Once again, I am so thankful to say that PBC is part of a larger body with whom we can cooperate and work for the well-being of all people. And Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has recently published insightful and challenging words that can help us continue that work. So today, June 3, 2020, I hand over the post to them so that those words can be more widely disseminated. Just as Deena’s post yesterday was shared, I hope you’ll share these as well so that we might be better equipped to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

First is a joint statement from CBF and CBF GA in support of hate crime legislation in Georgia (HB 426) that has already been passed by the Georgia House of Representatives but has been stuck in Senate Judiciary Committee since March 8 of 2019. I was pleased to represent PBC as a quoted signatory to this statement.

Next is a powerful statement from CBF Executive Coordinator Dr. Paul Baxley. As we hold both violence against our brother-in-Christ George Floyd that took his life and violence against other persons of color in one hand, we hold Pentecost in the other. What are people of faith, indwelt by the very Spirit of God, to do? Paul suggests actions needed by the church, by government and by the CBF.

Finally, a very challenging blog post from Rev. Kasey Jones, Associate Coordinator of Strategic Operations & Outreach for CBF. She recounts how the the torture and murder of Emmett Till catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement and connecting both the death of George Floyd and the risk Queen Esther took in confronting power she says, “It is time for the separate system of justice for black and brown men and women to be altered to a fair and just system for All.”

It does seem that we are at a new crossroads in God’s movement of redemption. Are we willing to find common ground so that we might have everything in common?