Saving The Prophetic From Bureaucracy
(NOTE: I should be clear from the beginning that, when I reference the prophetic in the title, I am speaking of in the sense of the role of the prophet to be a voice against the abuses of power by the rulers and systems of the world. I know this does not encompass all that prophecy and the prophetic express, but it is the heart of what I will be exploring here.)
Living and serving in the inner city, I find myself confronted daily with the systemic injustices of the world, especially towards the marginalized (i.e. the poor, the racial minority, women, etc.). It is a discipline, at times, not to allow righteous anger to turn to bitter cynicism. So deeply are these injustices engrained into the fabic of our cultures, systems and wordlviews that it can seem hopeless. How can you bring change into such situations?
While this is a challenge to all believers, I think it is particularly difficult to those who are stirred in their calling/gifitng of the prophetic. We are called to be a voice against injustice, as well as a community who lives lives against the grain of injustice whenever we can. However, some are called and gifted to be a “louder voice” against the leaders and systems that perpetuate these failures. From what I have experienced and seen, it can often be a lonely place for those women and men.
Specifically, I have begun to realize some of the dangers that go along with that role in our current society. One such challenge is relating to advocacy groups and organizations that are seeking to bring the same kinds of change. These groups do essential and valuable work, with Christians being too often from their ranks. These groups can often be a source of experience, resources and community for Christians wanting to address injustice, especially the prophetic voices.
However, there are some challenges and dangers that come with this. The more I interact with such groups myself, the more I realize that the means by which things get done raise some difficult questions for Christians. For example, a great deal of the work of these groups is aimed at acquiring finances to further their goals, often getting entangled in the bueracratic systems to do so. Further, their posture is often so angry and combative, that their message seems more important than the people involved.
Therefore, I have begun to realize that to engage issues of injustice, the Church needs to respond as community (or communities) itself. I am not suggesting we have NO involvement- by no means! I do not want to suggest that we set up a “sacred vs. secular” dichotomy againt. Rather, I think Christians needs to recognize that the reasons and means by which we are called to address injustice is different (and often incompatible) with the other common approaches.
So what does this look like? How does the Church address systemtic injustice in its role as a prophetic agent in the world?
