Co-operation means listening to other opinions

As a Woman of Colour pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, I sometimes sit in with non-racialized colleagues for anti-racism workshops in the church. In fact, as I sit down to write this article, I’ve just come from a learning event that our National Church is piloting to share with committees, councils and boards of predominantly white Lutherans in becoming an anti-racist church.

Now, let me say right off the bat, I’m encouraged that there’s a heightened urgency for antiracism in a church that was founded in the Reformation by people of German and Scandinavian heritage. I am grateful for church leaders who roll up their sleeves and step up to do hard work with no foreseeable deadline. I am grateful because this hard work not only directly affects me and other IBPOC leaders and members, but deepens how we collectively practise and understand our faith in Jesus through the very scriptures we hold dear.

In the Christian liturgical Season of Epiphany, we hear from the gospel writer Matthew who tells us about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as he shares “the Beatitudes” or Blessings. Think Monty Python and the “Blessed are the Cheesemakers” skit and know this is the biblical scene they’re parodying. Except Jesus is pouring out blessing to the poor in spirit; the mourning; the meek; those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and the list continues.

Jesus tells a perplexed and reluctant crowd that God’s blessing doesn’t reside with power and privilege, but quite the opposite. God’s blessing for everyone resides with the marginalized. Can you imagine? Not just in religious communities but city councils, public boards, education, health, transportation, etc. What if we deliberately sought perspectives and leadership from people who hold less societal power in any given situation, to lead for the benefit of the whole society? Is there blessing in the stories of the minority?

Have you ever worked with people with wildly different, even contentious perspectives than yours on a shared task? If the conversation about bike lanes in this city is any example, I’d conclude that hearing and including differing viewpoints is difficult. Our perspectives can only tell part of the story on any given issue, and I hereby sincerely apologize for bringing up the bike lanes.

To build healthy communities, where people are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work for the sake of the marginalized other, we need the whole story. When I sit with predominantly white colleagues in anti-racism training sessions, I hear the gaps in the story, while realizing I hold enough privilege to be part of the conversation to hear there are gaps in the first place.

And even when I have a seat at the table, again, because my church is predominantly white, I’m oftentimes attempting to fill any gaps in the story, from my own singular perspective. Not ideal. Other voices are always needed.

Are we comforted or disturbed to know the fullness of God’s blessing? I suppose it depends on who we ask. God’s blessing resides in a diversity of perspectives. Healthy communities thrive best when everyone is thriving. But oftentimes sharing power and incorporating other perspectives is where we draw the line. Letting go of privilege, making space so others can add to the story, shapes the story itself. Are we willing? God invites us into the full story that is meant to bring life, not just for some, but for all people.