I first heard about “Just Mercy” in a Starbucks. Starbucks founder, Howard Schultz, described it as: “Perhaps one of the most powerful and important stories of our time.” The book was for sale there. I thought little of it at the time.

Then, a short while later, I heard the author speak to Alec Baldwin on the “Here’s the Thing” podcast (listen here). I was struck by the author’s stories of the rampant injustices that take place in so many settings. So much so that I bought the book. But then it sat on a bookshelf until George Floyd.

This post is not a book review. It is simply an acknowledgement that reading “Just Mercy” will inform you, surprise you, move you and disturb you. It will force you to walk a mile in another’s shoes and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, it will help you to better understand the messages of love, forgiveness and mercy that he taught.

At our church collaborative, we have just completed a four week series on this topic and are now grappling with the important question of what next?

Pope Francis stated: “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.” In the spirit of this sentiment, we will be offering here some resources in the coming days to those who are interested in the issues of justice and mercy.

Start with “Just Mercy“.