Diversity in Fellowship

"If I'm just stating the facts, then I can't be racist." Is this true? How should we respond to this?   We are again recommending the book " Talking about Race " by Isaac Adams as our Diversity in Fellowship resource. 

We are interviewing author and pastor Isaac Adams about his book "Talking about Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations" ( https://www.zondervan.com/9780310124429/talking-about-race/ ).   Isaac serves as the lead pastor of Iron City Church in Birmingham, AL, where he lives with his wife and children. He is the founder of United? We Pray ( uwepray.com ), a ministry devoted to prayer about racial s...

Some people still long for segregated spaces. How should we think and respond to that?

Shouldn't we all want to be colorblind? Is this a helpful approach to ethnic unity?

What are some good goals we could have for fighting for ethnic unity this year?

Does belonging to a minority group prevent you from being racist? How should we think through this claim?

Continuing our series on reasons people often give for why they are not racist. This episode looks at those who have different ethnicities in their family (spouse, child, grandchild, etc.)

A new series where we consider various (usually bad) reasons people give for not being racist. We start with one of the most common.

How should we respond to the Ahmaud Arbery verdict? How should we think through cases like these biblically?

How should we think through this case? How can we respond biblically to the verdict?

Should we have manger scenes? What do they have to do with diversity?

What are the differences between a black funeral and a white funeral? Why do those differences (and others when it comes to death) exist?

Why are these two communities often linked together? How can we think through that biblically?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is " Gay Girl, Good God " by Jackie Hill Perry.

How do we respond to racist emails from a public figure? How should we respond as Christians?

Do we have diversity in global missions? How can we encourage that?   The suggested diversity resources for this episode are:  1) " Race Matters: Why We Must Send More Missionaries of Color " by Doug Logan 2) The Kingdom Diversity Initiative at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

What challenges do law enforcement face when dealing with diversity issues? How can Christians help? Listen as Kenny and William talk with local Chief of Police, Jim McMillen.

What does the Bible say about diversity and immigration? How can we faithfully apply that in our country today?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode are two ministries that deal with immigration from a Christian perspective: the Evangelical Immigration Table ( https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/ ) and The Immigration Coalition ( https://theimmigrationcoalition.com/ ). 

Language can be difficult and words can be offensive. How do we navigate that while working for diversity in fellowship (or fellership)?

What lessons have we learned through the merge after two years? What has gone well and what do we need to still work on?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is the Grace Bible Fellowship Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/GBFSikeston ), where you can watch a typical Sunday service and learn more about the church.

What does the Bible actually say about slavery? How do we apply that to slavery in America?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is " How Could Jonathan Edwards Own Slaves ?" by John Piper. 

Sure we are called to forgive, but do we have to seek restoration? What does that look like biblically?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is the book United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity  by Trillia Newbell. 

Should we forgive when it comes to racial reconciliation? What does the Bible command and how can we obey it?   The suggested diversity resources for this are two courtroom instances of forgiveness for perpetrators of horrendous crimes: Rachael Denhollander to Larry Nasser ( https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/incredible-testimony-former-gymnast-confronts-sexual-abuser-court/ )...

Is the idea of reparations biblical? Does it apply to racial reconciliation?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is the article " In Likely First, Chicago Suburb Of Evanston Approves Reparations For Black Residents " from NPR. 

Do we need to repent over sins related to racial reconciliation? How do we think through this biblically?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is the article "The Sin of Racism" by Timothy Keller. 

Is the fight for racial reconciliation necessary? Is this even a biblical concern?   The suggested diversity resource for this episode is  One Body, One Spirit: Principles of Successful Multiracial Churches by George Yancey.