#NNPA BlackPress
PRESS ROOM: THE HISTORIC SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES NOTICE OF PULPIT VANCANCY FOR SENIOR PASTOR
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The mission of SBCLA is to acknowledge that “God was in Christ redeeming, reconciling and restoring the world unto himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19) and their vision is to continue the work of Christ by developing Ministries that address the needs of contemporary society.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. –The Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles (SBCLA) has posted a notice of pulpit vacancy for a Senior Pastor to lead their traditional African American congregation into the next phase of the 21st century. Founded in 1885, SBCLA has enjoyed an uninterrupted presence in the Los Angeles community for 139 years. For the past 37 years, the church has been under the leadership of the Reverend Doctor William Saxe Epps and First Lady Agretta Epps.
The mission of SBCLA is to acknowledge that “God was in Christ redeeming, reconciling and restoring the world unto himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19), and their vision is to continue the work of Christ by developing Ministries that address the needs of contemporary society.
Completed application packets for the pulpit vacancy will be accepted through October 7, 2024.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the spiritual well-being of the church by preaching and teaching the Word of God. Ability to lead within the framework of the Church Constitution. Administer the Church Ordinances: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
- Implement a visionary plan to increase membership and a culture of church giving (stewardship).
- Lead the church in an effective evangelism program.
- Embrace traditional and contemporary forms of music and worship and understand the intergenerational and cultural nuances that are critical in the continuing growth of the church.
Preferred Qualifications and Practical Experiences
The ideology of the Ideal candidate is supported by the teachings of the Holy Bible, as well as in the African American experience, spirituality, consciousness, and culture. Specific qualifications include:
- Sound interpretation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditional African American pastoral preaching. Employ a preaching style that is textual, narrative, challenging, personal, engaging, and makes God’s Word applicable to everyday life.
- Superior oral and written communication skills that reach various ages and demographics.
- Strong leadership, business, and financial skills relative to the church’s interest in economic development, grants, projects, non-profit programs, and investments.
Minimum Requirements
- At a minimum, the Candidate must be a baptized believer who is passionately committed and dedicated to the Ministry of Jesus Christ.
- At a minimum, the Candidate must have experience at a church similar or larger in size as an Associate pastor but preferably as the Senior Pastor.
- Adhere to a schedule that enables availability to members of the congregation, as needed.
- Experience leading in growing or rebuilding a church.
- Have Accreditation/Licensing/Ordination with the Baptist denomination.
- Hold undergraduate and graduate degrees, with a Master of Divinity and/or preferably, a Doctorate from an accredited Theological Seminary.
- Candidate must possess the following attributes: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, integrity, passion, vision, humility, fiscal responsibility, purpose-driven, encourager, mentor, teacher, and a peaceful patient man/woman of God.
Application Packet
Applicant packets are confidential and not returnable to the applicants. Applicants must submit the following to the Pastoral Search Committee as part of the completed application packet:
- Short Biography and Photo (recent photo of at least six months)
- Letter of Interest (please answer the following questions)
- Why do you believe that you might be a good fit as the Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church Los Angeles? (Theoretical)
- Describe your experiences in ministry and how you might be qualified to serve as Senior Pastor at our church. (Examples)
- Resume
- One public sermon and one recent public Sunday School or Bible Class teaching session. Please submit via thumb drive (examples include YouTube, video, etc.)
Application packets must be submitted electronically via email to SBCLAsearch24@gmail.com or Priority Mail with tracking to Second Baptist Church, 6695 Green Valley Circle, P.O. Box 2605, Culver City, CA 90230-9997. No calls to the church will be accepted regarding the search process.
Once application packets have been reviewed, the Pastoral Search Committee will contact potential candidates regarding the next steps in the process. All candidates will be subject to a background check as part of the application process.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
#NNPA BlackPress
Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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