A debate is emerging in the Black Church Community, particularly among those who embrace the theological beliefs of evangelicalism, but not necessarily the politics of the majority of White evangelicalism. The debate addresses the question: What is the biggest threat to American evangelicalism and America today;White Christian Nationalism/White Supremacy, or The Rise of Islam/Sharia law/growing acceptance of Islamic politicians in America? At the center of this debate, or the nexus to the Black Church Community is the recent Phillip Anthony Mitchell/Dallas Cowboy Stadium 80, 000 persons in attendance prayer rally. I was shocked to listen to a video of Phillip Anthony Mitchell declaring to his staff before the rally that the importance of the rally related to preventing Texas from turning blue, and to not let the church in America be “embarrassed” with the rising influence of Islam in Texas, and Texas becoming blue like New York and Pennsylvania. I’m yet processing what are the implications and meaning of the admission that this rally had an agenda beyond prayer. Heretofore, I’ve been an admirer and somewhat of a fan of Phillip Anthony Mitchell. Now, I’m devastated by this admission coming directly from his own mouth.

I was shocked to discover that there’s a large swath of Southern Baptist Convention members who believe systemic racial injustice doesn’t exist. Eric Mason was, is correct. Being a part of a denomination where a large swath of the membership don’t see even minimal benefits, and value from: 1) CRT 2) who sympathize with The Lost Cause Theory of the Civil War 3) who adamantly oppose DEI. 4) will take 2 days to denounce the alt-right. 5) who will elevate a tertiary, or secondary tier issue at best, to a first tier issue, in order to deny a woman functioning as a children, or youth pastor, from being called a youth pastor, when a male with the same job description would be called one. 6) or to deny a woman from being the primary Sunday morning speaker on Mothers Day, 7) or who view Baptist whose conscience cannot allow them to vote for DJT, for the same reasons Mohler and Lindsey Ghrahm said once why they wouldn’t vote for DJT….and actually vote for a Democrat presidential candidate because they are better at handling police brutality, racial justice, & safety net issues….to view that person as a nonChristian or not a good steward of their vote, is disheartening. It impacts you spiritual, emotional, social, and mental well being, to be a part of a denomination where a large swath of the membership, do not believe systemic racial injustice exists, and therefore they oppose any remedies to correct the injustices. I interviewed an agent to sale my house recently, who recommended to me to remove all pictures from my walls to increase its sale value at an optimal price, quicker. I don’t know, but I wonder if White people are asked to remove pictures reflecting their racial eco-system, because it could hurt appraisal or the sales potential of their home? When it comes to church planting, no one does it as well as the SBC, in my judgment. The church I pastor is an outgrowth in part of the SBC church planting program. Once a church is established, the SBC is prepared to deal with you primarily as a missions project, not as a missions partner. That’s the primary reason the SBC has never elected an African American, Asian, or Hispanic entity head. Even when one was being forcefully pushed through, but was legitimately rejected because of ethics issues, they still chose to not consider other viable minority options. Systemic racism exists in society and in the church. Navigating this matter in the SBC and society can take its toll on you. My heart goes out to all who have experienced this, yet choose to, or have no choice but to try and navigate and negotiate your way through the systemic racism for whatever reasons that keep you somewhat connected to these institutions and organizations where are large swath of people are sympathetic or supportive of systemic injustice, and oppose any and all remedies.