Practicing Biblical Obedience in a racist nation By Reconciling Ministries Network

Practicing Biblical Obedience in a racist nation

By Reconciling Ministries Network

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Matt Berryman, Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey, Rev. Lois Parr and other clergy gather in Ferguson to stand in solidarity with the witness for justice.

“Not our children!” rallied clergy in Ferguson, empowered by the leadership of young activists.

RMN board director Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey and executive director Matt Berryman are in Ferguson today following the announcement by the grand jury that there will be no indictment for the killing of unarmed teen Mike Brown by Police Officer Darren Wilson in August.

“We’re here in non-violent protest because an injustice has been done,” said Lightsey, who marched with a clergy group that closed several street corners near the St. Louis courthouse today, keeping silence for four and half minutes to commemorate the four and a half hours Mike Brown’s body lay in the street.

Boston University School of Theology Associate Dean Lightsey expressed her profound sadness last evening when she arrived in Ferguson and traveled immediately to W. Florissant Street where she encountered blazing vehicles and buildings and a police force that incited protesters’ anger.

“Black people hear this announcement and feel betrayed,” said Lightsey. “The rage is palpable, and rage comes from the deep pain of the racial wound in this town and our country.”         

Lightsey, Berryman, and Rev. Lois McCullen Parr of Chicago marched with the clergy protesters, led by the young people who organized today’s marches. The group stopped to pray at each corner, calling on the power of God’s spirit to bring justice and peace to Ferguson and the nation.

“The parallels of the way that oppression works against LGBTQ persons and black and brown people in systems that are rigged to protect the status quo reminds me of W.E.B. Du Bois who said, 'a system cannot fail those it was never meant to protect.,’” said Berryman. “When pastors are put on church trial for practicing ministry with all people, the institutional discrimination enshrined in The United Methodist Church's Book of Discipline sets the stage for punishment,” he explained, “and we see this happening in Ferguson where the institutional discrimination of the police force and the judicial system has pre-determined the outcome.”          

“If you feel the horror you have to do something about it,” said Parr. “The Gospel compels us to speak, to walk, to demand justice,” she said.

“We practice Biblical Obedience in the prejudiced church and we practice Biblical Obedience in the racist nation,” said Berryman. “While moments like these feel like Good Friday, we live with the Christian hope that redemption and resurrection are on the horizon,” he said.

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