How Long Will We Put Up with Mass Shootings?

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In 1999, I was co-pastoring a church in Parker, Colorado, when the Columbine shooting happened in the community next door. At that time, school shootings were relatively infrequent. It was wholly unbelievable that it had happened in our community. Even more unthinkable was that it would be the beginning of a decades-long battle, where these kinds of events became increasingly frequent.

The church was flooded with broken-hearted people who wanted to know why such a tragic event had taken place. We led a series of healing services in an attempt to deal with this devastating reality.

Pictures of the victims were in every newspaper and on every broadcast. I aimed to remember the name and story of each student and teacher who had been killed. I never thought I’d see the day where non-stop shootings made it impossible to remember all who have been lost.

And now, here we are. In a time and place where mass shootings have escalated to the point that we can’t keep up with the names, the numbers, even the cities, towns, or states where they happened.

The Intensifying Problem of Gun Violence

On a single day this month, April 2023, there were seven mass shootings in the United States.  So far this year, there have been more mass shootings than days. And if we keep going the way we’re going, nothing is going to change.

Do churches have a say in the matter? Can faith leaders weigh in on this? You may be afraid to speak up for fear of alienating gun rights activists. Instead of thinking in the categories that society dictates, like pro-gun and anti-gun, let’s place this issue in the context of the Gospel.

Here are some questions to ask: When it comes to mass shootings, what does love look like? What does good news look like? What does faithfulness look like? How do we love our neighbors as ourselves?

Our public spaces, once considered safe, are no longer. Mass shootings take place in schools, stores, medical clinics, and churches. Add to that nightclubs, festivals, synagogues, mosques, homes, and places of work. Now, horrifyingly, sweet sixteen birthday parties. How long will we in the faith community put up with mass shootings?

The Church’s Role in Gun Violence

My friend James, who pastors near Tulsa in Oklahoma, insists that the church can play a positive role in ending mass shootings. “Prayers are appreciated, but the best thing we can do is to put pressure on politicians to get real about addressing the root problems. These include inadequate mental health, lack of common-sense gun policies, the pervasive culture of hate and violence, and deflecting of responsibility.” James himself has preached on these issues and encouraged members of his community to take action.

I appreciate the way James uses his pastoral authority. His courage and clarity are a great example of the way churches can take action. After all, our baptismal vows call us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves, and to be a witness for the Gospel of good.

Next Steps

As part of my commitment to act, I’d like to offer some suggestions for next steps you can take today or in the coming week:

  • Create space for conversation in your ministry setting. Gun violence impacts everybody, and everybody is concerned, no matter what their answers are for how to deal with it.
  • Plan to preach a series on these topics.
  • Hit the streets, make calls to your congresspeople, write letters to the editor.  There are many organizations out there, many of them founded by survivors of mass shootings, working hard to change gun legislation and take positive steps in educating the public. Check them out and find concrete ways to take action.

Finally, come to my free workshop, How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal. Learn how you can create a culture of renewal in your ministry and in the community around you. Because creating a new culture is integral to creating a better world for us all.

Adapted, edited, and re-published from The Role of the Church in Gun Violence, Rebekah Simon-Peter, June 2022.

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