Reflections on Eric Law's book

Eric Law’s book is essentially about power. In a multicultural context power is perceived differently, held by different people, and used differently (e.g. leadership styles). I found Law’s cycle of cross (powerlessness) and resurrection (empowerment) helpful, not just in terms of leading or participating in a multicultural setting but even in daily life. We are called to follow Christ in his obedience to God, which often means becoming weak, however we (and some individuals more than others) also need to hear the message of empowerment. In daily life we will encounter situations where we need to either divest ourselves of power or claim empowerment through God, often in the same day.

People like me, well educated, white males, will need to consciously relinquish perceived power in many cases. One example of how this would play out in ministry was explained to me by a parishioner at the Latino church I visited for class a few weeks ago. I spoke with an Anglo man who had helped found the Latino congregation (he had been a missionary in Mexico), and told how he had to consciously back down from places of power when the church was just getting started. He didn’t put himself in power, he was simply perceived by those around him to be the one holding the power. When important decisions were being made, he said, all the Latinos would hold their breath and look to him to see what he had to say first. He said it took several meetings where he would refuse to have the first word before the people began to be comfortable making their own decisions. Ultimately this was healthy for the church because those who perceived that they had no power in this society, who were used to the white man telling them what to do and how to do it, these people gradually began to be empowered both in their own minds and in the life of their church. Now decisions can be made and this white man is just another voice, equal with the others in the church—no more, no less.

Law’s book made me reflect on situations I have been in where I was the vocal white person unconsciously dominating the discussion. In classes I’m fairly vocal, and while I have been conscious of that and try not to dominate I had not been aware of the power dynamics that Law points out. Recently I have been more conscious of this, particularly in my church bible-study which is usually mostly African-American women, my wife, and myself. In this situation you have many people from the group that has the least amount of power, perceived or otherwise (African-American women) and then me, who is a white male and therefore from the social group that perceives itself with the most power. I am more careful now to not speak first and to affirm those who speak seldom when they do speak. Also, because my native language is academic and because I am rather articulate, I try to be conscious of the words I use to avoid making anyone feel less educated, less smart or otherwise inferior simply because of my words. I don’t quite adopt ghetto English, but I do tend to use down to earth metaphors, examples and basic English that we all know well.