November 1, 2017: Day One

This week I am attending the 2017 Missiology Lectures on Race, Theology, and Mission at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. First off, thanks to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio for granting me an SEP, and to Dr. Elaine Nogueira-Godsey for writing a letter of support. If you are an MTSO student and have not yet taken advantage of the SEP grant, do it! It is an incredible opportunity to attend an event and share your knowledge with the learning community.

This lecture series challenges the North American Evangelical community to address issues of race in terms of the church’s mission. I attended because I am interested in bridging the divides that polarize the church. Where are our points of agreement amid our differences? What do we all need to work on? How can we learn from one another, so we can more effectively act as the body of Christ in our hurting world today?

The event started off Wednesday morning with chapel (as every good day should). Conference co-organizer Johnny Ramirez-Johnson introduced the conference, which he described as dealing with the image and likeness of the Lord, and God’s love for diversity. The sermon was delivered by Daniel White Hodge. Hodge preached a powerful sermon on the dangers of empire and the violence it breeds. He did not hold back from his criticisms of a theology limited to reconciliation without costly repentence. He also stated his own disassociation with the evangelical church, following the most recent presidential election. A summary does not do it justice; you can view the full chapel service here.

The formal event introduction was a panel moderated by Amos Yong, featuring Grace Dyrness, David Leong, Duane T. Loynes Sr., Daniel Ramírez, and Gabe Veas. He also introduced William Pannell, Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Fuller. Each speaker made more convicting, essential points from their places as Christian leaders of color than I had the speed to record. Dr. Yong asked each of them to raise some questions that would be explored throughout the conference. Here were the questions they raised:

William Pannell: Are things really worse now than they were in the ’60s, or do we just have better communication? And, does racial injustice now have nothing to do with mission? With the gospel?

Grace Dyrness: How deep is our Christianity? How do we embody Jesus’ way of power?

David Leong noted the nature and tone of “demands” he had to bring to evangelical circles, and the delicacy involved. He asked, what constitutes a “demand”? Can it be effective when it is so delicate?

Duane Loynes said three issues must be addressed: 1) How the church has historically contributed to racism; 2) How the church continues to perpetuate racism; and 3) How the church continues to be complicit in its silence.

Daniel Ramirez asked the audience how many people knew someone who would die for their faith? Their country? And then: how many would kill for their faith? Their country? (For the last question, many hands were raised; almost none for the previous one.) He asked what it will take for a privileged church to walk a marginal road.

Gabe Veas mentioned economic discipleship, with the promise he would elaborate on the concept later. He asked, what would it look like for the church to embody the spirit of reformation?

Yong asked the panel if they had advice for seminary students of color. The largest response was to organize, powerfully, humbly, and strategically. Find alliances and networks.

Yong’s final question was, how do white folks take the next step? One panelist raised the story of Jesus healing the man in John 5. White people need to ask, do you want to be made well? Doing so is costly. Other advice was to deliberately build relationships with different types of people, and to make a daily habit of naming advantages that come from one’s whiteness. Smashing idols of nation and mammon and cleansing the temple was another response.

There is much to reflect on. Tomorrow will be a full day of panels. Thursday evening’s keynote address will be livestreamed; you can view it here starting at 10:30 PM EST Thursday. Thank you for reading. Please leave questions and comments below!