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12 Racial Justice Resources We Recommend
This past fall we worked through the Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God study series as a church. For those who aren’t familiar with it, we highly recommend it for your church. But now since that class is over, we want to keep on learning. Racial reconciliation is just too important to let slide. That’s why our Elders have come up with a list of 12 resources that are especially helpful. John, Mark, and Jonathan have each shared four…
One of Our Own (Sam Kim & Racial Trauma)
Every time Sam Kim sees something horrible happen to his African-American brothers and sisters, it immediately brings back the racial trauma he’s experienced. He’s transported to the first time he remembers being called by racial slurs, to being chased through the streets of Chicago, to hearing his parents laughed at and taunted. This trauma has continued, even after living and working in the United States for decades, even after serving as a U.S. soldier in a war. He can tell…
The Gospel & Social Justice – Where to begin?
Dear Church Family, Many of us are wrestling with how to respond to the tragedy of George Floyd’s death and our current cultural moment. We don’t know what to do about it, or even where to begin. Your elders, Mark, John, and I have all listened to a sermon called “The Gospel & Social Justice” by Pastor Tom Sparling of The Journey Community Church in Worcester. If you are able, would you listen to it? His sermon starts at about…
How to Survive Enduring Uncertainty and Transition
Rashad Clemons was in the middle of a major transition when the pandemic struck. He’d recently moved back to the east coast with his family to become the new pastor of Reality Church Boston. The plan was to do a one-year handoff, in which he would be the pastor-in-residence and slowly receive responsibilities and leadership as the planting-pastor transitioned out. When the pandemic hit in the middle of this year, the plan had to change. Rashad remembers that he and…
A Nuanced Kind of Christianity – The Kingdom of God and Politics
It is clearly evident that we are living in polarized and polarizing times. Christians in America find themselves facing several converging issues at once: the fray of an election season, ongoing conversations about the need for racial justice, all while continuing to navigate a pandemic. What are disciples of Jesus to do in the face of polarization and contention? How does the Kingdom of God shape the way we live in such a context? In the face of such questions,…
Barriers to Multiethnic Reconciliation | Acts 10:23b-43
Last week we talked about the Bible’s vision of churches working towards becoming diverse multiethnic congregations that reflects his church family in Revelation 7:9-10. Today I want to talk about the things that hinder us from doing that, barriers to unity in diversity. When we look at the New Testament, we find one of the most commonly reoccurring themes is racial tensions between Jew and Gentile. The church had to call a council in Acts 15 to deal with the…
A Conversation with Friends – Systemic Racism & Becoming a White Ally
In June I preached a sermon entitled “A Posture of Listening” (all links below) where I shared how the Lord was teaching me to try and listen and learn more about the issue of racism and racial justice. With this I sensed the Lord might be leading me to reach out to three of my Ockenga friends, Cyntoria, Monica, and Devon, to talk further about this topic. All three love the Lord and care deeply for the church. Cyntoria serves…
A Posture of Listening | Acts 7:54-60 (Stephen’s Martyrdom)
Today we are finishing the story of Stephen. I had written my sermon for today’s service a couple weeks ago, but when I read it this week, it just didn’t feel right. I sensed the Lord had a different sermon for me. Today, I’m sharing what the Lord is teaching me through the lens of Stephen’s story about the issue of racial justice. I’ve felt really drained this week. I’ve felt anger and grief, sadness, despair, as I know many…
A Great Big Snake Story | Acts 28:1-10; 1 Samuel 17 (David & Goliath the Serpent)
Elijah really likes The Jungle Book. One of the characters in that story is a really big and sneaky snake named Kaa. He’s a python, and he’s famous for his colorful, hypnotic eyes and his ability to put Mowgli into a trance. He nearly catches and eats Mowgli, but Mowgli escapes. Snakes are a part of popular culture, from Indiana Jones to Harry Potter to the movie, Anaconda, and Snakes on a Plane (neither of which I’ve seen). But, our…
The Mission of God | Acts 18:1-17 (Misseo Dei)
What do you think of when you hear the word “Missionaries?” I sometimes think of two young men, dressed in blue khakis, wearing white shirts and ties. They’re wearing nametags, “Elder Tim” and “Elder Rob.” Mormon missionaries. I remember the time I filled out a form on their website to receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon, and the confirmation page said, “Some missionaries will be by to deliver it soon.” I was like, what?! I thought they’d…
A Lost City | Acts 17:16-33
I want us to take some time this morning and think about our communities, the places where we live. I especially want us to think about Westford, the community God has placed us in. As we think about our towns, think of some of the things you really like about your community. What do you appreciate? I love Westford. It’s a beautiful town, with lots of winding roadways, big beautiful houses, land, and yet there’s also a nice modern part…
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