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By now most of you have heard the recent news out of Mississippi. During the Jim Crow era, when African-Americans were unable to vote, it’s citizens voted to include the symbol of the confederacy in its state flag. After decades of controversy, the state legislature voted on June 28 to remove the flag. The governor signed that bill into law on Tuesday, June 30.

We pointed out last Sunday that this flag, which is no longer flying over government buildings in its home state, is still flying in our gymnasium.  These flags represent the places where members of this church have been involved on mission. In August 2005, PBC sent a disaster relief team to Prentiss, MS after Hurricane Katrina. We are not ashamed, nor will we apologize for the work that we have done as a church to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, this particular flag sends more than one message.

If a bipartisan majority of Mississippi politicians can recognize the mixed messages this flag sends, we the church should be able to acknowledge that as well. The elders believe this flag should come down. However, we want you the membership of PBC to be a part of this decision. To that end, we called a special members meeting on the Mississippi flag for this Sunday, July 12 after the morning service.

Our prayer is that in these contentious times God would bring about a spirit of unity at PBC unlike anything seen in the culture. We hope you will join us with a spirit of love, unity, and peace.