NEXT STEPs for churches

STUDY & DISCUSS

Choose a book for your staff

Read 1-2 chapters and discuss at staff meetings weekly.

WATCH

Choose a movie or documentary to watch with your staff.

Prepare discussion questions in advance.

SHARE

Invite current black leaders in your church or community to share

Our stories matter to God, and they are powerful witnesses to the reality of injustices.

TRAIN

Arrange specific trainings around unconscious bias & equity

Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.
Unconscious bias is far more prevalent than conscious prejudice and often incompatible with one's conscious values.
Certain scenarios can activate unconscious attitudes and beliefs.

Pertinent to training is the ability to ask questions of a person's testimony & experience.
The ability to ask questions provokes empathy as we listen to a fellow image-bearer and act on the invitation to feel what they've felt.

Take note of questions you are asked as you begin to pursue conversations about race and justice and use your notes to organize an FAQ for your church.