Hearing from African-Americans in the Church
This week I’d like to listen to the African-American voice right now. Several of the folks at Spring Church contributed their favorite articles, videos and podcasts, and we’ve (read: Jessie) compiled them below. In the spirit of showcasing the diversity of Protestant African-American voices, we’ve included evangelicals, mainliners, mega church pastors and the academy.
If you’re wondering “what's the big deal here?” Or “I don’t want to over-politicize this.” Or “this isn’t my issue.” Or if you know someone who feels this way, consider starting with this Pentecost article by Esau McCaulley.
Here’s a beautiful and challenging interview about how to incorporate anger, brokenness, and lament into public worship.
I’d love for you to read this and offer your suggestions for Spring Church’s next worship service. Please consider following up via email with your ideas / reflections.
From Cincinnati, here’s an example of how the church can be a part of the reconciliation that is “baked into the mission of the church.”
This podcast from Zeena Regis, a hospice chaplain in Decatur, Georgia, offers a hard observation: “One of the things in hospice that can often feel so difficult and insurmountable is that a lot of black patients are in hospice not because of a roll of the dice when it comes to illness, but because they haven’t been treated well in the health care system.”
Here’s a conversation between two pastors who are also friends. It’s an hour long, but worth the time.
Since Bellingham is easily the most fit city I’ve ever lived in, here’s an article from a preacher and theology student about running while Black.
