Blackhawk Church Next Steps

Worship leader Sarah Bianchi takes us through an Advent prayer experience that will help us center our hearts on Jesus and the hope that he brings.

All music written by Sarah Bianchi, except “Oh Light” (Gungor and All Sons & Daughters). Closing prayer from “Guerrillas of Grace” by Ted Loder.

In this special bonus episode, we do a Q & A with Pastor Charles Yu on the topic of race. In this wide-ranging conversation, Charles answers questions about how to define race, systemic racism, Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter, Blackhawk’s multi-cultural vision, and the next steps we can take as individuals.

4:40 – Charles’ background, 6:39 - defining race, 12:58 - race as a social construct, 14:43 - systemic racism, 32:25 - the Christian faith’s solution for racial injustice, 37:41 - differences between the social justice movement and the Kingdom of God, 42:35 - critical race theory, 47:18 - Black Lives Matter and BH’s involvement with the rally over the summer, 51:29 - Blackhawk’s multi-cultural vision, 55:49 - How should I proceed as an individual?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Racism without Racists, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva // Red-lining map website - https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/?fbclid=IwAR1pt-baa0eUWUomJ8BUQPlXiV4dbZEXRXQYwJJXvyUcDb71Ant85GuVdzg#loc=12/43.076/-89.468&city=madison-wi&adview=full&adviewer=sidebar // The Color of Law, Richard Rothstein // Phil Vischer videos – Part One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUwcs9qJXY&feature=share&app=desktop, Part Two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-yun74BJEc&t=277s // Biased, Jennifer Eberhardt // 13th (movie) - https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741

This week we talk with Tom and Becca Whitney who have spent the last four years doing ministry in Angola. They talk about how the person of Jesus has transformed their lives, for Tom, going from an atheist to a Christ-follower, what it’s like to tell people about Jesus for the first time, and why He’s worthy of selling everything and going overseas. Then Chris wraps up the I Am series with an opportunity to reflect on what God has been up to in your life throughout the course of this series.

*Music by Travis Agnew and Hansoo Kim

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This week we talk with Hannah Busse, our Director of Worship Arts, and Sarah Bianchi, one of our volunteer worship leaders, about how they’ve learned to slow down in order to create space to hear from God over the last several years. At the end, Adam and Alicia Penning take us through an extended Prayer of Examen.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton

*Music by Travis Agnew and Chris Kopp

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Today, Chris and Tiffany are joined by Pastors Colier McNair and Matt Metzger to react to the latest election results and to offer a word of hope and encouragement this week. At the end, Chris takes us through a prayer practice that will help us do a little self-care and to pray for our country and church.

Theme music by Travis Agnew. Reflection music: Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod

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This week we talk with Pastors Chris Dolson, Matt Metzger, and Charles Yu from our teaching team about how to approach voting as a Christ-follower, what to do if neither candidate perfectly aligns with our Christian faith, what they hope will be true of Blackhawk Church in this election season, and more. At the end, Ben Knox leads us through a prayer practice centered on politics that will help us see the candidates as created in the image of God, to pray for them, and to be people of peace.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby

To Change the World, James Davison Hunter

Race and Faith Resources - http://www.blackhawkchurch.org/resources/

*Music by Travis Agnew, Chris Kopp, and Hansoo Kim

This week we talk with Pastor Chris Dolson about the exclusive nature of Jesus as “the way, truth, and life,” we discuss what the Bible has to say about those who never had a chance to hear the gospel, and he gives an encouragement to those who might be struggling with doubt or questions about God.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Reason for God, Timothy Keller - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594483493/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_I00JFbDZ0H726

A Secular Age, Charles Taylor - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0674986911/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_vZ0JFbH37BD04

Email us at [email protected].

*Music by Travis Agnew

This week we talk with Becky Allen about life after loss and how her view of death and resurrection has been transformed after the loss of her husband. In the second half of the episode, Chris leads us through a re-telling of the story of Lazarus and some of the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Win the Day Productions - https://winthedaypro.com/

*Theme music by Travis Agnew // Reflection music by Hansoo Kim

This week, we talk with Coliér, Travis, and Trevor, a few of our Blackhawk worship pastors, about what it’s looked like for them to remain connected to God and to worship in this COVID season. In the second half of the episode, Hannah Busse (Director of Worship Arts) leads us through a meditation and worship experience centered on John 15.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We want your feedback! Email us at [email protected].

Lectio 365 App - https://www.24-7prayer.com/dailydevotional

*Theme music by Travis Agnew // Worship music by Hannah Busse

This week, we talk with Daniel Owen about spiritual practices and rhythms that can help foster an increased appetite for God and grow our relationship with Him, and Daniel, Tiffany, and Chris talk about seasons in their lives where it felt like they’d “hit a wall” and God seemed distant. In the second half of the episode, Tiffany leads us through the story of the Feeding of the 5000 and helps us place ourselves in the crowd with Jesus.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• I Am: The One Who Satisfies Your Soul | Matt Metzger
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World | John Mark Comer