Responding to Police Brutality: How Your Church Can Make a Difference

Recent events of police brutality at the hands of police have left many of us feeling a deep sense of pain, anger, and helplessness. In a church community, it is important that we acknowledge and respond to these events in ways that are consistent with our values of love, justice, and compassion.

First and foremost, we must offer prayers and support for those who have been directly affected by police brutality, and for the families of those who have been killed. We must also recognize that these events have likely caused trauma and pain for many members of our congregation, and we must create a space for everyone to process their feelings and emotions.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to seek justice and advocate for change in the world. This means that we must work to dismantle the systems that have led to the police brutality we are seeing today. We must examine any ways in which we may have contributed to or been blind to or complicit in these systems, and take concrete steps to address and dismantle them.

One way we can do this is by supporting and standing in solidarity with organizations and movements working for justice and police reform. Our churches can offer resources and opportunities for education, dialogue, and reflection on issues of violence and policing within our church community.

Our churches must also offer practical help and support to those who are affected by police brutality. This could include volunteering, making donations, or any form of activism that aligns with our church values. In addition, we must also include these issues in our worship services. You could include opening the service with a moment of silence for those who have been affected by police brutality, and for the families of those who have been killed. You can also include a prayer for healing, comfort, and justice in the service. You can share a personal reflection on the events and how they have affected the pastor and the congregation. You can include a song, hymn, or other musical selection that speaks to the theme of healing, justice, or reconciliation. You can even invite members of the congregation to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to the events during a time of open mic or testimony. What you can not do is nothing.

In conclusion, churches need to acknowledge and respond to the pain and trauma caused by police brutality. Churches must work to dismantle systems of oppression and violence, while offering support and practical help to those affected. We include these issues in our worship services because they are the issues of the people today and we as a church are committed to coming alongside, friends, family and neighbors over the issue that directly effect our friends, family and neighbors.

Pastor Mike