Human Dignity  Statement  Race  Racial Reconciliation

Gospel opposition to white supremacy

This weekend, white nationalists will descend on Tennessee, in both Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, for a “White Lives Matter” rally. As Christian leaders in Tennessee, we declare ourselves in resolute opposition to this expression of racism and white supremacy. We denounce and repudiate white supremacy as a work of the devil, designed to dehumanize and divide. Ideologies that declare the white race as superior are an assault against the Word of God, which declares that every human being is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Peter 2:17; James 3:9). These ideologies stand in opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which reconciles, in Christ’s body, people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Ephesians 2:15; Galatians 3:28; Revelation 7:9).

Racism and white supremacy are, sadly, not extinct but present all over the world in various white supremacist movements, sometimes known as “white nationalism” or “alt-right.” History shows that indifference, by the church, allows such evil to flourish. We must not only declare racism to be wrong, we must oppose specific acts and movements that would degrade and dehumanize our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We call every follower of Jesus in the state of Tennessee to speak out against white supremacy, in all of its forms, and to pray and work for racial unity in our communities. We also pray for those who advocate racist ideologies and those who are thereby deceived, that they may see their error through the light of the Gospel, repent of these hatreds, and come to know the peace and love of Christ through redeemed fellowship in the Kingdom of God.

*Please note that the title and institution listed for each signatory is used for identification purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an official endorsement by the institution.

Russell Moore
President
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Trevor Atwood
Lead Pastor
City Church, Murfreesboro

Bruce Chesser
Lead Pastor
First Baptist Church of Hendersonville

Stephen Cook
Senior Pastor
Second Baptist Church of Memphis

Jed Coppenger
Lead Pastor
Redemption City Church

Travis Cottrell
Worship Pastor
Englewood Baptist Church

Daryl Crouch
Lead Pastor
Green Hill Church

Tom Crow
Executive Pastor
First Baptist Nashville

Randy Davis
Executive Director
Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Ken Duggan
Senior Pastor
Dallas Bay Baptist Church

Todd Erickson
Pastoral Executive
Second Presbyterian Church

Nathan Finn
Professor
Union University

Micah Fries
Senior Pastor
Brainerd Baptist Church

Steve Gaines
Senior Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church
President, Southern Baptist Convention

Gerson Garros
Associate Pastor
Trinity Baptist Church, Memphis

Chuck Groover
Senior Pastor
Victory Baptist Church

Mike Harder
Lead Pastor
Green Hills Church

Richard Hipps
Pastor
Trinity Baptist Church, Memphis

Pat Hood
Senior Pastor
LifePoint Church

Cole Huffman
Senior Pastor
First Evangelical Church, Memphis

Daniel Johnson
Associate Minister
2nd Baptist Church of Memphis

Barton Kimbro
Assistant Pastor to Young Adults
Second Presbyterian Church

Frank Lewis
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Nashville

Tom McCoy
Senior Pastor
Thompson Station Baptist Church

Matt McCullough
Pastor
Trinity Nashville

Gary Morgan
Lead Pastor
Mosaic Church

Dub Oliver
President
Union University

Ray Ortlund
Lead Pastor
Immanuel Nashville

Frank Page
President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

Scott Patty
Pastor
Grace Community Church

Matt Pinson
President
Welch College

Larry Riley
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Clarksville

Richard Rieves
Lead Pastor
Downtown Church of Memphis

George Robertson
Senior Pastor
Second Presbyterian Church

Mark Satterfield
Executive Pastor
Clearview Baptist Church

Scott Sauls
Senior Pastor
Christ Presbyterian Church

Andy Savage
Teaching Pastor
Highpoint Memphis

Dan Scott
Senior Pastor
Christ Church Nashville

Jeff Simmons
Lead Pastor
Rolling Hills Community Church

Danny Sinquefield
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church

Rufus Smith
Senior Pastor
Hope Church, Memphis

Rondell Trevino
Pastor
Woodland Presbyterian

Tony Walliser
Senior Pastor
Silverdale Baptist Church

Brett Wynne
Pastoral Resident
Second Presbyterian Church

Chris Williamson
Senior Pastor
Strong Tower Bible Church



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