I admit to you that I am scared. As I think about “Christian Nationalism” in my nation, region, city and neighborhood- I really tempted to look away and minimize or ignore the ARC worldview around me. Threats of violence cause me to fear: for the wellbeing of my family and community. The temptation to keep the peace is real within me.  I see firsthand the devastating effects of violence on my patients and want to minimize that risk for others. And yet- the perfect love of Christ is offering to drive my fears away.

The analysis begins with me:

• LEARN by looking directly at ARC through books, articles and documentaries on the subject.
• Dig into my own faith experiences and cultural experiences that inform my theology (‘iceberg’ myself).
• Study my ARC self assessment responses through a lens to see how I carry those experiences to my current theology. Shine a light under my bed by exploring my fears and how Jesus invites me to respond.

In order to do this work, I must suspend my effort to ‘other’ ARC participates and respond empathy to see them as beloved. Draw close to understand what they are afraid of.

I am setting a goal to foster empathy by meeting with a local leader that is supportive of ARC, approaching with curiousity the question of ‘what are they afraid of?”

Is there a path forward where people in trusting relationships can shine a light under the bed to dissipate the fears of our brothers and sisters?

Regarding my institution: My hospital is a not-for-profit institution committed to the public good. It shares forward facing values and is missional with its place in my community. Many of these values overlap with Christian values of the churches of my upbringing. All of the values have been forged in the same American culture.   As a secular institution/ physician group, it would not be appropriate to use the common table tool or explicit ARC language. Asking the same question in a different way I would like to explore themes power, influence and behavior as my leadership team and the partners in my group re-evaluates our values.

Lastly, many of the physician on my leadership team hold a Mormon faith. I want to investigate the ARC tendencies that may be present in the Mormon faith tradition as a way to better understand my leadership teammates.

My spouse and I are planning on leading an ARC to DCA common table study group for our church this autumn.