04/30/2026
The Church Of God In Christ, through its Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Social Justice Ministry, issues the following statement in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais:
We stand at a troubling crossroads in American democracy. What generations of Black Americans secured through prayer, protest, sacrifice, and unwavering faith is now being systematically dismantled by judicial decree. This decision represents not merely a legal setback, but a moral failure that strikes at the very heart of justice and equal representation.
Scripture declares in Proverbs 31:8–9 to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. The erosion of protections once guaranteed under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a direct contradiction of this biblical mandate. The right to vote is not simply a political privilege; it is a sacred trust tied to human dignity and agency.
The history of Black participation in American democracy has never been gifted, it has always been wrestled from the grip of injustice. From the bloodshed of Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to the courage of countless unnamed believers who risked everything for the ballot, our journey has been marked by resilience in the face of resistance. To weaken those hard-won protections is to dishonor that legacy and endanger future generations.
This ruling opens the door to discriminatory redistricting practices that dilute Black voting strength and silence communities already marginalized. It signals a retreat from the progress that made this nation more just, more representative, and more aligned with its professed ideals.
We reject any effort—judicial, legislative, or otherwise—that seeks to render Black voices invisible in the democratic process. We affirm that justice requires equity, and equity demands vigilance.
The Church Of God In Christ calls upon federal lawmakers to act with urgency to restore and strengthen voting rights protections, including the immediate passage of comprehensive legislation that safeguards against racial discrimination in voting. We further call upon faith leaders, congregations, and communities across this nation to organize, educate, and mobilize in defense of democracy.
Micah 6:8 reminds us of what the Lord requires: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. In this moment, doing justice requires more than words, it demands action.
We will not be silent while the foundations of democracy are undermined. We will pray, we will advocate, and we will stand firm until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Sincerely,
+J. Drew Sheard
Presiding Bishop & Chief Apostle
Church Of God In Christ, Inc.
