06/30/2024
A preaching conference at the school I attend was poised to provide an incredible lineup of women preachers and workshops. It was intended to be empowering.
Then one white guy: Eddie Estep, a supposed leader, wrecked it, tainted it. The short reason is his own perception of one speaker, whom he personally dislikes. His ego was threatened so he lashed out. His justification is stupid, but worse, the people I trusted and respected who listened to his voice is disappointing
The longer, deeper, more complicated reasons are rooted in the oldest sin in the book: a desire by one man to countervene the wisdom of God. In this case by means of patriarchy, racism, ableism, and classism. Rece
Power and control by white men who feel entitled to whisper their concerns in back rooms and be heard while the shouts of protest are ignored is the very core of privilege.
Eddie Estep should be ashamed. He should not be allowed to continue as a district superintendent because his very personal views (and hatred) were given priority over the voice of a woman with something important to say.
I’m angry that we keep listening to the white men in spite of their consistent power grabs and lack of willingness to shut up and sit down for one minute in order to hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth that abounds in their churches and districts because of their words and deeds.
The god they worship is too small. Their god looks like them, pledges allegiance to their flag and blesses their behavior.
The God of the marginalized is bigger. There is no other God before them. The God of Sarah, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary despises the deeds of the people who silence justice, demean the poor, and ignore the hurting. I mourn the rejection of God by those who believe in a male god who measures manhood by the foreskins and scalps they bring as proof of their devotion to him.
It is because I believe in a God who transforms that I am able to pray for men like Eddie Estep and Tom Taylor and Andy Lauer and Brian Powell. Because if anyone needs grace and holiness and love it is these. And the God of miracles and abounding love is all too willing to welcome them to the table once they repent and are redeemed.
