resource congregations;
* create networks that cross manifestational (judicatory) lines; and
* engage congregations and individuals in studies leading to acts of
public witness.
Factors contributing to the hostile climate toward the poor and ethnic
minorities include the "political shift of this nation to the right," and
"deindustrialization" and "deinvestment" in urban areas, according to
the Rev. Yvonne Delk. Gangs and gun violence, and the
"demonization" of the poor, African Americans, Hispanics are still
other factors.
Blatant racism, enforced by economic disparities and fueled by an
"apathetic white community," also is partly to blame, said Delk. She
is executive director of the Community Renewal Society, a Chicago
inner-city advocacy organization of the United Church of Christ.
She also lamented the "narrow, conservative context" in which many
churches operate. Delk called for a coordinated approach to troubles
facing U.S. society. The church needs to be "engaged in a campaign
that's going to take me someplace," she said. "I'm tired of piecemeal
coalitions that aren't interested in coming together around a serious
agenda."
Delk echoed the challenge to heighten the church's prophetic role.
Churches must begin "to deal with the here and now" in addition to
spiritual issues, according to the United Church clergywoman.
"Pie-in-the-sky" religion can't be allowed to obscure the issues of the
day, she said.
Among the chief issues to be addressed are those of race and gender.
"We haven't come clean on issues of race, gender, power and control,"
Delk said.
The aim, she says, should be a society that is multiracial, non-sexist,
non-homophobic. To accomplish this, she called for church leaders to
root their "witness in the prophetic faith tradition. Speak in the
name of the God who has called you."
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