by Mary Frances

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were catching up on some episode of Real Time with Bill Maher.  While I don’t always agree with him, he often has interesting guests and it can be helpful to hear differing points of view.  But I sat bolt upright in my seat when I heard him say to a guest, “We hear all this talk about structural racism.  I don’t even know what that is, is that even a real thing?”  I quickly pressed the pause button and proceeded to rant for more than a few minutes (apologies to my husband).  Is structural racism even a thing?  Well, I would certainly call it more than a “thing.”

There are probably several similar definitions for structural or systemic racism but this one that (hello, Bill Maher) I found quickly and easily seems to fit the bill: Structural racism refers to the totality of ways in which societies foster racial discrimination through mutually reinforcing systems of housing, education, employment, earnings, benefits, credit, media, health care, and criminal justice. These patterns and practices in turn reinforce discriminatory beliefs, values and distribution of resources, according to Dr.Zinzi Bailey, ScD, MSPH.

by Steve Matthews
Senior Associate Consultant, FaithX

I was recently talking to a group of churches in an online coaching session.  One church was trying to honestly consider the real impact their church was having in the community.  A woman on the call from this church (let’s call her “Margie”) recalled a recent conversation she had with a bank teller while making an in-person deposit at the local branch.  It just so happened that this branch was only ¼ mile from Margie’s church.  Margie had been working in her yard and was wearing a t-shirt with the church’s name and logo on it.  The teller asked her what an “episcopal” church was, and Margie gave her a quick response.  Then the teller asked Margie, “Where is your church?,” and when Margie pointed out the church’s location, the teller answered with a chuckle and said, “I’ve driven by that church on my way to work for 10 years and never even noticed it was there.”  

I wonder how many churches across the country are hidden in plain sight. It’s easy to enter and exit the doors for worship on Sunday. Perhaps people return for choir practice or for outreach ministries.  Maybe some churches are still offering some outdoor worship opportunities, but are our churches known in our communities?  What is our reputation for hospitality or for the work of justice?  Do people see us as being a trusted neighbor and advocate for the larger community?   Where do we show up as church… outside of “church” on Sunday?