Christian Response
Here at Vineyard Columbus, our mission has always been to partner with Christ to heal the world. We are committed to joining God’s mission of love by sharing the gospel, extending mercy, and restoring justice. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the Black community, now, more than ever, to restore justice through racial reconciliation throughout our church, our city, and our nation.
How will you respond?
Justice is loving out loud. In this time when people are waking up to the reality of the injustices blacks in our country have lived with for centuries, many people of diverse backgrounds are looking for ways to help them process the ugly truth of injustice in America and to take godly action toward racial reconciliation. Racial reconciliation starts with each one of us, no matter our color or ethnic background. As a multi-ethnic church body, we are committed to doing the work necessary to fight inequality and to support racial reconciliation. Here, you will find thoughtful and practical resources from Christian leaders at Vineyard Columbus to help you navigate your own response - and actively establish equality and justice for the Black community in America. We will continue to add resources relevant to this page as they become available.
Columbus Area Faith Leaders Respond to the Loss of Casey Goodson
December 10, 2020 | Columbus Area Faith LeadersVC Articles page
"We mourn with the family of Casey Goodson. Read a collective statement from Columbus-area faith leaders in response."
What Does The Bible Say About White Privilege?
October 16, 2020 | Pastor Andy Saperstein and Assistant Pastor Adrienne Ash
YouTube - Questions & Answers series
Questions and Answers with Vineyard Columbus Pastors is a series that will address questions frequently asked by members of our congregation.
Is it ever ok for our church or pastors to publicly critique the president?
September 17, 2020 | Pastors Eric and Julia Pickerill
YouTube - Questions & Answers series
Questions and Answers with Vineyard Columbus Pastors is a series that will address questions frequently asked by members of our congregation.
Why does Vineyard believe that Black Lives Matter?
August 29, 2020 | Pastor Marlene Nathan and Assistant Pastor Adrienne Ash
YouTube - Questions & Answers series
Questions and Answers with Vineyard Columbus Pastors is a series that will address questions frequently asked by members of our congregation.
What breaks the heart of Jesus?
August 28, 2020 | Senior Pastor Rich Nathan
Facebook Live - Morning Prayer
In our Morning Prayer series on Facebook Live, Pastor Rich Nathan leads us through scripture that shows us the tender and compassionate heart of Jesus and how he grieves with us during our times of suffering and experiences injustice. During this devotional we are encouraged to pray for a tender and empathetic heart like Jesus.
Do we participate in political activism?
August 21, 2020 | Pastor Charles Montgomery and Assistant Pastor Adrienne Ash
YouTube - Questions & Answers series
Questions and Answers with Vineyard Columbus Pastors is a series that will address questions frequently asked by members of our congregation.
Is Systemic Racism in the Bible?
August 17, 2020 | Pastor David Schermerhorn and Assistant Pastor Adrienne AshYouTube - Questions & Answers series
Questions and Answers with Vineyard Columbus Pastors is a series that will address questions frequently asked by members of our congregation.
Answering Objections to my Message about George Floyd’s Murder
July 1, 2020 | Senior Pastor Rich Nathan
In this article Pastor Rich Nathan addresses the four main objections raised by over a dozen writers in response to his June 5th sermon, “How Should the Evangelical Church Respond to the Murder of George Floyd?”
What is Juneteenth?
June 19, 2018 | P.R. Lockhart
Juneteenth is a holiday that is important in the African-American community. But my hope is that it can be important to everyone, because it is a significant moment in our country’s history. I hope this moves from being a “black holiday” to a holiday our entire country celebrates, because, just like July 4th, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and independence. And although the African-American community still struggles to receive total freedom and equality the way we all deserve to—this holiday reminds me, us, of what our people overcame just to be considered a free human being, and it gives us hope that we too can overcome the injustices we face today. Freedom and independence for a nation, and a race, are worth celebrating! This article, written by P.R. Lockhart, describes Juneteenth and its importance. —Adrienne Ash
How Should the Evangelical Church Respond to the Murder of George Floyd?
June 7-8, 2020 | Senior Pastor Rich Nathan
Pastor Rich issues a call to action for evangelicals to stand up and take action in line with the Word of God on behalf of their black brothers and sisters in America. This message provides instruction and hope for both young and old in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and other black men and women like him at the hands of the police.
It’s Time We Stand Up!
May 29, 2020 | Marlene Nathan
VC Women has published impactful articles directly addressing the incidents of racial injustice in our country. In this article, Pastor Marlene directly addresses the recent deaths of black men and women and the ongoing pattern of racial injustice in America. She leads the charge, as a white woman, to challenge others to stand up and stop allowing the mistreatment of blacks in America.
I See Them: A Black Women’s Lament
May 29, 2020 | Rashaun James
Penned by a leader in our VC Women’s Ministry, this poetic verse offers an honest look at a black woman’s love, respect, fear, and anguish for the black men in her family in light of the violence and injustice that is all too often perpetuated against black men and women at the hands of the police in America. This verse offers an opportunity for readers to understand, empathize, and take action toward godly change.
A Service of Lament
June 3, 2020 | Assistant Pastor Adrienne Ash, Dr. Charles Montgomery, Senior Pastor Rich Nathan, Associate Pastor Julia Pickerill and Naomi Nathan
On June 3, 2020, we hosted a Service of Lament to help our entire church body acknowledge the murder of George Floyd and other black men and women who have been unjustly killed at the hands of the police. Lamenting is the destruction of despair and the opportunity to turn your eyes to God for help. Lament with us.
From Everyone Who Has Been Given Much
June 2, 2020, | Pastor Andy Saperstein
In our Morning Prayer series on Facebook Live, Pastor Andy Saperstein leads a time of prayer that helps us all, but especially those of us from privileged white backgrounds, to consider the ways God is calling us to lay aside our own power and privilege for the sake of our brothers and sisters of color as we model our lives after Jesus.
Where Do We Go From Here—Chaos or Community
May 29, 2020 | Dr. Charles Montgomery
In our Morning Prayer series on Facebook Live, Pastor Charles offers very practical advice on how to intentionally move our communities from chaos to unity. In this devotion, we learn how empathizing with the pain of the Black community can lead us to understand one another’s differences and make meaningful contributions wherever we are.
Suffering Well With One Another
June 1, 2020 | Assistant Pastor, Adrienne Ash; Dr. Charles Montgomery; Dr. Lathania Butler; Associate Pastors Eric & Julia Pickerill
The In-Between Podcast Live Video
During our weekly series of the In-Between Podcast Live, Associate Pastors, Eric and Julia Pickerill, are joined by Assistant Pastor Adrienne Ash, Dr. Charles Montgomery, and Dr. Lathania Butler to discuss how to suffer well with one another as the Black community in our country continues to suffer tragedy and injustice. In it, you will also learn next steps toward impactful empathy in the form of the CARE model: Communicate, Advocate, Relate, and Educate.
Reflections on Jesus in Light of George Floyd
June 2, 2020 | Pastor Andy Saperstein
In this article, Pastor Andy Saperstein shares a reflection with us during the season of Pentecost. As we lament the injustice and division that still remains among us, he offers ways for us to seek God and discern how we can help bring unity.
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