Step 2 - Address
Your community will experience racial strife. Rather than waiting for others to lead or create a narrative, we believe pastors should be the primary voices offering hope and healing in these moments. But to do this, pastors must have both the resources and the credibility to speak.
Address
Part 1 - Private (For pastors and leaders)
Through your commitment to "The Table", you will gain the understanding and credibility necessary to address critical situations before they become public controversies.
Our Recommendations:
Sometimes your ability to privately influence a difficult situation in your community may make all the difference. While every situation is different, here are some recommendations on knowing when and how you might use your influence to help behind the scenes.
Establish credibility first.
- Your participation in The Table and other racial reconciliation efforts will help demonstrate your commitment and credibility to speak to the issue.
Leverage your relationships.
- Work with other members of The Table to determine the best approach. It’s always best to leverage prior relationships when seeking an entry point to address or help resolve a tense situation.
- Consider engaging the situation with the help of 1 or more additional members of The Table, especially if another’s background or relationships may strengthen their insight or ability to engage.
Do your homework.
- Learn as much as possible about the situation before attempting to address it or intervene. Be sure you’ve done all you can to prepare before you begin to act.
Lean into the gospel.
- We are Christ’s ambassadors. When stepping into a difficult situation, remember that you do not have all of the answers or the ability to fix any problem. Instead, lean into the gospel that reminds us his power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
Pray fervently and trust the Lord.
- Seek the Lord’s help and guidance as you prepare to engage in the situation. Enlist others to pray as well.
Address
Part 2 - Public (For pastors and leaders)
Occasionally specific issues or situations will arise in your community that calls for pastors like you to address them publicly. Through your commitment to "The Table," you will be equipped to work alongside other pastors and leaders in your community to demonstrate hope and unity by speaking with one voice at critical moments.
Our Recommendations:
Be slow to speak.
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to believe we must speak to every issue. But as a group, your goal is to speak to a specific issue or situation only when it is truly necessary.
Consider these questions.
Is this issue or situation:
- Related to our purpose?
- Relevant to our community?
- Urgently needing our response?
- Something on which we are united?
Speak with one voice.
- Work with other members of The Table to establish your response. Discussing the issue together will bring greater clarity and simplicity to your message.
Choose the right forum.
- You may choose various methods to address specific situations. For example, you may agree to address the issue from the pulpit of your respective churches or draft a joint statement to post online via social media. Or, you may elect to host a prayer vigil, a public forum, or hold a press conference.
- Work together to determine the most appropriate response.
Stay focused.
- Distractions abound in the midst of trying circumstances. As you work together to address a difficult issue or circumstance affecting your community, stay focused on the goal of bringing hope and healing through the reconciling power of the gospel.