When we watch how Jesus lived — the way we operated in the world, we begin to notice that he repeatedly demonstrated an openness to others, not dismissal; he extended belonging, not judgement and he offered embrace, not distance.
It is so easy to lose sight of what matters most. That’s true for individuals and churches. For four weeks we’re refocusing on four things we’ve said matter deeply to us. First up: GROW. This call to “become like Christ in everything” (Ephesians 4:4) is where it all begins. By knowing our true selves we know God – and by knowing God, we know our true selves.
Watch: PBS: Slavery by Another Name, 13th, Brian Stevenson (google his name + HBO), Blackish, 12 Years a Slave
Read: White Awake by Daniel Hill, White Fragility by Robin Diangelo, Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson, Can I Get a Witness? Prophetic Voices of African American Women edited by Marcia Y. Riggs, Autobiographies of: Ida B. Wells (Crusade for Justice), Frederick Douglas, MLK, James Cone, Howard Thurman
Listen (podcasts): Code Switch – The Return of Race Science (July 10), Chicago’s Red Summer (July 17) and We’re Going to Start a Dialogue (Feb. 7); Revisionist History – Good Old Boys (July 11)
Follow: Christina Cleveland (@CSCleve), Ally Henny (@thearmchaircom), Austin Channing Brown (@austinchanning), Yasmin Yonis (@YasminYonis), Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill)
Resource for families: http://www.raceconscious.org/
As we continue our “Stories” series, Heather Karel shares with us about her work as a physician in Heartside. Heather gives us a beautiful example of missional living. Listen here as she tells stories of her work and how that has impacted other areas of her life.
“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
Each week in this series we’ll hear the story of someone at the Branch and how God is at work in their life. Their stories will not only give us perspective on our own, but in turn help shape how we live. This week, we hear a part of Dave & Trina’s story and how God is at work in their neighborhood.
