We are convinced that our congregation should reflect the diversity of the surrounding community. Even more, we long to see our congregation reflect the complexion of Heaven as described in Revelation 7:9.
Our prayer is that these resources will drive us all to confess our sins, cast away our idols, and seek to live in repentance with mercy, love, and justice for all.
Resources
The Bible
The Lord tells us that the Bible is our rule of authority for all of life. It is God’s Word that dictates why we exist and what our existence ought to constitute. This biblical framework with Jesus Christ at the center informs all of who we are in all times and places including this current social space (whatever it looks like as you are reading this).
Hence, with great weight and urgency, the first resource we list in order to discern what ought to be and what ought not be is the Bible. Every thought, concept, and ideology must be filtered through the truth of God’s word. We must strive to know this book better than any resource listed on this page because in this book consists truth and life.
The Holy Spirit
The second resource is the Holy Spirit—the One who gives you the ability to be able to understand God’s Word and accept it. There are countless systems of thought that can easily hijack the throne of your heart, and it is the Holy Spirit who helps us discern the truth of any thought by filtering it through God’s Word. Pray for the Spirit of Christ to help you.
Statement of Intent Regarding Race Relations at Second [PDF]
In the Session meeting October 15, 2001, the formation of a Race Relations Committee was approved. For almost a year, this committee met and had healthy discussion about the subject of race relations in our church and community. On September 16, 2002, the Session approved the work of this committee by adopting this statement of intention
Steps: A Remembrance of the 1964 Kneel-Ins
On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Second Presbyterian Church and Independent Presbyterian Church, protest participants and their family members, and Stephen Haynes, author of The Last Segregated Hour, held an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the kneel-in protests at Second Presbyterian Church. In 1964 these protests, led by a multi-racial group of college students, were held as African Americans were prevented from attending our worship services.
Recommended Reading
- A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory by Tim Keller
- Reflections on Black Lives by Carl Ellis
- The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
- One Blood by John M. Perkins
- Free at Last by Carl Ellis
For Families/Children:
From Our Media Library
- A Gospel-Focused Response - George Robertson at CityTalk
- On Binding the Wounds: Reflections on a Calling - Talk by Greg Thompson at CityServe
- An Attractive Savior, Pt. 2 - Sermon by George Robertson
- Reimagining the Church and the City - Sermon by George Robertson
- Listen to Gospel Priorities, an annual series of sermons by local and national minority pastors
Questions or Concerns?
Our pastors would love to talk with you further regarding race relations. For a full list of our pastors and their email addresses, click here. Or, call (901) 454-0034 to reach the offices of our pastors.