Prejudice, Power & Reconciliation: A Sacred Conversation on Race
Description: “We claim God’s radical inclusivity. Where do we stand? How are we agents for God’s peace, justice and reconciliation with our neighbors near at hand and around the world?” How do we live out our response to Paul’s question, “What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?ΓÇ¥
A Confessional Workshop
MissionWorks
October 2008
Description: “We claim God’s radical inclusivity. Where do we stand? How are we agents for God’s peace, justice and reconciliation with our neighbors near at hand and around the world?” How do we live out our response to Paul’s question, “What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?”
Workshop Goals:
- Identify an area of prejudice in your personal life.
- Identify an area of prejudice in your community.
- Identify an area of prejudice in the wider world.
- Considering the prejudice you hold and work to overcome the hurdle(s) you face.
- Identify an element of the power you hold to make a difference.
- Identify tools that are accessible
Opening
Dialogue Questions
Identifying racism/prejudice in ourselves
- What do you see? Who do you see?
- What assumptions do we make? Whom do we exclude?
- Willingness to name, claim and address our own fears and racism/prejudice. Living with our own prejudice — pre-judgement.
- What does the Bible say about prejudice, making pre-judgements?
- What does Jesus say?
Overcoming/transcending our own prejudices
- Hurdles
- Fears
- Tools
Moving into Action
- How can one person make a difference? Little things are important.
- Power Analysis
- What power do we hold?
- What difference can I/we make?
- What power can I/we disperse?
- Who is the Problem?
- Who holds the solution?
- Willingness to advocate for social and systemic change.
- Big changes are important.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
“It is easier to fight for your principles than to live up to them…” Alfred Adler