Members of the Black Seminarians Association (BSA) at Perkins School of Theology carried on with the annual Seven Last Words service on Good Friday, April 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. The service, which was pre-recorded, was sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas.
What Are The Seven Last Words of Christ?
The seven last words of Jesus are the seven expressions that are biblically attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion and are gathered from all four gospels. They are:
Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:43: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
John 19:26–27: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.”
Matthew 27:46: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
John 19:28: “I thirst.”
John 19:30: “It is finished.”
Luke 23:46: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Seven preachers, all Perkins students or alumni, each offered a seven-minute sermon on each of the Seven Last Words.
How Are The Seven Last Words of Jesus Celebrated?
A special Good Friday service, called “Seven Last Words,” is an African American tradition woven around the last utterances of Christ before his death on the cross. Six years ago, the BSA of Perkins School of Theology hosted its inaugural Seven Last Words service at St. Luke “Community” UMC, and now it has quickly become a Perkins tradition, too.
“The experience is rooted in liberation theology,” said LaTasha Roberts, BSA co-president, 2020. “This year’s program culminated in the BSA’s 2019-2020 theme, Strengthened Through the Struggle, based on 1 Peter 5:10-11. The message relates to how we all struggle, and through God’s grace, restoration is available.”
Perkins annual program serves to give voice to emerging preachers while raising funds for the programmatic needs of the BSA. Online donations are always welcomed and can be designated for the Zan Wesley Holmes Fund at Perkins School of Theology.
“The tradition is giving voice to the up-and-coming generation of pastors,” Roberts said. “It’s another platform and another ministry opportunity to prophetically proclaim hope to oppressed peoples.”
2020’s worship celebration was coordinated by Roberts (M.Div. ‘20) along with BSA co-president Jeremiah Johns (M.Div. ‘20) and advocacy chair Samuel Spraggins (M.Div. ’21). The service contained somber elements – such as a stripping of the altar, followed by the exit of worshipers, in silence, at the end. But other elements are rooted in the “homegoing experience” – the celebratory, sometimes revival-like funeral tradition of the African American church. Musical groups and praise dancers from St. Paul UMC, St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church of the Disciple participated in the event.
The Rev. Bryant Phelps (D.Min. ’17), a Perkins grad and now senior pastor of Church of the Disciple in Desoto was the visionary behind the original event and served as one of the 2020 speakers.
While the 2017 and 2018 events were held at nearby United Methodist churches, the 2020 location was selected to return home to the oldest and most historic Black/African American United Methodist church in the UMC denomination, St. Paul. St. Paul’s senior pastor, Richie Butler, is a member of Perkins’ Executive Board.
Begin Your Journey at Perkins and Join Our Coveted Services
In every type of setting, whether it be through the classroom, worship, an internship or more, you will gain invaluable experience in preaching, teaching, administration, pastoral care and other essential areas of ministry at Perkins.
Through learning, listening and leading, you’ll grow your servant leadership skills and strengthen your faith and connection with Christ. To learn more about Perkins and our programs, access our ebook.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to book a meeting with us.
