The beginning of a new year is typically a time when individuals and organizations refocus or reprioritize for the coming year. Churches do that, often with a time of prayer and reflection to identify themes and goals.
The main goal is to identify how the church can best disciple its members and serve or impact its community through spiritual disciplines and biblical practices. Another goal may be to keep the church focused on its mission rather than just maintaining practices, which is a trap for all institutions.
An ambitious alliterative theme is often chosen to stir members’ imaginations and stir them to action. But like most New Years resolutions the theme is soon forgotten amidst the press of other activities.
This year a unique opportunity has been presented to the churches of Madison. I hope they respond.
Because, in my view, failing to respond will make Madison churches even less of a presence in mainstream Madison than they already are.
CHURCHES ROLE UNDERSTATED
Make no mistake, churches have a presence in Madison. Tens of thousands of residents attend weekly worship services. But Madison is not paying attention to the message the churches are offering. And as long as church as usual continues, the message will continue to go largely unheeded.
But a dramatic new development occurred last December. One of Madison’s most prominent pastors wrote a bombshell opinion column for a local newspaper that has some people still talking.
I’m referring to Rev. Alex Gee’s December 18th Capital Times column, “Justified Anger: Rev. Alex Gee says Madison is failing its African-American community.” If you haven’t read it yet, please read it now. I’ll wait.
A KAIROS MOMENT
Rev. Gee, pastor of Fountain of Life Covenant Church on Badger Road, is no stranger to his Madison clerical colleagues. Many have had him preach in their pulpits. But do they buy into his vision for Madison? Will they follow his lead?
There’s a biblical Greek word–kairos–which describes a God-appointed opportunity which may not occur again. Madison is ripe for religious awakening. Could it be that the churches should take the lead in addressing the racial and economical disparities that are reflected in last year’s Race To Equity Report? That’s the report Rev. Gee mentions which showed a 50-percent graduation rate for minorities in Madison schools.
Madison church people, are you concerned about the findings of this report. Do you wonder what you can do to bring hope and compassion to minority communities of Madison? Do you wonder if Madison will ever pay attention to what the church has to say?
The church does have the message that this community needs. Liberal Madison obviously hasn’t provided an answer for Madison’s problems. The church does have an answer, and an army of volunteers to implement it.
Twenty years ago, I would not have been optimistic about churches responding to this challenge. But times are changing. I see more minority faces in the church I attend. I hear about other churches getting out into the Madison community in innovative new ways. Still, it takes an awful lot of inertia to overcome long-held habits.
PASTORS TIME TO LEAD
I know there are groups of pastors who meet regularly together in Madison. I would hope that at their next meeting, if they haven’t already started in this direction, they will decide to contact Rev. Gee with the message, “Lead us on, brother.”
Okay, maybe liberal Madison will come up with some solutions to Madison’s racial inequity issues. And maybe the church can’t supply all the answers. Education has to be part of the answer as well, as MATC President Jack E. Daniels pointed out in his speech at today’s 34th annual State of Wisconsin Martin Luther King Jr. tribute.
But without the church, Madison’s solution to racial inequality and disparities will be grossly incomplete.
If you read the column you read a pastor issuing a challenge to the entire Madison community, and specifically to Madison church leaders. Should the church community not respond? Let’s not let this kairos moment slip away without the church declaring, “We have an answer for Madison.”