DiscoverThe Halftime Podcast with Shai LinneHitting Reset on the “Race” Discussion in the Church
Hitting Reset on the “Race” Discussion in the Church

Hitting Reset on the “Race” Discussion in the Church

Update: 2024-08-04
Share

Description

In the early 2000’s, the unlikely alliance between predominantly White Reformed evangelicals and the African American Christian hip-hop community shattered conventional church norms. Together, they embarked on a bold experiment to model unity in Christ across ethnic lines. Yet these partnerships faced multifaceted challenges. The optimism of the early 2000s gradually dissolved into frustration, significant fragmentation and disillusionment. This was largely fueled by the varying responses to the backdrop of ethnic tension in our culture.


We dissect the painful yet crucial conversations that these tensions provoked within multi-ethnic congregations. And seek to offer an honest look at the relational strife that emerged, stressing the urgency for a reset and a renewed commitment to love and understanding.


Our conversation delves into historical perspectives and the power of viewing each other through the gospel and New Creation lenses. Reflecting on figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and contrasting with Malcolm X’s approach, we discuss the importance of rejecting demonization of others and bearing witness to God’s kingdom. 




Chapters



  • A Marriage of Movements



  • A Growing Divide in Gospel Rooted Partnerships



  • Learning From the Past



  • Unity Through the Gospel Amid Ethnic Injustice



  • Navigating a Path Forward






Referenced Resources


Sermon by Shai Lynne: Faith Alone and Ethnic Unity




About the Hosts


Shai Linne (@shailinne) (Host) is an author and recording artist who has released numerous acclaimed Christian hip-hop albums. After completing a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C., Shai co-founded Risen Christ Fellowship, an inner-city church in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. As an author, Shai’s most recent book is The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity (published in May 2021). Shai has been married to his wife Blair for 13 years. They have three children and live in Portland, OR.


Ben Otero (@benotero) (Co-host) is a senior web developer for a Church Plant Media, an organization that serves churches and missions organizations. Ben grew up in Tampa, Florida before moving to Philadelphia to study at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a degree in economics. In addition to being a student of hip-hop culture, Ben is an elder at Crown and Joy Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, where He lives with Jeraldine, his wife of 18 years, and their 8 children.


William “Duce” Branch (@ambassador215) (a.k.a. The Ambassador) (Co-host) is a pioneering Christian Hip-hop artist and professor. Duce served for over a decade as a co-founder and leader, and primary spokesperson for the nationally acclaimed Christian rap ministry, The Cross Movement. He also co-planted and co-pastored an urban church in North Philadelphia from 2004-2009. Duce is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., where he also serves as an adjunct professor for the College at Southeastern. He and his wife Michelle have been married for 26 years. They live in Wake Forest, NC and have four children




Credits


Executive Producer - Thomas J Terry


Recorded By - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Humble Beast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Additional Production Elements - Miguel A. Iniesta


Editing and Mixing by - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


This season is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brilliance Labs

Comments 
In Channel
Aging in Hip-hop

Aging in Hip-hop

2024-09-0128:33

Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines

2024-08-1831:18

Fatherhood

Fatherhood

2024-07-2126:58

Marriage and Legacy

Marriage and Legacy

2024-07-0733:18

Male Friendships

Male Friendships

2024-06-2329:06

Christo-Urbanite

Christo-Urbanite

2024-06-0827:44

Season 1 Trailer

Season 1 Trailer

2024-05-2301:59

00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Hitting Reset on the “Race” Discussion in the Church

Hitting Reset on the “Race” Discussion in the Church

humble beast