racial unity

In this episode, Brent and Lindsay talk about racial unity in the SBC. They also disucss a recap of the State of the Union address, the devastating earthquake in Turkey, and J.D. Greear’s article responding to comments Andy Stanley made about homosexuality. 

ERLC Content

• Micah Gaston with Four Reasons Why I Am Committed to A Racially Reconciling Church
• Racial Unity in the SBC: A Converrsation with Fred Luter and Ed Litton

Culture

• The Dispatch: State of the Union recap
• NBC News: Death toll soars past 16,000 in Turkey earthquake
• BP: Send Relief responding to massive earthquake
  • SEND Relief
• TGC: J.D. Greear’s article responding to Andy Stanley
  • Discipling your church for a world in sexual crisis 

Connect with us on Twitter

• @ERLC
• @LeatherwoodTN
• @LindsNicolet

Sponsors

• 2023 Public Policy Agenda | The first session of the 118th Congress is now underway, and it begins as the nation is grappling with war around the world, inflation at home, and deep division across our nation. This also begins a new era of divided government with a Democratic president, a narrow Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, and a slim Republican majority in the House. This dynamic ensures legislating and governing will be a difficult task. We recently released the 2023 ERLC Public Policy agenda which includes our priorities for religious liberty, sanctity of life, marriage and family, and human dignity. Download the full agenda and learn how your Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is advocating for issues important to Southern Baptists at ERLC.com/policy.
• Email updates | Now that 2023 is fully underway, we want to make sure you are kept up to date about the important work we are doing on behalf of Southern Baptists. Whether it’s our 2023 Public Policy Agenda or another ultrasound machine placement, we want to make sure you know how we are serving our churches and acting as missionaries to the public square. As we move forward in 2023, know that first in our hearts and at the top of our minds are our churches. And we are taking those next steps with a Mark 10:44 mindset: to be a servant of all. The best way to learn more is by joining us at ERLC.com/updates. Signing up for email updates allows you to hear directly from us about our work and ways we are serving you on the issues that matter most to Southern Baptists. You’ll learn about our work on your behalf in our nation’s capital, about exciting new partnerships with our state conventions and the ways we are working across the convention with our sister entities. Become an email subscriber at ERLC.com/updates. 

In this episode, Brent interviews Jon Nelson, a pastor in Missouri, about racial unity and the SBC. Lindsay also reviews a few pieces of ERLC content focused on life in light of the 2023 March for Life.  

ERLC Content

• Kadin Christian with Helping single moms choose life and education: An interview about The MOMentum Network
• Ashlyn Portero with 5 small pro-life steps churches can take

Culture

• Baptist Press: Jon Nelson: from atheist to 1st black Mo. Baptist VP
• March for Life 2023

Connect with us on Twitter

• @ERLC
• @LeatherwoodTN
• @LindsNicolet

Sponsors

• Internships | While it may seem early, now is the time when many college students begin planning for their Summer 2023 internships. You likely already know this if you have a college student in your life—whether it's in your own household, or your church ministry. At the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, we believe strongly in investing in the next generation. Our internship program exists to prepare students and young professionals with a gospel-centered, kingdom-focused perspective on the issues of everyday life. Interns come alongside ERLC staff to equip church leaders to address complex ethical issues in their communities, local churches, and represent Southern Baptists to the United States government. They help write policy briefs, draft correspondence to congressional staff, assist with communication strategy, provide research on ethical debates, meet with state and federal Christian officials working in the public square, and so much more. In sum, ERLC Interns do much more than simple errands and coffee runs. If you know of a college student looking for an internship for summer 2023, or you are a college student in need of an internship, visit ERLC.com/interns to apply. That’s ERLC.com/interns
• Psalm 139 | Thousands of women are now traveling to states where abortion is still legal. Abortion providers like Planned Parenthood are targeting these states by placing mobile abortion centers near the border to take advantage of vulnerable women. The need for lifesaving ultrasound machines is greater than ever. That's where the Psalm 139 Project comes in. As an initiative of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Psalm 139 Project works on behalf of Southern Baptists to place ultrasound machines in pro-life clinics across the country. Will you help us save vulnerable lives in 2023 and beyond? When you partner with the Psalm 139 Project, 100% of your gift goes directly to placing ultrasound machines and training PRC staff and volunteers. All of our administrative costs are covered by the ongoing generosity of Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program. That’s what makes us unique — and that’s why partnering with us will make a real, tangible difference. Learn more and partner with us at ERLC.com/psalm139. That’s ERLC.com/psalm139.

Welcome to On the Path, a podcast filled to the brim with encouragement, inspiration, interviews & life lessons to ignite you in your faith, push you to your purpose and challenge you to be exactly who You are called by God to be...a world changer! Get into the classroom of life, as we talk about the things that matter most. Join host Cheryl Nembhard along with incredible Leaders as they share their raw thoughts, feelings & life stories of triumph, tragedy and the big lessons they've learned along the way!

This week, we are speaking with global faith leader, Pastor Albert Tate, Author, Podcast Host and Teacher. He is the founding pastor of Fellowship Church—one of the fastest-growing multiethnic churches in the United States. He’s also the host of  the Albert Tate Podcast and Good News Today, a live weekday morning devotional show with thousands of daily viewers.

We discuss his brand new book, 'How We Love Matters: A Call to Practice Relentless Racial Reconciliation'.  In this episode, Albert speaks about the importance of creating safe spaces for the Church to foster racial reconciliation & the need for the Church to treat and love one another as siblings and neighbors, regardless of differences like skin color, culture, language, or beliefs.
  
This message is a  clarion call for all believers to examine how they see and understand each other in order to find a way forward toward justice, reconciliation, and healing.  Everyone n needs to hear this inspiring conversation!

Available on all podcast platforms and on our youtube channel (cherylnembhard).  Like, Rate, Review & Subscribe!

**Watch On The Path w/ Cheryl Nembhard on Thursdays & Saturdays on YES TV in Canada! Also stream it 24 hours a day on: www.intothecastle.com!**

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jarvis Williams, associate professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of a recent book entitled Redemptive Kingdom Diversity: A Biblical Theology of the People of God. Today, we talk about diversity in the Bible and its place in the Kingdom of God.

Meet Dr. Williams: 

Jarvis J. Williams earned his PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he now serves as an associate professor of New Testament interpretation. He is the author of numerous books, including For Whom Did Christ Die? The Extent of the Atonement in Paul’s Theology, Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law: A Jewish Martyrological Reading of Galatians 3:13, a commentary on Galatians, and a forthcoming commentary on Romans. He has also written popular books and articles on race, racism, and reconciliation.

Resources:

• Redemptive Kingdom Diversity by Jarvis Williams
• Beyond Racial Division by George Yancey
• Talking About Race by Isaac Adams

The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.

Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

Todd and Ryan sit down with hip-hop artist Shai Linne to discuss how the gospel can accomplish racial reconciliation. Shai is the author of The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity. In addition to releasing numerous Christian hip-hop albums, Shai cofounded Risen Christ Fellowship, an inner-city church in his hometown of Philadelphia. 

Mentioned resources:

The New Reformation

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a Christian response to Pride Month, a major leadership change in Israel, and recent news involving the ERLC. They also cover new ERLC content including a critical abortion case headed to the Supreme Court, questions about content moderation on social media, and one city’s approach to combatting abortion through local ordinances.

ERLC Content

• Jordan Wootten with Explainer: Supreme Court takes up Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
• Jason Thacker with Should the government regulate social media? Florida’s new social media bill and the crisis of online governance
• Catherine Parks with Explainer: Lebanon, Ohio, Becomes Sanctuary City for the Unborn

Culture

1. 100 Years since the Tulsa Race Massacre. Churches are leading on racial unity.
2. June is “Pride” Month. How should Christians think about that?
3. A major shake-up in Israel’s national leadership. What’s that mean for the Biden Administration?
4. A leaked letter from Russell Moore sparks conversations within the SBC about race and sexual abuse.

Lunchroom

• Lindsay: Hannah Hall children’s books
• Josh: Teen wrestled a Bear video 
• Brent: SBC Annual meeting (sbcannualmeeting.net)

Connect with us on Twitter

• @ERLC
• @jbwester
• @LeatherwoodTN
• @LindsNicolet

Sponsors

Love your church: This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why it’s exciting to be a part of it, and why it’s worthy of our love and commitment. | Find out more about this book at thegoodbook.com

As the tensions of race and cultures have increased this year, we often don't hear the good stories. Do not miss the light hearted, hilarious, and thought-provoking interview with Pastors Jay Stewart and Derrick Hawkins from the Refuge church. Their book, Welded: forming racial bonds that last, will be out in November 17th, 2020. The story of a white pastor and a black pastor welding two congregations together is beautiful. Of course, Candice and Natalie will provide many times for you to laugh while you listen as well as they use Michael Jackson's song "It don't matter if you're black or white" in the podcast. 

Our team at The Gospel Coalition is excited to welcome As In Heaven into our podcast network. As In Heaven, hosted by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson, features conversations on race and justice with more than two-dozen ministry leaders. These discussions aim to help listeners process racial justice in a biblical, historical, and relational way.

We pray that our spheres of influence would be places that look more like God’s kingdom—where love reigns, humanity flourishes, and Christ is glorified.

As in Heaven: A Conversation on Race and Justice is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and anywhere you listen to your podcasts.

The Safe Streets program of Catholic Charities  Baltimore is making a difference in the lives of people they serve, helping them to choose a path that rejects violence and embraces actions and thoughts that uplift the person and the community.

Abby wanted to interview me......and this is basically what happened. 
Abby is simply what I can only describe as a breath of fresh air! In this episode we dive into my story a bit more.....because Abbie is just like me, full of questions. We broach the subject of childhood identity crisis's, political correctness, white privilege, racial unity, authenticity, generational patterns, what can white people do better and the constant theme throughout the entirety of the episode, laughing at the hypocrisy. This episode was such a blast to record and it was one where there wasn't any plan except let's talk and record it. Enjoy this painfully hilarious perspective from two people who simply refuse to allow it to continue. 

Much love

Pastor Ken Riley shares a story of recently traveling to Dakar, Senegal and coming to reflect on how we are all connected, even across the globe. As he was standing at the "door of no return,” the place where Africans who were stolen from their homes would cross never to return to their families or country, his Senegalese companion put his arm around Ken and said, “Isn't it good to be reminded that we are brothers.” May we all walk through a door not to return to the racial injustices that exists in our society but to make a commitment to work together to provide healing a hope!

Ken talked about his time serving as a Chaplin in the Navy, a model that seeks to “Provide for your own, care for all, facilitate for others and advise the command.” Working in the this environment was multicultural, multiethnic and as well as many faith backgrounds.

Ken believes we need to take a call to action! Three things Ken believes we are called to do in our commitment to justice (having a conviction that is Biblical), through a “third way,” using Matthew 5:6-7 as an example:

1. Mourn with those who mourn. It is in mourning that people are comforted.
BLACK LIVES / BLUE LIVES / ALL LIVES: Are these just opportunities to mourn with those who are mourning? These movements are people asking, “can somebody mourn with me?” We are all created in the image of God, we all have human dignity.

2. Become passionate peacemakers. It is through peace that we create influence and influence moves us beyond equity to unity. MLK Jr., as radical as he was, was committed to peace through non-violence.

Ken shares his story about being incarcerated his senior year of high school, under charges of attempted murder. What he needed in that moment for advocacy was relationships with those in power.

Working together requires calling out the injustice; “this is wrong and here’s the solution.”  It requires doing your own work, seeing the places you have prejudices and phobias. It involves having courageous conversations, not remaining silent.  Get educated! Read books! Listen to podcasts. Get to know the “other;” people who don’t look like me.

Jesus listened, He intentionally had conversations with those who were on the outside of society.

Looking at demographics for supporting diversity: representation needs to be in leadership in order to have a voice and any power.

Political season is coming up: it’s a charged tense season… Ken chooses to engage conversations by be willing and open, not allowing the conversation to affect him personally: It’s not an attack your values. Being okay with not changing the other person.

3. Have a commitment to listening. Engaging people around you and listening first. Lead with being secure in who you are and that all people reflect the image of God.

Relationship is a journey not a destination, it is a process that brings us closer to understanding each other and puts us on the pathway of learning.

There is a generation coming who doesn’t understand racism.

----

Pastor Ken Riley is the Campus Lead for newlife Church in Bremerton, WA. He's also a husband, father to three teen-aged girls, and a former Navy Chaplin.

You can hear Ken preach on Sundays at Mountain View Middle School at 9am, 10:30am & 6pm with a community dinner hosted at 5:30pm.

You can connect with Ken for continued conversations with a non-judgmental ear: ken.riley@newlife.tv

Ken is reading: Above the Line by Urban Meyer, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Ken is listening to: Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

Ken is inspired by: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.