Racial Issues & the Church: Is “Blackout Tuesday” the Best Answer?

Four church leaders explore race relations in the church and society. Fletch and Mike Gould will be joined by XPs Nicholas Smith and Tim Samuel. First we listened to Nick and Tim share perspectives from people in their communities.

Then, explore how deeply rooted bigotry is. At both a personal and corporate level, what can be done? The bottom line is that we all need help to understand the perspectives of those in another culture or of a different skin color.

Is “Blackout Tuesday” the best answer? What can the church do to help in this turbulent time in American culture? Four friends explore both what to do and what to avoid.

Resources

Books

The New Jim Crow : Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

I Have a Dream/ Also Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

About the Author: Nicholas Smith

Reverend Nicholas A. Smith is the Executive Assistant Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, New Jersey, where he assists pastor/teacher Bishop David G. Evans. Saved at the age of nine, Pastor Smith knew that he was called to ministry. Throughout his adolescence, God prepared Him by sending him to minister, teach and preach in prisons and churches. Under the dynamic teaching and mentoring of Bishop Evans, Pastor Smith was licensed to preach in November 2001 at the age of 19 and ordained reverend in October 2004. His fervent desire for biblical wisdom and his realistic approach to teaching and preaching God's Word, allows him to appeal to groups of all ages. In December of 2003, Reverend Smith became the Executive Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church. Along with assisting Bishop Evans, his responsibilities include overseeing the ministry aspect of the church, which includes Evangelism, Business, Family, Youth, Hope, Volunteer, Outreach and Education departments. He also serves as the Director of the Young Adult Ministry and as Director of Youth for the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches. It is Pastor Smith's desire to preach a life-giving word for souls to be saved and to teach a life-altering word to build up the Christian community to fulfill their God-given purpose. Pastor's Smith's life scripture is Jeremiah 1:5-10