Members of the clergy face a uniquely precarious challenge during times of peril. The church is so often where people who are confused, frustrated, in pain and in need of refuge turn for help and counsel. America currently faces a moment of history marked with racial tumult, so how will clergy members choose to wield the power of the pulpit?
Join Reverend Dr. TLC and her guest, Reverend Shannon White as they discuss the pressures of having a platform during times of uncertainty and the challenges of confronting the topic of race with congregations of various demographics.
Tune in for this important conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.
Segment 1
Rev. Dr. TLC begins the show encouraging us to center ourselves and to breathe. Rev. Dr. TLC introduces her guest Reverend Shannon White. Shannon has been a minister for over 30 years. She has served in four congregations in NY and CT. Shannon has been a TV reporter for nine years receiving Emmy nominations along with other accolades. Currently Shannon is training with Hoffman institute to be a teacher. Rev. Dr. TLC asks Shannon how she grounds herself when trying to get through stressful days? Shannon talks about being introduced by the Hoffman institute to the ideology that you look at yourself as a quandinity. She adds there is your emotional self, intellectual self, body, and your truest form your spiritual self. Shannon takes the time to check in with each one of these pieces to ensure she stays grounded throughout the day. She also mentions that prayer and meditation helps as well. Shannon talks about tapping into those areas and how it helps ease the flow of conversation on race. She adds it’s beneficial to not be reactive.
Segment 2
After the break Rev. Dr. TLC and Shannon discuss how Shannon got involved in race related issues. Shannon talks about moving to Japan for a year after graduation to teach English. She shared her experience feeling like “the other''. She said she finally saw what it was like to be treated solely based on your race and how you look. Shannon talked about coming back to America and getting involved in wealthy whte churches. She would take people from safe environments and get them out of their comfort zone. Shannon would get them to volunteer with the homeless and other charity works. Shannon talks about traveling outside of America as a way of getting out of her own comfort zone. Before the break, Dr. Rev. TLC and Shannon discussed times shannons stories weren’t positively received from the congregation. Stating that her sermons at times were too political.
Segment 3
After the break, Rev. Dr. TLC and Shannon discuss the times Shannon’s sermons weren’t received well by some members of her church and the events leading after. Rev. Dr. TLC and Shannon discuss the common concerns within the church community when preaching sensitive topics like race. Shannon shared the effects and worries that occur when gratuitous donors decide to part ways due to “political sermons”. Shannon talks about relying on her faith during those times. She understands the fears churches experience when losing big donors but she also adds that can’t be the only concern. Before the break, Rev. Dr. TLC and Shannon begin to talk about how religion , specifically Christianity, perpetuates white supremacy.
Segment 4
Coming back from the break, Rev. Dr. TLC and Shannon continue the conversation on how the church keeps white supremacy alive. Shannon talks about the patterns of white sermons and how they are seen as happy and positive. She mentions that Christian theology focuses on individual sin and salvation. Rev. Dr. TLC notes that many POC clergy preach liberation theology. She talks about how black churches have to uplift their people. The segment ends with a blessing from Reverend Shannon White.