A Resource Guide to Race Relations

Hey there Wellspring,

As many of you know, our Initiative for Faith in Culture launched just over a month ago, and our topic of discussion for this fall semester has been Race Relations & Reconciliation. It was wonderful to hear a lecture from Dr. Mark Harden on this issue, as well as see the launch of our fall Formation Labs. So far, the discussions have been fruitful, challenging, and convicting.

Along with the launch of IFC, we also released A Resource Guide to Race Relations, which was developed by our MultiEthnic Task Force. As they have processed the issues of Racial Reconciliation and Cultural Hospitality, as well as many of the events that happened in the spring of 2020, the members of the METF felt it pertinent to offer a robust list of educational resources to the members of the Wellspring congregation. The resources are broken down into four categories: Realization, Identification, Preparation/Activation, and Children’s Resources, and all of them address, in some way, what it means to love our neighbors. No matter where you fall within your journey of understanding race in America and race in the Church, we strongly encourage you to explore as many of these materials as you see fit.

As someone who has personally engaged with a handful of these books, podcasts, and videos myself, I cannot overemphasize the importance of learning from this content. It has been a humbling process for me to not only come face to face with the nuanced complexities of our country’s systems, but to also experience the value of seeing, hearing, and participating in the stories of our brothers and sisters around us who are crying out for justice and redemption. There is no greater call than to see another through the eyes of Jesus, and to walk alongside them in this journey of life as we all cling to the hope of restoration- for all people, in all places.

The Resource Guide can be found through this link, and will be updated periodically with new content. If you discover something intriguing and would like to participate in a discussion, we urge you to possibly join a life group, find a formation lab, or simply gather your friends around a table for a meal and conversation together. If you discover something that provokes further questions, please reach out to our discipleship pastor, Katie Gayle.

I pray these resources will alert you to new ways that you can be the hands and feet of Jesus within your own unique contexts.

In Love,

Brandon Corsi