Christian Responses to the UC System-wide Walkout

On Thursday, September 24th there is a planned walkout throughout the 8 campus UC system --- it's an invitation for students to "walkout" of class as a sign of protest against significant proposed 20% faculty reductions, 42% tuition hikes, and other UC Regent governance issues. What's a Christian student to do? Get caught up in the hype of an organized protest or mob scene? Stay home and catch up on homework? Stick their head in the sand? Band together and show up on campus and look for ways to be "salt and light"? Go to class as usual?

Let's do some quick theological reflection: Moses protested to Pharaoh, "let my people go!" - Queen Esther stood up to the king for her people. David protested against Goliath. There are "protest" Psalms. The prophets protested to God for the people of God in exile. John the Baptist protested against the unrepentant "religious right" & immoral political leaders (via scathing public sermons & calling out specific politicians). Jesus protested against the unjust "religious left" (overturned tables in their temple courts --- self-fashioned whip in hand). Jesus instructed the disciples to shake the dust of an unwelcoming villiage off their feet in protest. The Hellenistic Jews protested to early church leaders about the unfair treatment of their widows. Paul protested that he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection. I bet there is protest in the book of Revelation, but I'm too lazy to tease it out.

Whatever the case, there is a rich case for a wide variety of vocal and even physical protest in the Scriptures. It seems that the typical pattern for protest is usually done by a few prophetic individuals that were called to protest in big ways (versus the usual American "power-mob" method). However, that massive "walkout" from Egypt was pretty impressive. The Church throughout history has had a colorful history/tradition of protest (ie. Protestants and Abolitionists) --- a rich history of silent suffering (ie. Pietists and Quakers) --- and a passion for Education (ie. Catholics and Methodists). But what should, could, might, would a Jesus follower on a UC campus on Thursday, September 24th 2009 do? Here's midnight-hour Top-Ten list I've whipped out to give voice to some viable Christian responses. Remember, whatever you do (or don't do) do all for the glory of God:

Top-Ten List of Potential Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox Responses to the UC Walkout"

1) Go to class as usual (just check in via prayer first to see if you are called to go by Jesus of Nazareth)

2) Walkout and speak out impartially about "unrepentant" self-righteous administrators AND unrighteous protest organizers --- cut both ways if need be --- most people don't stand up to aggressors (just prayerfully check in and listen if you are called to walkout or speakout by Jesus of Nazareth).

3) Speak out creatively and righteously saying, "Let my people go to school!" But, don't waste your breath preaching to any "non-Pharaohs"

4) Take some time alone to protest (pray) and cry out to the Living God and for California to be delivered from the financial "Babylon" she's being carried off into.

5) Speak up, respectfully, and boldly, with wise counsel to the "Kings and Queens" who control the University --- advocate specifically for our professors and students and staff in the UC system --- especially the "widows and orphans" in the system (aka "poor students"). Let your speech be seasoned with salt. Let it be powerful, loving, and wise (2 Tim 1:7). What if all 2-3k believers at Cal Tweeted our governor sound words today, ...that would surely get his attention!

6) If you feel led to attend someone's protest rally or office or "academic town hall" meeting and they won't receive you or listen to what you have to say in Jesus name --- "shake the dust off your feet" (leave physically) in protest; but, not like a self-righteous jerk (don't let your ego or power-politics drive you --- transcend these by asking the Lord where you should go and what you should say --- Jesus is your protest manager --- not "man").

7) NOTE: Most mass rallies and "mobs" are skillfully organized and orchestrated by trained, paid, very-experienced protest organizers --- don't get caught up in their agendas --- most are well meaning but short-sighted --- a few are hateful and want to destroy institutions for their own purposes --- listen on the fringe of crowds ---pray for wisdom/pray for the crowds --- talk and reason with fellow-students around you as the Lord gives you favor with them --- if you are a student leader of your college group, try to get up close and listen to what the little bands of protest organizers are whispering to one another --- if led by the Holy Spirit, ask respectfully if you can wait your turn and speak over their loudspeaker or bull-horn or to those gathered at other meetings they may host --- Jesus followers truly have something to say and have the wits to say it well --- this isn't about co-opting or taking over someone elses meeting --- it's about winsomely speaking the Gospel verbally into open free speech forums --- and creatively and powerfully offering the hope that only the Gospel brings into dire situations --- wait patiently and look organizers in the eye if they selfishly want to control and censure yours and others free speech --- befriend them --- treat them like zealots who need to be won over (like Jesus won over Peter & Paul) --- Jesus taught more about money and economics than any other topic --- Jesus and his followers have something to say --- Christ-followers can offer timely hope and wisdom. Whatever you do, go out two-by-two for a variety of reasons, especially if you want to speak with protest leaders.

***some of the beautiful examples of Christian student responses to protests at UC Berkeley are captured in the following 8 minute video --- Recently, Peter Umino (see short clip at the 7:30min mark) waited 2+ hours in line in the sun after being refused again and again by the organizers to speak to the crowds --- the students controlling the mike finally ran out of excuses to ban his hope-filled message from Sproul steps --- the words that came out of his mouth were extraordinary; God inspired him and he spoke with power and eloquence. To watch go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9cvk7WUPB0

9) Be "Salt & Light" and simply "show up" wherever the crowds go --- Jesus modeled this to us --- be safe by always being aware of your surroundings --- let the Lord lead you --- light shines brightest in darkness --- these are dark days for the UC system --- Jesus went where the people were --- ask Him where the people are he wants you to be with during the Walkout --- don't hide yourself under a bushel --- at the very least call up a brother or a sister and pray in 2's or 3's on campus near where the action is ("be in it but not of it"). Or, organize a coffee or dinner group of your friends and classmates and talk about what the issues beneath the issues are (ie. the deeper issues that are behind the walkout like fear, anxiety, angst, personal peace & happiness, materialism, greed, etc.).

10) If you are a senior leader, call together your faith community to pray for an hour altogether (probably best in a private or semi-private location) --- intercede for your university --- cry out to God for your campus, for the peoples of your school, for your own lives as well, ...like the Children of Israel prayed when they were threatened, ...pray like a farmer prays for rain during a drought. Ask God for wisdom and mercy. Everyone will be affected by the impending budget cuts, believers alike (This is personal to me, I'll have two daughters and a son-in-law attending UC's next fall, Lord willing).

BONUS ITEM: Lastly, throughout the day and the weeks ahead (in person or online) look for opportunities to speak the Gospel into conversations while walking around, over dinner, during late night study sessions, etc. Because, the bottom line is: no one has the answers except the Lord. The deeper problems that have caused all the financial problems, that have caused all the proposed faculty cuts and tuition hikes, are spiritual problems, ...they are deep real spiritual problems that only have spiritual solutions. The UC system needs a Savior --- and his name isn't Manna or Arnold. Pray for God to raise up righteous men and women to lead us through these difficult times. Pray for God to raise you up for such a time as this.

The most essential question to ask is, "What is Jesus' beautiful vision for UC Berkeley and the rest of California's UC system?" He has a dream for it and it's better than ours; let's work and pray together to catch His vision, ...and then "walkout" in it. -dc