Race and Redemption

Brooke and Susan bring the season to a close by talking about ways we can all dig in and flourish right where the Lord has us planted.

How can we create spaces in our communities and ministries where people of different backgrounds feel like they belong? What’s the difference between belonging and feeling “comfortable,” and how does discomfort help us grow?

Cesar Castillejos has years of experience fostering meaningful belonging for kids and young adults in youth ministry. He shares countless gems of wisdom in this episode, like- When should we come in as a learner and a servant instead of a doer? How are we using our opportunity and access to equip and empower others? Are we prepared to get out of the way so that others can grow? How can we create “holy confusion” that leads to awe and wonder about Jesus? Cesar addresses all of this and more.

Brooke and Susan sit down with Alethea Lamberson to learn from her experience as a facilitator and leader around faith and ethnicity in multiple ministries and organizations. She shares how this work has grown and changed, where it is headed and what the end goal is for the united Church. She also shares her perspective about adversity faced in ministry settings and how we can learn to better handle similar scenarios in our churches, schools, businesses and other spheres of influence.

Susan and Brooke continue their conversation with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and explore the topic of mentoring. Why is it important for people of color, especially, to be mentored? How about mentoring across generations? What does Scripture tell us about generational influence? Natasha shares some insight and examples from her organization Leadership LINKS.

Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is a speaker, author, theologian, mentor and much more. In her recent book, Voices of Lament, she demonstrates how lament is a valued skill. In this episode, she, Susan and Brooke discuss the skill of lament as revealed in Psalm 37 and Jeremiah 9, the value of communal lament and what women of color can teach the church and the world through their experience and practice of lament.

Brittany West leads us straight into the Word of God for inspiration around what it means to be one in Christ Jesus. Does this lead to colorblindness? How does our earthly uniqueness and Kingdom identity work together? How are churches succeeding and missing the mark when it comes to Biblical diversity? Join us for this thought-provoking talk centered out of Galatians 3.

Dr. Bryan Loritts answers our questions about wokeness, racial discipleship and the loneliness that comes with the work of racial reconciliation before giving us a sneak peek into his upcoming book The Offensive Church.

In 1912, white people in Forsyth County, Georgia violently forced every Black resident out of their community, and for nearly 100 years the area had very few residents of color. Now, Forsyth is confronting its racist past and working toward restoration. Hear how a business executive-turned pastor who moved into the community has faced this history with a simple but extraordinary act of love and how God is working through it all.

Author, speaker and leader, Michelle Sanchez, joins us to deep dive into her new book "Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism and Build Beloved Community." Have we already unknowingly been racially discipled? Is the racial power struggle against flesh and blood or is it spiritual? What does it look like to live as an ambassador of reconciliation? How can we talk to our children about diversity? Michelle answers these questions and more.

Brooke and Susan catch up on their lives since the end of Season Four, preview topics they plan to cover in this upcoming season and dig into varying perspectives on some of the latest headlines.