Racial-ethnic groups within the Church

[Ken]

Can you give examples of Jesus advocating for safe environments for people?

Luke 10:25-37

The safe environment (the inn) is mentioned only incidentally; the more important part is the compassion and care provided to the needy man.

I'm not talking about the inn. I'm talking about creating a community in which one loves their neighbors which is what Jesus is advocating. That is the very definition of a safe space.

[GaryK]

Luke 10:25-37

The safe environment (the inn) is mentioned only incidentally; the more important part is the compassion and care provided to the needy man.

I'm not talking about the inn. I'm talking about creating a community in which one loves their neighbors which is what Jesus is advocating. That is the very definition of a safe space.

Reading through the book of Acts doesn't look like the definition of community safe spaces for the Apostles and those joining the newly birthed church. Loving ones neighbors is a must for followers of Jesus but what the good Samaritan did, did not create a safe community for the man and doesn't seem to be what Jesus was advocating for in the parable.

[joshuabgood]

I feel like difference is, when I have these conversations they aren't, for me, hypothetical philosophical arguments. They involve real people.

I know the adopted children of color that have been told black lives don't matter - or been exposed to black jokes. I know the children that have told "you are my slave." I have witnessed their pain at being an "other." I have sat with them. School has been unsafe for them.

Same with the girls. I have seen the pain in young adolescent girls that have had their sexuality mocked or made fun of. I have seen the hurt as they are mocked purely because of their gender/genitals. I have sat with them and their parents. School has at times felt very unsafe for them.

These are real conversations with real people. Safe spaces at schools and jobs matter. Jesus cares. It isn't hypothetical.

What do you think Jesus would tell these children of color and girls if He would sit with them and you in these conversations? This may seem like a hypothetical question, but in a real sense, it's not, because we know what He did say about using suffering love to overcome evil. I really don't think He would tell them that we need to create a safe environment for them. I'm pretty sure He would tell them to be examples of suffering love in these evil days.

I am pretty sure he would empathize with their pain, re-assure them of their dignity, advocate for them in their context, and prophetically confront the individuals and societies that propagated the pain.

[joey_the_ox]

joshuabgood, while I agree with your object-level ideas here regarding the "safe space" you are constructing at your school, I think that GaryK is right to sense a latent inconsistency with your ideal of "suffering love." In this case you are not just carrying out "suffering love," rather you are using the authority that you have at the school to shift the societal norms (in the society of the school) such that they are more conducive towards allowing the flourishing of all members of that society. Now of course I think that this is a good thing and not at all in conflict with following Christ. But it is not just "suffering love" in the face of sin and evil.

[Ken]

The safe environment (the inn) is mentioned only incidentally; the more important part is the compassion and care provided to the needy man.

I'm not talking about the inn. I'm talking about creating a community in which one loves their neighbors which is what Jesus is advocating. That is the very definition of a safe space.

Reading through the book of Acts doesn't look like the definition of community safe spaces for the Apostles and those joining the newly birthed church. Loving ones neighbors is a must for followers of Jesus but what the good Samaritan did, did not create a safe community for the man and doesn't seem to be what Jesus was advocating for in the parable.

Jesus is talking about a world in which we love one another as brothers or neighbors. Especially across racial boundaries (Samaritan vs Jew). "Safe spaces" is a modern term, but that is essentially the same thing.

[Ken]

I find it ironic that conservative Anabaptists who go through tremendous effort and expense to create the ultimate "safe spaces" within their communities and within their small parochial schools are skeptical of the notion of safe spaces. Conservative Anabaptist and Amish society is basically an enormous effort to create safe spaces.

[GaryK]

I find it ironic that conservative Anabaptists who go through tremendous effort and expense to create the ultimate "safe spaces" within their communities and within their small parochial schools are skeptical of the notion of safe spaces. Conservative Anabaptist and Amish society is basically an enormous effort to create safe spaces.

I can't speak for other conservative Anabaptists but I can assure you that we are not creating "safe spaces" within our community for ourselves. I don't believe that should be the intent of Kingdom focused churches.

[GaryK]

I feel like difference is, when I have these conversations they aren't, for me, hypothetical philosophical arguments. They involve real people.

I know the adopted children of color that have been told black lives don't matter - or been exposed to black jokes. I know the children that have told "you are my slave." I have witnessed their pain at being an "other." I have sat with them. School has been unsafe for them.

Same with the girls. I have seen the pain in young adolescent girls that have had their sexuality mocked or made fun of. I have seen the hurt as they are mocked purely because of their gender/genitals. I have sat with them and their parents. School has at times felt very unsafe for them.

These are real conversations with real people. Safe spaces at schools and jobs matter. Jesus cares. It isn't hypothetical.

What do you think Jesus would tell these children of color and girls if He would sit with them and you in these conversations? This may seem like a hypothetical question, but in a real sense, it's not, because we know what He did say about using suffering love to overcome evil. I really don't think He would tell them that we need to create a safe environment for them. I'm pretty sure He would tell them to be examples of suffering love in these evil days.

I am pretty sure he would empathize with their pain, re-assure them of their dignity, advocate for them in their context, and prophetically confront the individuals and societies that propagated the pain.

I think it's entirely possible to empathize with people's pain and suffering and to let them know that we are on their side while at the same time encouraging them to take on the mind of Jesus in this very unfair, sin-filled, and indifferent world we live in.

[Ken]

I find it ironic that conservative Anabaptists who go through tremendous effort and expense to create the ultimate "safe spaces" within their communities and within their small parochial schools are skeptical of the notion of safe spaces. Conservative Anabaptist and Amish society is basically an enormous effort to create safe spaces.

I can't speak for other conservative Anabaptists but I can assure you that we are not creating "safe spaces" within our community for ourselves. I don't believe that should be the intent of Kingdom focused churches.

It is all in the definitions and what you are trying to keep your children and community "safe" from.

[GaryK]

I find it ironic that conservative Anabaptists who go through tremendous effort and expense to create the ultimate "safe spaces" within their communities and within their small parochial schools are skeptical of the notion of safe spaces. Conservative Anabaptist and Amish society is basically an enormous effort to create safe spaces.

I can't speak for other conservative Anabaptists but I can assure you that we are not creating "safe spaces" within our community for ourselves. I don't believe that should be the intent of Kingdom focused churches.

It is all in the definitions and what you are trying to keep your children and community "safe" from.

If you are ever in Georgia, I invite you to come see for yourself.