Equity, Justice and the White Church (Rob W. Lee and John Pavlovitz)

Published: Oct. 17, 2017, 2:21 p.m.

b'What does one do when their church no longer wants them as a pastor? When speaking out against white supremacy, on behalf of black lives, and in solidarity with LGBTQ liberation, ultimately costs them their jobs? Does one abandon the church altogether or try and fight for a progressive Christianity instead? My guests this week have answered the questions clearly, and in favor of the latter option. Rob W. Lee -- a descendant of Robert E. Lee -- faced pushback from parishioners in his church after condemning white supremacy in the wake of Charlottesville, ultimately convincing him to resign his position. Meanwhile, John Pavolovitz was fired from his position after challenging some of the more reactionary church positions on sexuality among other topics. Both are adamant however that those reactionary ideologies should not and do not define what Christianity can be, even in a white church community that has often taken a pass on justice struggles. Regardless of your own faith beliefs -- or even if you reject religion altogether -- this conversation is a necessary one for progressives to engage.'