So What Do We Do?

1. So What Do We Do? • Crazy world

2. So What Do We Do? • Ghostbusters Clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kj2bF8dDNs) • Searching for something that does not seem to exist • Attempting to put words to action in creating a just world (racial justice in particular) can feel really similar to trying to catch a ghost with no equipment • Trying to force the issue only makes it worse • Failure could end up having you run away as fast as you can, never to try it again

3. OWN IT • Karyn’s teaching – personal awakening • Kevin’s teaching – societal awakening - reparations (is it so crazy to right this wrong?). Ill- gotten gains…

4. Starting Point • James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. • Healing comes through confession and prayer • Not acknowledging pain is almost as painful as the pain

5. Layers • Today’s news cycle – layer upon layer upon layer upon layer…. Upon layer upon layer • What is our response to being draped in layers of crazy?

6. Layers for Me • Having a racist person hold the highest seat in office (not the first time by any means) • Hearing stupid arguments against Affirmative Action ($5 in exchange for killing your mom); and still grossly inadequate • Mass incarceration • Discriminatory housing practices Me

7. Start with the WHY • If OVERNIGHT • 90 percent of the population comprised of people with disabilities, I bet there would accessibility for all people everywhere • 90 percent of the population was Native American, I bet the system of owning land would drastically change • 90 percent of the population was African-American, reparations and more would be provided to make up for past and current atrocities. Think it would have taken 10 years for the Civil Rights bill to pass?

8. Philemon, Paul, and Onesimus Justice in the current system • Philemon – the Power • Paul – the Advocate • Onesimus – the Disenfranchised

9. Background • Paul and Philemon were buddies (did not use formal greetings like he did with most of his letters); Paul knew the family (Apphia probably Philemon’s wife, Archippus probably Philemon’s son) • Apphia was probably in charge of the slaves so letter addresses her as much as Philemon • Philemon’s house was one of the local churches in Colosse • This is Paul’s only letter strictly to one person (other personal letters like Timothy intended for sharing)

10. Approach • Paul connected to their commonalities (love and faith) • Paul acknowledges the good work (charitable work) that Philemon does (sharing = koinonia, used to describe giving) • Paul highlights Philemon’s good work towards others and his role in building the church • Paul is asking for a favor (He could command it, but he is appealing to Philemon’s sense of Christian duty) • Kid gloves (CCHF Plenary Talk, White Fragility, White Tears with CCDA cohort); Not fair, but is the reality

11. A CALL FOR EQUALITY • Paul takes on the mantel of advocacy • Paul asking Philemon to not only accept Onesimus coming back, but to accept him as an equal. • Paul is asking Philemon to change from the status quo • Paul urges Philemon to see Onesimus in a whole different light

12. All Things Being Equal • The Power, the Advocate, the Disenfranchised are all the same as human beings • A broken world has created inequalities and disparities • We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus by seeking, finding, and living in a just world

13. The Call • The Power – Philemon; willing to relinquish power and see yourself the same as those disenfranchised

14. The Call • The Advocate – Paul; willing to speak truth to power; to be cunning and change the minds of those with power

15. The Call • The Disenfranchised – Onesimus; willing to come back; to try again

16. The Ultimate Advocate • Jesus is our Paul • We are Onesimus • God is Philemon