Conversation #2: Being Black in America

Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly: defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Yet, in this moment, white Christians should also heed Jesus’ brother’s advice: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

We should be slower to Tweet and slower to post on social media. Slower to go on the defense and slower to justify why things are the way they are. We should take the humble posture of a listener, and listen more to the actual experiences of people of color in America, and less to those political pundits who reinforce our preferred narrative.

Below is Conversation #2 from our MainStreet Sunday service this week featuring a panel of folks from Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN. Pastor Greg Boyd has been one of my teachers for 20 years, and Woodland Hills Church has been a church away from MainStreet for many years.

Echoing the way Jesus ended so many of his messages: “Let all who have ears to hear, listen.”