Prepare the Way of the Lord: Unlearning Neoliberalism in White Progressive Churches

Neoliberalism, as a political theology and corresponding spirituality, shapes the white progressive church’s engagement with radical justice movements, often inhibiting action. Drawing on experiences from organizing progressive Christians to resist the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, this paper examines how neoliberal ideologies—rooted in myths of peace, progress, and unity—foster a preference for decorum and charity over solidarity and risk. These formations weaken church people’s capacity for conflict, endurance, and deep relationality. To disrupt neoliberalism’s hold, we propose three moves: recognizing its presence, fostering disorientation, and cultivating alternative spiritual formations. Turning to the radical Black humanism of Ella Baker, we explore how her relational, power-conscious spiritual pedagogy denaturalizes neoliberal myths. The Christian tradition of Advent, particularly John the Baptist, offers a re-formation towards resilience and anticipation of a different world. Ultimately, we advocate for practices of vulnerability and mutuality to prepare the progressive church to encounter collective liberation.