Level Two: Engaging in Self-Reflection & Critical Dialogue

Who This Is For:

Churches that have some familiarity with racial justice concepts and are ready to look inward, reflect critically on their own practices, and discuss power dynamics more openly.

Goals:

• Move beyond basic definitions to explore how whiteness shapes church culture, leadership, and theology.

• Begin wrestling with discomfort and examining who is centered and who is marginalized in worship, leadership, and decision-making processes.

Suggested Activities:

• Deeper Reading & Discussion Groups:

• Add more challenging materials, such as Dear White Christians (Jennifer Harvey), Wait, Is This Racist?: A Guide to Becoming an Anti-Racist Church (Bryana Clover, Josh Riddick, and Kerry Conelly) or selected episodes of the “Seeing White” podcast series, to spark conversations about reparations, allyship, and structural change.

• Incorporate a Bible study resource from the UCC that directly addresses whiteness and racial justice to integrate theological reflection with critical analysis.

Practical Workshops on Communication & Community-Building:

• Offer sessions on “How to Build Compassionate, Mutually Supportive Community” focused on practical tips for communication.

• Encourage the formation of peer feedback circles where congregants can practice giving compassionate but honest feedback about racialized language or assumptions.

• Join the Southwest Conference’s Community of Practice (CoP) for Anti-Racism

• Inviting Marginalized Voices (Within Comfort Zones):

• Begin reaching out to local BIPOC-led ministries or community groups for informational sessions or panel discussions.

• Include an introduction to understanding privilege, backlash against DEI efforts, and how congregations can stand in solidarity with marginalized communities in non-extractive, respectful ways. (Extractive relationships are those that only take without reciprocity and mutualism. This posture of relating is a common risk of white engagement in performative allyship. Get curious about how this is or could show up as you engage with marginalized communities.)