David W. Swanson
@davidwswanson.bsky.social
South Side Chicago husband, dad, pastor and author. I think about Ida B. Wells when I get confused.
https://dwswanson.com/
https://dwswanson.com/
As Chicago suffers state-sanctioned terror, the Christians who once were so vocal have become strangely silent.
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
As Chicago suffers state-sanctioned terror, the Christians who once were so vocal have become strangely silent.
Heartbreaking to watch the state police again refuse entry by clergy to those held at Broadview. Denying pastoral care is another example of the cruelty inflicted on our neighbors. Even so, it was encouraging to be joined by colleagues for the interfaith prayer service.
November 7, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Heartbreaking to watch the state police again refuse entry by clergy to those held at Broadview. Denying pastoral care is another example of the cruelty inflicted on our neighbors. Even so, it was encouraging to be joined by colleagues for the interfaith prayer service.
The Faith Over Fear interfaith coalition has been a source of courage and wisdom during the federal government's cruel operations in Chicago. Join us on Friday at Broadview as we raise voices and songs in solidarity with our detained neighbors.
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
November 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Faith Over Fear interfaith coalition has been a source of courage and wisdom during the federal government's cruel operations in Chicago. Join us on Friday at Broadview as we raise voices and songs in solidarity with our detained neighbors.
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
Register here: secure.everyaction.com/tU_DXaMsTEOC...
White people receive SNAP more than any other group. But that fact didn't stop Fox News from running AI-generated videos of Black women complaining about cuts to their benefits.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
November 3, 2025 at 11:32 PM
White people receive SNAP more than any other group. But that fact didn't stop Fox News from running AI-generated videos of Black women complaining about cuts to their benefits.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
It's an old strategy– inflaming white racism so that the majority suffers while the wealthiest add to their loot.
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 2:18:-19, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
November 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 2:18:-19, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Yesterday we gathered to prayerfully proclaim God's protection over our vulnerable neighbors in Little Village. As we gather in worship this morning, may our allegiance to the Lord Jesus lead us into solidarity with every sibling suffering under the threat of state-sponsored violence.
November 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Yesterday we gathered to prayerfully proclaim God's protection over our vulnerable neighbors in Little Village. As we gather in worship this morning, may our allegiance to the Lord Jesus lead us into solidarity with every sibling suffering under the threat of state-sponsored violence.
Hey preacher friends, what's the passage and theme for your sermon tomorrow? I'm preaching from Revelation 2:18-29, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
November 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Hey preacher friends, what's the passage and theme for your sermon tomorrow? I'm preaching from Revelation 2:18-29, "Hold Fast to Jesus."
I talked with a friend who is preparing for the loss of SNAP. She's incredibly diligent– works a full-time job and two side-hustles. She's thrifty, lives modestly, yet without this assistance she's in trouble.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
October 27, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I talked with a friend who is preparing for the loss of SNAP. She's incredibly diligent– works a full-time job and two side-hustles. She's thrifty, lives modestly, yet without this assistance she's in trouble.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
It's not personal laziness behind my friend's need; it's societal greed.
Excellent thoughts on why U.S. Christians ought to be paying attention to what's happening with SNAP right now.
🚨THOUGHTS on Christians and SNAP🚨:
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
October 27, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Excellent thoughts on why U.S. Christians ought to be paying attention to what's happening with SNAP right now.
Our church is hosting a workshop with our friends from Ecuador early next month. This is a great opportunity to learn about grassroots community development from a global perspective and I'd love for you to be my guest.
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
October 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Our church is hosting a workshop with our friends from Ecuador early next month. This is a great opportunity to learn about grassroots community development from a global perspective and I'd love for you to be my guest.
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register (for free!) here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
From the conclusion of today's sermon from Revelation 2:12-17, "Both/And Faithfulness."
October 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
From the conclusion of today's sermon from Revelation 2:12-17, "Both/And Faithfulness."
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
October 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39-40)
Hey preachers, what's the passage and theme for your sermon this week? I'm coming from Revelation 2:12-17, "Faithfulness to Jesus connects public witness and personal devotion."
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Hey preachers, what's the passage and theme for your sermon this week? I'm coming from Revelation 2:12-17, "Faithfulness to Jesus connects public witness and personal devotion."
Christians will continue to publicly and precisely identify the white supremacist rhetoric and policies of the Trump / MAGA movement as what they are– deceitful and dangerous attacks on image-bearers of the Creator God.
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Christians will continue to publicly and precisely identify the white supremacist rhetoric and policies of the Trump / MAGA movement as what they are– deceitful and dangerous attacks on image-bearers of the Creator God.
Reposted by David W. Swanson
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
An Appeal of Christian Faith to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers
In this powerful pastoral appeal, Rev. David Swanson calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to reconsider their actions in light of the teachings of Jesus—inviting them to pursue peace,...
christiansforsocialaction.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
An Appeal of Christian Faith to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers
In this powerful pastoral appeal, Rev. David Swanson calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to reconsider their actions in light of the teachings of Jesus—inviting them to pursue peace,...
christiansforsocialaction.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Can you fulfill your responsibilities without violating Jesus’ teachings? If not, could it be that your loyalty to Jesus calls you to walk away?"
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
Thank you to Christians for Social Action for publishing my appeal to ICE agents who share my faith.
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/app...
An email from my son's principal alerting us to the presence of ICE. Driving to the school, scanning vehicles which might conceal masked men waiting to abduct someone's child. Lamenting with the psalmist, "Why do the wicked renounce God and say in their hearts, “You will not call us to account”?
October 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
An email from my son's principal alerting us to the presence of ICE. Driving to the school, scanning vehicles which might conceal masked men waiting to abduct someone's child. Lamenting with the psalmist, "Why do the wicked renounce God and say in their hearts, “You will not call us to account”?
While it's been disheartening to watch the rapid ascent of Christian nationalism to the highest levels of our federal government, it is also an opportunity to boldly proclaim and demonstrate the holistic gospel of Jesus Christ. 1/
October 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
While it's been disheartening to watch the rapid ascent of Christian nationalism to the highest levels of our federal government, it is also an opportunity to boldly proclaim and demonstrate the holistic gospel of Jesus Christ. 1/
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 1:1-7, "Love Powers Endurance."
October 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 1:1-7, "Love Powers Endurance."
Preachers, what's the passage and big idea for your sermon this morning? I'll be in Revelation 2:1-7, "Endurance is powered by love."
October 12, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Preachers, what's the passage and big idea for your sermon this morning? I'll be in Revelation 2:1-7, "Endurance is powered by love."
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
- Psalm 138:7-8
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
- Psalm 138:7-8
October 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
- Psalm 138:7-8
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
- Psalm 138:7-8
In the original caption, the AP insinuated that I'd been arrested while peacefully observing the protests with other faith leaders at the ICE facility in Broadview on Friday. While I'm grateful they've since clarified, I'd like to offer the following alternative caption:
apnews.com/article/chic...
apnews.com/article/chic...
October 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In the original caption, the AP insinuated that I'd been arrested while peacefully observing the protests with other faith leaders at the ICE facility in Broadview on Friday. While I'm grateful they've since clarified, I'd like to offer the following alternative caption:
apnews.com/article/chic...
apnews.com/article/chic...
Along with other faith communities around Chicago, this morning New Community Covenant Church shared the message that, despite the federal government's cruel attacks against our neighbors, we are choosing faith over fear!
A huge thanks to our kids for prepping the sign during my sermon.
A huge thanks to our kids for prepping the sign during my sermon.
October 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Along with other faith communities around Chicago, this morning New Community Covenant Church shared the message that, despite the federal government's cruel attacks against our neighbors, we are choosing faith over fear!
A huge thanks to our kids for prepping the sign during my sermon.
A huge thanks to our kids for prepping the sign during my sermon.
“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades."
- Revelation 1:17-18
- Revelation 1:17-18
October 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades."
- Revelation 1:17-18
- Revelation 1:17-18
The president, speaking at Charlie Kirk's memorial, said, "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them," and we'd better believe him. But don't picture the Democratic party, the never-Trumpers, or the courts opposing his authoritarian tactics when you imagine the president's opponents. 1/
October 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The president, speaking at Charlie Kirk's memorial, said, "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them," and we'd better believe him. But don't picture the Democratic party, the never-Trumpers, or the courts opposing his authoritarian tactics when you imagine the president's opponents. 1/