Step two for the pastor.
- Pick out five to ten Clergy who you think might be interested.
- Invite them to lunch.
Explain to them that you want to have lunch and discuss the church’s role in responding to racism in light of the Gospel we share.
- It can be a lunch prepared by a particular church (that makes it special), or it can be at a conveniently located restaurant with a private dining room available.
Make sure that the sound quality is adequate for extended conversation.
- Be clear in the invitation that no commitment is assumed until the discussion is completed.
- Tell them there will be a small amount of homework prior to the meeting.
HOMEWORK FOR THE CLERGY
- Ask them to come with their list of 5-10 Scriptures or faith ideas that they believe are central to the Christian community—the church.
- Preferably, these are statements that a majority of their members would also recognize as a part of the Christian faith. (e.g., Jesus is our Lord and Savior.)
- Those who bring at least eight will receive a special dessert.
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2 . At lunch, each shares their list. Have someone keep a cumulative list on an easel. If the same idea is listed more than once, keep a tally of the number of times it appears.
As the group listens, ask them to also reflect on how each of the statements named could relate to the issue of racism in both our churches and society. Don’t pass through this experience lightly. This is similar to what you will be asking of your membership.
Explain that you want to invite them to join you in a similar process with their churches. Making use of each church’s membership email list, each will engage its church’s members in building its statements of faith. A set of surveys and questionnaires can be provided.
Based on that explanation, ask for an indication of those pastors who are willing to proceed. Each will retain the freedom to withdraw at any time in the process.
(TO BE CONTINUED)