The Bible, Politics, and Ministry: Guidance for Clergy and Congregations

A Conversation with Biblical Scholars

Hosted by The Clergy Emergency League and the Wisconsin Council of Churches

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

7:00 Eastern, 6:00 Central, 5:00 Mountain, 4:00 Pacific

Cost: $10

“Stick with the Bible, Pastor, not politics!” How often do clergy hear this reprimand when they preach, teach, or lead Bible studies that address social issues? Yet the Bible is, in fact, a political document, in the sense that it addresses issues of public concern for the people of God. Join us for a conversation with biblical scholars Dr. Jerry Sumney and Dr. Efrain Agosto to learn how pastors can help their congregants understand the ramifications of Scripture for public policy, community discernment, and the church’s faithful engagement in the public square.

Our Panelists:

Dr. Jerry Sumney is Professor of Biblical Studies at Lexington Theological Seminary and author of the recently published The Politics of Faith: The Bible, Government, and Public Policy (Fortress Press, 2020). He has written numerous books, including, Apocalypse When?: A Guide to Interpreting and Preaching Apocalyptic Texts (2020, co-authored with Leah D. Schade), Paul: Apostle and Fellow Traveler (2014); The Bible: An Introduction (2010; 2nd edition, 2014); and Colossians; A Commentary, New Testament Library Series (2008). Dr. Sumney has led numerous workshops for elders and deacons, and Bible study workshops and series, including in the Lay School of Theology at LTS and in the school for licensed ministers sponsored by the Kentucky region of the Christian Church. He is an elder at Central Christian Church in Lexington, KY, where he teaches Sunday School and is a frequent guest lecturer/teacher at various churches of different denominations.

Dr. Efrain Agosto is Visiting Professor of Latinx Studies and Religion at Williams College in western Massachusetts and co-editor (with Jacqueline Hidalgo) of Latinxs, the Bible and Migration (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). He has served as Professor of New Testament Studies at New York Theological Seminary and Professor of New Testament and Director of the Programa de Ministerios Hispanos at Hartford Seminary. His published books include, Servant Leadership: Jesus and Paul (Chalice Press, 2005) on the theology and practice of leadership in earliest Christianity, Corintios (Fortress Press, 2008), a Spanish language lay commentary on Paul’s
letters to the Corinthians; and Preaching in the Interim: Transitional Leadership in the Latino/a Church (Judson Press, 2018), a book of sermons preached at the historic Segunda Iglesia Bautista de Nueva York (East Harlem).

Our Moderators:

Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray is a leader both locally and nationally through church, denominational, faith based organizations and educational institutions. A leader, nationally and most notably, Dr. McCray was elected president of the American Baptist Churches, USA, in 1999, having the historic distinction of being the first clergywoman elected as their national president. Dr. McCray is currently the president of the American Baptist National Black Caucus. She is an ecumenical servant who served for twenty-three years at Cardinal Stritch University, a Franciscan Catholic institution in Milwaukee. A teacher, she is an Assistant Professor with Central Baptist Theological Seminary-Wisconsin. An author, Dr. McCray’s book titled “Vital Spirit, Vital Service: Spirituality that Works,” deals with spiritual and social activism of individuals, the church, and faith based organizations, published by Judson Press. Currently, as an urban minister, her focus is in social justice, community ministry, spirituality and Christian formation. She is currently the Executive Planner with the Urban Center-Milwaukee which works to assist churches and organizations in engaging public policy, theological reflection and community transformation. A preacher, she has been preaching for over40 years for local churches, conventions, conferences, and retreats across the country. She has served on the board of the Wisconsin Council of Churches

Rev. Dr. Leah Schade is an Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. She is one of the co-founders of the Clergy Emergency League and committed to helping clergy and faith leaders find and exercise their prophetic-pastoral voice to resist systemic evil and bring about justice. An ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for twenty years, she has pastored congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. Her book, Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), explores how clergy and churches can address controversial social issues using biblically-centered approaches and deliberative dialogue. She is also the author of Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015), and co-editor with Margaret Bullitt-Jonas of Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019). Preaching, teaching, writing, and public theology are areas where she strives to empower and equip students and clergy for ministry.

Unable to afford the registration fee? Click here to register for free.