All posts tagged: Pulpit

For the first time, Black women bishops in the UMC share Good Friday pulpit

For the first time, Black women bishops in the UMC share Good Friday pulpit

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — The tradition of “Seven Last Words” services hosted by Black churches will mark a new milestone on Good Friday (April 3) when all seven of the active African American women bishops of the United Methodist Church are expected to preach at a Maryland church. “This is the first time there’s ever been that many” African American women bishops in the UMC, said the Rev. Jason O. Jordan-Griffin, pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church in the Baltimore suburb of Hanover, where the service will take place. “And this is the first time they’ve all come together to preach for an event of this magnitude.” The retelling of the biblical account of the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross, used to feature solely men in pulpits across the country. That changed gradually. Back in 2011, Jordan-Griffin started inviting women to preach the seven sayings of Jesus — starting with “Father, forgive them … ” — at the first church he pastored, in Pumphrey, Maryland. Having been appointed to his third church last year, …

Bully pulpit: One year on, Trump tests limits of executive power – The Debate

Bully pulpit: One year on, Trump tests limits of executive power – The Debate

Published by Sam Flores

He’s back with a vengeance. On the first anniversary of his second inauguration, Donald Trump is using all the levers at his disposal to enact retribution on his adversaries at home and the guardians of the old liberal order abroad.  Read moreThousands rally across US against Trump policies on inauguration anniversary One year on, why did voters in the US decide to overlook the attempt by his supporters to overturn by force the result of the 2020 elections and return to office the twice-impeached Donald Trump? This time, it’s different, very different. The 79-year-old president wields so much power that he can send masked federal agents into the streets and even raise doubts for some over the fair conduct of midterm elections in opposition strongholds. Inside the Oval Office, boomers raised during the Cold War have been replaced by Gen Zers enthralled by the “move fast and break things” mantra of Silicon Valley tech titans.  As Europeans scramble in the face of hostile tariffs, calls to grab Greenland and official policy that states the US must “cultivate …

Druski’s viral parody of flashy preachers renews debate over wealth in the pulpit

Druski’s viral parody of flashy preachers renews debate over wealth in the pulpit

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — A video skit by the comedian known as Druski went viral last week for its parody of prosperity gospel preachers and megachurch culture, prompting criticism of both megachurches and comedians who mock megachurches. In his video captioned “Mega Church Pastors LOVE Money,” the 31-year-old comedian, whose real name is Drew Desbordes, impersonates a rowdy megachurch preacher ostentatiously displaying his wealth. Though some praised the comical aspect of the video, it also prompted fierce discussions, particularly among Black Christians, over just how much money a pastor should make and appropriate attire for the pulpit. Some also denounced the video as bordering on mockery of the Christian faith. The video, published on Jan. 13, came on the heels of a controversy sparked by Pastor Jamal Bryant’s wife, Karri Tuner, who drew criticism for wearing a black sheer dress with a nude underlay to a United Negro College Fund fundraiser in late December in Atlanta. The outfit caused a stir, with some criticizing Turner as not being modest enough. Druski’s minute-long video, filmed in a real …

From Pulpit to Protest: The Clergy Resisting ICE + Michael Woolf

From Pulpit to Protest: The Clergy Resisting ICE + Michael Woolf

Published by Sam Flores

.image-caption { display: none; } .pod-stream-buttons { display: flex; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; } .post-thumbnail { display: none; } .stream-button { flex: 1 1; margin-right: 0.5rem; } .stream-button:last-child { margin-right: 0; } .stream-button a { display: flex; } .stream-button object, .stream-button img { width: 100%; height: 100%; } .wp-remixd-voice-wrapper { display: none !important; } .pod-stream-buttons { display: flex; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; } .stream-button { flex: 1 1; margin-right: 0.5rem; } .stream-button:last-child { margin-right: 0; } .stream-button a { display: flex; } .stream-button object, .stream-button img { width: 100%; height: 100%; } There’s even an ICE Nativity. Baby Jesus in zip ties. Mary and Joseph in gas masks. Roman centurions wearing ICE vests. This December, nativity scenes are getting political. Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois sparked national attention with their ICE-themed nativity. Sean Hannity called it “woke” and a “war on Christmas.” The Daily Show covered it. But it’s just one example of clergy around the country participating in immigration activism — getting arrested outside detention centers, accompanying people to immigration hearings, taking food …