racial reconciliation
John Perkins: On race and the church, authentic friendship, considering heaven
By Adelle M. Banks — November 20, 2019
KELLER, Texas (RNS) — The evangelical author and activist who has worked on race relations for decades said "we haven’t found a language of accepting each other."
Former staffers loved Relevant’s mission, but a toxic culture tested their faith
By Jack Jenkins — September 26, 2019
(RNS) — 'I would drive into work every morning and start praying the Lord’s Prayer, because I had no idea if this was going to be a good Cameron day or a bad Cameron day,' one former employee said.
Relevant magazine founder ‘stepping away’ from role
By Jack Jenkins — September 23, 2019
(RNS) — Relevant founder Cameron Strang announced his leave of absence in a post published on the magazine’s website on Monday afternoon (Sept. 23). He did not dispute the accounts of former staffers and apologized for his past actions, which he repeatedly described as toxic.
Southern Baptists give greater attention to diversity but acknowledge more needed
By Adelle M. Banks — June 14, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — 'We’re not where we need to be on those things, but I believe a signal has been sent that we believe that’s where we need to go,' said Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear.
Southern Baptist historic gavel a reminder of racist legacy
By Adelle M. Banks — June 13, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — The so-called 1872 Broadus gavel, which calls to order a church body that has sought racial reconciliation within its ranks, is named for slaveholder John A. Broadus.
Southern Baptist president says racial insensitivity shows disregard for the gospel
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — 'The gospel teaches us that there’s only one kind of person: human,' said J.D. Greear.
In St. Louis, ‘Grill to Glory’ deploys churches (and hot dogs) for community renewal
By Eric Berger — May 30, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — A partnership between churches and a local nonprofit build community through cookouts in crime-plagued North St. Louis.
Comments about ‘whiteness’ prompt controversy at Sparrow Women conference
By Nicola A. Menzie — April 6, 2019
(RNS) — A black speaker at a Christian women's conference on race and social justice told audience members that white supremacy is incompatible with the Bible. She says some audience members walked out and alleges organizers of the Sparrow Women conference tried to erase any signs of her presence at the event.
Latasha Morrison hopes to build a bridge between black and white Christians
By Nicola A. Menzie — March 15, 2019
(RNS) — Latasha Morrison launched Be the Bridge's Facebook group with about 69 members in 2015. Today, the online community fostering racial reconciliation is more than 21,000-strong, with more than 1,000 groups in 48 states.
Racial concerns prompt Christian university in Oklahoma to rename auditorium
By Bobby Ross Jr. — March 6, 2019
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — A Christian university renamed an auditorium on campus due to concerns that the venue's namesake — a famed preacher — had made racist remarks in the past.
Our church was named for Robert E. Lee — here is how we changed it
By Doug Cumming — January 10, 2018
(RNS) — It has been, under the surface, a re-litigating of Lee’s terms of surrender at Appomattox. (Commentary)
Nearing 60, Bishop T.D. Jakes strives to bridge racial, political divides
By Adelle M. Banks — May 25, 2017
(RNS) 'I am not interested in endorsing a candidate,' the renowned megachurch pastor said in an interview. 'I’m interested in supporting policies.'
Some Protestant pastors preach on race but most leave it to others
By Adelle M. Banks — March 30, 2017
(RNS) A new LifeWay Research survey also finds that most pastors have not addressed economic inequities in their communities or joined a public lament about racial injustice.
Black Southern Baptists: ‘We are pulling for Dr. Moore’
By Adelle M. Banks — March 14, 2017
(RNS) With 81 percent of white evangelicals supporting Trump in the November election and Southern Baptists striving to improve on their history that includes a defense of slavery, the questions roiling around Moore have included matters of race.
It’s time for churches to step forward and heal our national wounds
By guest — July 19, 2016
(RNS) Christians are on the front lines of a spiritual battle for the soul and future of our nation. The time has come for the church to be the church.
