The 2024 Election may be over, but our country and churches remain strongly divided. CRCC’s Compelling Preaching Initiative came together in Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to process the election, gain insights into the forces dividing Christianity, and learn ways to bridge those divides.
Conference Agenda
| Time | Activity |
| 10:00am | Welcome and Introduction |
| 10:15am | Keynote and Q&A – Dr. Matthew D. Taylor |
| 11:55am | Preachers Respond – Panel Discussion |
| 1:00pm | Bridging Divides Workshop – NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change |
| 2:30pm | What’s next for us? |
Introduction by Richard Flory
Richard Flory, executive director of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, set the scene of political and religious divisions — some of which have always been with us and some of which are unique to the Trump era.
Read his introductory remarks here.
Keynote Speaker:
Matthew D. Taylor, Ph.D.
Christian supremacy holds appeal in an era of declining religious affiliation, Dr. Matthew D. Taylor shared in his keynote speech at CRCC’s Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference. Its adherent believe not only that the United States is a Christian country, but also that their interpretation of Christianity should reign supreme. Taylor argued that Christians must resist the pull of power, pointing to Jesus’ example as a Jew in the Roman empire, as presented in the Gospel of Mark.
Speaker Bio
Matthew D. Taylor, Ph.D., is a senior scholar and the Protestant scholar at ICJS, specializing in Muslim-Christian dialogue, Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, religious politics in the U.S., and American Islam. Before coming to ICJS, Matt served on the Georgetown University and The George Washington University faculty. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion and the North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies. Matt holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations from Georgetown University and an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. His first book, Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christians’ America (Cambridge University Press), introduces the oft-misunderstood Salafi movement in the U.S. by comparison with American Evangelicalism. He is also the creator of the acclaimed audio-documentary series “Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation,” which details how networks of extremist Christian leaders helped instigate the January 6th Insurrection. His latest book is The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian movement that is threatening our democracy (Broadleaf Books).
Preachers Respond – Panel Discussion
How can preachers address Christian supremacy?
This panel follow ups on the keynote presentation from scholar Matthew D. Taylor on Christian supremacy. Three members of our Compelling Preaching cohort join Taylor to discuss how they are responding to the divisions within their congregations and the threat of Christian supremacy. Watch for conversations on how we treat others and whether unity is even desired at this time.
Speaker Bios
Pastor Franklin Garcia
Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Franklin Garcia is Professor of Hermeneutics and Homiletics at the Talbot School of Theology, Talbot Spanish Department, Biola University. Professor Garcia is also a bilingual pastor in Fullerton, California. He was born in Lima, Peru, and was brought at an early age to California, U.S.A. After high school, he completed a diploma in pastoral ministry and a master’s in biblical studies and languages. His desire to continue learning led him to obtain another master’s in biblical studies from the Central American Theological Seminary. He is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry thesis and is in his second year of his Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Franklin Garcia is an active member of the community and has extensive work in the Fullerton school district and schools, where he advocates and works with underprivileged families.
Rev. Dr. Grace Park
Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church
The Reverend Dr. Grace Park is a native of Southern California, born at St. John’s in Santa Monica, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Political Economics, with studies abroad in both the U.K. and Japan. Pastor Grace holds a doctorate of ministry from New York Theological Seminary. Her dissertation focused on clergy self-care through interfaith dialogue and community. She was ordained in the PCUSA in 1996 and has served in many different roles in the church, including children’s pastor, youth pastor, and associate pastor. She has had the blessing of doing urban missions with a focus on the homeless and short-term missions in Mexico and Central America. When she is not at church, she works as a hospice chaplain with Apguard Hospice, serving those who are making their transition from life to death. She also serves at Cedars Sinai Medical Center each week as a chaplain intern in their Clinical Pastoral Education program. Recently, she sat on the Board of New Theological Seminary of the West and served on the Leadership Council of Angel Interfaith Network. She is also a member of the National Charity League and she and her husband support scholarship efforts for first generation college students.
Pastor Precious Williams
Minister, Center of Hope Church
Precious Shalom Williams is a preacher and theologian. She earned her Bachelor degree at Howard University. Understanding her call to preach, she attended Duke University and received a Master of Divinity. While doing full-time ministry at West Angeles COGIC, Precious received inaugural online certificate in “Theology and Ministry” from Princeton Theological Seminary. After preaching and ministering for 17 years, Precious accepted a call to higher education. She is currently a Homiletics PhD student at Anderson University, where she is expanding her knowledge of preaching. She is a full-time accountant, Spiritual Formation group leader at Fuller Theological Seminary, and a digital preacher. While her gift and calling has allowed her to minister to many denominations, organizations and institutions across America, she most enjoys ministry in social and multimedia spaces. The joys of her life is being wife to her loving husband, Jairus and mother to their two children, Essence and Jair.
Moderator:
Rev. Dr. Brandon Harris
Associate Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life, University of Southern California
The Rev. Dr. Brandon Harris is the Associate Dean for Religious & Spiritual Life at the University of Southern California. At USC, he serves a diverse office of ninety religious and spiritual organizations and oversees the Trojan Church at USC, an interdenominational student-led congregation on campus. He also serves as Co-Pastor of Park Hills Community Church (Reformed Church in America) in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Harris also serves as an affiliate of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture. Formerly a Protestant Chaplain at Georgetown University, he’s passionate about interfaith engagement and racial justice. He’s ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church and was the youngest Senior Minister at Peoples Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. A Lincoln University graduate, he holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University and a doctorate in Social Justice from New York Theological Seminary. Actively involved in various boards and committees, he’s a proud New Yorker who enjoys fall, water, coffee, exercise, reading, and city exploration.
Bridging Divides Workshop
Presented by NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change
This workshop offered an opportunity to practice grounding oneself, listening with curiosity and looking for opportunities to say, “yes, and.” NewGround offers a training for people interested in facilitating conversations across differences.
About NewGround
NewGround empowers Muslims, Jews and allies to bridge divisions and leverage shared values to strengthen our communities and our fragile democracy.
Learn more at: mjnewground.org
What’s next for us?
As we look ahead to our programming in 2025, we want to know your priorities. Email crcc@usc.edu with your answer to the question we posed at the end of the conference.
Reflection Question:
What issue or need do you feel called to address in your community this coming year? What is your vision, and how do you plan to execute it?
Upcoming Compelling Preaching Events:
In January and February, the Compelling Preaching Cohort will join our Thriving Congregations Initiative. All working group members and other faith leaders are welcome to these two events.
Wellness and Wellbeing: Caring for Self and Community
Monday, January 27, 2025 @ 10 am
Click here to RSVP via Paperless Post
Anyone can experience burn out – pastors, preachers and even volunteers. Leaders can help their congregations thrive by maintaining their own wellbeing and helping their teams do so as well.
Experts in mental and physical health will share their perspectives and practical exercises to support your wellbeing and engage with your members on wellness issues.
Join us to find out how to be resilient for yourself and for others.
Youth and Elders: Fostering Intergenerational Connections
Monday, February 24, 2025 @ 10 am
Click here to RSVP via Paperless Post
Many congregations are aging along with their members. Young adults’ religious participation is declining, even as they yearn for meaning and connection with other generations.
Experts in aging and religion will speak to the needs and desires of people across stages of life. We will discuss practical ways that congregational leaders can reach more people of all ages and bring them together.
Join us to bridge generations and create stronger, more connected communities.
