Senior Associate Leads Discussion at The Sankofa “Change for Revitalization and Flourishing” Webinar5/30/2022 On the evening of May 12, 2022, at 8pm ET, the gathering started with PJ Morton blasting singing “The Better Benediction” while the accomplishments and announcement for The Sankofa Project played on the screen. The night began with a sense of hope, and that was just the start…
Mark Bobo (Associate, The Joseph Factor Group) welcomed the participants and assured them this was going to be a night to remember. Mark outlined the lineup for the night:
The Sankofa Project journey helps us understand the African American experience and acknowledges where we have been as a collective people. It allows us to open our hearts and minds to not only the pain and sorrow, but also to the hopes and accomplishments of our ancestors. It centers our spirituality deep in the Black church experience and opens our hearts and minds to the reconciliation and the healing God is calling us into. The message of Sankofa has found its expression in sermons and Negro Spirituals that speak to the pain and suffering, and the hope we find in God’s word to the Church and the people of God. As we learn from our past, we can forge a present and a future for our communities as we reimagine how the church can become more relevant, connected, empowering and transformative. The Sankofa Project will explore specific dynamics within the cities where these congregations are located and help congregants learn from the African American church tradition and how it is both a refuge of empowerment and a force of social transformation. Congregations/groups will leave this journey better understanding (or needing to refine) their mission and values and how they are fueled by their rich faith tradition. In keeping with the theological tradition of the African American church, congregations will look at five key areas of the life of their church and assess their congregation’s strengths and weaknesses: (1) preaching (2) building communities (3) worship (4) evangelism (discipleship). The Sankofa Project “Change for Revitalization and Flourishing” Webinar is to engage pastors and their lay leaders in reimagining how churches healthily navigate the realities of generational shifts, gentrification, growing multiculturalism, and emerging questions on the church’s role in justice considering movements such as black lives matter and mass incarceration. This webinar will not only state the issues, but established practitioners will share real life experiences, challenges, and successes to allow the participants to leave with tools for implementation and change. HERE is the link to the entire webinar experience! |