Recent Articles
People of Good Faith: Angela Grant
Angela Grant is currently an Ernest C. Hynds Intern at Good Faith Media and is a recent Yale Divinity School graduate.
The Words Unsaid
The Super Bowl 56 halftime show led to diverse reactions across the U.S. One of the songs performed, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” includes a refrain that can give us hope as we mobilize against injustice.
Look Back | Black History Helps Us Appreciate Our Full History
Seeing the film “Hidden Figures” helped me realize how much history we should know that remains hidden. Knowing the whole story of our nation makes us better.
February 18, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: She Found Her Father’s Segregated Schoolhouse Decaying in the Virginia Woods. Now it is on the Way to Being Saved.; Arsonist Sentenced for Burning Catholic, Methodist, Baptist Nashville Churches; Will They Know Christians by Their Love or Reckless Obsession with Liberty?; God, Grades and College (and more)
Black Liberation Theology: Why Rap at the Super Bowl Was Important
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem were electrifying as the Super Bowl 56 halftime performers. However, some of the reactions from white friends and pundits were disappointing and disturbing.
Why We Cannot Call the American “Kitten” a Democratic Biscuit
What insight does a Malcolm X quip offer regarding U.S. democracy? Is the system broken, or is it functioning as designed? Here is some insight on these and other questions.
‘Introducing the Raceless Gospel’ Webinar Next Week
The Raceless Gospel Initiative at Good Faith Media will host its first webinar, “Introducing the Raceless Gospel,” on Feb. 24, 2022, at 12 p.m. CST / 1 p.m. EST.
February 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: A 300-Year-Old Church is Preparing for a Spiritual But Not Religious Future; Sandy Hook Families Reach $73 Million Settlement With Gun Manufacturer Remington; Abortion Opponents Hear a ‘Heartbeat.’ Most Experts Hear Something Else. (and more)
Help for the Culturally Impaired
The Super Bowl offered an exciting game, even for those who didn’t care what team won. The advertisements were hit-or-miss, but they gave me an idea for an enterprising, tech-savvy person to work on.
Until Someday Is Today: Continuing the Fight to Protect Voting Rights
The 2013 SCOTUS ruling in Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the years since, many state legislators have passed legislation that makes it harder for people to vote.
Emerging Voices | Meeting the Holy Spirit on Broadway
Meeting the Holy Spirit on Broadway was a welcome surprise. It reminded me that the sacred-secular divide posited by some people of faith is a false dichotomy that we should work to dismantle.
February 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: West Virginia School District Says Students’ Rights Were Violated During Religious Gathering on Campus; A Tennessee Couple’s Struggle to Adopt Shows Religious Freedom is Under Siege in America; Catholic Priest Baptized People for Decades Using One Wrong Word. Now Those are all Considered Invalid.; The Quiet Flight of Muslims from France (and more)
Among Global Evangelicals, Americans Are ‘Odd One Out’
Two theologians, John Stackhouse and Michael Bird, sat down recently to discuss evangelicalism. They explain how white evangelicals in the U.S. are the ‘odd one out’ when compared to counterparts in other countries.
Defending the Vote for All Citizens
Just as ‘faith without works is dead,’ so too is democracy without voting rights for all citizens. During Black History Month, let’s remember how Black voters have been suppressed throughout U.S. history and commit ourselves to defend voting rights for all.
The Role of Liturgy in the Journey Toward Justice
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed Christian worship, bringing both positive and negative impacts. As pastoral leaders advocate for justice, they must remember that liturgy is a ‘work of the people’ and engage the membership.
February 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: An Angry Debate Over Critical Race Theory Splits Christian Colleges; A Michigan Woman’s Journey to Define Spirituality is Rooted in Black History; Has the Catholic Church Been Covering up its Biggest Pedophile Priest Problem?; The Russian-Ukrainian Orthodox Church Split Continues to Anger Moscow (and more)
Democracy Remains a Dream, Voting Rights a Nightmare
Democracy is a work in progress as long as some suppress the rights of others in order to retain power and privilege. Black History Month declares that the struggle for equity and justice for all continues.
The Environmental Impact of COVID-19
Much attention has been given to PPE, vaccines and testing over the past two years. One crucial, but overlooked, impact of the ongoing pandemic is the significant increase in medical waste.
U.S. Adults Mostly Gloomy on State of Nation
The perception of U.S. adults on the state of the nation is predominantly one of dissatisfaction, a Gallup survey found. Satisfaction with organized religious remains at an all-time low.
February 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Beaten by the Klan in 1963, a Black Man Just Spoke to the White Pastor Who Helped Rescue Him; Black History Month in Chicago: Landmark West Side Church Played Pivotal Role in Civil Rights Movement, Push for Housing Equality; Capitalism Had Israel’s Kibbutzim on the Ropes. Then They Discovered Pot.; (and more)
Celebrating All Clergy: Hearing From Children, Youth and College Ministers
Clergy burnout has long been a pressing issue for local congregations, and the pandemic has increased the pressure they feel to minister effectively. Clergy health often focuses on senior pastors, but we must expand our concern and care for all ministers.
People of Good Faith: Jon Roebuck
Jon R. Roebuck is the executive director of The Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and the author of four books.
What the Lord’s Prayer Taught Me About Praying for Daily Bread
The Lord’s prayer was presenting an increasing challenge for me – particularly the part about asking for daily bread. Upon further reflection, the prayer’s pronouns taught me an important lesson about such petitions.
February 11, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Emanuel AME Church Inspired Guide to Help Mass Shooting Survivors; New Report Details the Influence of Christian Nationalism on the Insurrection; One in Five Applicants to White Supremacist Group Tied to US Military (The Guardian). Another Bomb Threat Was Reported at a HBCU This Week. Here’s Where the Investigation Stands; ‘I Quoted the Bible’: Phil Robertson of ‘Duck Dynasty’ Has No Regrets for Making Anti-Gay Remarks; (and more)
Report Analyzes Influence of Christian Nationalism on Jan. 6 Insurrection
A new report on Christian nationalism analyzes the role and influence this ideological movement had on the U.S. Capitol insurrectionists. It was announced and released during a Feb. 9 webinar featuring report contributors.
Winston-Salem Church to Welcome Refugees With Housing, Hospitality
A conference presentation sparked an idea and new mission initiative for one North Carolina church. They are in the process of converting an unused parsonage to provide temporary housing to refugees.
Reaction and Response | Only One U.S. Faith Group Lacks Majority Support for Undocumented Path to Citizenship
A new report found that only one U.S. faith group lacked a majority who support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Which group was it? And what trends did the survey reveal about immigration views?
February 10, 2022
In today’s news and analysis headlines: White Evangelicals Most Likely to Oppose Pathway to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants: Poll; Florida Seeks to Block Uncomfortable Themes in Schools. Its History is Full of Them.; Christian Revival at Public School Prompts Walkout in Virginia; Benedict Woes Come as German Church Reform Pressure Rises (and more)
What Can Moses, Aaron and Fannie Lou Hamer Teach Us About Freedom?
Hamer’s story is integral to the history of the struggle for Black voting rights, women’s empowerment, economic rights and human rights. Thinking about her life and the biblical book of Exodus offers insight about freedom.
How Health Care Data Acquisitions Could Affect Patient Privacy
IBM is in the process of selling its health care data to a private equity firm. Why does this matter? And why should you care?