Counted Among Those Who Are Not Afraid

Dear First Pres SLO Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus the Christ, who calls us to a new way of living and loving and serving.

I’m still processing.

A week ago today, along with my wife Shelley, I participated in a public witness of more than 1200 faith leaders on behalf of immigrants—documented and not—who are being abused in our name by agents of the Federal government.

I shouldn’t have to add this, but I know I do: I support the men and women of law enforcement who are committed to protecting all of us from dangerous criminals. What I say below is not to be misunderstood or caricatured as some call to abolish ICE or Border Patrol or the police.

But…

We have a serious problem in this country right now, one that overlaps with our calling as Christians. There is plenty of room for various opinions about immigration and the role of our government in it, but this is about something more. The rapid expansion, unchecked funding, and minimal training of ICE and the Border Patrol are putting people at risk, separating families, and ignoring the norms and rights that the rest of us take for granted. Abusing people created in the image of God who have committed no crime other than to try to support their families is not right, even if they lack the proper paperwork.

In Washington DC last week, we made our presence seen and our voices heard in opposition to the reckless and violent treatment of immigrants (and citizens) in this country. It is an affront to God and in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus to do this, and Shelley and I wanted to be counted among those who are not afraid to say this out loud and in public.

The event itself was beautiful. We started the morning with a service of worship at Capitol Hill Methodist Church, complete with hymns and songs and one of the best sermons I’ve ever heard. The whole service is here, and the sermon begins at the 52-minute mark. From there we processed peacefully to the Capitol itself, singing more songs and greeting people on the street. The police in DC were wonderful, and we thanked them every time we had a chance.

In the afternoon we broke into small delegations and met with the staffs of several members of Congress form California (Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Tom McClintock). We shared stories and made it clear that while law enforcement is necessary, the mistreatment of human beings was counter to the gospel of Jesus, and unacceptable as Americans.

Like I said, I’m still processing what I saw and learned, and figuring out what it means for me as a Christian person and also as a pastor. Bear with me as I sit with this.

What I do know is this. The mission of statement of Jesus is more important than any political opinion or national identity—we really have to wrestle with that. If Jesus is Lord, then, well, no one else can pretend to be—and we can’t support the pretending. And if any of us are foggy on the mission statement of Jesus, here it is:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

And so let’s walk this road together humbly and with faith and with love for those whom Christ came to save. If we can manage that much together, we just might get through this.

Blessings to you and yours,

Pastor John