Contemporary, Relevant Pastor: PB Halo of Praise

I came across this image on a friend’s FB page and I want to surprise her with a Halo of Praise here, because the image gave me a total “Wow” reaction. As in “WOW, that woman is FIERCE.”

The whole situation is intense. I don’t have to research the setting, as we can all say what’s basically goin going on here. Injustice, anger, protest. Beth is obviously doing some form of public witness.

Let’s look at the image.

Here’s what I read:

First of all, this clergywoman is thoroughly of TODAY. 2013. The fitted clericals not tucked in, the haircut, the sunglasses, the thing on her wrist, the cut of her pants (which sounds like a silly detail but those pants are a revelation to someone who has spent years seeing pastors in sad sack slacks that don’t fit, are unquestionably frumpy, and that make their wearers look sloppy and diminished in stature). Beth’s stance is strong and powerful. She looks like a leader. And yet — did you notice this? — she also looks absolutely in sync with the other people at the protest.

Let’s pause there for a moment, because this is so important.

Have you ever noticed how much of a disconnect there often seems to be between activist clergy and the communities where they’re doing urban justice work? The (liberal) clergy often seem to be visiting from 1972, having been airlifted in from Granolaville, very earnest and very frumpy and very obviously not connected in any deep way to the setting? It always makes me uncomfortable, as I struggle to appreciate the ministerial commitment but can’t help but wish that there was more visual and energetic harmony between the Object and Subject of the ministry. Does this make any sense? I didn’t really realize it until I saw this image of Beth and had the “AH HA” moment: She looks like she lives in their world and isn’t just visiting it.

The whole photograph communicates solidarity to me, the onlooker. These people live in the same world. They are there for the same reason and seem connected to each other by RESPECT — you can see it in the body language and facial expressions. No one seems to have been airlifted in from 1972 for the day. They all occupy the same time, place and emotional space. They are a team.
What kind of dynamic would have been created if Beth had been dressed in a pair of pleated chinos and a rainbow T-shirt and had a chopped off haircut? Clash of cultures. That isn’t to say that they wouldn’t do good work together, but I bet a million bucks that the way Beth presents is an important factor in her being able to relate to, and connect with, this community.