|
Resources for study, reflection: School Yards Not Prison Yards
by Rev. April Johnson, Reconciliation Ministries
"Justice Not Jails", "Graduation, Not Incarceration", and "School Yards, Not Prison Yards" are all taglines intended to draw attention and build awareness for the phenomenon called Mass Incarceration. It refers to the disproportionate number of namely, black and brown men represented in the nation's prison system in comparison to their representation in the nation's total population. People of color represent 30% of the United States population, yet they comprise 60% of the prison population according to 2010 Census data. When added to the data which shows a 500% increase in the overall prison population over the past 30 years, we begin to see the trend of over-criminalization and over-incarceration.
The system of mass incarceration is devastating communities and rendering non-violent, low impact offenders unable to return productively to mainstream society. Several factors including socio-economic and implicit race bias effect harsher and longer sentencing for people of color. For this reason, the rate recidivism in offenders of color increases, creating a cycle hopelessness and despair for affected individuals and their communities.
When one of the elders of East Dallas Christian Church became aware of this system of over-incarceration, he along with other elders of the church began a book study. At the end of their study and conversations, their church sponsored General Assembly Item for Research and Reflection #1323 - "Incarceration, Justice and Restoration in the United States." During this biennium between Assemblies, each expression of our church is involved in educational opportunities focused on Mass Incarceration. In addition, a workshop will be held at the General Assembly in Columbus. Below are some models of engagement that may prove helpful in your congregation's efforts to learn what is being done throughout the faith community to affect reform and restorative justice.
- The Illinois/Wisconsin Region through their 'One Region, One Book' initiative are studying the impact of institutional injustice in the book A Lesson before Dying by Ernest Gaines.
- The Prison Ministries of the National Benevolent Association provides information and collaboration on topics related to prison and restorative justice.
Video resources:
_______
Author interview:
Exorcising Preaching: Crafting Intellectually Honest Worship by Rev. Nathan C. Walker
by Steve Knight, Chalice Press
What do you mean by "exorcising" preaching?
I wanted to conduct a fiercely honest conversation about the art of preaching. I have been intentionally purging myself from habits that caused me and others harm-from barely sleeping the night before I was scheduled to preach to using "texts of terror" to justify religious-based bigotry. I have learned that exorcisms cannot be done on other people; they must be self-induced.
What specifically did you learn from your seven years as senior minister that you are trying to pass along?
One example is by democratizing the pulpit-by polling the congregation about the moral issues of our time. We used these surveys to invite congregants to revitalize the liturgy, which transformed our roles. Worshipers moved from spectators to liturgical stakeholders. I was no longer a lone sermonizer, buried in books; I was engaged in extraordinary conversations with a wide variety of people. Preaching became a less lonely process, and the product became a personal exchange from one investor in the community to another. Together we learned how to be effective responders to oppressive agendas, as well as taught one another how to be the ethical agenda setters of our time.
What are you hoping pastors will do?
The warnings I share are archives of my evolving principles and practices. I do not assume that they will ring true for other pastors. My ultimate hope is that this conversation will inspire emerging and seasoned preachers to conduct their own exorcisms and then share what they have learned by submitting via ExorcisingPreaching.com chapter proposals for the second volume. The primary gift of this first book is not necessarily the content, but the introduction of rigorous self-analysis and theological reflection about the art of preaching.
_______
Upper Midwest offers continuing education event
From Rev. Dan Mayes, First Christian, Spencer, IA
January 26-28, 2015 the Upper Midwest region will host a Ministers Institute, an annual continuing education event for pastors. This year's theme will be: We Are Not Just Helpless Children: Clergy, Congregations, and Human Dignity. Keynote speaker is Richard H. Lowery, PhD. Workshops will include Vy Nguyen, executive director for Week of Compassion, as well as Geoff Brewster and Josh Linton who serve Phillips Theological Seminary as Stewardship Director and Director of Recruitment, respectively. Ben Allaway will lead worship.
Although it is primarily geared as a continuing education event for Disciples of Christ ministers in the Upper MidWest region, it is open to ministers of other regions and partner denominations. DoC ministers in the Upper Midwest who attend earn a significant portion of their continuing education credits required for annual standing.
_______
Black Ministers Retreat 2015 registration
Save the date for the 41st Black Ministers Retreat, March 3-5, 2015 in Montgomery, Alabama! Join us as we explore this year's theme, Time for a Shift: Transforming a New Generation of Disciples, through transformative worship, fellowship, and educational workshops. This year's events and location will also coincide with local celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic Montgomery to Selma March. It will be an experience not to be missed! Early bird price of $165 available through Dec. 31. Register now
| 
