Black Protestants
Black Christian leaders call for cease-fire in Gaza
By Jack Jenkins — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — Asked about Biden’s calls for 'humanitarian pauses' in the fighting, Barbara Williams-Skinner, CEO and co-founder of Skinner Leadership Institute, said: ‘It’s not adequate.’
In wake of Ohio abortion victory, some clergy rejoice, others mourn
By Kathryn Post — November 8, 2023
(RNS) — ‘The fight is well from over,’ said Catholics for Choice Ohio field organizer Nicole Morino, who mobilized Catholics in the state who support abortion rights ahead of the vote.
Abortion vote in Ohio pushes ‘pro-life pro-choice’ Black clergy to take a side
By Kathryn Post — November 6, 2023
(RNS) — For some clergy, the fall of Roe v. Wade has motivated them to speak out on abortion for the first time.
250 years later, ‘Amazing Grace’ has filled churches, concerts, even commercials
By Adelle M. Banks — October 31, 2023
(RNS) — Says author James Walvin: ‘its words speak to a human condition of suffering, and people coming out of suffering, and its music has a kind of haunting refrain that soothes.’
Why Black women like Yolanda Pierce are rising to lead top theology schools
By Rebekah Barber — October 31, 2023
(RNS) — The academy is raising up the voices it once blocked.
Charlottesville’s Robert E. Lee statue melted down
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s taking that culture of death and repurposing it for the sake of life, telling this very long story of resistance to that white supremacist culture,’ said the Rev. Isaac Collins, a Methodist minister who attended the melting.
Poll: More religious Americans support the use of political violence
By Fiona André — October 25, 2023
(RNS) — One-third of white evangelical Protestants support the idea, significantly more than any other religious group.
Documentary on Black millennials depicts wide range of religion, rebellion
By Adelle M. Banks — October 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We show the pluralistic nature of the African American religious experience,’ said creator Teddy Reeves, ‘from those who are of some formal faith tradition to those who are not.’
Florida faith leader: Black history toolkit gains interest outside the state
By Adelle M. Banks — October 13, 2023
(RNS) — What the Rev. Rhonda Thomas started as a state-focused response has attracted interest in a far wider stretch of the country than she ever imagined.
One House Music’s new EP hopes to be Christian music for a non-Christian audience
By Kathryn Post — October 10, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Eyes Up’ is the latest release from One House Music, a collective from the LA-based church One: A Potter’s House Church, led by Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts.
Black churches play a key role in connecting communities to broadband internet
By Adelle M. Banks and Yonat Shimron — October 6, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There are churches near, and people near, places where there are no internet carriers at all,’ said the Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner.
Survey: US religious groups do not view climate change as a crisis
By Yonat Shimron — October 4, 2023
(RNS) — Among white evangelicals, the view that the Earth is in crisis actually dropped — from 13% in 2014 to 8% today.
Vatican, other faith leaders join in push for end of death penalty in Louisiana
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We think that the clearing of Louisiana’s death row would be a monumental step towards the abolition of the death penalty,’ Vatican agency head said.
AME Bishop Silvester Beaman named chair of White House council on African engagement
By Adelle M. Banks — September 27, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Bishop Beaman’s extensive experience and deep roots in Africa will enable him to lead the Council to achieve its full potential,’ the White House said.
The increasingly perilous lot of the pilgrim shows us all the path on climate
By Marqus Cole — September 22, 2023
(RNS) — People of faith can help bend the curve on emissions.
