Got a tip on Zeal Church, a megachurch in CO. Here, pastor Brandon Cormier brings LEOs on stage to pray for "the good ones" among police, then drops a line that "it's really difficult for white people to go to churches that are pastored by black people."
Then, a live straw poll of the congregation on questions of race... (1/2)
Probably a great way to collect people's phone numbers for comms/marketing. (2/2)
I've been doing this long enough now that I can recognize when people are lifting from Keller's Generous Justice without credit.
"Our sin was not Jesus' problem. It was our problem. But the fact that it wasn't his problem did not prohibit him from stepping into the earth realm, leaving heaven behind...and saying 'it's not my problem, but I must be a part of the solution.'"
Some clear Christienmity in this clip:
"The black or brown people that *I* know say I'm doing an awesome job + nothing is really happening + we all grew up together + they grew up largely in a white context, so they're kinda like the same thing culturally as me..."
"WE MUST DISAVOW THIS BLIND ALLEGIANCE TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL DEMONIC AND THEY'RE ALL BROKEN AND THEY'RE ALL SINFUL AND THEY'RE ALL PROBLEMATIC. THERE'S NOT ONE THAT GOD IS IN AND SATAN'S IN THE OTHER ONE"
For the most part, I agree. Rulers of nations and demons are closely intertwined. But some elements, like property rights, match up more with God's instructions than others, like communism. And of course we know he's not calling welfare statists to repent + believe the gospel.
Prooftext to correct an "individualistic" view of racism/prejudice: Isaiah 59, particularly v. 14. (1/2)
"Let me be super candid: black people, we are not at a place of unity until we feel comfortable saying what we say to each other in front of them. We can't settle for anything less than bringing our whole selves to real relationships, no matter what that viewpoint is." (2/2)
"Public square" in Is. 59 = "systemic forces"
"Modern-day racism is less about burning crosses and more about what we are going to refer to as 'white normality,' which makes white culture the standard for literally everything."
"White normality [in churches] is if I don't talk like you, dress like you, act like you, watch the same shows, have all the examples that fit your life, then it's problematic and therefore I have to assimilate to your standard, and it's sinful by its very nature."
"Even after 12, 13 years of the best education in a sea of whiteness...I still came out of that school system with a mental mindset: I'm not as smart as them...Those mindsets, was that because my individual white friends...just came at me? No, but it was a system."
"Everybody knows that there's power in unity. There's greater power in unity amongst those who are of different races + cultures."
Also Acts 17:30 is about repenting from homogenous churches?
At the opening of the United Methodist Church's General Conference, attendees are warned to avoid "exclusively male language for God" and to "be conscious of inferred power dynamics."
The next day, this same duo presented their "report card" on the diversity of officers elected to the conference's legislative committees, then scolded attendees to "work a little bit harder on inclusion with language and interpretation."
Fani Willis returned to church to accept an award and deliver a brief sermon on her court hearing.
"The scripture they keep sending me is 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper'...They did not say the weapons will not form, and that's the part I didn't hear until recently."
Atlanta Berean Church, a Seventh-Day Adventist congregation, hosted Willis this Saturday for nearly 20 minutes of adulation, starting with lead pastor Dr. Sherwin Jack declaring, "She is one of us" (1:26).
The church presented Willis with a "Black History Achievement Award," SDA founder Ellen G. White's "Conflict Of The Ages" book series, and more.
"These beautiful flowers are for you, the beautiful person that you are. We love you."
Kelly Rosati, a National Association Of Evangelicals board member, calls pro-life Christians' opposition to state-run welfare "useless," "un-scriptural," and "madness."
Here's wider context: Rosati, an alumnus of Focus On The Family and former member of the March For Life's board of national directors, is speaking at the NAE's "Flourish" conference in October of last year. (1/2)
"I just want to plant a flag and say: Let us be people that never advocate for abortion restrictions without an accompanying paid family leave support." (2/2)