We must learn to wrestle like Jacob at Jabbock with our intersectional sins, known as race, class, and gender, that keep us from seeing the humanity of the individuals for whom we took a constitutional oath to call colleague. If the church is become the loving community God created it to be, we must allow ourselves to embrace the beautiful, yet never ending, struggle of becoming our better selves.
The PCUSA is fighting a historic battle with how African Americans worship. We are a highly educated, financially charged, and white institution trying to attract a historically oppressed, undereducated, financially underserved people.
It still holds true that no resolution from General Assembly will immediately reverse nor empower black congregations to alter bad actions that have caused the black Presbyterian presence and voice around Presbyterian tables to be minimized. Neither this resolution nor the criticism of the resolution will transfigure a system that allows black congregation shrinking numbers.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/10/featured-coastal-commissioners.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-10-11 06:05:012018-10-10 15:13:47Plenty Good Room at the Table
Our denomination is still predominately White; therefore, at best we can make sure that Black people are represented on all committees. However that will not resolve the racist, sexist, or even patriarchy that is foundational to the way we have done and still do things. Further, “raising awareness” about the decline of Black congregations does nothing to address the systemic causes related to the reduction of Black congregations.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/10/featured-flo-preaching.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-10-10 06:03:342018-10-10 07:56:12The Church that is Becoming
It has been my experience that resolutions occurring at the national level of the church do not trickle down and do not have tangible impact at the local level. Despite the resolution’s merit in naming the diminution of black Presbyterian congregations as a significant problem, it does virtually nothing to stem the tide.
If I really believed all the things I claimed in that article, then we needed a confession to address the world and the church and claim our hope in God for this particular moment.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2017/03/featured-sarasota-team.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2017-04-03 07:35:582017-03-30 13:48:11A Confession for This Moment
In fall 2015 – winter 2016, NEXT Church embarked on a denominational listening campaign. We invited and trained people who have been leaders within NEXT Church to host a listening session with church leaders around questions of “transformational mission.”
A Butterfly Beginning
/0 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzWe must learn to wrestle like Jacob at Jabbock with our intersectional sins, known as race, class, and gender, that keep us from seeing the humanity of the individuals for whom we took a constitutional oath to call colleague. If the church is become the loving community God created it to be, we must allow ourselves to embrace the beautiful, yet never ending, struggle of becoming our better selves.
Changing the Perception
/0 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA /by Linda KurtzThe PCUSA is fighting a historic battle with how African Americans worship. We are a highly educated, financially charged, and white institution trying to attract a historically oppressed, undereducated, financially underserved people.
Plenty Good Room at the Table
/0 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIt still holds true that no resolution from General Assembly will immediately reverse nor empower black congregations to alter bad actions that have caused the black Presbyterian presence and voice around Presbyterian tables to be minimized. Neither this resolution nor the criticism of the resolution will transfigure a system that allows black congregation shrinking numbers.
The Church that is Becoming
/0 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzOur denomination is still predominately White; therefore, at best we can make sure that Black people are represented on all committees. However that will not resolve the racist, sexist, or even patriarchy that is foundational to the way we have done and still do things. Further, “raising awareness” about the decline of Black congregations does nothing to address the systemic causes related to the reduction of Black congregations.
Black and Presbyterian
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIt has been my experience that resolutions occurring at the national level of the church do not trickle down and do not have tangible impact at the local level. Despite the resolution’s merit in naming the diminution of black Presbyterian congregations as a significant problem, it does virtually nothing to stem the tide.
A Confession for This Moment
/2 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIf I really believed all the things I claimed in that article, then we needed a confession to address the world and the church and claim our hope in God for this particular moment.
NEXT Church Denominational Listening Campaign Report
/in Church Leadership, NEXT News, Presbyterian Church USA, Resources /by Linda KurtzIn fall 2015 – winter 2016, NEXT Church embarked on a denominational listening campaign. We invited and trained people who have been leaders within NEXT Church to host a listening session with church leaders around questions of “transformational mission.”