Interested in serving on the WEPC Gospel & Race Discipleship Team?

This team seeks to offer Biblical resources and training opportunities regarding the Gospel, race, reconciliation, and justice. Contact: Kevin Greene

 

The Gospel and Race: Learning Resources

WEPC Pastoral Letter: The Gospel, Race, & Biblical Justice


Following Jesus: Stories of Fellowship in His Suffering

March 26, 2022

What does it mean to proclaim Jesus and to love like Him, even in the midst of our differences? Speakers Mike & Renee Higgins share tories of fellowship with Christ that we might be encouraged as His disciples. Mike is the Lead Pastor of South City Church and former Chaplain of Covenant Theological Seminary, both in Saint Louis, MO. Mike is a retired US Army Colonel, and has served as a church planter and Army chaplain. Renee has served as a leader, Bible instructor, and minister to children, women, and military families for over 40 years. Mike and Renee have enjoyed co-leading classes at Covenant Seminary together. They have been married and best friends since 1979. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

 


General Resources

A Message from Pastor Steve Shelby, June 10, 2020

Pastor Stan Morton’s Teaching, July 16, 2020

2018 PCA Racial and Ethnic Reconciliation Report

 

For help navigating resources, the following categories may be helpful: 

 



I want a better theological understanding of the relevance of racial issues to the Church.

Meditate and Pray: Ephesians 2:11-22

Read:  The Beautiful Community by Dr. Irwin Ince  

Read: "The Bible and Race" by Tim Keller, March 2020

Read: Biblical Ethics: An Overview on Racial Discrimination (ESV Study Bible)

Listen: Dr. Carl Ellis, "The Need for a Two-sided Theology"

Read:  "In This Fraught Racial Moment, We Need a Refresher on Human Depravity" by Tish Harrison Warren

 



I want resources for lament and prayer. 

Meditate and Pray: Psalm 10, Psalm 94:16-22

Liturgy from WEPC’s Service of Lament, June 28, 2020

Watch:  "Racism and Corporate Evil: A White Guy’s Perspective" by Tim Keller

Read: Weep with Me by Mark Vroegop 

 


 

I want to learn more about the history of race and its implications.

Meditate and Pray: Romans 12: 1-2, 9-21; Acts 10:34-48

Read: “George Floyd and Me” by Shai Linne

Watch: "Understanding the Heart Cry of Black Lives Matter," RVA Race and the Church 2016

Watch: Holy Post: Race in America

Read: Free at Last? The Gospel in the African American Experience by Dr. Carl Ellis, Jr. 

Read: Richmond’s Unhealed History by Rev. Ben Campbell  

 


 

I want to process these issues in community with others from the church.

Meditate and Pray: II Corinthians 5:14-21

Group Study: Be the Bridge to Racial Unity by Latasha Morrison*

* A pdf of scripture passages to accompany the Be the Bridge book is available through the church office.

Group Study: Advocates by Dhati Lewis

   


  

I am looking for practical ways to pursue mercy and justice as I walk humbly with God.

Meditate and Pray:  Philemon 1:1-25, Isaiah 58:1-14

Watch: Bible Project: Justice 

Listen: "Doing Justice and Mercy" by Rev. Tim Keller

Read:  Generous Justice by Rev. Tim Keller

WEPC Ministry and Partnership opportunities

 


 
I am a person of color seeking encouragement as I operate within majority culture.

Meditate and Pray:  Psalm 34; I Corinthians 12:1-26

Read: The Beautiful Community by Dr. Irwin Ince

Read: Free at Last? The Gospel in the African American Experience by Dr. Carl Ellis, Jr. 

Watch:  "Back to What is True"

Read: Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley

 


 

I want help talking to my kids about issues of race and justice.

Meditate and Pray: Psalm 78:1-8

 For Younger Children:

 Upper Elementary and Above:

 



For further study 

Books

Heal Us, Emmanuel

Divided By Faith

Gracism: The Art of Inclusion

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do 

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

The Color of Law

Videos

Grace, Justice and Mercy: An Evening with Bryan Stevenson and Tim Keller

The Whitewashing of Christianity, Pastor Jerome Gay Jr., February 2021

History of Race in the PCA with Dr. Sean M. Lucas, February 2021

RVA Race and the Church Video Series 2016  

Podcasts and Sermons

As In Heaven Podcast Series 

Bridging the Racial Divide through Conversation

 

If you would like to meet and pray with a pastor or counselor about any of these topics, contact the WEPC Church Office.

 

All resources included above have been evaluated by members of WEPC and determined to be helpful as we humbly engage this topic; however, not every resource will align completely with WEPC's Pastoral Letter, and all should be viewed in light of the guidance that document provides.