Africana Manna: Recent Episodes
Cyril Chavis, Jr.
Welcome to Africana Manna, the podcast where Christian theology and Africana meet. Africana Manna is presented to you by Reformed University Fellowship at DC to inspire Howard students to work for the wholeness of African peoples everywhere - both the Diaspora and the Continent - for the glory of Jesus. By discussing the primary sources where Christian theology and Africana meet, we are letting old friends speak into new times. Each week, Alafia, Noelle, and I will discuss a contemporary issue while leaning on the wisdom of our Christian African ancestors.
We are showing love to our friends from Make It Plain as they launch their second season February 21, 2022. Check them out wherever you get your podcasts!
Any thing that was particularly helpful? Anything that was unhelpful? Any guests that you would like to see for season 4? Please leave us a review! We want to hear from you! See you next year for season 4.
Elbert McGowan Jr. joins co-host Cyril Chavis Jr. to talk about the important of ministry in the local community. They discuss the importance of family history, the power of loving the people around you, the significance of being present with people, and more! They look at the life of Rev. E.B. Top, Pastor Elbert's great great grandfather. If you are interested in doing Jesus-centered ministry in your community, then this episode is for you! Tune in!!
Rev. Elbert McGowan Jr. is born and raised in Jackson, MS. He is the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Church in Jackson. He is the founding campus pastor of RUF at Jackson State University. He is married to Dr. Karen McGowan and has two beautiful children.
01:11 Intro of Pastor El
06:55 Intro of E.B. Topp
13:33 Topp's significance to Pastor El
16:07 Having a ministry of presence
19:10 Ways Pastor El resonates with Topp's ministry
24:33 Final inspirations
27:08 Keep up with Pastor El
27:26 Prayer
K.A. Ellis joins co-host Cyril Chavis Jr. to talk about how the kingdom of God is spreading all over the world. They talk about kingdom prayer, Christian resistance against oppressive regimes, suffering for the sake of the kingdom, and much more! We glean from the wisdom of Alonzo and Althea Edmiston, African American Presbyterian missionaries to the Congo. We see how the world and the church needs to return to the simplicity of the New Testament saints. If you want to be a part of what God is doing today in the most unlikely places, tune in!!
Prof. K.A. Ellis is the Director for the Edmiston Center for the Study of the Bible and Ethnicity at Reformed Theological Seminary in ATL. She is also a PhD candidate at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies where she studies Theological Ethics and World Christianity.
01:56 Intro of Prof. Ellis
07:46 Intro of the Edmistons
09:00 Story of Althea's missions
10:20 What is Christian mission?
15:30 Mission agents oppressive regimes
22:15 Why study these people?
23:50 What the persecution looks like
28:45 Hallmarks of NT simplicity
38:55 Neglecting Christian privilege
44:20 The letter of encouragement
50:10 Final inspirations
52:18 Keeping up with K.A. Ellis
53:28 Prayer
Wayne Credle joins co-host Cyril Chavis Jr. to discuss organizational leadership. They talk about how important healthy leadership is for an organization, the negative consequences of bad leadership in the world and in the church, the ways that pastors can exercise healthy leadership, and more! They lean on the wisdom of Stan Henkeman as it relates to organizational leadership. If you are passionate about leadership, this episode is for you!
Rev. Wayne Credle is the Co-owner of CREDLE LLC, a leadership development and consulting firm that serves churches and small businesses. He is also a PhD candidate at Regent University's School of Business and Leadership studying Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Ecclesial Leadership. He is married to Passion Credle who is pursuing an MBA at Regent University.
02:23 Intro of Wayne Credle
08:31 Intro of Stan Henkeman
11:30 What's organizational leadership?
13:15 What's bad organizational leadership?
16:12 OL in the church
23:02 Pastoral burnout and OL
25:43 OL issues in the black church
33:20 Wisdom from Henkeman
33:40 Presence, conflict, and sophisticated corruption
37:40 Sophisticated corruption in the church
41:30 Conflict in the church
45:15 Final inspirations
48:02 Keeping up with Rev. Credle
49:05 Prayer
Hey Africana Manna friends and family! There is no episode this week. We sincerely apologize. We can't wait to see you all next week!
Phillip Holmes joins co-hosts Noelle Shaw and Cyril Chavis Jr. to discuss power. What is power? How does it operate in everyday life? How is it at play in the Blackburn Takeover? What does Jesus show us about power? As we discuss power dynamics, we look at the life of Francis Grimké, our Christian African ancestor this week. We see how he was able to integrate rich pastoral and theological instincts with an active public life, advocating for racial justice. Tune in!
Mr. Phillip Holmes is the Chief Communications Officer for Reformed Theological Seminary, the Owner of Highest Good, and a co-host of Make It Plain podcast. He is married to Mrs. Jasmine Holmes, and they have three boys.
Kellie Brown joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis Jr. and Noelle Shaw as they discuss the strong black woman while reflecting on the life of Sis. Kellie's mother-in-law, LaQuines Bernadette Goodwin Brown. We discuss how dear Momma Brown was to Sis. Kellie, her godliness and strength, and her sacrificial love. We also talk about what strength looks like for a black woman, particularly a black woman in Christ. You don't want to miss this!
Mrs. Kellie Brown is the Operations Manager for African American Ministries in the PCA. She is also a Women's Shepherd, a church planter and assessor, and the Worship Arts Director at Christ Central Church in Charlotte, NC.
Alicia Jackson joins co-hosts Noelle Shaw and Cyril Chavis, Jr. to discuss racialized assumptions about Africans and what it means for how Africans have had to navigate society. We lean on the wisdom of Isaac Anderson -- a clergyman in the CME, an educator, activist, and politician. They talk about racial categories in society, respectability politics, the independent African American church movement, the relevance of the Christian faith for endurance, and much more.
Dr. Alicia Jackson is an Associate Professor of History at Covenant College and author of the forthcoming book The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson. This project uncovers and restores the narrative of a pivotal leader in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and in Georgia's state legislature in the late 19th century.
Mika Edmondson joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr and Noelle Shaw this week as we discuss redemptive suffering. Have you ever gone through deep seasons of suffering? Have you wondered if God has any purpose for your suffering? Have you wondered how our Christian African American ancestors processed suffering in the midst of oppression? Then this episode is for you! We learn from Dr. King as we dive into this always relevant topic.
Rev. Dr. Mika Edmondson is the pastor of Koinonia Church, a cross-cultural Presbyterian church in the Bordeaux neighborhood of Nashville, TN. He is married to Dr. Christina Edmondson and has two lovely daughters. He is the author of The Power of Unearned Suffering.
Candace Robins joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr; Noelle Shaw; and Alafia Bailey to discuss self-awareness and its importance for human thriving. They talk about what it is and what it isn't, how friends and community are vital, trends in the black church, the role God plays in our path to self-awareness, and more! They also discuss the life of the queen of gospel music, Mahalia Jackson, and what we can learn about self-awareness from her life.
Mrs. Candace Robins is the Partner Services Coordinator for Jackson Leadership Foundation; the Assistant Director of Worship at Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS; and working towards a Master of Arts degree at Reformed Theological Seminary.
01:15 Intro of Guest
04:03 Intro of Mahalia Jackson
05:48 Mrs. Robins' journey into music
08:01 What is self-awareness?
14:16 Does the church embrace self-awareness?
19:25 Obstacles and opportunities for Africans in self-awareness
32:41 Is community important for self-awareness?
40:00 Wisdom from Mahalia Jackson
47:10 Self-awareness and staying in your lane
52:50 Final inspirations from Mrs. Robins
54:25 How to follow our guest
54:40 Prayer
Co-host Noelle Shaw gives you a sneak peak into what's coming up next! On behalf of the Africana Manna team, welcome to Season 3. Season 3 dropping Friday, September 24!!
Thank you for listening to Africana Manna's Season 2! Please leave a review, letting us know what you enjoyed about season 2 and what you are looking forward to in season 3. Give us some ideas on topics and ancestors you would like to hear about! We want to serve you well, and the only way to do that is to hear from you.
See you all in season 3.
Nathan Walton joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr.; Noelle Shaw; and Alafia Bailey to discuss the youngest and upcoming generation - Gen Z - and how they are engaging the world. We engage the wisdom of James Cone in seeing how theology is meant to be concrete and political. We discuss Gen Z's spiritual longings, their engagement with social media, their fierce activism, and much more! If you are concerned about how to engage Gen Z theologically and practically, this is for you.
Dr. Nathan Walton is the Executive Director of Abundant Life Ministries which seeks to demonstrate God's love through holistic community development in Charlottesville, VA. He holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. In addition to his role with Abundant Life, Nathan serves as Pastor of Formation and Discipleship at Charlottesville Vineyard Church.
01:40 Intro of Dr. Walton
04:31 Intro of James Cone
11:00 Gen Z's characteristics
25:10 Learning about Gen Z in Ministry
29:20 Gen Z vs. Mills with Being Present
34:55 Gen Z vs. Mills with family
39:40 Gen Z Political Trends
46:02 Gen Z Spiritual Health
56:08 Wisdom from James Cone
1:02:17 Learning from Different Camps
1:08:33 The Church Welcoming Gen Z
1:12:15 The Church Partnering with "Religious Nones"
1:16:55 Final Inspirations from Dr. Walton
1:18:37 Keep Up with Dr. Walton
1:19:53 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
Black Theology and Black Power by Cone
Carl Ellis, Jr. joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr; Noelle Shaw; and Alafia Bailey in discussing the ways that the church has been held captive by traditions and anti-Christian beliefs and practices. They talk about un-churchables (people allergic to institutional church as we know it), white Christianity-ism, the future of Christianity among African Americans, and much more! If you are wondering how the church relates to and engages the surrounding culture, tune in!
Dr. Carl Ellis is the Provost's Professor of Theology and Culture for Reformed Theological Seminary. He is married to Professor K.A. Ellis, the love of his life and partner in ministry.
02:03 Intro of Dr. Ellis
06:31 Definition of Ancestor
11:25 Intro of Garnet
15:49 Unchurchables in the Nation of Islam and Hebrew Israelites
23:31 What is white Christianity-ism?
30:47 How have AfAms fought against Cultural Captivity in US?
33:34 How have AfAms become captive to the culture?
42:37 What's the future of Christianity in AfAm Community?
47:41 Lessons on resistance from Henry Highland Garnet
52:18 Black Presbyterians in History
54:05 Christian foundations of HBCUs
55:11 Final Inspirations from Dr. Ellis
57:39 Keeping up with Dr. Ellis
58:30 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
Free at Last? by Dr. Carl Ellis
No episode this week! Enjoy your Spring Break, and tune in next week for more Africana Manna. Please take two seconds to rate us, give us a review, and subscribe.
Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Alafia Bailey reflect on the recent documentary by PBS The Black Church. The reflect on their own experiences in the black church, the complexities of the black church, the rarity of Christians who both believe the Bible and care about justice, and hopes for the future of the church. Are you wrestling with what to make of current day perceptions of the black church and its history? Tune in!
02:06 First Impressions
03:50 Personal Impressions of the Black Church
14:45 What We Wished the Documentary Did
29:12 What Did We Really Appreciated About the Doc
38:02 Practical Take Aways from the Doc
43:20 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
Black Theology and Black Liberation by James Cone
Africans Who Shaped our Faith by Wright
Norton Anthology of African American Literature
Irwyn Ince, Jr. joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Noelle Shaw to discuss the phrase "Black is Beautiful" with the added wisdom of the Johnson brothers who wrote The Books of the American Negro Spirituals. They talk about the importance of black beauty, it's connection to God's purpose in the world, how beauty relates to God's justice, the influence of the spirituals, and more!
Rev. Dr. Ince is a pastor and the Executive Director of Grace DC's Institute for Cross Cultural Mission in Washington, DC. He is the 46th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America's General Assembly. He is the author of The Beautiful Community and has a deep love of CrossFit and kettlebells.
01:35 Intro of Ince
03:45 Intro of James Weldon Johnson
05:20 What do you think when you hear "Black is Beautiful"?
14:40 What does Black beauty have to do with God?
20:30 Black is useful vs. Black is beautiful
25:40 Black is beautiful as resistance
28:27 How to evaluate the Black aesthetic
29:06 Beauty of the spirituals
34:38 Looking at Black cultural expressions
44:10 The center of Black Christians' identity
49:05 Johnson Bros and their take on the Negro Spirituals
52:18 The Nobility of the Spirituals
55:26 The beautiful aspects of the spirituals
1:00:12 The spirituals shaping our worship
1:09:02 Dr. Ince's final inspirations
1:10:36 Keep up with Dr. Ince
1:11:48 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
Praise and Protest by Common Hymnal (album)
The Beautiful Community by Ince
The Books of the American Negro Spirituals by Johnson brothers
Jemar Tisby joins Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Noelle Shaw to discuss fighting for racial justice. They talk about the dynamics of racism, how history affects the present, the ARC method for racial justice, Fannie Lou Hamer's faith-filled fight against racism, and much more. If you are looking for practical ways to fight racism that are informed by Jesus' life and teachings, look no further!
Mr. Jemar Tisby is a speaker, author, and historian. He is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective where he writes about race, religion, politics, and culture. He is also cohost of the Pass the Mic podcast. Tisby is a PhD candidate at the University of Mississippi where he studies race, religion, and American politics.
01:45 Intro of Jemar Tisby
04:12 Intro of Fannie Lou Hamer
09:55 What is Racism?
14:34 What is Racial Justice?
16:02 A Wholistic Approach to Racial Justice
22:44 The ARC Method in the Bible
29:34 The Role of HBCUs in Racial Justice
40:40 Wisdom from FLH and the Relevance of the Black Church
46:53 Partnership Between the Black Church and Non-Christians
51:56 Final Inspirations from Jemar Tisby
Mentioned Resources:
How to Fight Racism by Tisby
In Search of the Talented Tenth by Williams
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Tatum
America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities by Lovett
K.A. Ellis joins Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Noelle Shaw to discuss global Christianity and the church on the margins with a focus on persecuted Africans both on the continent and here in the Americas. They discuss aunties and church mothers, how we grow as Christians, revivals in Africa, the courage of Africans in the Caribbean, and much more! Are you wondering what it means to follow Jesus while being on the margins of society? What it looks like to grow spiritually in environments openly hostile to Christianity? Tune in!
Prof. K.A. Ellis is the Director of the Edmiston Center in partnership with Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Atlanta. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Theological Ethics and Spiritual Formation at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies in Oxford, England. She is passionate about theology, human rights, and global religious freedom.
01:24 Intro of Prof. Ellis
05:30 Intro of the African Moravians
07:55 Spiritual Formation Around the Globe
11:13 Pictures of Discipleship in the Black Church
23:26 Disciple-making around the World
30:38 What Would Revival Look Like at Howard?
35:30 Lessons from Persecuted African Christians
42:33 African Moravian Wisdom Under Oppression
49:17 On the Saying "Just Preach the Gospel"
55:40 Final Inspirations from Prof. Ellis
57:23 How to Follow Prof. Ellis
57:50 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
Rebecca's Revival by Sensbach
Prayer Revolution by Smed
Alicia Jackson joins Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Noelle Shaw to discuss the Georgia presidential and senatorial elections, the significance of the black church in black politics, racial rhetoric in the elections, Francis Watkins Harper, and much more!
Dr. Alicia Jackson is Associate Professor of History at Covenant College and author of forthcoming book The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson (University Press of Mississippi, 2021). This project uncovers and restores the narrative of a pivotal leader in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and in Georgia’s state legislature in the late nineteenth century
00:45 Intro of Dr. Jackson
02:15 Intro of Francis Watkins Harper
03:27 The Georgia Election Current Event Catch-Up
07:44 The Significance of the Black Vote
12:40 Black Voter Suppression Dynamics Historically and Current-Day
23:02 Racialized Rhetoric in the Election and the term "Radical"
34:26 Role of the Black Church in Black Politics
40:10 Advice for Howard students wanting to inform politics with faith
42:05 Francis Watkins Harper speaks on the Cost of Oppression
47:56 The Christian African Theological Imagination
51:41. Dr. Jackson's Final Encouragements
52:26 Dr. Jackson's Forthcoming Book
53:10 Prayer
Mentioned Resources:
White Rage by Anderson
Soul Liberty by Turner
"Every Goodbye Ain’t Gone and Every Close Eye Ain’t Shut" by Jackson
The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson by Jackson
Iola Leroy by Harper
Russ Whitfield joins co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr.; Noelle Shaw; and Alafia Bailey to discuss the Council of Nicaea, the origins of Christian orthodoxy, Athanasius, and much more. If you have heard that Christianity is the white man's religion, that Christianity was invented at Nicaea, or that Christianity emerges from Egyptian and Greek religions, then this episode is for you!
Rev. Russ Whitfield is the lead pastor of Grace Mosaic Church in Washington, DC and the Assistant Coordinator of Cross-Cultural Advancement for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF).
1:20 Introduction of Russ Whitfield
3:25 Introduction of Athanasius
7:05 What is Orthodoxy?
7:45 Was Christianity Invented at Nicaea?
12:23 What is Christology? Theology?
19:25 How human desires shape religions
22:58 How did Africans shape Christianity?
33:33 Athanasius Speaks on the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus
40:40 The urgency and importance of getting Christology right
43:03 Reflections from MLKJ and the danger of truth telling
45:18 Connection between Augustine and Athanasius
49:30 Final Inspirations from Pastor Russ
Resources:
How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Oden
A Multitude of All Peoples by Bantu
*The Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Great Athanasius* by Tyson
A Defense of the Nicene Definition by Athanasius
Co-host Cyril Chavis, Jr. expresses his excitement about Season 2 of Africana Manna, coming to you January 29, 2021! We have brilliant guests, new ancestors, relevant discussion topics, and more!
Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Alafia Bailey discuss "Our Wretchedness in Consequence of the Preachers of the Religion of Jesus Christ" from David Walker's Appeal. They chop the life of David Walker, Christian compromise within U.S. culture, true vs. false Christianity, false Christian mythology used to justify U.S. chattel slavery, current blindspots of U.S. Christians, God's judgment upon the nations, Christian faithfulness in our current moment, the hope of racial reconciliation, and more.
Mentioned Resources:
David Walker's Appeal by David Walker. Introduction by Sean Wilentz.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr.; Noelle Shaw; and Alafia Bailey discuss why they are excited to explore the life and writings of Maria Stewart. They chat about the compatibility of black radicalism and Christianity, the role of education and moral training for Africans, an explicit Christian justice-movement, Stewart's life events, and more.
Mentioned Readings:
Word Like Fire: Maria Stewart, the Bible & the Rights of African Americans by Valerie C. Cooper
"Religion and the Pure Principles of Morality, the Sure Foundation on Which We Must Build" by Maria Stewart.
Co-host Cyril Chavis, Jr. and guest Jerome Douglas chat about black pictures of success; black excellence across generations and across different HBCUs; the importance of black excellence, it's spiritual beauties and dangers, and it's ability to bring happiness; and how to handle the applause of people.
In lieu of the holiday, Co-host Cyril Chavis, Jr. introduces Augustine of Hippo, born 354CE, a monumental North African church father, philosopher, and bishop. Stay tuned next week for our regularly scheduled episode on Black Excellence, Black Joy, and the Talented Tenth with Augustine.
Primary Source:
Confessionsby Augustine of Hippo
Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr. and Alafia Bailey discuss the importance of Africana studies, valuing Christian Africana, excerpts from Turner's "God is a Negro," and depictions of God.
Readings Mentioned:
"What Black Studies is Not: Moving From Crisis to Liberation in Africana Intellectual Work" by Carr
Preaching with Sacred Fire ed. by Simmons and Thomas
"God is a Negro" by Henry McNeal Turner
Black Religion and Black Radicalism by Wilmore
Co-hosts Cyril Chavis, Jr., Noelle Shaw, and Alafia Bailey talk about the "why" of this podcast by sharing their own stories, misconceptions about Christianity, and their hopes for you.
Current Reads:
White Jesus: The Architecture of Racism in Religion and Education
On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts
Co-host Cyril Chavis Jr. introduces you to Africana Manna by sharing the vision, mission, and values.