Last night I opened up my news feed to find a mass shooting in the headlines. This time it was another church gathering that was the target of senseless violence and grotesque, explicit evil.
At the time of that report, 26 individuals died one of whom was the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter.
I’m a pastor and have two daughters.
Today I’m at a conference where I’m scheduled to speak in a break out session for North Carolina Baptists. This shooting in Texas strikes especially close to home. My uncle, aunt, cousins, and their families attend similar churches in TX. As Thom Rainer pointed out we are First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. That identification for the Christian community isn’t hyperbole it’s reality.
I’m someone who actively attempts to push past the polarization that exists in our community. The subject of how we as a society should address acts of violence is increasingly polarized. No one denies the problem but many vehemently disagree with what should be done.
Alongside my news feed of tragedy I was met with memes from my politically liberal leaning friends mocking prayer as a response. May I ask how low do you have to be to openly mock the faith of those who were just murdered during the expression of that faith?
Loving and tolerant? I think not.
Here are some responses that I personally will go through as a pastor (by the way pastor means shepherd— i.e. I have spiritual and material responsibilities for those under my care):
I will pray.
I will pray for people that are not distant, removed, or impersonal. I will pray for my brothers and sisters—as family. I will bear their grief with them.
I will not be made to feel in any way inadequate by those who shout down my public acknowledgement of prayer. When they call my prayer a copout for action I will remember that our faith teaches us prayer is active. I know that it’s proven effective for me personally. Prayer changes who I am and how I respond to circumstances. It enables me to grieve along with those that I do not know personally and I believe it has far more profound implications than these.
I will evaluate.
I will not fall prey to the sin of certainty as I’m pressed to rush to judgment by those around me. Those that shout for us to do something but often want to co-opt tragedy to do something un-related and in the end harmful. I will not assume I know everything. I will evaluate my personal responsibility first to my family, then to my church family, and then to broader society.
This evaluation will include how well our church is prepared to respond to the same type of attack spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I will listen to church security voices like John Lovell. My evaluation will include how we can proactively address the sources of violent evil in our world. I will look for ways to increase our contribution in our city. Tearing down walls of hate and finding new ways to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I will encourage.
I will encourage my brothers and sisters not to respond in fear. God has given us the ability to transcend the thought-pollution that distracts and make decisions from a posture of power, love, and clear-mindedness.
I will encourage you and others to consider what Christianity teaches about human nature.
First, that each human is an expression of the imago Dei. Because each individual human holds the imprint of the divine, all human life holds innate value. Each life is intended for a beautiful purpose.
In addition, we live in a fallen age. We are not to be surprised by evil’s existence rather we are to expect it and prepare for it. Human depravity does not excuse those who perpetrate evil but it does mean that we should proactively push back on all forms of individual and societal evil as we press for human flourishing.
I will continue to teach that grace is available to all. Holding the belief that only true love creates true change.
I will not exploit the deaths of 26 fellow humans for any agenda.
However, I will defend against those who try to do so. It’s incredible to me that many are so quick to respond haphazardly in times of national emotional distress. Many out of the same love for human life, motivated by the same will to survive, make completely opposite assertions. Concerning a practical course of action: one side says more gun legislation while the other says buy guns and ammo.
The first fails to recognize that these same “common sense gun measures” are being used all over the country with no effect. Apparently, they really mean confiscate all guns. Even those who don’t will discover that half measures are not enough and will be pressed to a more extreme position eventually. Yet the violence and evil in our society will persist.
Though I agree with the second group’s posture; taking personal ownership for one’s safety. They often are missing larger points as well. First, buying guns and ammo does little good without the ability and will to use them effectively. Second, ultimately we are all woefully limited in our ability to protect ourselves and those we love. I would ask both groups to ask themselves a few questions:
- Are we motivated by the desire to preserve human life?
- Do we believe consolidation of power is the greatest way to achieve that end?
- Do we truly believe we can legislate morality?
- Are we regularly looking in the mirror and removing ourselves from the list of those who would contribute to the evil in our world?
- Are we finding ways to help others?
Transparency
Now, let me put all my cards on the table. I don’t think you can ultimately prepare. I think that all the guns, ammo, training, and charitable acts that you can muster will be insufficient to meet the destructive tendencies inside you and in the world around you. You will discover that though you should do all that you can, you need more than all you have. I think you will become better people by trusting your lives to Jesus and following him. I think that you need to prepare for death now and in so doing you will live better lives in the present tense. If you’d like to read about this belief you can do so here. (By the way, even if you disagree with this belief we can still be allies– we share an objective.)
Which brings me to the last thing I’ll do for my brothers and sisters in TX. I will look forward to meeting them. I will sorrow over their loss but I will not sorrow as those that have no hope. If someone should try to kill myself or others in the congregation I serve, I will do all that I can to stop them but if they should happen to succeed in taking my life I can think of no better way to go then actively following my calling.
