Forrest E. Harris Sr., director of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on African American Church Studies at the Divinity School, will present "Leadership and Struggle in the Black Churches: Then and Now" at a community breakfast Feb. 27, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the University Club.

According to Harris, “Social justice and liberation from human oppression have been the prophetic hope and content of the black churches in America; churches that now stand at a critical juncture in their history, theology and Christian practice.

“ Defining a future shaped by the vision of God's justice on earth presents new challenges for the black church's ecclesial life and prophetic witness,” said Harris.

Over the past 18 years, the work of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute has focused on issues of theology and ministry in the black church tradition. Harris will present a summary of the new challenges faced by the leadership of black churches in the continuing struggle for social transformation and justice.

Harris is president of American Baptist College. His books include What Does It Mean To Be Black and Christian: The Pulpit, Pew and the Academy in Dialogue; Ministry for Social Crisis: Theology and Praxis in the Black Church Tradition; and What Does It Mean To Be Black and Christian: The Meaning of the African American Church.

The breakfast is open to the public. The cost is $10. To ensure a seat, please make reservations no later than Feb. 25 by calling 343-3994 or e-mail kitty.a.norton@vanderbilt.edu.

Posted 2/24/03 at 10 a.m.