On this Sunday (January 14, 2024):
I always remember how a Black woman I pastored alongside told me how exhausting it was to always have to be the one to remind the senior pastor/leadership about the significance of MLK Day for her, and for most Black people, and that it would be meaningful to, at the very least, acknowledge that on Sunday during the service.
So, since that moment, whenever I have had the influence to do so (which has actually been every Sunday since she shared that), we have highlighted the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (usually reading/quoting his Letter from a Birmingham Jail).
Two years ago on this Sunday, a former co-pastor’s father (also a pastor) was at one of the services where we did just that and he claimed it was meaningful for him.
Now, on this day, I tell such a story to say this:
Neither the church where the story began, nor the church where I first implemented a commitment to MLK Sunday, nor the church of the pastor in attendance two years ago made even a mention of the day or work of Dr. King.
It’s a small thing but a big thing too.
The work remains…
Thank you for the "letter from Birmingham". I think we are seeing segregation appearing again
Wow Chris. Thank you. I needed to hear this. I will be sharing and speaking it. I especially appreciated the link to MLKs prison letter.
The power of peaceful resistance cannot be over stated, I pray for the courage to be strong enough to engage with it.
Preach on, Brother Martin.