The Antidote to Power from Above

With its themes of moral reckoning and repentance, this Lenten season brings into stark relief the current struggle over the soul of our nation. In 1976, the famous theologian Howard Thurman once delivered a sermon of enduring relevance entitled “America in Search of a Soul.” Thurman prophetically understood that the soul of America was threatened by “the Cult of Inequality.” Today, we face our own moment of reckoning as we confront the crises of societal inequality and climate change. In next week’s Creation Justice Webinar, Kelly Brown Douglas, Jim Antal, and Cameron Trimble will speak out of the progressive, liberating tradition of our faith to address what is at stake and what we can do.

While we speak of a national struggle, it is a struggle that will ultimately be decided city by city, town by town, and congressional district by congressional district. In less than two weeks, the first Climate Hope Affiliate will be launched in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A team of seven from two churches (one UCC and one not) has pledged to personally invite 30 people either over the phone or in-person to their launch workshop. With a deep sense of calling, they are focused on addressing the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice. They will be doing this by developing ongoing relationships with their members of congress, the local media, and others in their broader community.

For years, I have heard it said that “people power” is the antidote to the power of the wealthy and those who rule from above. But what exactly does that “people power” look like? Now I know. It looks like church members who give of their time, energy, and talent, even when many of us would rather not do “one more thing.” It looks like church members reaching beyond the walls of their church to extend invitations to others, even when it requires vulnerability and the possibility of rejection. It looks like church members doing the work necessary to turn individual voices into a chorus of voices that elected officials will not be able to ignore.

Behind the amazing work that I am witnessing in Allentown is the power of our faith. I can feel this power in group prayers. I can feel it in meetings when group members share what has called them to this ministry. I can feel it in the courage and commitment of each action taken.

In the days and weeks ahead, let us lean into the power of our faith. The very soul of our nation is at stake.

The Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt is the Environmental Justice Minister for the United Church of Christ and the author of Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis.