How did we get here? What is this thing called race? Where does racism come from? We must do the work of ‘Knowing the Story’ to discover how the narrative of racial difference was created, so that we can understand its impact on us today.
We Believe Transformation is Possible When We
Know the Story Own the Story and Change the Story.
Our Transformational Model
“When we lack historical understanding, we lose a part of our identity. We don’t know where we came from and don’t know what there is to celebrate or lament. Likewise, without knowing our history, it can be difficult to know what needs repairing, and what needs reconciling.” -Latasha Morrison, Be The Bridge
The pen of the Civil Rights Movement, James Baldwin, stated, “People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.” We are a product of our history. We are the sum total of our experiences, both individually and collectively. We must know this story if we are to move forward toward a reconciled church.
“Repentance is the change of mind, heart, and will that involves confession of specific sin and a change in our affections. Remorse is the heartfelt response when the weight of sin is understood (2 For. 7:10). Lament ties repentance and remorse together. It vocalizes deep sorrow for past wrongs, especially our own.” - Mark Vroegop
Owning the Story is the process of moving toward God and community by availing one’s heart for transformation. Owning the Story is the exploration of 6 Christian distinctives: cultural humility, intercession, lament, confession, forgiveness, and repentance. Essentially, we expound on the vertical and horizontal work that must take place to live into reconciliation.
“You cannot solve systems without changing narratives...and addressing the same narratives that led us to this mess to begin with…” - Dr. Soong Chan Rah
We must change the story. In this phase of the transformation journey we invite believers to change the story for future generations through leveraging their power, position, and privilege in keeping with Philippians 2:1-9.
Together, we can raise the prophetic consciousness of the Church back to the Father’s standards. But, we must all do our part. Change is never easy and should never be pursued lightly.
Reconciliation 101
Know The Story of The Gospel & Reconciliation
What is reconciliation? What part do I play? How do I engage with this work? Reconciliation is a thoroughly Gospel idea and should be the pursuit of every believer. During this course, we will seek to understand both vertical and horizontal reconciliation. We will spend time unpacking the Gospel and applying it to culture and your everyday life.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Reconciliation 201:
Know The Story of Race & Racism
What is race? How was it created? What part has the church played in the entrenchment of racism? And what role should we play as believers? In this course we will review the history of race in America and the contribution of the church in creating the racial landscape that presently exists. Finally, we will spend time unpacking our role as believers in leading toward a more reconciled church and community.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Reconciliation 301
Own The Story Though Confession, Lament, Repentance and Forgiveness (The hard work of heart work)
Confess. Lament. Repent. Forgive. As believers, we are invited to face the truth about sin, both personally and systemically. Reconciliation 401 will equip you to allow the Holy Spirit to do a deep work through confessing our complicity with racism, lamenting the impact of racism on culture and the church, repenting of the ways in which we’ve been complicit, and how to extend forgiveness to those and systems that perpetuate racism.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Reconciliation 401
Own The Story by Owning Your Cultural Identity (Cultural humility)
What does the Gospel have to say about our cultural identity? How are we discipled out of the culture that shaped us? Reconciliation 301 will equip you to unearth your cultural identity and recognize how a culture built on racism has shaped us. We will explore the concepts of white supremacy and whiteness following Peter’s journey in the book of Acts and why Paul opposed him in Galatians 2 in Antioch.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Reconciliation 501
Change the Story with a Wholistic Gospel
The church is called to live into the ministry of Christ reconciling “all things”. What does this mean? During this course we will examine the biblical mandate for doing justice because of Christ’s commands to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Our effort is to demonstrate how justice is a thoroughly biblical idea and that we are invited to play our part.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Reconciliation 601
Change the Story through Restorative Justice
It’s time for change. It’s time for justice. It’s time to reconcile. During this course we will talk about the implications of changing the story. We will talk about where we go from here as we live into the heavenly vision of Isaiah 65 and Revelation 21.
This is a 4-session journey.
SIGN UP FOR OUR
NEXT SESSION
TBD
Host a Course
Help us equip the next generation of Reconcilers!
Join us in equipping the next generation of believers by hosting a reconciliation course at your church.
