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Sacred Resistance: A Practical Guide to Christian Witness and Dissent
In the midst of polarized communities and nations, religious leaders across the theological spectrum are seeking help with how to respond and lead in troubled times. The need for courage to speak out and act is ever-present, because every generation faces a new set of fears and troubles.
Author Ginger Gaines-Cirelli pastors a church in the heart of Washington DC, adjacent to the White House, which actively works to bring justice and help for marginalized communities, refugees and immigrants, and the endangered earth. She inspires and leads this work through preaching and by organizing and developing strong leaders, deeply rooted in a well-developed theological understanding. Pastoral warmth and compassion characterize the recommended practices.
Sacred Resistance addresses these questions, among
• When Christians see that something is wrong in our nation or community, how and when should we respond?
• When we see multiple instances of 'wrong', how do we choose which ones to address?
• How can pastors and other leaders faithfully take risks without violating relationships with the congregation or denomination?
• What historical, biblical, and theological safety nets can be relied on?
• How can we take care of ourselves and one another, so that our ministries and lives are sustained?
Author Ginger Gaines-Cirelli pastors a church in the heart of Washington DC, adjacent to the White House, which actively works to bring justice and help for marginalized communities, refugees and immigrants, and the endangered earth. She inspires and leads this work through preaching and by organizing and developing strong leaders, deeply rooted in a well-developed theological understanding. Pastoral warmth and compassion characterize the recommended practices.
Sacred Resistance addresses these questions, among
• When Christians see that something is wrong in our nation or community, how and when should we respond?
• When we see multiple instances of 'wrong', how do we choose which ones to address?
• How can pastors and other leaders faithfully take risks without violating relationships with the congregation or denomination?
• What historical, biblical, and theological safety nets can be relied on?
• How can we take care of ourselves and one another, so that our ministries and lives are sustained?
160 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2018
35 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 17, 2021
I read this book as part of my first bible study class at Central United Methodist. It is the first bible study that I have ever participated in - it wasn't about how to save yourself and go to heaven - it was about bringing about heaven on Earth.
It was an entirely different way of looking at things. I read all this before the black lives matter came to the forefront and I was moved to it because of the outlook of the Methodist church on LGBTQ. When I finally woke up and learned that not everyone in the church could feel God's love because of how some Christians treated them.
I think the biggest part that resonated with me was the chapter - stop speaking smooth things. That in our church we never really talked about the bigger picture of what was going on in the world. There was missions - helping others, but nothing about changing the big picture of how the world worked and that putting trust in everyones morals wasn't going to change the world.
I'm thinking I should read this again now after how 2020 turned out - BLM, white supremacy and the 2020 election and aftermath. I think I could see so much more now.
It was an entirely different way of looking at things. I read all this before the black lives matter came to the forefront and I was moved to it because of the outlook of the Methodist church on LGBTQ. When I finally woke up and learned that not everyone in the church could feel God's love because of how some Christians treated them.
I think the biggest part that resonated with me was the chapter - stop speaking smooth things. That in our church we never really talked about the bigger picture of what was going on in the world. There was missions - helping others, but nothing about changing the big picture of how the world worked and that putting trust in everyones morals wasn't going to change the world.
I'm thinking I should read this again now after how 2020 turned out - BLM, white supremacy and the 2020 election and aftermath. I think I could see so much more now.
May 15, 2020
Some very anointed thoughts in here:
“I’ve heard things like, ‘Don’t the rich need God’s love and grace, too?’ This reaction is akin to the ‘all lives matter’ response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The common factor here is the notion that a focused commitment to one group will diminish the dignity, worth, or care assigned to those outside the group. Such a perspective betrays the belief that there is a limited supply of dignity, worth, or care available. That is not true. God’s love and grace are eternal and unlimited. There is more than enough to go around. There is not a limited supply of human dignity or freedom. But the truth is that some people or groups have been denied what is abundantly available out of greed, fear, control, hatred, ignorance, complacency, selfishness, rationalization, and all other manner of human sin.” - Ginger Gaines-Cirelli in “Sacred Resistance”
“I’ve heard things like, ‘Don’t the rich need God’s love and grace, too?’ This reaction is akin to the ‘all lives matter’ response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The common factor here is the notion that a focused commitment to one group will diminish the dignity, worth, or care assigned to those outside the group. Such a perspective betrays the belief that there is a limited supply of dignity, worth, or care available. That is not true. God’s love and grace are eternal and unlimited. There is more than enough to go around. There is not a limited supply of human dignity or freedom. But the truth is that some people or groups have been denied what is abundantly available out of greed, fear, control, hatred, ignorance, complacency, selfishness, rationalization, and all other manner of human sin.” - Ginger Gaines-Cirelli in “Sacred Resistance”
October 16, 2025
Sacred Resistance
55/2025.
Resisting systems of oppression and evil has always been at the root of Christianity. I grew up in an old Quaker church, and their example of abolitionist activism has always been an inspiration: folks who understood their privilege was not for conserving but for exercising to help the oppressed.
I’m proud to be able to claim Ginger Gaines-Cirelli as my pastor. The congregation she leads is very near the White House, and has long been a beacon for justice in the face of systemic injustice. This book was written in an uncertain time, which turns out to have been merely a prelude. So its message is as urgent now as it was then - resisting something is only good when you’re standing for something else. That “something” worth standing for is a “more holistic vision of a common good.”
In this book, we learn about what constitutes sacred resistance and how it points to a higher level of being in community (kin-dom of God) and avoiding dualistic thinking about “us and them”. This is inherently countercultural but can be transformative. It lays out a Gospel rationale for “good trouble” and proclaiming a vision of what can be and not accepting the status quo. Chapter Six goes into practical ways to embody sacred resistance and to understand the potential costs of doing so.
The final chapter addresses the “marathon” mindset and avoiding burnout. Rest, laughter and joy keep us going through the tough stuff. It’s liberating to think that if Jesus “…knew that it was important to go and rest, then who are we to think that the world will fall apart if we do?” I admit I’m in need of much practice in this regard, and the root of it is pride. I’ve much work to do.
55/2025.
Resisting systems of oppression and evil has always been at the root of Christianity. I grew up in an old Quaker church, and their example of abolitionist activism has always been an inspiration: folks who understood their privilege was not for conserving but for exercising to help the oppressed.
I’m proud to be able to claim Ginger Gaines-Cirelli as my pastor. The congregation she leads is very near the White House, and has long been a beacon for justice in the face of systemic injustice. This book was written in an uncertain time, which turns out to have been merely a prelude. So its message is as urgent now as it was then - resisting something is only good when you’re standing for something else. That “something” worth standing for is a “more holistic vision of a common good.”
In this book, we learn about what constitutes sacred resistance and how it points to a higher level of being in community (kin-dom of God) and avoiding dualistic thinking about “us and them”. This is inherently countercultural but can be transformative. It lays out a Gospel rationale for “good trouble” and proclaiming a vision of what can be and not accepting the status quo. Chapter Six goes into practical ways to embody sacred resistance and to understand the potential costs of doing so.
The final chapter addresses the “marathon” mindset and avoiding burnout. Rest, laughter and joy keep us going through the tough stuff. It’s liberating to think that if Jesus “…knew that it was important to go and rest, then who are we to think that the world will fall apart if we do?” I admit I’m in need of much practice in this regard, and the root of it is pride. I’ve much work to do.
March 27, 2019
Sacred Resistance the book is a biblically-grounded resource for engaging political, social, economic, and corporate powers that be while keeping yourself sourced in prayer, scripture, and community. Sacred Resistance touches upon possibilities for future transformation while remembering God's mighty actions and ongoing presence in the life of the people of God and in all creation. Short, practical, and easy to read without high-falutin' theological terminology that might require a second layer of interpretation, the book won't overwhelm your church's session, vestry, council, or consistory; it also won't underwhelm pastors or others with more extensive theological backgrounds.
Author Ginger Gaines-Cirelli pastors Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.; the large congregation is involved in a wide range of ministries. Small or medium-sized churches simply cannot do it all and need to choose their specialties. Sacred Resistance could be a conversational starting point for discerning options that best enlist members' gifts, passions—and limited time.
I appreciate Pastor Ginger's desire to avoid masculine Kingdom (of God, of heaven) language, but kinship isn't an adequate stand-in. God does create close kinship with all creation, particularly with those baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection, but we need to retain a sense of the sovereignty, of the unique authority, of the reign of heaven on earth in Christ Jesus.
End notes for each chapter offer an additional rich resource individuals or committees might explore after studying the book. All in all, I highly recommend Sacred Resistance for the real-life ideas it suggests.
Author Ginger Gaines-Cirelli pastors Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.; the large congregation is involved in a wide range of ministries. Small or medium-sized churches simply cannot do it all and need to choose their specialties. Sacred Resistance could be a conversational starting point for discerning options that best enlist members' gifts, passions—and limited time.
I appreciate Pastor Ginger's desire to avoid masculine Kingdom (of God, of heaven) language, but kinship isn't an adequate stand-in. God does create close kinship with all creation, particularly with those baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection, but we need to retain a sense of the sovereignty, of the unique authority, of the reign of heaven on earth in Christ Jesus.
End notes for each chapter offer an additional rich resource individuals or committees might explore after studying the book. All in all, I highly recommend Sacred Resistance for the real-life ideas it suggests.
July 7, 2018
This is a guide for churches interested in social-justice advocacy of all sorts. Though written from a progressive viewpoint, this book is not about issues but about method: discernment, discourse, advocacy, witness, resistance. She points out some relevant scripture from the Gospels, from Isaiah, and so doing she brings a sharper meaning to the word "prophecy" as something that addresses what is, and needs doing, now. She wrote this book during the summer of Charlottesville (2017) and it's timely. As someone who is currently president of a UCC church, and interested in an active church, this book is helpful, and her insights very much useful. Highly recommend.
October 5, 2018
took my time so I could focus and even take notes when reading. Rev. Gaines-Cirelli is a gifted writer and sometimes because her words flow so well, I had to stop and go back and read it again slower because I realized that a beautiful sentence that flowed to the next was also packed with wonderful insight!
July 17, 2022
Without mentioning Trump's name once, Gaines-Cirelli speaks about the political direction of the United States and how we, as Christians, need to speak out peacefully, but negatively, about that direction.
December 26, 2022
Ginger Gaines-Cirelli is one of United Methodism's most profound and prophetic leaders. This book offers a compelling vision of how the church can embody God's love for all people.
May 22, 2024
Needed closer reading than some books. Read as part of a monthly Bible study group
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews