Ministry partnership creates racism conversation guide Free download for use in small groups
Conversations That Shape Us is a new free resource that uses biblical concepts to understand and respond to racism within a Canadian context. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Canadian Bible Society, Canadian Christians for Justice and Mercy, and Cardus produced the conversation guide, a resource designed especially for use with church staff or congregation small groups.
The guide, available at www. TheEFC.ca/Racism, “invites you into a courageous conversation about racism,” says Beverley Muir, a professor of education at Tyndale University. “It does not start with looking at injustices, albeit they are plentiful. It starts with the human heart, where each of us are invited to journey inward and talk about our biases and assumptions.”
Conversations That Shape Us unpacks the concept of race and racism as a sin issue. The guide has individual reflection time, group discussion questions and includes a list of Canadian and international resources for further learning.
“Good conversations can plant seeds for listening, personal reflection and evaluation,” says Muir. “Look at Jesus Christ. So much of His teaching in the Gospels started with conversations with men and women from all walks of life.”
The guide is unique in that it focuses on racism in the Canadian context and approaches the topic with a Christian lens. “We need personal relationships and conversations where trust can be built and where we can try to have brave spaces to both talk and listen deeply,” says Tim Tang, director of Tyndale University’s Intercultural Ministries Centre. “This is a timely resource to get the conversation started on a road where we all have a long way yet to journey.” – FT STAFF
The guide is unique in that it focuses on racism in the Canadian context and approaches the topic with a Christian lens.