CoInspire: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Church

In October of 2019, Montreat Conference Center hosted CoInspire, the second in a series of conferences addressing systemic racism in the church. Our first conference, DisGrace, lived in lament for the ways in which the sins of racism thwart individual people and institutions, infecting congregations and denominations with death-dealing dehumanization. CoInspire examineed ways that we, as members of Christ’s body, might co-inspire one another to liberate imagination for new ways of being, and examine ways we can conspire to eviscerate the racism within our churches. read more here....

Rev. Michael Moore, who attended with his wife, Denise, reflects on their experience:

The conference was at times pretty intense. Hearing so many stories of pain was intense. For me, sitting there and listening as a Privileged White Male was at times uncomfortable (as it should be). 

From a Peacemaking perspective, holding sacred space at Montreat for the telling of stories and listening was healing. It was also good to have times of worship, reflection, and fellowship. Worship was inspiring and challenging. I came away with a lot to think about. Each evening one of the sponsoring seminaries hosted a fellowship time. It was a time for participants to get together informally for sharing and also laughter. It was a nice gift at the end of a day of heavy subjects and discussions.

This event is a step in the process of reconciliation, healing, and doing the work of liberating imagination and eviscerating racism. The PC(USA) has often been at the forefront focusing on the critical issues of racism, sexism, LGBTQAI+ rights, and others. However, we are still a predominantly white denomination and the struggles around racism, sexism, and LGBTQAI+ rights are very real and present. As difficult as the conversations can be, we must continue to make such efforts as we seek to follow Christ.

​Rev. Michael Moore is the pastor at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. He is a retired Air Force Chaplain and is married to Denise.