“We may personally reject doctrines, attitudes, words, or ideas that promote racism and inequity, that work against God’s love. But too often we avoid the truth that living into Christ’s example means earnestly working against these sins. Too often we remain quiet in the face of situations that work against racial reconciliation, or we may think that by remaining silent we are keeping the peace by avoiding conflict and not making people uncomfortable. Too often we evade the diligent and necessary work to achieve real unity.”
Gail E. Monsma
Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar
The diligent and necessary work will be challenging, painful, difficult. But it is the only way to life.
This Lenten season I am using a new resource to explore the Belhar Confession: Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar, edited by Kerri N. Allen and Donald K. McKim. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in which I serve as a teaching elder (pastor), added the Confession of Belhar to our Book of Confessions in 2016. This confession came from the Dutch Reformed Mission Church during its historic struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
See you along the Trail.
“…we must declare not uniformity, but the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace as our primary way of being church and society together.”
“The church’s essential unity may not be threatened by having multiple structures and names; we remain one because Christ has made us one. But when we live separately–when we do not meet together for worship, or hold one another accountable, or study the Bible together–we are all the lesser, unable to speak or hear truth from one another. It’s hard to show love to someone who isn’t there.”
“In the spirit of true unity, diversity is a gift. We are reminded to live into the reality of our different talents, different roles, and different abilities. When we celebrate the gifts present among our community, we create a language that allows us to name sustainable ways to continue to work for justice.”
“If I am going to know and bear your burdens, I must be in relationship with you as an equal partner on the road to discipleship. I must humbly admit my own burdens and respectfully bear yours. We who follow Jesus should be willing to take the yoke with another and give them rest.”
“We deliberately and intentionally practice giving ourselves to one another because we realize we belong to each other. We need each other. We are inextricably tied together. We pursue this unity like a brutal physical regimen. It is not something we come by perfectly, all at once. It is terribly messy, awkward, and fully human. In many ways, it brings out our deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities if we are doing it faithfully and hopefully.”
Along the Graybeard Trail 