Black Church
How Many Shepherds Does a Church Need?
Episode (#004) | Why does the Bible almost always refer to Shepherds in the plural? Because no one man can do it all. No one man has the gifts necessary to care for an entire congregation. Shepherds, then, are gifts from God to be received with joy who should care for each individual sheep. This is why the Bible almost always refers to elders—plural.
Meet the Brothers: Elbert McGowan & Tony Carter
We had Elbert McGowan, leader of Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Jackson St. University, come up on the porch. He shares with Tony Carter about his life, ministry, and the upbringings of growing up during the flood of crack cocaine.
What Does A Shepherd Do?
Episode (#003) | What are the biblical requirements of the Shepherd? Thabiti suggests that there are at least four: knowing the sheep, feeding the sheep, leading the sheep, and protecting the sheep. C’mon up and join the conversation.
The Poor: The Christian’s Mirror
Given the grand jury’s decision re: the Michael Ferguson case, we had a civil rights attorney who worked in the Deep South for nearly five years reflect on Ferguson. Though media have moved on from that city, we still have much to mourn for, to learn, and to rejoice in.
Meet the Brothers: Keith Plummer & Thabiti Anyabwile
We had Keith Plummer, assistant professor in the school of Divinity at Cairn University, right outside of Philly, come up on the porch. Join him and Thabiti Anyabwile as they discuss nominal Christianity in the church and in Christian schools.
Thank You from The Front Porch!
The Front Porch still has some miles to go, but we wanted to shout a loud thank you for joining us on the journey thus far. Know that you’re always welcome to c’mon up and join the conversation. Here’s to the next year!
What is a Shepherd?
Episode (#002) | Can it really be true that Christians need more than their local church? And if they do, what is the thing they’re missing: a preacher? a pastor? Are those the same thing? C’mon up and join the conversation. (Photograph by Afghanistan Matters via Flickr Creative Commons)
Meet the Brothers: Vermon Pierre & Tony Carter
We had Vermon Pierre, lead pastor of Roosevelt Community Church in downtown Phoenix, AZ, come up on the porch. Tony Carter chops it up with Vermon to talk life, ministry and adoption.
An Unexpected Link to the Reformation
Sometimes people act as if Reformed theology is foreign to the black church. They ask, “Why do you think churches have not embraced it?” But that’s the wrong question. The real question is, “Why have our churches forgotten it?” For, in truth, this is part of our heritage.
Working Together For Your Joy
Episode (#001) | Pastor & People is a weekly podcast hosted by The Front Porch. Its aim is to encourage pastors and the people in their charge to work together for the faith and joy of their church. (Photograph by United Way of Greater St. Louis via Flickr Creative Commons)
We Need More Gospel in Our Gospel Preaching
Should pastors preach the gospel every time they step into the pulpit? Do people, who aren’t Christians, have enough clear gospel proclamation to understand and respond to the gospel? C’mon up and join the conversation.
Reading: A Reformation Legacy Once Denied Blacks
Tony shares why black Christians, “with our history marred by the denial of educational opportunities,” should embrace, as well as any, the legacy of reading left to us by the Reformation. C’mon up on and join the conversation!