Michelle Lang serves as the Campus Pastor at Warner Pacific College. Since relocating to Portland in 2013, Michelle has helped oversee spiritual formation programs and pastoral care to Warner students, staff and faculty.
In this final installation of a two-part Q%A series with Colors of Influence, Michelle addresses the importance of creating space for important conversations through “The Art of Tough Talks,” a multimedia project that utilizes the arts to foster conversation, reflection and action on hard topics like justice, politics, religion, identity etc. Read the first Q&A.
Before her work at Warner, Michelle lent her skill and services to various organizations in Seattle, including Seattle Public Schools, the Teen Summer Musical (a City of Seattle signature program) World Vision, University Presbyterian Church, Emerald City Outreach Ministries (now Urban Impact) and Young Life. Currently, she serves as a worship leader at Imago Dei Community Church.
Michelle’s work weaves common threads of faith, urban development, racial reconciliation, art as activism, and youth & family services. For more than two decades, her guiding passion has been to paint pictures of the Gospel through whatever work or means, to validate the voice of marginalized communities, and encourage people to engage life in ways that lend to a meaningful existence.
In this current social climate, how do you bring your full self to the table while also ministering to students, staff and faculty?
I am an African-American woman in America. A lot of times, I feel that people of color show up in dominant culture spaces, and we sort of turn it off. We turn it off so we’re not “just” seen as Black, Asian, or Native American or whatever. We want to be seen and heard for the full breadth and depth of who we are.
I am an African-American, woman, heterosexual, Christian - and Christian is the only identity that I choose daily. Coming here to Portland, I had to come to terms with the fact that the way I see life is through particular lenses and filters and I use to think I ought not bother people with my lenses & filters. Like many people of color, I was told that I needed to learn the white way as quickly as possible (because that is the way of success and acceptability) and just engage with that as my filter.
I’ve since changed my perspective on that. I literally use to apologize for my perspective but since moving here and being regularly immersed in dominant culture, I’ve come to think that, quite frankly people are lucky if I let them look at life through my native filters. So I don’t apologize in word or deed for that anymore. I attribute much of my changed perspective to being at Warner Pacific and more specifically to my friend and colleague Dr. Jess Bielman for demonstrating what it really looks like to redefine or rather un-define “White as normal”.
Rather than deny the richness of my identity and experiences because of some idea of what’s acceptable, what’s more acceptable is for all of us to be who we are and render our opinion of the world through our lenses while respecting other opinions around us. I encourage the students on my team as well as the broader population to show up as who they are, because their perspectives are important, even if they’re important.
In 2015, I created a work called “The Art of Tough Talks.” It was prompted by the news report that there would be no indictment in the Mike Brown case out of Ferguson, Missouri and by a vision that well-intended people needed more tools to do the good that the Gospel compels. Initially, I called on my background in theater to just write a script that might be performed once at my church. But as the national conversation about "Black Lives Matter" versus "All Lives Matter" escalated to a fevered pitch, I realized that I needed the work to go beyond entertainment – even entertainment of a contemplative type – and into education. So the script became a workshop.
The first draft took about two weeks to compile, which is a real stretch of my attention span. I sheepishly shared it with my colleague-friend Jess and then we called students in to test it. We did the first reading and conversation in my office and when we finished, one of the male students of color said, “This is really good for me. In these situations, I don’t know how to explain these thoughts to [white] people. I’ve come to accept that they don’t understand, and maybe they never will. But at least this helps me explain myself better.”
I completely understood what he meant. When you are in a group for which something is incredibly and personally inciting, it’s hard not to be emotional. Being passionate is ok but sometimes when you get emotional, it’s hard to explain yourself well. And when that happens, people often negate the truth of what you’re saying as just being reactionary when it’s very likely the most truth they will hear, if they can keep listening. As an African American woman – educator – artist - activist I wanted to help navigate that.
I realize not everyone agrees with the idea that ”we should keep explaining ourselves”. I get that. I just lean more towards the scriptures that tell us “to get an understanding” and “how will they know except someone teach” and our gifts are “for the equipping."
In the last two years, “The Art of Tough Talks,” has conducted about 30 performance workshops at conference, colleges, churches and other organizations, including the City of Seattle. It springboards from the premise that when art is the filter through which we have conversation, we are usually more civil and interested in hearing other people’s viewpoints. Seeing rooms of people from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds process difficult topics together has been one of the greatest fulfillments of my work.
I’m not a protester. I’m not one to go into the streets with signs and mantras – though I support those who do. I just always looked at my artistry – as a writer, producer and facilitator as acts of activism. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has always advocated that after each protest, there has to be something for the people to do, to address or resolve the issue. I’m convinced now, more than ever in my life, that the creative art that I am doing is part of that effort.
What do you do to replenish your own spiritual and mental well-being?
Friendships. I have some of the best friends in the world! I really do. And as simple as that seems, I know it’s not true for everybody. So I don’t take it for granted.
In my friendships, there is space to say and do the unacceptable. I don’t have to apologize to my friends for being proud of myself. I can call my friends and say: “Let me tell you what I did today… I was amazing!” And they want to hear it.
Or I can call them and say: “Let me tell you what happened today. It was horrible. I was horrible.”
Having healthy relationships with people is a significant source of spiritual safety. It’s refreshing for me.
I also try to go to prayer times or Bible study sessions that are not reliant on my leadership. When I go, I’m just there as part of the flock. I find spiritual spaces where there is no requirement for me to lead, so I can just be.
What exciting things are on the horizon for your ministry or creative pursuits?
“The Art of Tough Talks” was picked up as a workshop for the international Conference of Christian Colleges and Universities that’s happening in Dallas, Texas in February 2018. It will be very different from other types of presentations and workshops at the conference, as we will be demonstrating it as a model of best practices. I’ll be bringing a group of Warner students, so that’s super-exciting.
To learn more about “The Art of Tough Talks,” or to schedule a workshop at your institution, visit the website or connect via Facebook.
Guitar Section: The Art of Tough Talks
In this final installation of a two-part Q%A series with Colors of Influence, Michelle addresses the importance of creating space for important conversations through “The Art of Tough Talks,” a multimedia project that utilizes the arts to foster conversation, reflection and action on hard topics like justice, politics, religion, identity etc. Read the first Q&A.
Before her work at Warner, Michelle lent her skill and services to various organizations in Seattle, including Seattle Public Schools, the Teen Summer Musical (a City of Seattle signature program) World Vision, University Presbyterian Church, Emerald City Outreach Ministries (now Urban Impact) and Young Life. Currently, she serves as a worship leader at Imago Dei Community Church.
Michelle’s work weaves common threads of faith, urban development, racial reconciliation, art as activism, and youth & family services. For more than two decades, her guiding passion has been to paint pictures of the Gospel through whatever work or means, to validate the voice of marginalized communities, and encourage people to engage life in ways that lend to a meaningful existence.
In this current social climate, how do you bring your full self to the table while also ministering to students, staff and faculty?
I am an African-American, woman, heterosexual, Christian - and Christian is the only identity that I choose daily. Coming here to Portland, I had to come to terms with the fact that the way I see life is through particular lenses and filters and I use to think I ought not bother people with my lenses & filters. Like many people of color, I was told that I needed to learn the white way as quickly as possible (because that is the way of success and acceptability) and just engage with that as my filter.
I’ve since changed my perspective on that. I literally use to apologize for my perspective but since moving here and being regularly immersed in dominant culture, I’ve come to think that, quite frankly people are lucky if I let them look at life through my native filters. So I don’t apologize in word or deed for that anymore. I attribute much of my changed perspective to being at Warner Pacific and more specifically to my friend and colleague Dr. Jess Bielman for demonstrating what it really looks like to redefine or rather un-define “White as normal”.
Rather than deny the richness of my identity and experiences because of some idea of what’s acceptable, what’s more acceptable is for all of us to be who we are and render our opinion of the world through our lenses while respecting other opinions around us. I encourage the students on my team as well as the broader population to show up as who they are, because their perspectives are important, even if they’re important.
In 2015, I created a work called “The Art of Tough Talks.” It was prompted by the news report that there would be no indictment in the Mike Brown case out of Ferguson, Missouri and by a vision that well-intended people needed more tools to do the good that the Gospel compels. Initially, I called on my background in theater to just write a script that might be performed once at my church. But as the national conversation about "Black Lives Matter" versus "All Lives Matter" escalated to a fevered pitch, I realized that I needed the work to go beyond entertainment – even entertainment of a contemplative type – and into education. So the script became a workshop.
The first draft took about two weeks to compile, which is a real stretch of my attention span. I sheepishly shared it with my colleague-friend Jess and then we called students in to test it. We did the first reading and conversation in my office and when we finished, one of the male students of color said, “This is really good for me. In these situations, I don’t know how to explain these thoughts to [white] people. I’ve come to accept that they don’t understand, and maybe they never will. But at least this helps me explain myself better.”
I completely understood what he meant. When you are in a group for which something is incredibly and personally inciting, it’s hard not to be emotional. Being passionate is ok but sometimes when you get emotional, it’s hard to explain yourself well. And when that happens, people often negate the truth of what you’re saying as just being reactionary when it’s very likely the most truth they will hear, if they can keep listening. As an African American woman – educator – artist - activist I wanted to help navigate that.
I realize not everyone agrees with the idea that ”we should keep explaining ourselves”. I get that. I just lean more towards the scriptures that tell us “to get an understanding” and “how will they know except someone teach” and our gifts are “for the equipping."
In the last two years, “The Art of Tough Talks,” has conducted about 30 performance workshops at conference, colleges, churches and other organizations, including the City of Seattle. It springboards from the premise that when art is the filter through which we have conversation, we are usually more civil and interested in hearing other people’s viewpoints. Seeing rooms of people from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds process difficult topics together has been one of the greatest fulfillments of my work.
I’m not a protester. I’m not one to go into the streets with signs and mantras – though I support those who do. I just always looked at my artistry – as a writer, producer and facilitator as acts of activism. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has always advocated that after each protest, there has to be something for the people to do, to address or resolve the issue. I’m convinced now, more than ever in my life, that the creative art that I am doing is part of that effort.
What do you do to replenish your own spiritual and mental well-being?
Friendships. I have some of the best friends in the world! I really do. And as simple as that seems, I know it’s not true for everybody. So I don’t take it for granted.
In my friendships, there is space to say and do the unacceptable. I don’t have to apologize to my friends for being proud of myself. I can call my friends and say: “Let me tell you what I did today… I was amazing!” And they want to hear it.
Or I can call them and say: “Let me tell you what happened today. It was horrible. I was horrible.”
Having healthy relationships with people is a significant source of spiritual safety. It’s refreshing for me.
I also try to go to prayer times or Bible study sessions that are not reliant on my leadership. When I go, I’m just there as part of the flock. I find spiritual spaces where there is no requirement for me to lead, so I can just be.
What exciting things are on the horizon for your ministry or creative pursuits?
“The Art of Tough Talks” was picked up as a workshop for the international Conference of Christian Colleges and Universities that’s happening in Dallas, Texas in February 2018. It will be very different from other types of presentations and workshops at the conference, as we will be demonstrating it as a model of best practices. I’ll be bringing a group of Warner students, so that’s super-exciting.
To learn more about “The Art of Tough Talks,” or to schedule a workshop at your institution, visit the website or connect via Facebook.
Guitar Section: The Art of Tough Talks