This post features the wisdom and insights of Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers, the author of See Me, Believe Me: A Guide to Deepen Allyship with Congregational Leaders of Color. 

Augsburg Fortress: Who do you hope reads this book, and how do you hope it can make a difference? 

Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers: It is my hope that everyone reads this book! Most specifically, however, I hope that my European-American siblings in Christ will read it with open hearts and minds, willing to receive hard truths meant to cause radical change in behaviors and attitudes that may have inadvertently been harming your BIPOC leaders and friends. 

I truly wish to believe that most people do not mean to cause harm. They are well intentioned and want to do the right thing. But without the opportunity to learn more, one can't do better. It's rare that the BIPOC leaders in my circles are willing to let white folks see us sweat! I'm allowing people to see the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to write this book and to share in such a vulnerable way.    

It is my truest hope that my sacrifice will be a blessing to other BIPOC leaders and that when transgressions occur, my BIPOC friends can just hand this book to their church councils, mutual ministry teams, bishop, or others rather than having to do further harm to themselves in explaining what is already within the pages of See Me, Believe Me. 

Augsburg Fortress: Tell us a little about your writing process. What parts were easier or more difficult to write? Did anything unexpected or surprising happen as you wrote this book? 

Rev. Dr. Denson-Byers: My general policy is that I do not write until I am being "ridden" by the Holy Spirit. As an African-American Christian, I was taught to be attuned to the presence and purpose of the Holy Spirit and to only move when God says so. To that end, I am grateful for my editor, Dawn Rundman, who did not hold me to stringent deadlines, but rather trusted my God-given process and timeline. 

Once under the unction of the Holy Spirit, writing is easy for me! It flows from the deepest part of my heart and soul. God granted me a special measure of courage for this work. Many times while writing, I paused and asked God, "Do I really have to share this story?" God would remind me of the importance of sharing my testimony in order to spare others the pain that I--and others--have endured. 

My spouse says "There's no hurt like church hurt," and it is so! But in penning this manuscript, I found some healing from the moral injuries that I have experienced in The Church. Tattooed onto both of my forearms is the Bible verse "The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). God did not lie! I found freedom in sharing my story and giving voice to my truth. I am grateful for my readers who will choose to see me and believe me as they read it. 

Augsburg Fortress: This book addresses what white members of congregations need to know about supporting their leaders of color. But this is not a book just for white people! What invitation do you want to extend for leaders of color to read your book? What can they expect? 

Rev. Dr. Denson-Byers: My word to my beloved friends who are leaders of color is I see you; I believe you! Some have shared their stories with us in this book and for that I am eternally grateful! Others will find resonance with the stories, because the same thing—or something similar—has happened to them as well. 

Truly this book is a labor of love for all the BIPOC pastors and leaders that I know, particularly in the ELCA. For too long, our stories have been silenced, cast aside, disbelieved, or made a mockery. The blood, sweat, and tears equity that we have put into this church, at God's bequest, has been taken for granted, and the same "mistakes" have been made, time and time again. 

To be frank, this book is a clarion call. If one more person says, "I didn't know” or “I didn't mean any harm," I think most of us BIPOC leaders will lose our minds! Read the book. There will no longer be any excuse for some behaviors because they will have been thoroughly explored in the pages of See Me, Believe Me. 

What I want more than anything is to spare someone else the pain that I—and others—have endured. What I also want is for BIPOC leaders and pastors to feel my overwhelming love for them and deep appreciation for their sacrifices on behalf of Christ's Church. 

Augsburg Fortress: Your book concludes with a page of acknowledgements. Is there anyone else you want to thank who has supported you in your ministry and broader life?

Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers: I want to thank the Black female elder-pastors of the ELCA who have loved me, raised me up, corrected me, and supported me from the first moment I came into the ELCA. I could not undertake this journey without them, and I honor each of them and their many sacrifices. They blazed a trail before me that I was privileged to follow. Because they are, I am.   

Here I would like to ask white folks of goodwill to undertake one important action in support of the BIPOC clergy you know. Contact your synod. Find out how many BIPOC pastors, active or retired, are (or were) being paid below synod guidelines, and find a way to make that right through the combined efforts of the churches in your synod!  

Being paid below synod guidelines not only impacts salary on a month-to-month basis, but it also impacts retirement savings and comfort into the future. This inequity must not stand, my friends! We can do better—and we must—for the sake of Christ. 

At the end of each chapter in my book, you will find specific action items that one can undertake to address racism in The Church. I hope that these action items cause measurable and real change that will be a blessing to us all! In the Black Church tradition, we say that it is important to not only “talk the talk, but walk the walk.” I don't want your thoughts and prayers. I want change on behalf of myself, my colleagues, and all those who will come behind us. In advance, I thank our white allies who are willing to do the work to make this change possible!