Dave Buerstetta on striving to do justice and love others while walking humbly with God
We said from the beginning that our sermon series, “Privilege and Promise: This is America,” would make us all uncomfortable. We said from the beginning that this series would make us incensed and mournful. We said from the beginning that this series would challenge us but also, we hoped, teach us. We said from the …
Attempting a deep dive into the history, and reality, of racism in USAmerica and in Christianity -- while also forging a path toward becoming actively anti-racist -- via a sermon series could very easily go awry. But at Woodridge UMC, with the Rev. Danita R. Anderson as our Lead Pastor, it very much did not …
It was my turn to preach again Sunday. (We are on a break from the "Privilege and Promise: This is America" sermon series. But it returns soon. Of course, it is objectively obvious that racism does not take a break, so let’s not stop striving every day to be actively antiracist.) The lectionary gave us …
This summer at Woodridge United Methodist Church, our Lead Pastor Rev. Danita Anderson and I are offering a sermon series on racism we call, “Privilege and Promise: This is America.” We are committed to examining the extant racism around us (and in us!) and moving toward being actively antiracist — both as individuals and as …
Continue reading “Privilege and Promise: This is America — Being Colorblind”
My sermon on Sunday was based on the Lectionary texts for the week: Exodus 19 and Matthew 9. We've begun reading Exodus in the weekly bible study I facilitate, so that added to the fun. Pastor Danita and I are starting a new monthly series on being antiracist...so there may be some subtext to my …
Last week I shared what I wrote to our congregation in response to the racist murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others (to which we must now add Rayshard Brooks). I recently followed that up with a post of next steps, especially for we who are white. Here's what I wrote. I hope …
Recently I've used this space to share how I've asked my city leaders to do just that: lead. And I've shared ways they responded. (I'm not saying they made those public statements because I asked them to. But I'd like to think I at least help nudge them toward doing so.) So what about me? …
I expected this to be a week to have a little extra fun with my sermon. The texts for last week highlighted divisions that occurred in the Christian movement, even in its earliest days. I seem to derive (perverse?) pleasure in dispelling the notion of a golden age for the church. My hope is that …
Yes, indeed. For now at least. Due to the previously-arranged preaching schedule, the previous Sunday was my first opportunity to offer a sermon during our stay-safe-at-home time here in Illinois. So, yes, I spend the first few minutes talking about just how weird that feels. Probably too much time on that. But I strive to …
Turns out Ash Wednesday was only [checks notes] three weeks ago. I don't know about you, but it sure feels to me more like three years ago. I mean, what a world we were living in way, way back in February. Think of all the things we did that month: I saw a movie...in a …
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 