Dr. Timothy Tennent: Asbury’s Lenten Journey Toward Racial Reconciliation
If that famous musket shot in Lexington Massachusetts on April 19, 1775 which started the Revolutionary War became known as the “shot heard round the world,” then one might say that the 8 minutes and 46 seconds which unfolded on May 25th in Minneapolis resulting in the death of George Floyd made the cry, “I can’t breathe” the “cry heard round the world.” The ensuing demonstrations and outcries have continued to challenge us as a nation to reflect more deeply on how we continue to become “a more perfect union.” Amanda Gorman’s electrifying poem, The Hill We Climb, which she recited on Inauguration Day powerfully captured both the challenges we face, as well as the hope we embody as a people.
Asbury Seminary, along with thousands of our beloved alumni serving on every continent, have been reflecting deeply on how we can better embody the New Creation in the present where inclusion and reconciliation are realities, and injustice and racism are finally defeated. Shortly after the death of George Floyd, we began to pray together and listen to one another in deeper ways. I sent a pastoral letter out to the entire community, urging us to listen and heed God’s voice to us during this unrest, which was also unfolding in the midst of a pandemic as well as a contentious national election.
We formed Be the Bridge groups which were transformative for many in our Asbury community. We held various student forums, faculty videos, two focus groups of all of our African American students and another focus group with all of our African American trustees, as well as our Trustees as a whole. We had some fabulous zoom gatherings with many of our alumni who shared insights about their journey with their congregations. Then, in the Fall, the senior leadership of the Seminary crafted an extensive document, entitled Asbury Seminary’s Response to Racial Inequity.
This document was read by faculty, staff and all trustees. Each provided valuable feedback and helped to shape the document in significant ways. The document has now been finalized and has also been turned into an action plan. We now have a road map for every sector of the Seminary to implement real changes in a wide array of areas, including our advertising strategy, where we recruit students, and our hiring of new faculty and staff. We continue to work on the ways we can grow as an inclusive community which reflects that great diversity of the New Creation seen in John’s Rev 7:9 vision. I want all of our alumni to know that we are committed to this work because we believe that it is important work for us to embody the reconciliation which is part of the eschatological victory which is our inheritance in Jesus Christ.
One of our aims is to ask, “what is the distinctively Christian contribution to this conversation?” There are over 200 million Christians in the United States and 2.4 billion Christians globally. We must reclaim many crucial doctrines which shed great light on many of the most pressing questions of our day. Many pastors make the mistake of either “going silent” on issues like racial reconciliation, or just becoming an echo chamber of the wider culture. But, we have great treasures which need to be reclaimed.
Let’s reclaim the power of the doctrine of the image of God in all people! Let’s remember anew the humility and the invitation to repentance which is inherent in our belief in the universality of sin. May we daily embody the amazing call to reconciliation and the inbreaking of the New Creation which is at the heart of the gospel! Paul declares in Galatians 3:28 that “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Notice that the three pairings represent three of the most contentious tensions of our day since the three pairings fall into the three categories of racial identity (Jew/Greek), social status (slave/free) and gender (male/female). Yet, our identity in Jesus Christ supersedes them all and creates new possibilities as we embody the inbreaking kingdom in the present age. This Lent we are making this journey. It is a journey of repentance, since we have often failed to live up to this New Creation vision. But, it is also a journey of discovery and new relationships and an even greater insight into the glorious gospel to which we have dedicated our lives!
I am so thankful to be an Asbury Seminary grad. It is an honor being linked to such a compassionate community of Holiness believers.
Thank you, Tim, for leading in this vitally important work. Your statement, the process you used and the map/plan going forward are very encouraging. Thank you!
How might I as an alum and former Trustee see the document you have created?
Thanks, Dan Johnson
Is there a recognition of the need for repentance in the document? It is rather the point of Lent.
Yes, the document does address both the need for repentance as well as some specific acts of repentance in our community prayer time.
Thank you Tim for leading this vital work.
Jorge