Manayunk Congregation

4101 Freeland Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Center City Congregation

1336 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA

The Gospel & Race

Manayunk Sermons

Christian unity is facilitated only by Christ-centered humility


Guest speaker- Watson Jones

Philippians 2:1-11

85 minute Q&A with the Reverend Watson Jones III, Dr. Timothy Welbeck and Reverend Matt Cohen.


Theological Questions

  1. Watson, give us brief summary of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  2. What is racism…specifically, would you explain & illustrate the difference between systemic racism and interpersonal racism?
  3. “Racism isn’t an issue anymore and certainly not in a church like Citylight.” That’s a direct quote…your response? How does racism show itself even in a church dominated by millennials who would at least say they abhor the idea of racism?
  4. Why does the gospel demand the end of racism, racial reconciliation and beautiful diversity in the Body of Christ? How does the gospel empower it? How is this different from starting with race/justice as our centering point?

Practical Implications for the Individual

  1. What can we personally and practically do to pursue beautiful diversity in our lives and relationships? Where do we start? Where do we go from here?
  2. What would you say to the average white or Asian member of Citylight who unknowingly enjoys racial privileges and is generally passive toward the whole issue of racism and racial reconciliation?

Practical Implications for the Corporate Body

  1. Citygroups are the primary organizing structure for community in Citylight Church. How can Citygroup leaders foster a safe environment for people with diverse ethnic backgrounds to pursue genuine fellowship and missional living together?
  2. Should a local church intentionally strive to become ethnically diverse?  Isn’t it more missionally strategic for churches to cater to a particular culture rather than trying to be everything to everyone at once? Should a church pursue racial diversity beyond even its general surrounding demographic?

Questions from the Congregation

  1. “Learning the reality” usually comes along with white guilt – at least for myself. As a Christian, what should I do with my white guilt? Do you think white guilt is silly and self-absorbed, or is it something that is reasonable in your perspective?
  2. In these types of discussions, when speakers are asked “what can be done?” the answer is often “education” or “learning / unlearning”. But how to we engage the systemic issues, not just individual issues? What are the outcomes toward which we should work. Also, where does Citylight go from here as a congregation?
  3. Why do you think racism tends to be classified as a black issue, rather than a hispanic or asian issue?
  4. Can you speak to the value of those with white privilege using their voices to actively speak against institutional racism rather than choosing to be passively “non-racist” – not only admitting privilege, but using the power of privilege to fight racism?
  5. As a young, white, female college student, how can I practically change the view of race on my college campus?

Center City Sermons

In order for the church to speak prophetically to our world about racial justice, we must be a racially just community. How are commanded to do so? It begins with welcoming one another as Christ as welcomed us, to the glory of God.


Romans 15:1-13

The Epistle the Romans (NICNT), Douglas Moo

Romans (BECNT), Thomas Schreiner

“The Gospel and our Prejudice”, Timothy Keller