These are helpful. We need more of these types of discussions.
Ferguson
“A Time To Speak” Live Stream Event (John Piper, Matt Chandler, Thabiti Anyabwile, Ed Steltzer, Bryan Lorrits, Etc.)
“In light of recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, Cleveland, and New York, 11 Christian pastors and leaders are gathering Dec. 16 at the historic Lorraine Motel and National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis for A Time to Speak, a live stream event focusing on race, the church and where to go from here.” [Source]
I highly suggest you “attend” this event.
Sign up and view the event from this link (<– this is the same link for the now archived video — updated Dec. 19, 2014).
RECOMMENDED: Four Common But Misleading Themes in Ferguson-Like Times by Thabiti Anyabwile
As I read Voddie Baucham’s “Thoughts on Ferguson” I was bothered, not because of what he said, but because of what he left out. I was concerned because this is just the sort of ammunition, from an African American pastor mind you, that some people need to disregard what is really at the heart of the issue in Ferguson. As BJ Thompson tweeted,
@VoddieBaucham has it ever occurred to you that your emphasis on missing black fathers as the cause actually perpetuates racial apathy?
— BJ Thompson (@bj116) November 26, 2014
That’s why I glad to hear about Thabiti Anyabwile’s (indirect) ‘response’ in “Four Common But Misleading Themes in Ferguson-Like Times.” I recommend you read it.
RECOMMENDED: Ferguson, Empathy, & Hope by Jefferson Bethke
Wise words from Jefferson Bethke on the Ferguson situation.
Here are some tweets for context and more wise comments.
Watching CNN & my heart is breaking. To my black brothers and sisters, I stand with you. #BlackLivesMatter. Praying for shalom. Jesus, come.
— Jefferson Bethke (@JeffersonBethke) November 25, 2014
Unfortunately, Bethke started getting attacked for that tweet.
Honestly can’t believe I’m getting blown up for this tweet. Please, stop talking, sit at a table with black people and LISTEN. JUST LISTEN.
— Jefferson Bethke (@JeffersonBethke) November 25, 2014
For example… (below) Yet Bethke responds with insight into the situation that I wish more within evangelicalism had.
@stephenhartmann not true. If race wasn’t an issue this wouldn’t be the huge national issue it is
— Jefferson Bethke (@JeffersonBethke) November 25, 2014
He concludes,
If we are Jesus people, we should absorb other’s hurts. And if you don’t see an entire community feeling betrayed, idk what you’re watching.
— Jefferson Bethke (@JeffersonBethke) November 25, 2014
RECOMMENDED: A Decision in Ferguson: How Should Evangelicals Respond? by Ed Stetzer
Read this article by Ed Stetzer: A Decision in Ferguson: How Should Evangelicals Respond?
Here are some of my thoughts (originally shared via Twitter) that I’d like to share with you.
Whether or not injustice occurred in this specific incident, #Ferguson‘s response is telling of a more systemic race problem in our country.
— Kirk E. Miller (@KirkMiller_) November 25, 2014
We have a race problem. To conclude otherwise is to ignore and discredit the experience of large sector of our population. #Ferguson
— Kirk E. Miller (@KirkMiller_) November 25, 2014
White evangelicals, be slow to criticize the “what” of the #Ferguson response and quick to ask the “why?” #Sensitivity
— Kirk E. Miller (@KirkMiller_) November 25, 2014
Js 1:19 – “Be quick to hear, slow to speak.” Ecc 3:7 – There is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”
— Kirk E. Miller (@KirkMiller_) November 25, 2014
Kirk E. Miller 