Throughout February, our synod's Racial Justice Team will share weekly resources and practical ways to engage in justice ministry, both in your congregation and daily life.

Week 3: By Pastor Samantha Drennan (co-convenor of the RJT)

Racial Justice Work is God’s Work, Our Hands

“Why should I care about all this racial justice stuff?”

“The church should stick to spiritual matters, not get involved in politics!”

I sometimes hear these arguments. And I get it. There was a time when I didn’t see how my call to be a pastor included a call to work for justice. I thought these were two separate things – both good things, to be sure – but not necessarily related. Was I ever wrong!

For indeed, my pastoral call says I shall “speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, advocating dignity, justice, and equity for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, caring for the marginalized, and embracing and welcoming racially and ethnically diverse populations.” [ELCA Constitution C9.03],

And my baptismal call, which I affirmed at confirmation, asks me “to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth” [Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 236]

I find that “the church shouldn’t talk about politics” is a phrase too often used to mean “the church shouldn’t talk about things that might be controversial” or even “I don’t want to hear about stuff I don’t know, don’t agree with, or makes me feel uncomfortable.” But that robs us all of the opportunity to learn, to grow, to look outside our own lived experience into what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. To walk alongside them. To have compassion.

The Bible I read soundly refutes any notion that God’s people are not to work toward justice.

• “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute,” (Psalm 82:3).
• “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause,” (Isaiah 1:17).
• “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
• “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40).
• “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others,” (Luke 11:42).

Disclaimer: working for justice isn’t easy. The prophets of the Old Testament risked their lives to speak truth to power. Mordecai warned Esther that if she spoke to defend her people, the Jews, there was risk - but if she remained silent, all may perish. The Good Samaritan not only stopped to render aid, but put his own life at risk in doing so – the robbers might have been lying in wait for him! We know what happened to John the Baptist, to the Apostles – to Jesus.

But we are not alone! We must never forget that God is our greatest ally in the fight against racism and all the other things that seek to harm and divide us. Jesus has shown us the way, taught us how to love God and love our neighbor. And there is no power on earth that can stop the work of the Holy Spirit. Beloved in Christ, we were created for this.

So I invite you into this work. I invite you to use your voice, your courage, and your God-given gifts to speak for justice.