Some unformed thoughts about white, progressive church-y men and their language around women, sexuality, and LGBT+ identities.
I recently listened to a popular CoC podcast (message me for link) that really solidified my feelings on this trending progressive preacher movement within the white-led Churches of Christ.
We come from a movement in which traditionalism is so rigid that any kind of freedom or grace practiced appears liberal and progressive. Because guitars are often seen as sinful and women praying or passing metal trays are seen as deceived by Satan, making any kind progress on these fronts automatically puts that CoC in the progressive camp.
But there is a real danger to this kind of classification system. Having instruments and letting women pray does not equate egalitarianism or justice or anti-racism or anti-sexism work (which one typically correlates with progressive-ism). In fact, these things are great tricks for churches to feel like they've embraced a more justice-centered faith, without requiring them to do any justice work.
As such, more and more voices are being heralded as leaders of the progressive Church of Christ and saviors of the Restoration Movement--but those voices are overwhelmingly white and male. Because these leaders have been thrust into the spotlight for their differing worship practices and beliefs (i.e. allowing guitars and letting women use a microphone), they often are called on to be the de facto experts on all things gender, race, and justice.
They are overwhelmingly speaking at progressive church conferences and writing articles for Wineskins and hosting podcasts and writing books and lending their voices to a movement that *should* be led by women, the disabled, and people of color.
Allowing a woman to preach does not mean you are anti-sexist or consciously working against patriarchal systems.
Playing a guitar does not mean your church is inclusive to LGBT+ folks.
Running an inner city ministry does not make you an expert on anti-racism, nor does it absolve you of your complicity in white supremacy.
Are women tokens or are their voices informing every conversation you have and host about women? (Also, why are you hosting and having conversations about women without women at least being at the table?)
This statement goes for every marginalized identity you can think of.
The Church of Christ has a LONG way to go with justice work. And progressive ministers (however defined) need to examine their desires to lead these conversations, step aside, and allow those they glibly discuss to take the lead.
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