Faith in Action

I apologize for the silence for the past few days, but please believe that I’ve been quite active and have much to report.  I won’t share it all now, but there is one thing in particular that I think should be shared.

Some of you  know that I am a member one of the leading clergy-activist group here in Baltimore.  The group has a historic past as one that has been blessed by the leadership and activism of this city’s most revered prophets for justice. 

Admittedly, the voice of the organization hasn’t been as strong as of late because the pastors have gotten older and society is changing so quickly that it’s difficult for them to keep up with the technologies that will aid them in holding up the banner of Christian Activism.  Another factor is the lack of younger partners that will keep the work going - an issue that many groups doing this type of work are familiar with.  Even in our churches, one is likely to see a congregation made up of the elderly and the babies and low numbers in between. 

I started attending the meetings of this clergy activist group around the time that Young Clergy for Social Change was just getting off the ground.  I figured that if we as young clergy were to be credible and knowledgeable participants in faith-based activism in the city; then it made sense for us to learn from and partner with those who have first hand experience with that sort of ministry. 

While I had some initial concerns about how the group operated; I came to see it for what it is - a potential-filled cadre of clergy who’ve been on the battlefield a long time, but still have much to offer for the fight ahead.  They embraced me and presented opportunities for me to exercise my youthful zeal for activism.  I also offered some ways that  the organization might be better equipped to be effective in this technological age. 

Well, two weeks ago it was election time in the organization and I received a call beforehand that I should try my best to make the meeting because I was being nominated for a position.  I showed up and don’t you know that they elected me First Vice President!  wow - is all I could say.  I believe that I am the youngest person ever elected to such a high position in the organization and I’m not even a pastor of a church! 

That said a number of things to me.  First, I was humbled that this body of established and respected clergy would nominate and then elect me as a member of the leadership.  Second, it said to me that this group recognizes that if there is going to be any significant social change in Baltimore; then it will happen when the wisdom of the elders is combined with the daring energy of the youth. 

It seems a constant exercise for me to measure my activities up against the greatest of our Ancestors and it struck me that at my age, Martin Luther King, Jr. was selected by his elders to lead a bus boycott in Alabama.  And at that same age, I have been elected by my elders to serve in the leadership of a prestigious clergy activist organization.

If I never knew it before; I am of full confidence now that God is up to something.