Racism Resources and The Election
Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Monday 15th June 2020
Racism
May I encourage you to ‘seize this cultural moment’ and give some time to really understanding the problem of Racism. Here are three fantastic resources.
A Video Message from Dr Tony Evans recorded on the 2nd June 2020 entitled, A Message From My Heart on the Racial Issues facing Us a Nation. 14mins. Why not show this on a Sunday Service?
An in-depth article by Dr Jim Denison that takes a look at racism’s history in America, the role of slavery in the Bible, what the Bible says about racism, and our practical response as Christians to the problem of racism It’s about a 20 minute read. It’s a superb overview and certainly applicable beyond America.
A powerful ‘spoken word’ by Licy Be called ‘Colours’. A young white female artist. Another resource for Sunday.
The Upcoming Elections.
Last week Thursday hoardings were allowed to go up……. and up they went……all over the place. Nice photo’s, pithy slogans and grand promises. That’s going to be life in the public square for the next 3 months until the night before Election Day on the 19th September when they all have to be taken down and the campaign chatter stops for a while.
My hope and prayer is that Christians will get involved. My hope is that Christians will look ‘behind’ the slogans and promises and seek to discern what is right and what is true. In saying that I am in no way advocating that church as an institution align itself with partisan politics as we see played out in the US for example. The separation of Church and State is critical and must be maintained at all times. But that is not the same as involvement neither does it mean that churches and pastors should stay silent on matters that are fundamentally biblical concerns before they are political concerns. In fact, scripture encourages us to speak truth to power, to speak up on issues of injustice and unrighteousness and do what we can to hold Government accountable. That’s what a Democratic system is all about, what in fact it calls for and that is what makes it work. As Christians we certainly have a valid and very important voice. A prophetic voice even.
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Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
