What White Churches Can Learn from Minority Churches

[What White Churches Can Learn from Minority Churches] The Gift of Work | How to Start a House Church | [View online] [ChristianityToday.org] [Donate] [Local Church Outreach Newsletter] Wednesday, January 18, 2017 What White Churches Can Learn from Minority Churches Confession time. Monday was the first time I've ever read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s [Letter from Birmingham Jail]. If you also have never read it—and even if you have—you owe it to yourself to take a few minutes to read it. Go ahead. I can wait … I trust you'll agree it's an incredibly powerful, gospel infused, message from one Christian brother to a group of others. Among many things that stood out to me about the letter, I was struck with King's patience in explaining the black experience to his white brothers. He gave them the benefit of the doubt that their misunderstanding of his motives was fueled by ignorance. He set a wonderful example for us to follow in these racially charged times. The majority church has a lot it can learn from minority churches. [Lessons from Exile] is a good place to start the conversation, as minority and majority churches together seek to reflect the diverse facets of the gospel of reconciliation. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14, NIV). Keep reaching out, [Editor] [Jonathan Sprowl] Editor Local Mission [Lessons from Exile] What minority churches have learned from their time outside the mainstream - and what the white church can learn from us. Michael Washington Having been outside the mainstream for years, African American churches have learned valuable lessons that have given special meaning to spiritual practices and ideas. White Christians may be familiar with them in theory, but to know them from the underside, from the outside, and from the margins is an exercise in growing in new grace. [Click to continue] Church Planting [Today's Devotion] [Ten Reasons Every Church-Planting Team Needs a Worship Leader] Worship is warfare. Dave Hall Many Evangelical Christians have a very truncated understanding of worship. When asked to define it, they respond, "It's singing," or "It's praising God." Worship, from a biblical perspective, is far more than merely singing or praising God in the assembly of the saints (as right and wonderful as that is). [Click to continue] Culture & Politics [Ministry on the Alaskan Frontier] Curtis Ivanoff talks leadership and reconciliation in America's most diverse census tract. Interview by Amy Simpson Curtis Ivanoff has the distinction of serving as a church leader in the American city with the most diverse neighborhood. And it's probably not the city you're thinking of. [Click to continue] Practical Training [Called to a Life of Mercy and Justice] God's heart beats for mercy and justice, and so should ours. More from CT Pastors [Put Your Money Where Your Mission Is] Three traditional churches change course to become missional to the max. Brandon O'Brien [Learning to Love the Church] When I became a pastor I didn't like much about the complexities of community in general and of a holy community in particular. Eugene H. Peterson [Our Best on Leadership Skills] 10 tools to identify and improve your most important practices as a leader. Marshall Shelley Related Free eNewsletters Each weekly issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now] Inspire life-changing community innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now] Justice & Compassion [Preaching with Courage] Overcoming the controlling aspect of fear in your preaching. Matt Woodley Matt Woodley: This is Matt Woodley with Monday Morning Preacher, and that was the voice of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was preaching at Cornerstone Baptist Church on May 29, 1966. Our guest host for today is Rev. Lawrence Aker III. Lawrence is a friend of mine from Brooklyn, New York, and he is the current senior pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church, where Dr. King gave that sermon. Lawrence, it's great to have you with us today. [Click to continue] Outreach & Evangelism [Window Watching] Gary L. McIntosh Research has found that people go through times of receptivity and resistance to the gospel message. Church planters, for example, realize starting a church in a new neighborhood is much easier than in an older one. [Click to continue] [Local Church Outreach] Delivered via email to subscribers weekly. [Subscribe] | [Email Preferences] | [Unsubscribe] | [Privacy Policy] | [Advertise] | [Subscribe to CT] You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2017 [ChristianityToday.org], Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.