This is part 1 of a 3 episode series. 

Part Episode 1: Personal Journey & Church History

Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/ 

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Today’s episode will help us understand the journey, challenges, and vision of Black Christian leaders as they build community, overcome obstacles, and create a more inclusive future for their churches.

This episode centers on a hosted gathering of African American members of Christian churches, led by Lamont Francis, senior pastor of Delta Bay Community Church. The session’s primary aim is to foster a nationwide network and fellowship among Black Christian leaders, addressing both the challenges and opportunities unique to their communities.

Lamont Francis opens by sharing his personal journey, beginning with his upbringing in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Raised by a single mother in a lower socioeconomic environment, Francis’s early life was marked by resilience and faith. His academic path took him from the projects to Pepperdine University, where he experienced a significant cultural shift and met his first Black professor, Dr. David G. Holmes. This mentorship inspired Francis to consider ministry, though his initial ambitions were in media and entertainment.

Francis recounts his formative years in ministry, starting in Bakersfield, California, where he learned humility and servanthood by performing tasks like driving the church van before being allowed to preach. This experience taught him the importance of knowing and serving the congregation before assuming leadership. Eventually, he returned to the Bay Area, taking on ministerial roles in small congregations and navigating the complexities of church leadership as a young, unmarried man.

A pivotal moment in Francis’s journey was his congregation’s displacement due to racial tensions and resistance to integration within predominantly white Churches of Christ. After being asked to leave a shared church space, his group moved through various temporary locations before ultimately purchasing the very building from which they had been expelled. This full-circle moment underscored both the challenges and triumphs of Black congregations seeking stability and autonomy.

The episode delves into the broader context of Black churches within the Restoration Movement, highlighting the isolation and legalism experienced within the Churches of Christ. Francis describes the difficult decision to leave this fellowship, motivated by a desire for greater inclusivity, growth, and freedom in worship practices. The transition to the Independent Christian Church was facilitated by connections with leaders like Gary Shear and organizations such as the Solomon Foundation, which provided support and a sense of belonging.

Francis also addresses the lack of representation and support for Black congregations at national Christian conventions, such as ICOM, and the need for spaces where their voices and histories are recognized. He recounts efforts to build networks and host rallies focused on urban service and fellowship among Black Christians, though these initiatives faced challenges and eventual decline.

A recurring theme is the importance of documenting and preserving the rich history of African American involvement in the Restoration Movement, particularly within Independent Christian Churches. Francis calls for the creation of resources, websites, and books to ensure this legacy is not forgotten.

The episode concludes with a vision for the future: building a nationwide fellowship that honors the past while addressing contemporary needs, fostering unity, and creating opportunities for growth and leadership among Black Christian communities.