Brave Church / Hard Topics

In the Fall of 2022, Grace started a new midweek offering called Brave Church/Hard Topics. Using the book Brave Church: Tackling Tough Topics Together by Elizabeth Hagan (2021), we explored topics that Christians often find difficult to discuss with each other, either because they are too personal or too controversial. The focus of the class is not to tell people what to think (or say) or to change minds, but to learn how to have productive conversations around hard topics.

Topics, background materials, and notes from the Fall 2022 session can be found in the Brave Church/Hard Topics Archive.

This winter/spring, we will continue our discussions as we explore topics that go beyond Elizabeth Hagan's Brave Church book. Those topics are listed in the Topics and Schedule, Winter/Spring 2023 section below.

Beginning February 1, the class will meet on Zoom on (most) Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. You can get the Zoom link from the weekly E-News emails, weekly Brave Church/Hard Topic email updates from Nelson Thurman, or by contacting the office at Grace.

BC Book

Topics and Schedule - Winter/Spring 2023

For each discussion topic, we'll provide links to resource materials and scripture passages so you can prepare in advance of the class. We'll also include questions we'll explore based on the readings. Additional materials may be added as we move forward, so please check back often.

Covenant Rules: See p. 20-23 of Brave Church

    • We will accept conflict and commit to the way of kindness.
    • We will take responsibility for how our own words are received.
    • We will ask permission before we challenge someone’s views on a subject.
    • We will show respect for one another and graciously receive feedback if someone feels disrespected.
    • We will use ‘I’ instead of ‘you’ statements. We will not accuse or attack.
    • We will give everyone who wants to speak an opportunity to do so.

You can download the covenant with more detail here:  Brave Church Covenant

 

2/1    Why Engage in Difficult Conversations at All?

Facilitator: Nelson Thurman

Article for Discussion:

Other Resources: Some tips on having conversations on difficult topics

Scripture Passages: 

Questions for Discussion: 

    • Having conversations on difficult, controversial topics can be challenging, stressful, frustrating, argumentative. Why even have them? What obstacles get in your way?
    • In Talking to Those Who Are "Against" Us (link above), the author wrote that, even though they strongly disagreed with each other on the topic, she said they were "fundamentally... on the same side." How often do we see ourselves as "fundamentally on the same side" as Christians with whom we disagree? How challenging is that to you?

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT Why engage in difficult conversations 2-1-23.pdf

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 02-01-2023.pdf

 

2/8 (Part 1) Is Social Justice a Christian Heresy?

Facilitator: Cheryl Outland

Resource For Discussion:

Other Resources:

Scripture Passages: 

Wrestling with Scripture:

Questions for Discussion: 

    • In what ways is the social justice movement a Christian heresy?
      In what ways is the social justice movement in line with Christian faith and practice?
    • Why do some Christians believe equity, diversity, and inclusion are a "false Gospel?" How do you respond to that?
    • Does your covenant obligation to God and neighbor effect caring for “the least of these” in our midst? How does that influence your thinking about taxes, tax policy, and social programs?
    • Does ideology that promotes social justice shape your view of Theology? Does your world view shape your theology or does your theology shape your world view?

Slides used in the discussion: Social Justice February 8, 2023.pdf or Social Justice February 8, 2023 with Notes.pdf

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 02-08-2023.pdf

2/15 (Part 2) What Does Jesus Say about Justice? Reflections from the Sermon on the Mount

Facilitator: Cheryl Outland

Scripture Passages: 

Questions for Discussion: 

    • From the Beatitudes: Does craving righteousness/equity motivate you? What happens to poverty, sorrow, and oppression?
    • Who are the people in need today? What are their needs? How can we respond?
    • Who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness today?
    • What does it mean to be a Peacemaker during a difficult conversation?
    • Is the kingdom of heaven open to anyone who lives a moral, honest, socially-equitable and charitable life?

Slides used in the discussion: Social Justice-Sermon on the Mount February 15, 2023.pdf or Social Justice-Sermon on the Mount February 15, 2023 with Notes.pdf

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 02-15-2023.pdf

 

3/1 (Part 1) Why Are So Many Christians Lukewarm about Climate Change?

Much of this session will focus on ways to talk about climate change with skeptics, but with the recognition that a number of Christian denominations have opposed efforts to address climate change while other denominations have been less than enthusiastic in their efforts to address it.

Facilitator: Nelson Thurman

Resources For Discussion:

Scripture Passages: 

    • Matthew 22:36-40  Greatest commandments: Love God, love one another
    • With the greatest commandments, we have all we need to encourage us to be loving stewards of God's creation and of the people who are part of that creation. However, if you want more, here are a couple of additional resources:

Additional Resources:

    • Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC)  PEC is a national eco-justice network that cares for God’s creation by connecting, equipping, and inspiring Presbyterians to make creation care a central concern of the church.
    • Science Moms is a nonpartisan group of climate scientists (who are also moms!) working to demystify climate change, talk honestly about its effects, and protect our kids’ future.
    • Christian Climate Action is "a community of Christians supporting each other to take meaningful action in the face of imminent and catastrophic anthropogenic climate breakdown. Inspired by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, we carry out acts of public witness, nonviolent protest and civil disobedience to urge those in power to make the changes needed."

Questions for Discussion: 

    • On a spectrum of 'alarmed' to 'dismissive', where do you see yourself regarding climate change?
    • In terms of all the concerns in your life, where do you place this?
    • Do you think Christians have a critical role/calling to play in addressing climate change? Why or why not?
    • How well do you think Christians are fulfilling that role/calling?
    • What are the things that matter most to you? Your family? Your community?
    • What connections do you see between the things that matter to you and climate change?
    • What actions are you willing to take to address the impacts of climate change?

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT – Prison 1- Slides

Whiteboard generated by participants: BC-HT Concerns/questions about prisons

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 03-01-2023.pdf

3/8 (Part 2) Climate Change and Social Justice 

Climate change has disproportionate impacts on certain segments of the population. Additionally, shifts away from fossil fuels impacts people and communities who depend on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood. What roles and responsibilities do we have in addressing these impacts?

Facilitator: Nelson Thurman

Resources For Discussion:

    • Crash Course: Climate & Energy Video Series - Crash Course provides high-quality educational videos that are very accessible/ understandable and informative. Climate & Energy will eventually be a 12-video series (each less than 15 minutes) that "explores the ways climate change is affecting our planet ... and learn to think critically about how we, as individuals and as a society, can affect the outcomes."
    • Why climate change is inherently racist – BBC Future (1/26/2022)
    • How Black History Can Inspire Climate Activism - Sojourners (2/27/2023)
    • ‘People, planet, profit, in that order’ - Faith & Leadership (10/4/2022). "A social enterprise in Huntington, West Virginia, focuses on the dignity of its workers while seeding the green economy and helping strengthen Appalachia." We may not get to this article in our discussions, but it is informative to look how new ways of doing things can grow out of challenging situations.

Additional Resources:

Potential Questions for Discussion:

    • What do we, who have benefitted from fossil fuel use, owe to developed countries that are experiencing the negative impacts but not the benefits of energy development?
    • What options are you willing to support in response to climate change impacts in other parts of the world?
    • Does benefitting from fossil fuel subsidies mean you are responsible? Why or why not? Are you willing to advocate for removing the subsidies that keep fossil fuel energy low? If not, why?
    • Is addressing climate change constrained by zero-sum thinking? Why or why not? How do we break that bias?
    • How much sacrifice are you willing to make to address climate change?
    • In what ways could Grace Church make a difference?
    • How can we as a church encourage, empower, and equip youth in Springfield and beyond to engage in solutions to an issue that greatly concerns them?

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT Climate Change Social Justice 3-8-23.pdf

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 03-08-2023.pdf

 

3/15 The Prison System (Part 1): Race & the Prison System

Facilitator: Rev. Katie Murchison Ross

Resources For Discussion:

    • This excerpt from Michelle Alexander's groundbreaking (in 2010) book The New Jim Crow
    • PrisonPolicy.org's report on "The Whole Pie," that is, the whole story about all the different people incarcerated (federal, state, county, immigration, juvenile, etc.) in the U.S. There's a lot there and we'll review some of the big facts in class, so scroll down just a bit and focus your attention on the "Eight myths about mass incarceration" if you don't have time for the whole report.

Questions to Ponder in Preparing for the Discussion:

    • What concerns you about the U.S. prison system?
    • What questions do you bring to this topic?
    • What element of scripture/theology/faith guides your thoughts?

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT– Prison 1 Slides

Whiteboard generated by participants: BC-HT Concerns/Questions about U.S. Prison System

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 03-15-2023

Follow-up Resource: In response to questions during the discussion, here is an additional article on the development of the police in the U.S., and how it differed from other European law enforcement bodies, and how it was intertwined with slavery even in the north (though, of course, it's complicated!)

3/29 The Prison System (Part 2): Christianity & the Prison System

Facilitator: Rev. Katie Murchison Ross

Resources For Discussion:

    • It might be helpful to take a look at this 2022 survey on victims of crime. Take a look at pages 5 and 6 for some data on what victims need and what they think about policy

Questions to Ponder in Preparing for the Discussion:

    • What scriptures, faith stories, or fundamental beliefs about humans, justice, forgiveness, Jesus, etc. guide your thinking on our prison system and criminal justice more broadly?
    • What values does the current system seem to you to be based on?

Slides used in the discussion: Brave-Church-Prison-2-3-29-23

Whiteboard generated by participants in response to the question "What beliefs, scriptures, values guide your thinking on criminal justice and the prison system?": Beliefs-Scriptures-Values-Page

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 03-29-2023

4/5 The Prison System (Part 3): What Can We Do?

Facilitator: Rev. Katie Murchison Ross

Resources For Discussion:

Additional Resources and Organizations:

    • Equal Justice Initiative advocates for criminal justice reform, racial justice, anti-poverty, and public education
    • The Marshall Project is a nonprofit news organization covering criminal justice
    • Justice Forward VA is a non-partisan advocacy organization created to bring attention to the urgent need for criminal justice reform in Virginia
    • Guest House is a nonprofit organization in Northern Virginia that helps women successfully reenter the community from incarceration
    • OAR is is a mentoring program focusing on breaking the cycle of drime with Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources

Questions to Ponder in Preparing for the Discussion:

    • What do you know about restorative justice? What are your impressions? What are your concerns?
    • What are your reactions to the video How to Love Your Enemy (see above)? How does Restorative Justice reflect Christian values? How might Restorative Justice be worth using in our nation? What limits would you put on it?
    • What is one thing from our discussions you’d like to learn more about?
    • Is there one step, as an individual or as a Grace community, you feel drawn to take to get more involved?

Slides used in the discussion: Brave Church-Prison System-3 04-05-23

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 04-05-2023

 

4/12 Antiracism (Part 1)

In this first week, we'll explore the difference between antiracism and racism, institutional racism vs. individual racism, and the effect of White privilege on the race issue.

Facilitator: Linda Hitchens

Scripture Passages: 

Resources For Discussion:

    • Video: How to be an Antiracist: In this interview from the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival, professor Ibram X. Kendi sits down with journalist Jemele Hill to explore what an antiracist society might look like, how we can play an active role in building it, and what being an antiracist in your own context might mean. We'll discuss several quotes/ideas from this 54-minute video.

Additional Resources for Further Exploration:

Possible Questions for Discussion:

    • If we believe in the message of ‘Imago Dei,’ how does it play out in our daily living?
    • What is your response to the message we heard in the video (link above_?
    • What is your reaction to author and historian Ibram X. Kendi claim, "You’re either racist or antiracist; there’s no such thing as ‘not racist’"?
    • Which came first—institutional racism or interpersonal racism?
    • Is racism a system problem or an attitude problem?
    • Do we insist that racism is all about the individual and not the system so that we can point to others as the problem without having to change the system, the laws, and the way that things are done?
    • What does white privilege mean? Do you think privilege still exists for whites in this country?
    • Do these words from our Prayer of Confession remind us of “the things that make for peace” and encourage us to seek out new ways to love and live?
    • Is the church complicit in spectating racial justice?

Slides used in the discussion: Antiracism Part I - 04-12-23

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 04-12-2023

4/19 Becoming Anti-Racist

In the second week, we'll talk about reparations and microaggressions.

Facilitator: Linda Hitchens

Scripture Passages: 

Resources For Discussion:

Questions for Discussion:

    • Think about white privilege as the highest level of the caste system. Those who identify as white are the highest level, with the most affluent at the top of the level. Does this change your perceptions of the term ‘white privilege?’
    • Should the United States offer reparations to people of color in this country? What types of reparations would work for those wronged in this country? Who is responsible for providing reparations?
    • The first step to addressing our unconscious biases is to acknowledge that everyone has them. Let’s take a moment to reflect on our actions and decisions and think about what motivated them. Did your actions benefit a particular group of people in an unfair way?

Additional Resources for Further Exploration. As much as possible, the links are to the Author's web site:

Slides used in the discussion: Antiracism Part II - 04-19-23

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 04-19-2023

 

5/3 The Rise of the Nones and the Future of the Church

Facilitators: Rev. Katie Murchison Ross and Nelson Thurman

Scripture Passages: 

Resources For Discussion:

Additional Resources for Further Exploration:

Possible Questions for Discussion:

    • Where do you think people who aren’t in church may be finding community, spirituality, ways of serving/helping others?
    • Surveys indicate that younger generations (Millennials, Gen Zers) are looking for more “authenticity” in their faith and life. What does that look like in the church? In what ways has our church fallen short on that vision? In what ways have we succeeded?
    • Where does Grace fall on the scales between missional vs membership focused, formative vs performative ministry? What would shifting to a more missional, or formative, approach look like at Grace? What would change? Where would the challenges be?

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT Rise of the Nones - 05-03-23

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 05-03-2023

 

5/10, 17 Abortion: Getting Beyond the Political Rhetoric

Our focus is to get beyond the political rhetoric, the black-and-white dichotomies that ignore other possibilities, and the spins that get in the way of constructive, helpful dialogue. We acknowledge that this is a very difficult, very personal, and very agonizing issue for many folks and we want to keep a loving space for them during these discussions. The session on 5/10 focuses on the ethics of abortion. On 5/17 we will explore the history and religious perspectives on abortion.

Facilitator: Cheryl Outland

Part 1 (5/10): The Ethics of Abortion:

Resources For Discussion:

    • NYTimes: 'The Ethical Brain'. This 2005 piece explores the question "When should society confer moral status on an embryo?" If you are unable to access the article, you can download the pdf here.

Additional Resources for Further Exploration. As much as possible, the links are to the Author's web site:

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT Abortion Part I - 05-10-23

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 05-10-2023

Part 2 (5/17): History and Religious Perspectives

Some Scripture Passages to Consider: 

In reading these passages, consider the context in which the passage was written and how it fits in context with the larger scripture passage.

    • Exodus 20:13 Broader context: Various passages that put context on murder, including Exodus 21:22-25 below.
    • Jeremiah 1:4-5 Broader context: This is the beginning of God's commission of Jeremiah as a prophet (Jeremiah 1)
    • Psalm 139:13-16. Context: Psalm 139, in which the psalmist acknowledges how intimately God knows them, then closes with a plea for God to kill the wicked (v. 19-24)
    • Exodus 21:22-25  Broader context: Exodus 21 concerns laws about slavery, violence, and property. In these times, women and children were considered property, with separate consequences. Jesus challenges the eye-for-an-eye approach in Matthew 5:38-42

PC(USA) acknowledges: "There are no biblical texts that speak directly to the topic of abortion. Consequently contemporary positions are derived from the application of general biblical principles. Varying and even contradictory positions on contraception and abortion are held by different groups in the church. Each group is convinced that its position is “biblical,” depending on which texts and which principles are used and how they are used." Source: When You Need Wisdom: Helping Others Face Problem Pregnancies. PC(USA) Office of Gender & Racial Justice. Presbyterian Mission Council. 2010. [link in Resources below]

Resources For Discussion - reflecting the Presbyterian Church (USA) deliberations on problem pregnancies, abortion, and reproductive health:

    • What Does the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Say: This pdf document summarizes the deliberations and policy decisions of our denomination over time.
    • When You Need Wisdom: Helping Others Face Problem Pregnancies. PC(USA) Office of Gender & Racial Justice. Presbyterian Mission Council. 2010. While this is geared to those providing council to women, it provides a nice summary of where our denomination stands. It explores the options for those who are faced with a problem pregnancy, provides biblical/theological views on abortion, and offers additional resources.
    • What We Believe: Abortion/Reproductive Choice Issues. PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission Agency. This site acknowledges differences of opinion within the denomination on abortion and reproductive choice, but also points out areas of substantial agreement. In noting that abortion should be considered an option of last resort, it also notes that "the Christian community must be concerned about and address the circumstances that bring a woman to consider abortion as the best available option. Poverty, unjust societal realities, sexism, racism, and inadequate supportive relationships may render a woman virtually powerless to choose freely."
    • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Resolution on Reproductive Health (2012)  This resolution focuses on providing just access to reproductive health care.

Slides used in the discussion: BC-HT Abortion Part 2 - History, Religion

Chat log from the discussion: BC-HT Chat Log for 05-17-2023

Connect With Us

703-451-2900

manager@gracepresby.org

7434 Bath Street, Springfield, VA 22150

Service Times

Adult Study 9:00 am
Worship Service 10:30 am

Administrator Login

Location