What We Can All Learn From The Theological And Musical Tradition Of The Black Church with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III

Part of my desire with this podcast is to highlight voices - important voices that may not break through into the Christian mainstream, but powerful and necessary voices nonetheless. One of those voices is the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Dr Moss is a pastor, author, theologian, filmmaker and one of the very best preachers in America today. And I say that without hyperbole.

In this interview I talk with Dr. Moss about the black theological tradition, the black church, black music history, black worship, and what the global church can learn from this heroic, innovative, beautiful expression of the church today.

This is an important conversation. A necessary conversation for racial unity and moral clarity in polarizing times where history is at risk of being either forgotten or rewritten.

Dr. Moss is an amazing communicator. This conversation is full of history, theology, stories, culture, and the celebration of innovative people throughout history. This isn’t just about political cheap shots. This is a celebration of the diversity and beauty of God.

Topics Covered:

• The story of Dr. Moss's call to ministry and his early career aspirations
• Why Dr. Moss and his church is "unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian"
• Why "black theology" is a helpful categorization
• What America can learn about democracy from jazz music
• Why politics is not about right or left
• What is happening in Chicago right now and why the church can't stay silent
• Why every pastor needs a mentor outside of their cultural tradition
• What pastors can learn from professional athletes
• Otis' favorite books, movies, & documentaries

Resources Mentioned:

• Show Sponsor: Planning Center
• Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (website)
• Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (instagram)
• Trinity United Church of Christ
• Jesus And The Disinherited by Howard Thurman
• The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
• Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World by Padraig O Tuama
• The New Abolition: W.E.B. Du Bois and the Black Social Gospel by Gary Dorrien
• Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry
• Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
• Blue Note Preaching in a Post Soul World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss 
  III
• Otis' Dream
• Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat
• Daughters of the Dust

Show Sponsor:

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