welcome to lament
As the elder women of the #SilenceIsNotSpiritual movement we hold the profound responsibility of stewarding our Kairos moment as we invite our signers and the church to engage.
We can think of nothing more important than beginning with lament. Where private lament has served to rend our hearts, we also pray for a flood of corporate, congregational grieving for the damage that has been done to women within the church. This pain and harm is not something that can simply be corrected, avoided and addressed with new policies and structures. We are facing the need for deep change that can only begin with feeling the pain and suffering that runs through every church, a silent and raging multi-racial river of suffering. Such suffering is both individual and institutional. In our expressions of grief, we invite the world to grieve. Lament gives depth, nuance and clarity to the story God is telling— his people willingly surrendering long held beliefs, prejudices and defenses.
Choosing to lament the violence women experience in our world requires a change in the narrative that has largely shaped the evangelical church until now.
As we enter into Lent, it seems so appropriate that we enter into lament. Not applause. Not standing ovations. Not polite silence. We are invited by God to grieve injustice of this world. When we do—privately and as congregations—we will become the change we seek.
As we enter this season of Lent, we are reminded of the church’s call to lament with those who suffer and repent for our part in it. To this end, we asked some of the beautiful voices from our #SilenceIsNotSpiritual movement to help us renew our commitment to the life and resurrection of Jesus in our own lives and in our communities. Each Monday of Lent we will post a new Lenten piece rooted in the biblical story of a woman experiencing violence in the scripture and woven with personal story and Lament.
Join us by reading the first #SilenceIsNotSpiritual Lament here. Please share it throughout your media channels, asking others to join our ranks in signing the statement and breaking the silence.
