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We need REAL social change now more than ever. But how?

Let me backtrack to a social change event where Cornel West, the prominent African American scholar, was the main speaker. There, he recalled these words of Paolo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed:

No social change movement is ever successful without the support of religious leaders and their communities.

If this is true, and we’re serious about social justice, then shouldn’t we help our spiritual leaders to be good at it? By good, I mean not only effective at motivating congregants to rise up for social change — since many do, but also effective at securing change in policy and law. Today, that is exactly what Auburn Seminary is up to.

A Protestant Theological Seminary, Auburn is leading the way in “faith-rooted justice-work.” They (the seminary) serve clergy as well as full-time activists of all faiths. Such faith-rooted organizing allows faith communities to actively participate in creating just societies with the latest tools. In other words, as the Seminary’s dean, Rabbi Justus Baird explains, “This training does for faith-rooted activists what Change.org does for secular activists.”

After talking with Rabbi Baird about Auburn’s new initiative in faith-rooted justice-work and learning about Auburn’s history, I saw an “evolutionary” pattern at play. Auburn seems to reflect, if not anticipate, the changes of consciousness in our broader culture. My chart below compares Auburn’s institutional changes with changes in the development of consciousness. 

Under the direction of Auburn’s president, Katharine Henderson, the seminary’s new emphasis on faith-rooted justice-work seems to bring it into the post-postmodern (integral, interspiritual) age. Rabbi Baird explains that Auburn focuses on leaders who are active in social justice movements, distills what makes them successful, and spreads those success factors to others.

Social justice advocacy is not new, but training today’s spiritual leaders in how to use new technology for social change, is. Auburn teaches social justice activists how to organize digitally, using tools like Groundswell, Ethical Spectacle, and Media Training to create petitions, interface with journalists, tell compelling stories, and generate public attention and support. Perhaps the work of religious leaders who benefit from Auburn’s training will inspire us all to bring about the social change we yearn for today.

My “evolutionary analogy” (even if it is a stretch) lets me draw these three conclusions.

1. Multi-faith and interfaith education is a valuable pre-requisite for the world-centric morality emerging today. No one is free until all are free. Furthermore, without exposure to multi-faith and interfaith education, the tools for organizing our communities can just as easily be used to undermine rather than procure social justice. Multi-faith education is necessary to ensure positive outcomes.
2.  Not all clergy engage in social justice work. Those who do not may be inspired to add these skills to their portfolio. Those who do may want to learn these new tools to improve their effectiveness. Such leadership integrates idealism and realism, thought and action, for realizing the just world we all desire. Actions speak louder than words.
3. When an INSTITUTION like Auburn expands its own mission to include others (not only white, male clerics) in the process of healing our world, I am hopeful. I would like to think that if a once-traditional seminary like Auburn can pivot and take the lead in its field, perhaps other institutions like banks, universities, governments, and more, will do the same. The lines drawn by faith are less important as leaders begin collaborating across religious boundaries (and perhaps achieving more success because of it) to create a truly just society. Auburn sets an example as an institution embracing these expanded values. 

Cornel West was wise to recall Paolo Freire’s observation that No social change movement is ever successful without the support of religious leaders and their communities. And Auburn Seminary is wise to notice and take the lead in reaching across religious and social divides to assist such leaders to stand up, out, and for social justice for all. And let us say: Hallelujah!

While Auburn Seminary works with congregation-based religious leaders and non-profit activists, training is geared towards professionals working with adults, not youth. If you are interested in “faith-rooted justice” programs for youth, please see my Teaching Resources.