Thread by @richardabailey

While this thread of tweets is aimed in some ways at particular followers, I certainly hope others will perhaps join in the sentiment and call for a similar response in your circle of followers.

My morning Twitter scrolling spiraled earlier today when I came across the letter I am sharing here—a letter that was sent to @pastordmack, a Black Southern Baptist (for now) pastor in Arlington, Texas.

Now, I’m not going to comment on the content of the letter. To do so would multiply the tweets in this thread. Suffice it to say, nearly every word of the letter is beyond vile and the entire tone of the thing makes up for those few words that might not be beyond vile.

I do, however, want to call those clergy and church leader (regardless of denominational affiliation, but especially SBC) friends and followers of mine to action.

On the first Sunday of Black History Month, share this letter with your church. Hand it to them. Have them read it. Read it to them.

Then, implore them to verbally and to visually denounce the vitriol of the letter. For those who will not do so, please let them know they really only have two options.

One, repent and begin actively working to change their abhorrent views about the men, women, and children of color living around them.

Or, two, they can leave and not return to fellowship in that body you lead until they are willing to repent and begin actively working to change their abhorrent views about the men, women, and children of color living around them.

For those willing to express outrage at learning firsthand that such vile racism still exists within the American church, begin planning with them on how you as a community of believers might begin to work actively against such abhorrent views.

Keep in mind you did exactly that by calling people to repent or leave until they were willing to do so. But don’t stop there. Resources exist. Ask people to help you find them. But find them. And then work actively to strike against the racism around you. It is there. Still.

I know most of those who are clergy who follow me likely won’t take such a stand. But I encourage you to do so. Read that letter again. It should wound you. It should urge you to act.

Acting might cost you some things. Prominent church members who contribute to your salary and the care of your family might be some of the ones who leave. Maybe some of the men and women providing leadership alongside you leave.

And then, of course, there is the social media world. You might find (like some of my friends recently) your name dragged around by the “discernment” crowd who decide you are a Marxist or “woke” or not a “real man” because you stood up alongside other men, women, and children.

I get it. Remaining silent after seeing this letter might well be safer. You might gain some things. Heck, you might gain the whole world.

But you might also lose your soul.

/fin