African American Ecclesiology
walter strickland
In this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Walter Strickland II, associate professor of systematic and contextual theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Imago Dei Church, to discuss his work on ecclesiology and the contributions of African American Christian traditions to the broader church. Drawing from his own journey across different church traditions and years of theological study, Walter reflects on how the African American church has cultivated a distinctive vision of Christian faith shaped by both deep piety and faithful protest.
The conversation explores how the African American ecclesial tradition can help the American church navigate cultural crisis through practices of lament, perseverance, discipleship, and engagement with the world. Walter highlights the importance of learning from Christians who have lived faithfully on the margins and considers how African American Christian formation can strengthen the church's witness in a time of increasing cultural uncertainty.
Walter Strickland II is an associate professor of systematic and contextual theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a teaching pastor at Imago Dei Church. He has written extensively on theology, including African American theological traditions and ecclesiology, and is the author of Swing Low: A History of Black Christianity in the United States. He holds degrees from Cedarville University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his PhD from the University of Aberdeen.
