In this unique cultural moment, every day we face questions regarding our nation’s history and experience of racial injustice. These issues are complex. These issues are grieving. These issues might leave you exhausted. But if we intend to be people who walk humbly with God, and do justice, and love kindness (Micah 6:8), then these are issues we cannot ignore.
I hope that, as a church, we will care about these issues for the long haul, not just for a month in 2020.
I’m sure there are a hundred great resources out there, but I’ve gathered just a few from the two Christian organizations that I invest the most time partnering with outside of our local church: Acts 29 and The Gospel Coalition.
Some Acts 29 Resources
- June 2020 Statement on “A Call to Justice, Restoration, and Renewal.”
- Panel Discussion on “Understanding Race and Reconciliation in the USA” with Thabiti Anyabwile, Dwayne Bond, Brandon Washington, Léonce Crump, Dr. Eric Mason, and Matt Chandler (you can get 5-minute excerpts or watch the entire 1-hour discussion; although it was recorded in 2016, the issues are still very current).
- A list of recommended books. In my opinion, if you want just one book to help you begin thinking more deeply about race and faith in America, I might recommend One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love by John M. Perkins–a good and heartfelt introduction to the topic, written out of a life spent promoting reconciliation and restoration.
Some TGC Resources
- Conference Audio: MLK 50 Conference (Sponsored by The Gospel Coalition). This is a treasure trove of resources.
- “We Need to Be Uncomfortable” a blog post that may help others understand the grief that many African Americans feel in this time.
- John Piper’s prayer for his city as riots spread: “The Sorrows of Minneapolis.”
- “How to Respond When Injustice Seems to Prevail” by Bobbie Jamieson