The Black Church

Op-Ed: The Black Church and Asian Lives Matter

Rev. Mark Whitlock: I watched the news reports of Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old White supremist who went on a rampage at three spas in the Atlanta, Georgia area, killing six women of Asian descent and two others. I posted the question on Facebook: Why should the Black Church support “Asian Lives Matter?” The question wasn’t prompted by animosity, despite the disagreements between the Asian and African American communities. To my surprise, very few of my clergy Facebook friends responded. Perhaps, the low response from clergy was due to the lack of knowledge of racial challenges faced by the Asian

AMEs Issue Statement on Black Clergy and President Trump Meeting

Editor’s note: President Donald Trump met with African American pastors at the White House on Aug. 1, and many of the attendees applauded his administration. Pastor Darryl Scott of Ohio referred to Trump as the “the most pro-black President that we’ve had in our lifetime,” according to the White House transcript of the meeting. The following editorial is a response to the gathering. There is great alarm about the recent meeting held with some “Black Church Leaders” and Mr. Donald Trump. These concerns are rooted and grounded in the Presidents ongoing remarks and policies that are anti-African/Caribbean nations, anti-justice for

Black Church boasts rich history in America

The Black Church has been the center of African American life since the earliest congregations were established in the 1700s. Its role has always extended beyond worship and fellowship to encompass education, business, social action and benevolent support. During Black History Month, the L.A. Sentinel Religion section will highlight historical facts about some of the major denominations, ministries and movements in the African American community. Beginnings of U.S. Black Congregations George Liele, a former slave, organized a Baptist fellowship in Savannah, Georgia in 1777 . In 1790, slaves Peter Durrett and his wife founded First African Church (now known as First

Why the Black Church Should Speak Out Against Sexual Predators

Whether or not you agree he is a rapist; agree or disagree with the 55 women who have come forward with their truth; or whether you feel we should stand with Bill Cosby or be a part of the deconstruction of the icon, one thing that is undeniable. This story provides a great opportunity for the world, especially the Black church, to tackle the larger discussion around prevailing sexual violence and rape culture in America. In 2013, I wrote my dissertation on the role of the Black preacher to “Lift the Veil of Sacred Silence around Sexual Violence Through Prophetic