A different public witness
By Stephen Reeves
Last week I wrote about the four words we hope define Fellowship Southwest - faithful, thoughtful, courageous and kind. I hope these characteristics also define our public witness. How do we, as a faith-based organization speak and act in the public square in response to the suffering and injustice we see and hope to help alleviate?
I’m convinced that many, perhaps most, Christians do not see a faith they identify with on display in the public square, or certainly not one given equal attention as the most radical, divisive and often hateful voices. We hope that both our tone and what we speak about is attractive to thoughtful Christians who want to engage their community in a way that displays a deep commitment to loving their neighbor.
As Fellowship Southwest continues the work we’re known for, and expands to new areas of emphasis, we hope to draw a diverse group of faithful folks who want to respond compassionately to the suffering they see and advocate for more just systems. We will continue to do both in the area of immigration. In the coming months we hope to do more in the areas of hunger, racial justice and ministry among the indigenous populations of the Southwest. In each of these areas we’ll work hard to bring together folks who might not otherwise know one another and cultivate new relationships of trust and respect.
Our founder, Marv Knox, a life-long journalist and phenomenal writer, established consistent and professional communication as a hallmark of our ministry. We hope this weekly newsletter continues to inform, inspire, and invite you to action. With the addition of Cameron as a full-time staff member we’re also working hard to increase our presence on social media. While I have significant concerns about the impact of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on our society, there is no doubt they are effective tools to communicate our message, a way new folks can find us, and a way to call for action.
Through all these channels we’ll be intentional about how we invite and inspire folks to join what we’re doing, or engage with trusted partners. We’ll work to do so without motivating by stoking anger, creating fear, or playing into the hyper-partisan battles that plague not just our politics, but our entire culture.
It seems there is nothing said that is not twisted into an ultimate statement of allegiance to one side, or declaration of battle against the other. We hope to communicate in a way that might build bridges, but know that quick judgment by others is inevitable. So be it. That’s when courage is necessary. Just because we’re likely to be labeled and pigeonholed doesn’t me we don’t act or speak.
Saying we’re going to be different doesn’t get us very far, however. We have to live it. I don’t plan on spending much time pointing fingers and saying “we’re not like those people” instead it should be evident by our words and deeds.
We strive to courageously, confidently, authentically and humbly, speak from who we are and what we feel called to say and do.
A few weeks back I saw a great example of such communication. While you may disagree with her positions, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow delivered a passionate speech that I think is worth watching and in many ways worth emulating. While we won’t speak for partisan political gain, we should be willing to use, and risk, our own privilege and power on behalf of the marginalized.
When it comes to advocacy we will call for action when it is urgently needed and can be effective, without acting as if the sky is falling and that only FSW can prevent calamity. Such messages may raise money, but they often create cynicism, distrust and sow division.
Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty to be angry about and righteous indignation is sometimes warranted. We hope to harness such anger in a way that is well directed and likely to produce change.
As we inform, invite action, and encourage connection with our partners, we will seek to harness passions not stoke anger, inform without causing fear or unnecessarily play into unhealthy partisanship and division. While we’re sure to fall short some days, we hope to offer a different public witness, one that is faithful, thoughtful, courageous and kind.
Stephen Reeves is the executive director of Fellowship Southwest.
