By Lane Riley
CBFSC Associate Coordinator
“Racial justice will require releasing many from captivity and delivering others of us from blindness. This call to a world marked by justice and reconciliation is in the midst of the mission of the church, black and white, and it must be fulfilled in our living. When they are, we will give a living answer to Jesus’ prayer: ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”
These are the words of CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley in his blog post from June 14 titled “Another black child of God killed by police. We can’t wait to act.” These words call us to action, and many churches within CBFSC are accepting this call.
CBFSC churches are taking action by discussing and learning more about racial injustice and inequity. Churches and individuals are sharing articles, book suggestions, and podcasts through newsletters and social media. Networks within CBF, like the Youth Ministry Network, are meeting to share resources and offer support. Pastors and individuals are attending rallies and protests.
We also know that several churches want to address this injustice, but don’t know where to start. Here are some of the ways that churches in our network are learning about and addressing racial injustice. We share these as ideas for you to consider doing in your congregation.
- Rev. Cheryl Moore Adamson of Palmetto Missionary Baptist Church in Conway is preaching about social injustice and how the church should react and respond. Listen to her sermon from May 31 called “The Church Ought to be Lit.”
- First Baptist Church in Aiken is hosting a virtual book study of Howard Thurman’s Jesus and the Disinherited. Reverend John Carroll says that “reading this together will allow us to expand our perspective by listening in on how an oppressed man understood his world and the liberating message of Jesus.”
- Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill is starting the series “Undivided: Our Church and Racial Reconciliation” by JD Greear and Dhati Lewis. They will explore insightful and practical ways on what it looks like to be undivided.
- Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship in Columbia reflected together on what it looks like for their community to pray together for Black Lives Matter. They are starting a study of Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.
CBFSC wants to encourage and support you in your journey of learning, exploring, and advocating for racial equity and justice. If you need a recommendation for a book study, curriculum, or speaker, please contact Jay Kieve or Lane Riley.