In my last column I wrote about how "inside-out, upside-down" congregations engage in incarnational mission. I quoted Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk:

"Incarnational mission" defines such a church. "Mission," after all, is the essence of being an "inside-out" church - leaving the comfort of our church buildings to go into the world as Christ commands. "Incarnational," similarly, is the essence of being an "upside-down" church-leaving our places of status and privilege to go to the "godforsaken places"  not in a patronizing way, but in solidarity with those on the margins. That is the model of Christ's own mission, who "emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness" (Phil. 2:7a).

This is not an easy path to follow. As I write this, the Twitterverse and Blogosphere are lit up over comments attributed to the President about our immigration policy. If we move beyond the sensationalism of the quote we find a sentiment that reflects the opposite of Jesus' model of mission. Reading it charitably, the President questioned the wisdom of receiving immigrants from [godforsaken] countries instead of from economically developed lands. We may scoff, but that is the same sentiment I hear among many Presbyterians and other wealthy, privileged, (and predominantly white) denominations regarding mission. We might want to help those on the margins (whether the margins be global, national, or local), but do we really want to embrace them in a way that changes us, that requires us to step outside our comfort zone, to surrender our privilege, and engage them where they are?

But that is precisely what Jesus did in taking on flesh and becoming human. As Roxburgh and Romanuk remind us, that is where he is to be found now - not in the places of privilege, but in the very "godforsaken" places of our communities and our world. Jesus did not seek out the wealthy and the powerful - though some did follow him. Instead, he went to those on the margins of his society - and even beyond that to the stranger, the foreigner, and the "other."

The task of setting aside our own privilege and removing injustice based on privilege is therefore central to our missional task as Christians in the world. Privilege takes many forms: race, gender, class, and able-ness are just a few of the most common. Privilege is often something to which we who are privileged are blind, so a basic task of incarnational mission is to recognize and unmask privilege in ourselves and in society.

For those who want to address racial privilege, I encourage you to undertake two activities. First, read the book Waking Up White by Debby Irving, which our General Assembly Co-moderators offered for churchwide study last year. Second, consider registering for the 19th Annual White Privilege Conference. This national event will be held in Grand Rapids April 4-7, and is one of the most transformative events I have experienced in learning how to be more just and loving neighbors and citizens. Discounts are available to PCUSA members and friends (see the information elsewhere in the Bi-Weekly Brief). I have already registered - I hope you will join me.