Many of us have heard and absorbed the history of this nation as one of religious freedom. Our founding myth is of the United States as a refuge from religious persecution abroad. While the religious landscape of the country has changed over time, some hold that the principles of certain strains of Christianity must remain in power over all others. Of late, this has grown into rising, substantial threats of White Christian Nationalism. These threats have become increasingly violent and include attacks on our democracy. In light of history and of present circumstances, we find ourselves among many asking how the Church can respond.
Acknowledging the pervasive history of White Christian nationalism in this country can be extremely disheartening. After all, if it has seemingly always been a part of our country, how can we possibly hope to change that now? It is easy to feel like there is nothing we can do. And yet, the National Council of Churches suggests, “The alternative to Christian nationalism, however, is not disengagement from politics, but a willingness to work in the public realm and to cross over political, social, economic, and religious boundaries in order to discern and foster the common good for all people in this nation and the world.”
At the Wisconsin Council of Churches, we often speak of the importance of connecting “Jesus and Justice in Public.” We know that the Church has a deep history of healthy engagement in the public realm and want to help encourage Christians to be part of a healthy civic life. It is our hope that this Study-Action Guide will be an invitation to learn, and encourage you to explore what engagement looks like in your local communities.
This 6-session study guide is designed to work for a seasonal group study meeting for about an hour a week. If that format isn’t the best for your setting, we encourage you to think creatively and consider retreats or other options. While we know many churches appreciate using studies like this for Lent, nothing restricts you to the Lenten season!
The first session offers a framework for the conversations to come. We then move to four sessions that offer hands-on ways that the Church has historically engaged in civic life and what these practices can look like in our modern context.
● Developing a hermeneutic of suspicion — Not everything labeled “Christian” is about proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior or about reaching toward the Realm of God. What questions can you ask to help you assess what you encounter?
● Building leadership & literacy — What can we learn from the history and tradition of the Black Church which equips both children and adults to step into community leadership?
● Mutual aid — In the face of broken systems, there is substantial need for community care. How can the Church be part of movements for wholeness that are based not on charity but mutual support?
● Navigating charged political discourse — Why is it important for the Church to address critical issues facing the community without shying away from conflict or “both-sides’-ing discussion?
The final session is “Moving Towards Action” which offers some concrete approaches that will help you listen to your communities, identify needs and viable moves. We invite you to consider which of these seem doable and which might be doable with a stretch. We encourage you to choose at least one so this is truly a study-action experience for you, and make plans to come back together to reflect on your next steps.
We’re also grateful to be able to offer homiletical helps so preachers can connect these lessons to the Sunday morning service. These are linked to the lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary for Year A. Additional resources recommended by our writers can be found at the end of the guide.
— The Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) staff works with its networks to strengthen pastors, equip the church for creative ministry, and respond to community crises. The council is based out of Madison. For more, go to www.wichurches.org.
