Faith and Order: A Way Forward, or an Obstacle? (two-minute reflection)

Initially when I read about the Faith and Order movement I was intrigued. This of course comes from my own conviction that if people, communities, societies and eventually the world is going to change, our belief systems have to change first. The Faith and Order movement, within the World Council of Churches seems to capture this conviction as well. Faith and Order recognizes that it isn’t enough to simply team up and ‘do’. Rather, our being; the very ethos of who we are needs to have some sort of uniformity if we are to be unified. That is, we cannot truly be unified in action if we are divisive in belief. Yet, while I still hold to this conviction generally, I question the methods and the aims of Faith and Order in this postmodern context. 

The more I read about the spiritual roots of ecumenism, and Martin Robra’s assessment of the changing global context with the needs that these changes bring, I wonder what Faith and Order will look like in a world where diversity is celebrated and knowledge is contextual. I wonder, like Robra how much evangelicals, pentecostals and other emerging denominations have been included in the conversations of Faith and Order. Will the denominations with more power and history impose their theological convictions on the group? (especially those groups that may be underrepresented or simply new to the movement). Not only that, but does the goal of Faith and Order weaken theology as a whole because of the search for agreeable doctrine? Are God’s dynamic character and attributes limited because of our need for a system of belief? 

Ambivalence is the best word to describe how I feel about Faith and Order. On one hand, I see theological revisioning being a necessary thing for us all. Faith and Order can help us critique and balance one another (if everyone’s voice is heard equally). On the other hand, I’m afraid that the need to have uniformity of belief can not only stifle our diversity, but it can also limit the ways we think about God. 

I look forward to learning more about this movement, and exploring the ways in which it will function in our postmodern world.

For more information on the Faith and Order movement, and on the World Counsel of Churches see the link below. 

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/faith-and-order-commission/xii-essays/what-is-faith-and-order-mary-tanner

Anticipation...

Tomorrow marks the first day of classes for the new semester at Brite Divinity School (at Texas Christian University), and the official start to what I have begun to call "The Journey." I have gotten almost all of my text books and am enrolled in all of my courses. I am anticipating this semester and expecting it to be very rich for some very specific reasons. This post is dedicated to naming those reasons, and sharing what I hope to get out of the classes I am taking. Below I have listed the courses, a brief description, and what specifically I looking to get out of each of them.

1. "Sexuality, Race, and Class: Implications for Pastoral Theology" 

This course is being taught by one of my faculty advisors, Dr. Nancy Ramsay, who has been an influential voice in the field of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care. The class focuses on sexuality, race, and class, and how each of these factors play a role in constructing models of pastoral theology. In this class, "We will explore the particularities and intersecting dynamics of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and class as they arise and endure in relationships and as matters of debate in larger systemic contexts." (taken from the course prospectus).

What I most look forward to in this class is exploring matters of sexual orientation, and the implications for constructing models of pastoral theology. The specific question I am bringing to this topic has to do with African American churches, clergy especially, and how we can become more inclusive of persons representing the LGBTQ community. Many Black churches struggle with this particular topic more than we should. Many of the churches that do attempt to include all persons in their communities only do so tactfully. I want more for us. Our inclusion of all persons should arise from a theological conviction, rather than merely a place of clever tactics. Therefore, I am approaching this class with the expressed purpose of putting various cultural and theological perspectives in conversation, with hopes of coming out with something of substance regarding Black churches and this particular topic.


2. "Studies in World Christianity: World Christianity and the Future of Ecumenism in the 21st Century"

This class is taught by Dr. Namsoon Kang, a Korean scholar who has a reputation for great teaching and superb scholarship. This course is being taught in conjunction with the "GETI (Global Ecumenical Theological Institute) course as well as the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) with the theme, "God of Life, Lead us to Justice and Peace."" (prospectus). I must say that I am extremely excited about this course because we will be in communication with other young scholars from around the world. The dialogue will, I'm sure, be very rich and challenging as we are forced to consider the various expressions of the Christian faith around the world. Many questions will arise and our own privileged, North American, brand of Christianity will be challenged for sure!

Specifically, I bring to this class the question, "How might the various global expressions of Christianity, or other religious expressions, be able to inform our own theological convictions in North America generally, and in Black (Baptist) churches specifically?" We often get so stuck in our narrow perspectives that we forget about the millions of people around the world who: 1. Think about Christianity differently than we do. 2. Have never heard of Christianity or Jesus. 3. Worship The Divine in ways unfamiliar to us.

I look forward to discovering the different ways these global expressions may press upon our unique expressions of faith, and perhaps open the door for more global ways of thinking about God.


3. Special Topics in Christian Thought: Womanist Theology and Ethics

Taught by the energetic and brilliant Womanist scholar, Dr. Keri Day, "This course analyzes and describes the ways in which African American female theological and religious scholars have used the unique experiences of black women to construct womanist theology and ethics." (prospectus). We will examine the historical developments, the major voices, and movements in Womanist thought and theology.

I am excited about this class for two reasons: 1. To explore the ways in which black women's bodies are objectified by society, and emulated by women of other races. 2. To explore the theological implications of Monica Coleman's Making a Way out of No Way: A Womanist Theology. While skimming the table of contents and introduction of this book, I discovered that Dr. Coleman puts Process Theology and Womanist Theology in conversation. My interest in various postmodern theologies is no secret at this point, and I am a bit curious about the ways that Process Theology may be useful to the Black Church experience.

In addition to these three courses I am a teaching assistant for the "Ministry of Care," an introductory course to Pastoral Care. Working under Dr. Joretta Marshall, this will give me great teaching practice and should be an awesome learning experience.


Again, I anticipate a very rich and challenging semester. I look forward to intense conversations and enriching debates. This should be fun!

The Journey

As I prepare to begin this journey into the professional academic world, I enter with a great deal of excitement and a hunger that may never be quenched. I have always had a deep hunger for knowledge and understanding. Since childhood, my mother always told me that I was inquisitive. If there was something I did not understand, I had to find out... Always. I have always felt empowered when I've learned something new, but with those feelings I have been met by a certain humility. I used to think I understood a great deal about religion and faith, especially since I am a pastor who was licensed or ordained at a young age. Seminary taught me how little I actually knew. It humbled me in a way that I appreciate so much. The experience of working toward my Master of Divinity at Central Baptist Theological Seminary changed my life. I was confronted with ideas I never heard, and eventually realized that some of the things I used to swear by, I no longer believed. A troubling and exciting reality, for sure!

Here I am today... Beginning what I will call "The Journey." My theological life looks completely different, I'm pursuing something I never could have imagined I would desire to, and I am in completely unfamiliar territory. I do not yet know "the language" of a Ph.D. program. I would rather sit on the couch and watch tv than read (sometimes). There is a lot I don't know. However, amid all of my feelings of inadequacy I have a confidence that dominates the mixture of my emotions. Somehow I have assurance that I am right where I am supposed to be. Somehow I know that I will flourish in this program, and contribute significantly to scholarly conversations. Somehow I know that God, in all of her/his wisdom, has a plan for me to be here. A plan that will, hopefully, give me the opportunity to make a difference in this world.

That said, I welcome you to The Journey. Join me as I disclose, question, challenge, observe, and above all, grow. This should be fun!