Panel to discuss the premise of the Black Church dying
(Above: Rev. Dr. Derek Hicks)
The vibrant signature of black praise and worship has always been spontaneity and response, lots of self-expression, freedom of movement and freedom of voice.
In every sense of the word, it appears that the Black Church is much alive. Not so, says Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. Ph.D., professor of Religion and chairman of the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University.
“The Black Church, as we’ve known it, or imagined it, is dead,” he writes. His writing was featured recently in the Huffington Post.
The Rev. Dr. Derek Hicks, the Rev. Christopher Manning and Ms. Jasmyn Graham will share discussions on Saturday, Feb. 21. on the topic “The Black Church Is Dead.” The discussions begin at 9 a.m. in the Family Life Center of St. John C.M.E. Church, 350 NW Crawford Place.
Hicks is an assistant professor of Religion and Culture at Wake Forest University and serves on the founding steering committee of the Religion and Food Group at the American Academy of Religion. Hicks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grambling State University, an Master of Arts degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a doctor of philosophy degree from Rice University.
Rev. Christopher N. Manning is an associate minister at St John C.ME Church. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Methodist University and a Master’s of Divinity in Systematic Theology from the Philips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center. He teaches a weekly Sunday school class for youth, in which he uses critical thinking on biblical principles to guide spiritual growth.
Also participating on the panel is Jasmyn Graham. Graham is a second-year student at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity with a concentration in Congregational Ministry. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morris College with a major in Christian Education. Graham aspires to become a pastor.
LeTika Stephens, coordinator of the Youth Liturgical Dance Ministry at St. John CME Church, will serve as moderator.
All are invited to attend, especially all youth and young adults.
The Rev. Omar L. Dykes is the pastor.
