October 7, 2025
There are several congregations within the Presbytery of Lake Michigan that are engaging in the gospel work of protesting against political policies that further oppress, endanger, or marginalize vulnerable groups. The history of Christian protest and resistance to unfair and dangerous political policies is long and varied. Two examples are the early Christians’ resistance to Rome and German Christians’ founding of the Confessing Church to resist the government’s attempt to align Protestant churches with Nazi ideology. More recently, Christian churches and Christian individuals participated in the United States in the Civil Rights Movement and in South Africa in opposition to apartheid. To resource those engaged in this ministry and to keep our members as safe as possible, we recommend reading the following resources. These resources offer concrete and practical guidance on ensuring safety for individuals participating in protests.
A word of caution. Congregational members who are immigrants may want to take extra safety precautions and be aware of their Rights. Congregations that participate in protests, during which the name of the congregation is displayed on signs or t-shirts, may also want to consider the implications of their participation for immigrant members of their congregations, so as not to place them at greater risk.
If you have questions or are interested in more resources related to participation in protests, please contact Rev. Dr. Fran Lane-Lawrence.
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