The Kindness of My Church

Many Christians have given themselves a bad name by lining up with politicians who are anything but Christian like. They don’t love their neighbors, and they don’t care. Russ and I have been lucky enough to go to a church in Durham which is the opposite. And last week our church put out a statement of public Witness that I am very proud of.

We are Presbyterians and nothing that happens In our church is knee jerk. Everything is studied and discussed and gone over by multiple committees and discussed and rewritten and edited and discussed. Eventually a thoughtful communication is released. But it is said out loud and proud. And I think it should be shared with more than just my little church.

The Westminster Presbyterian Church Statement of Public Witness

For much of our history, the people of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC, have found inspiration and call in the words of Micah 6:8. In a time of uncertainty, God’s people asked Micah what they should do. The prophet replied that God has told them what is good, and right, and true: “…and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God?”

We, the Session of WPC, feel the weight of this present moment.

We see the conflict and turmoil in our common life roiling in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

We fear for our immigrant and refugee neighbors, people Christians are called to welcome.

We hear too many voices – in media, in culture, in government, and even in churches – speaking with calloused bluster and cruelty, twisting the language of God to vilify their opponents and to demonize the poor.

We prioritize our own comfort, and in our moments of silence, we become complicit. Because we seek to follow Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we feel called to affirm our faith.

We are called to do justice – to actively work towards righting what is wrong, especially for the most vulnerable among us. We are called to care for the immediate needs of those suffering. And we are called to commit to the long-term work of creating a society that prioritizes the flourishing of all God’s children, on earth as it is in heaven. We believe that doing justice in this time requires standing with and protecting our neighbors who are being mistreated; calling out those who prioritize the interests of the wealthy and the powerful over the poor and marginalized; and peacefully using our voices to speak out against violence and corruption.  

We are called to love kindness – to affirm the God-given humanity of every person. God created each person in God’s own image, underscoring their worth and unique place in the tapestry of God’s kingdom, no matter their race, gender, sexuality, or nationality. Loving kindness calls us to love God and others with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to work tirelessly on behalf of the most vulnerable. We are called to treat everyone with deep respect, to use human-centered and loving language, and to work alongside those in need. For Christians, the essence of loving kindness is to reject violence in all its forms. 

We are called to walk humbly with our God – to affirm that God is God, and that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We live in a world where our neighbors are treated disrespectfully because of their race or gender, where our Muslim and Jewish neighbors fear for their safety in houses of worship, where our immigrant neighbors fear being separated from their families and communities. We are called to follow the example set by Jesus: to live in harmony with the earth, to extend the hand of friendship, and with God’s help, to love our enemies. Walking humbly also calls us to be more curious than judgmental of those with whom we disagree and to seek common ground and common purpose for the betterment of all God’s children. 

And as we speak and act, we pray that Christ might guide us, in community and through prayer. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)