The Same Old Story

One of the things I often reflect upon at this time of the year is how many people make a significant effort to be in church on Easter Sunday. Spring fashions and family traditions notwithstanding, I think many people make their way to worship to reacquaint themselves with the central theme of our faith. To put it more bluntly, they come to make sure the story has not changed. Christ is indeed risen, sin and death no longer win, and God's love has triumphed. Not only does the story remain the same, it is as current and relevant as it ever was. No matter what our circumstance, or for that matter the world's, the Easter message makes hope real. It is hope that is real when disaster strikes, when times are uncertain, or when personal challenges would weigh us down. It is hope that has kept us faithful as God's people. It is hope that strengthens us to to live, care, and serve "outside of ourselves."
So while I and other preachers may do our best to be creative and engaging from our respective pulpits come Easter Sunday. While some may have the latest and best in audio visual technical support. The best news is that we have the same old story to tell. "Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed."

I often say that I don’t “preach from the newspaper” and that’s because it is important to remember that the timeless message of the Gospel transcends partisan politics, as well as the things that may capture our attention for either the moment or a 24-hour news cycle (no “balloon boy” sermons any time soon). But it is just as important to know that our faith in Christ should challenge and shape our world view and our response to the genuine concerns that surround us. While some may think addressing social issues head on may be overtly “political,” it is always appropriate to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” In fact, it is the right thing to do. Micah 6:8 reminds us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” We can prayerfully apply this mandate to several issues that are currently within view and that we will undoubtedly be hearing more about in the months to come—whether it is healthcare reform which calls upon us to show caring compassion to those in need, or immigration reform that compels us to treat all persons with dignity, or even climate change that reminds us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth that God has created. The pulpit may not be controlled by current events, but every preacher and all of God’s people should bring their faith with them into the “public square.” The balance that I strive for is an awareness of, and Biblical response to, the issues of society that confront us while being anchored in the unwavering promise of God’s redeeming love made complete in Jesus. Preach from the newspaper? No, but when we read the newspaper, when we see the concerns of the world around us, responding with the heart of Jesus is the right thing to do.

Senior Pastor Dr. Derrick Harkins

Educational Background

· Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting and Film, Boston University
· Master of Divinity degree in Church History earned at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, NY
· Doctorate in Homiletics earned at United Seminary, Dayton, Ohio

Family Information

Dr. Harkins and his wife Juli Anne Harkins are the parents of two daughters.

Comments

The Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins is the Senior Pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington DC.

Prior to his pastorate in Washington, Dr. Harkins was the Senior Minister of the New Hope Baptist Church of Dallas Texas. During his tenure there he served as President of the Greater Dallas Community of Churches and was a founding board member of both The Dallas Leadership Foundation and the Morals and Values Project. He continues to be active in various religious and civic organizations, and has been a consistent advocate for greater awareness in the local and global battle against HIV/AIDS. He has appeared regularly in a number of media outlets and has been a frequent guest on National Public Radio.

Senior Pastor's History With The Church

Under Dr. Harkins' leadership the ministries of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington DC have expanded to include the homeless of Washington as well as the poorest of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Pastor Harkins has been privileged to preach in pulpits across the globe, ranging from the Park Street Church in Boston to the Historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York (where his ministerial career began) to a Pentecostal congregation in Rwanda. He serves on the Board of Directors for World Relief, as well as Faith in Public Life. He is a member of Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and has served as a vice president of the North American Baptist Fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance.