Season 1, Episode 14: Pastor Ken Riley talks about "a third way" to racial reconciliation

Pastor Ken Riley shares a story of recently traveling to Dakar, Senegal and coming to reflect on how we are all connected, even across the globe. As he was standing at the "door of no return,” the place where Africans who were stolen from their homes would cross never to return to their families or country, his Senegalese companion put his arm around Ken and said, “Isn't it good to be reminded that we are brothers.” May we all walk through a door not to return to the racial injustices that exists in our society but to make a commitment to work together to provide healing a hope!

Ken talked about his time serving as a Chaplin in the Navy, a model that seeks to “Provide for your own, care for all, facilitate for others and advise the command.” Working in the this environment was multicultural, multiethnic and as well as many faith backgrounds.

Ken believes we need to take a call to action! Three things Ken believes we are called to do in our commitment to justice (having a conviction that is Biblical), through a “third way,” using Matthew 5:6-7 as an example:

1. Mourn with those who mourn. It is in mourning that people are comforted.
BLACK LIVES / BLUE LIVES / ALL LIVES: Are these just opportunities to mourn with those who are mourning? These movements are people asking, “can somebody mourn with me?” We are all created in the image of God, we all have human dignity.

2. Become passionate peacemakers. It is through peace that we create influence and influence moves us beyond equity to unity. MLK Jr., as radical as he was, was committed to peace through non-violence.

Ken shares his story about being incarcerated his senior year of high school, under charges of attempted murder. What he needed in that moment for advocacy was relationships with those in power.

Working together requires calling out the injustice; “this is wrong and here’s the solution.”  It requires doing your own work, seeing the places you have prejudices and phobias. It involves having courageous conversations, not remaining silent.  Get educated! Read books! Listen to podcasts. Get to know the “other;” people who don’t look like me.

Jesus listened, He intentionally had conversations with those who were on the outside of society.

Looking at demographics for supporting diversity: representation needs to be in leadership in order to have a voice and any power.

Political season is coming up: it’s a charged tense season… Ken chooses to engage conversations by be willing and open, not allowing the conversation to affect him personally: It’s not an attack your values. Being okay with not changing the other person.

3. Have a commitment to listening. Engaging people around you and listening first. Lead with being secure in who you are and that all people reflect the image of God.

Relationship is a journey not a destination, it is a process that brings us closer to understanding each other and puts us on the pathway of learning.

There is a generation coming who doesn’t understand racism.

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Pastor Ken Riley is the Campus Lead for newlife Church in Bremerton, WA. He's also a husband, father to three teen-aged girls, and a former Navy Chaplin.

You can hear Ken preach on Sundays at Mountain View Middle School at 9am, 10:30am & 6pm with a community dinner hosted at 5:30pm.

You can connect with Ken for continued conversations with a non-judgmental ear: [email protected]

Ken is reading: Above the Line by Urban Meyer, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Ken is listening to: Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

Ken is inspired by: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Well, first I guess I would have to believe that there was or is an actual political dialogue taking place that I could potentially be a part of. And honestly, I'm not sure that I believe that.