Racial Reconciliation
SAY something. . .DO something
Join us in our 30-Day Racial Justice Challenge beginning June 19!
Click on the image below to download the PDF Calendar that includes live links.
The DBA staff is heartbroken about the deaths of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Botham Jean, and other African Americans who have been victims of police violence. We are reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We have made progress in this problem of racism in our country, but in other ways we have a long way to go.
We have made progress in our association, too, but we acknowledge we still have more to do to dismantle implicit racial bias in our ministries.
This 30-Day Racial Justice Challenge is intended to open our eyes, educate us, and challenge us to be intentional about anti-racism. I hope you’ll join us, beginning on Juneteenth.
Please continue praying for DBA’s African American pastors and their churches. Pray for God’s justice in our country as the prophet Amos prayed, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Join our challenge on any day through July 18. Want to receive a reminder every morning?
Text “DBA” to 474747
Multiethnic Dallas Clergy Mobilization Meetings
Get on the email list. Occasionally a group of Dallas clergy led by Pastor Bryan Carter (Concord Missionary Baptist Church) and Jeff Warren (Park Cities Baptist Church) sends an e-newsletter about upcoming meetings and resources. Email Brian English and ask to be included.
“Undivided: Your Church and Racial Reconciliation”
Free 5-week video series w/ discussion guide
- www.undivided.net – Videos, guides and extras for all five “Undivided” sessions
- “Beyond Racial Gridlock: A Forum Featuring Dr. George Yancey.” Sociologist George Yancey establishes a common definition for racism and shows how the Church often copies the solutions offered by the rest of the world instead of implementing a biblical model. (At www.undivided.net, click on “Session 1,” then on “Dig Deeper: Beyond Racial Gridlock.”
- “The Most Segregated Hour in America: Overcoming Divisions to Pursue MLK’s Vision of Racial Harmony.” Presentation by Charlie Dates from the MLK50 Conference in April. (At www.undivided.net, click on “Session 3,” then on “Dig Deeper.”
- Some helpful books by authors of color:
- Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans
- Removing the Stain of Racism from the SBC by Jarvis Williams & Kevin M. Jones
- Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility by George Yancey
- United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity by Trillia Newbell
- The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American Pastors by Thabiti Anyabwile
- God’s Amazing Grace: Reconciling Four Centuries of African American Marriages and Families, a book by DBA’s own Pastor Terry Turner of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church
Other Resources
ARTICLE: The Church is the Only Place Equipped to Do Racial Reconciliation Well, in Christianity Today. “I see glimmers of hope,” Morrison says of the white evangelical climate today. “Even if they don’t get it completely. People are at least trying to lean into the conversation and acknowledge that there is an issue.”
VIDEO SERIES: Racial Justice, from Verge Network. Frank discussions, most 5-15 minutes long, with young leaders about race and the church today.
PODCAST: John M. Perkins on Legacy, from Fuller Seminary’s “Conversing” podcast. “A steadfast leader in the integration of Christian faith and civil rights, Perkins draws on his memories to reflect on the deeper problems behind racism, justice, the redemptive quality of pain and his desire for the church to recover a gospel with “fresh relevance for our days.”
ARTICLE: Racial Divides in Spiritual Practices, by The Barna Group. “Barna examined the divergent ways in which black and white Christians approach discipleship, individually and collectively, revealing insights that may contribute to the realization of King’s dream of an unsegregated hour of worship.”