US Black church coalition names reparations, voting, health equity among priorities
United StatesRNS The Conference of National Black Churches has called on African American congregations to embrace a list of priorities – from “government-sponsored reparations” to improved access to healthcare – as they move out of a pandemic era and into an election year. “We believe Black life must be valued and the humanity of all […]
Pursuing justice issues: Progressive National Baptists gain partners to address voting rights, gun violence
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports…
Essay: A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in American political history
JASON OLIVER EVANS, a scholar of Christian theology and African American religion, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation, at the history and influence of the Black church in the United States…
In the US, Progressive National Baptists to deploy $US1 million grant to boost ‘compelling preaching’
United StatesRNS The Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to use a new $US1 million grant to fund a five-year training program for ministers of the historically Black denomination as they adapt their preaching in an age changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of 32 recipients in an invitational round of grants provided by […]
In the US, Tyre Nichols police beating video prompts faith leaders to react with grief, goals
United StatesRNS Religious leaders reacted swiftly – with legislative appeals and collective grief – to the release of video footage of police officers beating Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died days after a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee. An image of Tyre Nichols and the words “JUSTICE FOR TYRE NICHOLS” are projected onto a […]
US Christian leaders asked January 6 committee to investigate Christian nationalism
Washington DC, USRNS A group of prominent Christian leaders, including the heads of major denominations, say they submitted a letter earlier this year to the House select committee investigating the 6th January attack on the US Capitol, urging members to examine Christian nationalism and arguing the ideology played a crucial role in the insurrection. Organisers […]
In the US, Progressive National Baptists, AFL-CIO reunite for mid-terms voter initiative
United StatesRNS A predominantly Black denomination and prominent union in the US have joined forces in a new voter mobilisation initiative ahead of the mid-term elections. Reviving a partnership they had in the 1960s, the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the AFL-CIO are launching a faith and labour alliance focused on battleground states, where they […]
Women in leadership: In Black denominations, women making strides amid hesitancy
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports from the US on where Black denominations stand on women’s leadership…
In the US, Warnock, Progressive National Baptists focus on voting rights during annual meeting
RNS Rev Raphael Warnock urged the Progressive National Baptist Convention to keep fighting to protect voting rights as the historically Black denomination held its annual meeting. “If we don’t check what they’re doing in Georgia, they’ll be able to nullify the votes and the voices of the people after they have already been cast,” Warnock, […]
As US Senate convenes hearing, more than 300 faith leaders declare support for DC statehood
Washington DC, USRNS More than 300 faith leaders and heads of prominent religious organisations signed a letter sent to Senate leadership on Tuesday backing the call to make Washington, DC, a state, adding religious support to the growing Democratic-led effort. “As clergy and faith leaders from across our nation, we write to express our strong […]