As a pastor to boomers, I know that so many of them were taught, and believed, that their suburban lifestyles were the right and good and Christian thing.

It’s heartbreaking to be teaching them that those choices hurt others by reinforcing racism and inequality.

As a social justice tweeter and city dweller, my heart is with those harmed by white flight, reclining, etc.

But as their pastor, I feel sympathy for people who were trying to be good, and we’re doing what their parents and *churches* and pastors told them to do.

I don’t think those of us who are white progressive pastors fully acknowledge that it was us, the church, who taught people white middle class respectability is what Christianity is, or that it’s Christian go put the needs of your own family above the needs of the community.

So now that we are preaching something else, we’re preaching against decades of what beloved pastors taught. Of course they don’t believe us right away!

But blessed are those who are coming to terms with a new understanding of their own complicity. It’s painful, I know.

But there is a new life on the other side. A new community, a new and joyful way of living, with concern for all.