Sean Palmer, the teaching pastor of Ecclesia Houston, told his audience at Baylor University that the failure of churches worldwide to extend care to all people as Christ commanded has led to ‘racial injustice and white supremacy.’
Palmer was one of two speakers at the “Time to Wake Up: Racism in the White Church” event on Feb. 16-18 at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.
Root of Society’s Ailments
According to a Baptist News Global report, Pastor Palmer stressed in his speech the consequence of churches’ inability to help all people with compassion as Jesus instructed.
“It’s the failure to love neighbor that has always led to racism and genocide and sexism and slavery and all the chronic ailments which have savaged the pages of human history,” Baptist News Global quoted Palmer saying.
The Houston preacher likewise touched on human existence in the U.S.
“The very nature of human existence, at least here in America, is whether or not Christians will truly love their neighbors,” Palmer explained.
He added that throughout history, churches had been known to disregard addressing many of society’s concerns, particularly those not within their inner circles. In his speech, Palmer also cited Charles K.A. Smith’s and G.K. Chesterton’s works, saying humanity often extends help only to people they think keep the status quo.
Such loss of compassion towards all people ultimately breeds social issues about faith, race, and many others.
About Pastor Sean Palmer
His website says Pastor Sean Palmer is Ecclesia Houston’s teaching pastor. The website adds that Pastor Palmer’s church is among America’s “most innovative and vibrant multi-site churches, serving a predominance of Millennials and young adults.”
The profile reveals Palmer attended Abilene Christian University, where he studied Youth and Family Ministry. He also studied at the Austin Presbyterian Seminary, where he took Homiletics.
Pastor Palmer enrolled in the same course at Fuller Seminary and Abilene Christian University’s Graduate School of Theology.
The teaching pastor likewise wrote several books, including “Unarmed Empire,” “Speaking by the Numbers: Enneagram Wisdom for Teachers, Pastors, and Communicators,” and “40 Days on Being a Three.”
His profile noted that Palmer’s “Unarmed Empire: In Search of Beloved Community,” particularly, topped the Christian Discipleship category on Amazon and was dubbed “the best book about the church.”
Aside from being a successful book author, Palmer is a highly-requested workshop facilitator and keynote speaker. He is also a public radio resource person and coach on public speaking and preaching.
Pastor Palmer has lived for over two decades in Houston with his wife, Rochelle, and their two teenage daughters.
Ecclesia Houston
Ecclesia Houston’s website says it is a “Christian community who together are learning how to live as the Church.”
The church was founded in 1999 and has served Houston believers until today. Its website says Ecclesia Houston was initially housed at Taft Street before transferring to separate campuses in west Houston (325 Piney Point Rd.) and downtown Houston (1100 Elder St.).
Those who wish to contact the church may call 713-622-1846 or email info@ecclesiahouston.org.
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