I am perplexed.
I have found that Christians generally have no problem saying, “I’m a sinner!” until it comes time to name it. It seems we prefer living in the abstract generalities of our faith rather than the concrete specifics. When we move away from the abstract generalities to the concrete specifics the conflicting values, ethics, and ideologies buried deep within the soul are revealed. Once they are revealed we will have to make a choice, and a choice is always costly.
That is how I believe we can raise up generations of Christian children formed in the Christian tradition, teach them how to be godly spouses, good citizens with good “morals”, yet still have a white supremacy problem or xenophobia problem or patriarchy problem or lack-of-compassion-for-the-poor problem in the church and in society.
We have to name things, especially sin, concretely and specifically.
I’ve been asked many times, even by church family, why I’ve preached about racism and other specific injustices with frequency, and why I believe the Church must concretely name things like white supremacy, etc.
Look around society now. Revisit history. This is why. It’s what happens because many do not.
Either it is a part of our discipleship or it’s not.
Let’s change that. That, I believe, is how it begins with you and me.
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About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 