Does the historically black church play a distinct role in the neighborhood? How have 'urban renewal' and gentrification impacted the ability of black churches to engage the neighborhood? In episode 5, Rev. David Wright, Assistant to the Pastor at Peoples Baptist Church and Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, helps answers these questions
In this episode, we talk with Rev. David Wright who is the Assistant to the Pastor of the Peoples Baptist Church (PBC) in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, MA. David is also the Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston. We learn from David about the long-standing history of community engagement for the Peoples Baptist Church, which has been a pillar for the African American community in Boston for over 200 years. He shares about some of the distinct ways that the black church engages its community in the US and how movements such as ‘urban renewal’ and gentrification have impacted the ministry of PBC over its more recent history. And finally, we broach the subject of racial justice and discuss how this issue looks coming into the national spotlight at this particular time from the perspective of the African American community.
Access more Show Notes with pictures and resources related to this episode.
More information about this podcast and helpful church and urbanism resources can be found on The Embedded Church website.
Related Resources
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and Problem of Race in America by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith
unChristian: What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity. . .And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman
Find these Key Terms on The Embedded Church website:
- Mixed Income Neighborhood
- Proximity
- Urban Renewal
Show Credits
Hosted and Produced by Eric O. Jacobsen and Sara Joy Proppe
Edited by Adam Higgins | Odd Dad Out Voice Productions
Theme Music by Jacob Shaffer
Artwork by Lance Kagey | Rotator Creative