George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. The injustice we have seen is more than a news cycle, it is a problem that runs deep within our communities and our country. It is a burden that should not be carried by the black community alone. It is a burden that we as Christians are called to share. We are called to mourn with those who mourn, to weep with those who weep, and to stand up for the oppressed and the marginalized. Over these last weeks, I have felt the urgency of this call, but am at a loss. How do we speak out against the injustice seen around us? How do I as a pastor encourage my church to speak out against injustice? I know I am not the only one searching for answers.
We were honored to sit down and have a conversation with the Rev. Dr. John Nunes on the subject of injustice, racism, and how we as a church can confront these deeply rooted issues in our culture with the gospel. Dr. Nunes is the President of Concordia College New York, a college that over the academic year rallied under the theme of civics and civility. He is not only an accomplished leader, but an author and outspoken Christian leader on the issues of injustice, racism, and equality. Dr Nunes brings a depth of understanding and practical wisdom for the church that we can all learn from.