{"id":2358,"date":"2017-04-07T09:11:12","date_gmt":"2017-04-07T14:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/?p=2358"},"modified":"2021-01-28T16:35:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T21:35:48","slug":"church-responds-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pts.edu\/blog\/church-responds-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Palm Wednesday – How the Church Responds to Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am continually faced with my powerlessness over gun violence and its traumatic effect(s) upon me personally and the community in which I live. This past Wednesday afternoon, my four-year old daughter and I, heard around 10 gunshots as we stood near my bedroom window. This is the second time in two weeks that we both have heard gunshots while together at our house. My daughter has recently become accustomed to the \u201cbang bangs\u201d and she appeared excited that such noises were near her house. I have to ask myself, \u201cHow do I respond to my daughter\u2019s acceptance of \u2018bang bangs[1]<\/a>\u2019 in her life?\u201d As a community leader, I have to ask, \u201cHow do I respond on behalf of my community that has heard and felt more \u2018bang bangs\u2019 then I ever will?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Humble Witness of Jesus<\/h2>\n

This past Wednesday, we celebrated the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey. I spoke about the ineffectiveness of military to produce the change of heart and mind that God requires. I proclaimed that the Kingship of Jesus is clothed in humility and that his Kingship is the very reign of God of heaven come down to earth. The day after our service, it struck me\u2014the humble witness of Jesus is just as applicable to my community as it was to that of Jesus. The Roman occupation of Israel was secured through its military strength and it was keen to use it to maintain control. The frustration of being an occupied people often led to revolts and it became apparent that violence would not produce the Peaceable Kingdom (Hauerwas) spoken about by the prophets. My community appears \u201coccupied\u201d by various powers ranging from a dominant street gang to police departments taking on a more militarized approach. The evidence of the occupation of our community is the prevalence of \u201cbang bangs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forgiveness of Sins<\/h2>\n

As we gathered for worship a few hours after a young man and his pregnant girlfriend were shot, singing of the Kingship of Jesus has a strange power. I was led to shift my focus from the violence around me, to the brokenness within me, as I sang, \u201cHeal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like You have loved me<\/em>\u201d (Hillsong United, Hosanna<\/em>). As I broke the body of Christ in Holy Communion, I broke it on behalf of our broken community. As I presented the cup of the blood of Christ, I presented a solution to the \u201cbang bangs,\u201d forgiveness of sins that leads to reconciliation between God and humanity and humanity within itself. I became aware of the true occupation of our community, the Kingdom of God breaking through. This reign of God was witnessed through a small group of people whose praises filled the air and whose hearts were at peace with God and each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds\u201d (2 Cor 10:4, NIV).<\/p>\n

If you’re interested in learning more about how churches can\u00a0prevent gun violence in their communities, download the Seminary’s Gun Violence Resource Kit<\/a>, written in partnership with Allegheny County Health Department, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania\u00a0Interfaith Impact Network.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Rev. Keith Kaufold \u201907\/\u201912 is the lead pastor of a circuit that includes United Methodist Churches in West Homestead, Swissvale, and Millville; pastor of Community United Methodist Church in Aspinwall; and founding pastor of Eighth Avenue Place\u2014a church plant and <\/em>Christian community that confronts the ignorance that perpetuates racism and lives and ministers together in the name of Jesus Christ. Keith is currently enrolled in the master\u2019s in social work program at California University of Pennsylvania. <\/em><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> The term I use with my daughters to describe gunshots.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am continually faced with my powerlessness over gun violence and its traumatic effect(s) upon me personally and the community in which I live. This past Wednesday afternoon, my four-year old daughter and I, heard around 10 gunshots as we stood near my bedroom window. 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