Foundation repair in the Church- with Charles Galbreath

Justin and Stephen talk about the presidential debates, the dissertation process, and then are joined by Charles Galbreath to discuss his multicultural church context in Brooklyn. Charles talks about the lessons he has learned from pastoring his diverse and largely Black congregation, with congregants from many different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. He also discusses what it means to be a pastor not only to his church but also for his neighborhood. Charles, Justin, and Stephen talk about how the American church has responded to the events of the last six months, particularly around racial trauma and injustice. They also discuss the relationship between the church and Christian higher ed, and how the people of Jesus could be leading discussions of justice instead of reacting to them. Charles explains why he is both encouraged and discouraged and repeats Jesus’s question about whether we want to be healed. We have show notes for you at profsinrooms.com and find bonus material on Patreon!The Reverend Charles Oliver Galbreath, affectionately known as Pastor Charles, serves as the Senior Pastor of Clarendon Road Church (CRC) in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to his responsibilities at CRC, Pastor Charles also has the privilege of serving as the Director of Field Education and Adjunct Professor at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City. In 2017, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. Pastor Charles currently serves on New York City Mayor’s Sector Advisory Council for COVID-19, Brooklyn Community Board 17, the SUNY Downstate Medical Center’s Community Advisory Board, he is the treasurer of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council and the chairperson of New York State Senator Kevin Park’s Census Complete Count Committee. Pastor Charles has served as a member of the District Executive Committee for the Metropolitan District of the C&MA and Co-Chair of the 45th Council District Committee in Brooklyn, NY, and as Vice President of the Association of African American Church of the C&MA Pastor Charles received his undergraduate degree at Nyack College, graduating magna cum laude. He also holds graduate degrees in divinity and theology from Alliance Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. Pastor Charles earned his Ph.D. from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education in 2020. In 2011, Pastor Charles was awarded the Young Alumnus of the Year Award at Nyack College and in 2017 he was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Fordham University. The son of a preacher and pastor, Pastor Charles was raised in the Baptist and Pentecostal traditions, yet his journey has weaved him through an amalgamation of experiences from Mainline to Evangelical. He has served in ministries in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Harlem, Queens and Brooklyn, New York. Charles is married to his college sweetheart Flobien Vidal Galbreath. Together they are the proud parents of Charles Oliver Galbreath, Jr. (C.J.), Malia Marie Galbreath and Grayson Alexander Galbreath. To donate to production costs, visit profsinrooms.com or become a patron. Resources from this episode: • Clarenden Road Church • Charles Galbreath at Clarenden Road Church • Leah Gunning Francis’s book: Ferguson and Faith • Stephanie Mitchem’s book: Race, Religion and Politics • Johnathan Walton’s book: A Lens of Love • Paulo Freire’s book: Pedagogy of the Oppressed • Tim Keller’s article: A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory • Tim Keller’s book: Generous Justice This episode’s Patreon bonus content includes a conversation on the prophetic voice of hip hop. It will be posted on 10/19. We may receive commission from purchases made through some of these links. Thank you for your support.

Credits: Regular Theme Music by Josiah Enns. Photo by Preston Goff on Unsplash This episode was recorded on the land of the Wahpekute, Anishinabewaki, and the Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux).