The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation

It has been a year since the death of George Floyd.
Seventy-three percent of Americans surveyed in March said they are worried about race relations a fair amount or a great deal, according to the Gallup Organization (cited in The Wall Street Journal, 5/25/21).

United Methodist groups have made statements, the Bishops have passed resolutions, task forces have been initiated, and curriculum and webinars have been offered.

But what about your local church?

The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation, our interview with Rev. Angela Pleasants, covers a lot of territory and provides some practical recommendations for local congregations, too. Rev Pleasants is pastor of South Tryon Community UMC in Charlotte, NC, a former District Superintendent, a chaplain with both the Charlotte Police Department and the United States Secret Service, and chairperson of the Task Force on Ethnic and Racial Equality of the Wesleyan Covenant Association.

This interview took place via Zoom with the Resourcing Coordinator for the Northern Illinois WCA, Rev. Dr. Scott Field and Reverend Angela Pleasants. To contact Rev. Pleasants directly please visit: South Tryon Community UMC

See the list below for the resources recommended by Rev. Pleasants in this video.

1. One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love
   by John M. Perkins
2. One Race, One Blood
   by Ken Ham and A. Charles Ware
3. Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We Are Stronger Together
   by Tony Evans
4. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity
   by Nabeel Quershi
5. The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism
   by Jemar Risby and Lecrae Moore