Pastors Logjam: Recent Episodes
Kent Claussen Gubrud
Two Pastors, one black and one white, discuss the intersections of faith, racial justice, racism, repentance, forgiveness, grace, and the hard work of changing hearts, minds, and systems.
Rev. Audrey from Lily of the Valley, and Alana from Christus Victor, join Rev. Bill and Pastor Kent to talk about the Women's Ministry called the Dwelling Place. A gathering of women from the two churches for fellowship, prayer, food, and deep discussions on the intersections of faith and life, and how race shapes those experiences.
Rev. Bill and Pastor Kent talk about our local history, recent history, and current realities of racial injustice and racism. The different experiences of the generations and the challenges of talking about these realities in our politically divisive culture that inhibits us listening and understanding each other.
Rev. Bill and Pastor Kent jam about Black History Month and the terminology we use – justice, racial justice, Biblical justice, racism, white supremacy, white privilege and more. What do we mean when talking about these issues?
Rev. Bill, from Lily of the Valley, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Pastor Kent, from Christus Victor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, jam on Black History Month. What does “racial justice” even look like from our different points of view and limited experiences? The importance of learning and listening to others with different lived experiences and perspectives.
Episode #2 – Black History Month, part 1 – Black history is American history. The past is present as threats to black churches and colleges continue around the country, including St. Paul, MN. Resistance to addressing and learning the real, messy history of our country, dismissed as “Critical Race Theory.”
Episode #1 – The importance of building relationships of trust in conversations of racial disparities and justice. Two churches, Lily of the Valley, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; two ministers, Rev. Dr. Bill Smith, and Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud; two different races and backgrounds; coming together to build trust, understanding, justice, love, and mercy.