We Are the Ones We Are Waiting For
This past Thursday evening, Brad and I sat in Hoover auditorium with a small group of professors, students and community members listening to Michael Wear give a lecture on his newest book, The Spirit of our Politics[1]. Michael wrote his profound and hope-filled book for those who are discouraged and exhausted by bitterness and rage in our politics. He shared with us his new paradigm of political involvement rooted in the teachings of Jesus by drawing insights from Dallas Willard’s[2] approach to spiritual formation. Because Michael Wear serves as the President and CEO for the Center for Christianity and Public Life in Washington D.C., I couldn’t help but form questions in my mind for him and this week’s post assignment. Lining up this week’s readings by Jim Wallis and Brett Fuller, I am curious how these authors might practically suggest we become a people to change the world when so many of us (I like to avoid an us vs. them approach) are spiritually unformed for the task at hand? I’ll start this post with Jim Wallis’ final word to us as leaders, “We are the ones we have been waiting for!”[3] So how? How might we become the leaders the world so desperately needs?
What is Brett Fuller’s Dream and Vision?
Bishop Brett Fuller is the senior pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. In 2000, he inspired a bill in Congress to establish a memorial honoring African American slaves who helped build America. In Dreaming in Black and White,[4] Fuller unpacks Ethnic tension in America and offers solutions. His convictions to reduce ethnic tension are rooted in legislation so corrupt rules may be amended. For instance, he writes how misguided judicial precedent must be overturned. Although this doesn’t answer my question directly of “How might we become the leaders the world so desperately needs?” Fuller does see reconciliation as the primary means to chart a pathway to wholeness and peace by taking the reconciliation conversation a step further to repentance. Much like Desmond Tutu’s mediations in Cape Town, South Africa in the 1990s, Fuller calls forth Identification Repentance: when someone acknowledges another’s wrongdoing, identifies with its wrongness, and commits to correct its ill efforts.
1. The question I would like to ask Brett Fuller is, “Would you be willing to share your personal story with us and help us to listen, really listen for the fear, confusion and concerns of the White population? Help us hear Black pain anew.”
Another of Fuller’s books, High Ceilings: Women in Leadership, details the beneficial freedoms and boundaries that God assigns for women, wives and mothers. His goal is to add his perspective of Scripture to the corporate ideological discussion of women’s roles. Through a deep dive into the early chapters of Genesis, Fuller frames his discussion about women leading or taking leadership roles in light of the reality of the fall. Outside of the marital relationship between man and woman, Fuller sees no restrictions on women in leadership roles because of her gender. Again and again, the author returns to the context of controversial passages around the issue like I and 2 Timothy, I Corinthians 7 and Ephesians 5, by reframing Scripture’s original intent: It’s not God’s will for a wife to verbally command her own husband. I appreciated Fuller’s perspective as he summarized, “A woman’s authority . . . is not determined by gender but by godly character, relationship and position.”[5] Brett Fuller concluded, from his research and exegetical studies that gender does not prohibit any person from assuming a leadership role. Ultimately, this book reads like a preacher working out his thoughts and finding a safe landing that women are leaders based on their callings and giftedness, not gender.
2. The question I would ask Pastor Fuller is, “How might you explain excellent leadership from women who are not “godly”? I know many capable and influential women leaders who are not followers of Christ. Perhaps we could use the word “virtue” or just “moral character”? I would also ask, “In light of your efforts for ethnic repentance, what practical ways can leaders offer healing for gender pain surrounding women in leadership?”
What are the Driving Points of Jim Wallis’ book?
Jim Wallis, a leading evangelical Christian, stands at the crossroads of religion and politics in America. He is a theologian, preacher, activist and author. As the editor and founder of Sojourners magazine, Wallis’ message during the 2004 campaign was titled, “God is Not a Republican. Or a Democrat.” Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu and Brett Fuller, Wallis believes the religious community could help heal the wounds dividing America–we just need to find a common vision by moving to higher ground. In God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get it, Wallis offers a clarion call to both religious communities and our government accountable to key values.
My favorite quote among the many thought-provoking chapters is, “The truth is that most of the important movements for social change in America have been fueled by religion–progressive religion. The stark moral challenges of our time have once again begun to awaken this prophetic tradition. As the religious Right loses influence, nothing could be better for the health of both church and society than a return of the moral center that anchors our nation in a common humanity. If you listen, these voices can be heard rising again.”[6]
In light of hearing Michael Wear so recently to reading through Jim Wallis’ book, my questions for him are this:
3. If we are, “The ones we’ve been waiting for!” Then what is blocking the road to influencing the generations above and beneath us in returning to the moral center? Let’s be brutally honest as leaders and assign other leaders the task of helping younger leaders read good books again, desire ethical leadership, and the moral center. What is keeping us from doing this?
4. Since you wrote your book almost 20 years ago, what might you include now that you didn’t then? Why is your book important considering that a large percentage of Americans are using politics as their religion?
[1] Wear, Michael R. The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. Zondervan, 2024.
[2] Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God. 1st edition. San Francisco: Harper, 1998.
[3] Wallis, James. God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005. P. 374
[4] Fuller, Brett. Dreaming In Black And White. BookBaby, 2021.
[5] Fuller, Brett, High Ceilings: Women in Leadership: P.25.
[6] Wallis, Jim. “God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It. P.
About the Author
Pam Lau
Pamela Havey Lau brings more than 25 years of experience in speaking, teaching, writing and mediating. She has led a variety of groups, both small and large, in seminars, trainings, conferences and teachings. Pam’s passion is to see each person communicate with their most authentic voice with a transparent faith in Jesus Christ. With more than 10, 000 hours of writing, researching, and teaching the heart and soul of Pam’s calling comes from decades of walking alongside those who have experienced healing through pain and peace through conflict. As a professor and author, Pam deeply understands the role of mentoring and building bridges from one generation to another. She has developed a wisdom in how to connect leaders with their teams. Her skill in facilitating conversations extends across differences in families, businesses, schools, universities, and nonprofits. Pam specializes in simplifying complex issues and as a business owner, has helped numerous CEOs and leaders communicate effectively. She is the author of Soul Strength (Random House) and A Friend in Me (David C. Cook) and is a frequent contributor to online and print publications. You can hear Pam’s podcast on Real Life with Pamela Lau on itunes. Currently, Pam is a mediator for families, churches, and nonprofits. You can contact Pam through her website: PamelaLau.com. Brad and Pam live in Newberg, Oregon; they have three adult daughters and one son-in-law. One small, vocal dog, Cali lives in the family home where she tries to be the boss! As a family they enjoy worshiping God, tennis, good food and spending time with family and friends.7 responses to “We Are the Ones We Are Waiting For”
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Wallis’s final words “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for” also stood out to me, and I do like your question “So how?” I think it’s the right question for Christians to ask, and it’s one that those who lead in churches need to wrestle with, especially those who are called to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” This week, I heard David French mention how little we hear from pulpits on the subject of public theology — like, how to engage with the public sphere as Christians. French was interviewed on the Trinity Forum podcast. The episode is “Faith, Fear, and Conspiracy with David French.”
Travis~
I am a fan of David French and the Trinity Forum so I will search out the podcast. One question I am bringing to our time this week in D.C. is what it does look like to act politically or publicly, as you say, as Christians. Does Christ actually command us to build the Kingdom or to seek the Kingdom? I look forward to hanging out with you and the others for more good conversations!
Hi Pam,
I enjoyed your post.
I will have to look at Wear’s book.
My mind goes back to Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change Hardcover – April 3, 2019, by Greg Satell.
I was sort of inspired by this book and in my own feeble way, hosted an Immigration Symposium for students on the Immigration issue. I wanted to try my hand at creating my own cascade.
After my time in Ukraine, two books comes to mind.
1) Stay In Your Lane: worry less, love more, and get things done Paperback – April 20, 2023
by Kevin A Thompson, and
2) Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits For Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead, by Marcus Warner, Jim Wilder
The first book cautions me about focusing my emotional, physical and spiritual capital on the tasks God has set before me.
The second reminds me that God has prepared me for work in Eastern Europe and the joy I experienced being back there should serve a reminder to stay focused.
A return to “tunnel vision” perhaps. But I am wrestling with this thought these days. Letting all the presidential election rhetoric pass me by.
Shalom
Russell~
Good reminders from two excellent books! You are wise to let the rhetoric of the presidential elections go for a bit. Is what’s happening at the larger level really our greatest concern? What is happening locally with our politics. Considering the work you are doing in Europe, I wonder how that impacts your relationships with your church, your community, your friends? Do they want to join you? Does what you aspire to give others around you hope? Looking forward to seeing and being with you and your group!
Hi Pam,
You asked, “I wonder how that impacts your relationships with your church, your community, your friends? Do they want to join you? Does what you aspire to give others around you hope?”
To be honest, where Ukraine is concerned, people have moved on. Add Israel and Palestine, most are unconcerned. I did a recent missions conference and very few were interested in the work our non profit is doing there.
But that is typical of the American mindset. Nothing new.
Still there are a select few that the Holy Spirit touches and SOMETIMES they ask about the work we are doing and in general they respond with prayers an financial support.
In short, situation normal.
Russ
Hi Pam!
I enjoyed reading your posts and your insightful questions to the authors. I appreciate it. Speaking of reconciliation, as Fuller proposes, in your opinion, is it compelling enough to eliminate discrimination and racism that is still rooted in some people?
Dinka,
I would like to understand your question better. So let me ask you a question before I answer yours: What holes do you see in Fuller’s proposal for reconciliation?