Dismantling racism happens when we change daily interactions between people of different races and when we change systems that privilege people of some races over others.
These workshops can help you and your congregation to get started in understanding the ways that systems that elevate and demote people based on race show up in your community, your country, and your church.
It’s all about honoring the image of God in each person and leaning towards Revelation 7:9. We know that when Christ comes in all his glory, all nations will offer their gifts at his throne!
Have questions? Want to schedule a workshop in your area?
This workshop takes participants through the foundation of racism and whiteness by putting together a timeline that includes laws and acts designed to oppress certain groups of people. Although this workshop is not about how to dismantle racism, it will provide information about the history of racism which will help participants begin or continue their journey towards dismantling racism.
The Church Between Borders workshop is a collaboration among the CRC offices of Social Justice and Race Relations. It is about (1) how churches can be welcoming presences for immigrants, (2) how churches can help in the struggle immigrants face when they are not able to get documentation for living in the United States, and (3) how churches have the awesome ability to transform that struggle by acting with justice and mercy.
The Blanket Exercise is a great opportunity for participants to walk and experience the history of relationships between Europeans, including the Christian Reformed Church Mission in the Southwest, and the Indigenous nations who inhabit the southern part Turtle Island, now called the United States of America. It helps participants understand why it is important to know our history and how to take steps toward reconciliation and new relationships.
Time: 90 minutes to 2 hours Capacity: 30 to 80 people
The Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Building workshop focuses on concrete skills to improve our ability to act and react in positive ways across cultural lines. These four concrete skill areas are (1) knowledge, (2) motivation, (3) interpretation, and (4) behavior. Through carefully tailored interactive exercises, participants become aware of their personal life-long journey in Cultural Intelligence, as they build their own capacity to improve their CQ over time.
Leadership and Race is a workshop that deliberately pursues inclusion through six tasks: (1) introduction; (2) objectives, expectations, and guidelines; (3) biblical foundations; (4) assumptions; (5) framing the issue; and (6) mountain plan—identifying the journey. This workshop is geared for those in leadership positions.
This asynchronous learning workshop (online, DIY) will help individuals to learn and understand the beginning of the racial division between white and non-white peoples. We will discuss how people of different ethnicities interacted before this division and how the situation changed after a significant turning point.
The Blanket Exercise, developed by KAIROS following the landmark report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, is an excellent tool that literally walks participants through the history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Much of the content is written by Indigenous people. It helps participants understand why reconciliation is needed and how to take steps toward reconciliation and new relationships.
In this workshop we’ll explore together how each of our lives are impacted by these social categories, which privilege some and oppress others. We’ll learn together, by the light of scripture, using storytelling, personal reflection, dialogue, and group spiritual discipline practices. Together we will seek to create an environment of respect, safety, and inclusion.