Three years after George Floyd’s death, US faith groups quietly advance racial healing
United StatesRNS Three years after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought crowds into the streets for a summer of protests, Christian groups are quietly launching initiatives that address the still-fraught racial divisions among their members and in the wider society. In New Orleans next week, leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has […]
In the US, three church coalitions in the Deep South partner to urge racial reconciliation — and justice
RNS Leaders of multiracial coalitions of churches in three Southern cities have confessed to being too “comfortable” and committed anew to “work for justice to right past wrongs” and seek racial unity. “As a group of racially, ethnically, and politically diverse church leaders in the Deep South areas of Charleston, South Carolina, Montgomery, Alabama, and […]
Episcopal men’s ministry loses board members, chapters over response to George Floyd’s death
RNS The leadership of the Episcopal Church’s oldest men’s ministry, the Brotherhood of St Andrew, has been divided over the group’s response to the death of George Floyd earlier this summer. That has resulted in the resignations of three Black members from its national board, including its top officer overseeing racial reconciliation. And a handful […]
ESSAY: LEARNING RESISTANCE AND COURAGE FROM IDA B WELLS
In an article adapted from her latest book, CATHERINE MEEKS looks at the legacy of US anti-lynching activist and journalist Ida B Wells…
Southern Baptists give greater attention to diversity but acknowledge more needed
Birmingham, Alabama, US RNS At their annual meeting, Southern Baptists re-elected their president, adopted statements on their views about major cultural issues, and discussed how to deal with sexual abuse and racial discrimination in the church. They also brought to centre stage questions about church leadership roles that are appropriate for women in the church. […]
Southern Baptist historic gavel a reminder of racist legacy
Birmingham, Alabama, USRNS When the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention opens, a little-noticed ritual usually occurs. An SBC executive hands a gavel to the person elected president the previous June. That act officially opens the meeting. Southern Baptist Convention President JD Greear brings the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention to order […]
Southern Baptist president says racial insensitivity shows disregard for the Gospel
Birmingham, Alabama, USRNS Speaking at a black church Sunday in a city that is nearly 75 per cent African American, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, JD Greear, said white Christians who are racially insensitive are disregarding the Gospel. “I do not need to tell this church the church of the West has had […]
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN THE US CITY OF ST LOUIS, ‘GRILL TO GLORY’ DEPLOYS CHURCHES (AND HOT DOGS) FOR RENEWAL
ERIC BERGER, writing for Religion News Service, reports on an initiative that’s all about getting to know the neighbours…
RACIAL RECONCILIATION: AMERICAN LATASHA MORRISON’S HOPES TO BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE CHRISTIANS
NICOLA A MENZIE, in an article first published by Religion News Service, reports…
Racial concerns prompt US Christian university to rename auditorium
Oklahoma City, USRNS A Christian university in Oklahoma is renaming its main auditorium – known for a half-century as Hardeman Auditorium – amid concerns over a racist statement attributed to the late namesake, NB Hardeman. The president of Oklahoma Christian University, which is associated with Churches of Christ, recently revealed to students that the assembly […]