Living and Loving Like Jesus:
Resources on Race and Racism
A MESSAGE FROM LEAD PASTOR PHIL HELLER
Valuing, loving, and seeing every person we lock eyes with as Jesus does is the only way to live like Jesus. It’s not optional when we call Jesus Lord, and it’s the only way we can bring the long-overdue change our world, country, community and God’s Church needs. I’m sickened by the continual racial divide that still exists and the daily hurt, fear, and abuse experienced just because of a person’s skin color. Living and loving like Jesus is not just something we came up with–it’s always been the marching orders for all who call Jesus Savior and Lord.
Now is the time for us to do this like never before, and to show the world a better way so that all people are valued and loved like Jesus loves. That’s the only way to live like Jesus. However, recent events have brought into focus areas where we have not been living and loving like Jesus and I recognize that this has caused many to reach out to different places for solutions. We know the real answers are found in God’s Word.
I want you to be aware that we have been reorganizing our leadership and that one of the councils we formulated back in January of 2020 was a Unity and Reconciliation Council. Due to COVID-19, the council had not yet begun any significant work and will now be focused on racial reconciliation.
While I don’t want to drive their direction, I think it’s important that you know some very basic things related to where the council will focus to give direction for future actions. These, of course, are straight from God’s Word. You will notice that our vision of live and love like Jesus flows from these verses that I will be paraphrasing.
First and foremost is Matthew 22:37-39, where Jesus says to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself." As we think of loving one another as ourselves, a few other simple verses come to mind to help remind us of Jesus’ charge. I also am reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:12 to "treat others as you want them to treat you" and His prayer for us in John 17:20-21, to "be one."
Perhaps it goes without saying, that individually and collectively, we have not always lived up to these expectations. For that reason, the council will also consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5:24 about being "reconciled to our brother" and what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:17 about "honoring all people." Again, the result of the council’s efforts will be to make recommendations to the Elders and staff on specific actions for us to take to ensure we are recognizing that "we are all made in God’s image" (Genesis 1:27) and that we should "reflect a spirit of reconciliation" just as God did for us through Jesus’ death on the cross.
While it will obviously take some time for the council to make their recommendations to the Elders, you will see some other things related to racial reconciliation. Since our vision of living and loving like Jesus couldn’t be more on target with what we need to do, you will hear linkages to this issue in our study of John and within our times of worship. In the very near future, we will have a time of lament, which is a language of loss, where we can all go to God to weep together about any unfair treatment and racial tensions that exist.
As the Unity and Reconciliation Council starts its work, I wanted you to know who the members are so you can reach out to them with thoughts or questions, and pray for them. Also, be praying for our Elders as they receive the council’s recommendations.
I am truly hopeful that the recent events and tragedies will help us focus on what God would have us to do individually and corporately, (Ephesians 2) to be a part of reconciliation.
Serving Him Together,
Phil Heller, Lead Pastor
RESOURCES LIST
As our Crossroads Unity and Reconciliation Team continues to work to develop a plan, the resources below may change.
* Any and all links listed on this resource page are for personal and educational use only. This list is not exhaustive, nor do we align with every one of the thoughts and opinions shared in the references below. We encourage you to do additional research on these topics to learn more.
FACEBOOK GROUP
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
This Facebook group is lead by Crossroads member and Crossroads Christian Counseling Center Counselor, Missy Altman. This group is a safe place to learn and grow in understanding of racism and anti-racism, white privilege, cultural identity, and how we can be a part of the healing that is so desperately needed.
FILMS/VIDEOS/MESSAGES
Left Turn 2: The Only Way to Move Forward is Together
Generate constructive conversation around the issue of racial division and consider what actions you can take to build bridges.
Epiphany Church Discusses Race, Justice and the Gospel
Dr. Eric Mason is joined by Pastor Nyron Burke, Dr. Sarita Lyons, and Dr. Tiffany Gill for a discussion on justice. With Isaiah 1:16-17 providing context, they offer biblical reflections and responses to ongoing injustice, including the murder of George Floyd. They pray that as you watch, you will be strengthened by God’s word.
Love - A KrissFilms Short
"All my life I've had to fight to beat the odds that were set against me. I had to fight to be seen for more than just the complexion of my skin. What do you see when you look at me?"
Just Mercy, The Movie
A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice.
BOOKS
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption / Bryan Stevenson
A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice.
White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White / Daniel Hill
Daniel Hill will never forget the day he heard these words: “Daniel, you may be white, but don’t let that lull you into thinking you have no culture. White culture is very real. In fact, when white culture comes in contact with other cultures, it almost always wins. So it would be a really good idea for you to learn about your culture.” Confused and unsettled by this encounter, Hill began a journey of understanding his own white identity. Today he is an active participant in addressing and confronting racial and systemic injustices. And in this compelling and timely book, he shows you the seven stages to expect on your own path to cultural awakening. It’s crucial to understand both personal and social realities in the areas of race, culture, and identity. This book will give you a new perspective on being white and also empower you to be an agent of reconciliation in our increasingly diverse and divided world.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism / Robin DiAngelo (Author), Michael Eric Dyson (Foreword)
This best-selling book explores the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
The Color of Compromise / Jemar Tisby
Tisby provides a unique survey of American Christianity's racial past, revealing the concrete and chilling ways people of faith have worked against racial justice. Understanding our racial history sets the stage for solutions, but until we understand the depth of the malady we won't fully embrace the aggressive treatment it requires. This book provides an in-depth diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God's people. The history lessons found within make it a worthwhile read.
* A video study is also available on Amazon Prime.
Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice / Eric Mason
Dr. Mason is the Pastor at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia and is a mentor to our church planting partner Brandon Watts. In the book, Woke Church, he encourages the church to (1) Be Aware – to understand that the issue of justice is not a black issue, it’s a kingdom issue. (2) Be Redemptive – to grieve and lament what we have lost and to regain our prophetic voice, calling the church to remember our gospel imperative to promote justice and mercy. (3) Be Active – to move beyond polite, safe conversations about reconciliation and begin to set things to see God’s Kingdom come here on earth as in heaven.
Advocates / Dhati Lewis
Dhati Lewis is the Pastor at Blueprint Church in Atlanta. In this book, Lewis walks through the story of Philemon and explores what the book tells us about how to be an advocate in the midst of division.
Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism / Drew G. I. Hart; Christena Cleveland
What if all Christians listened to the stories of those on the racialized margins? How might the church be changed by the trouble we’ve seen? In this provocative book, theologian and blogger Drew G. I. Hart places police brutality, mass incarceration, antiblack stereotypes, poverty, and everyday acts of racism within the larger framework of white supremacy. Leading readers toward Jesus, Hart offers concrete practices for churches that seek solidarity with the oppressed and are committed to racial justice.
Additional Books on understanding Racial History and Current Effects in the US.
The Color of Law / Richard Rothstein
Traces the role of housing laws in instilling discriminatory patterns that continue to this day.
The New Jim Crowe / Michelle Alexander
This book explores the issue of mass incarceration.
The Warmth of Other Suns / Isabel Wilkerson
ARTICLE
For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies / Courtney Ariel
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Talking to Kids About Race (PDF) / Gabrielle Veneracion
The Gospel in Color Ebook / Jarvis J. Williams & Curtis A. Woods
Designed for kids 6-11 (Elementary).
God’s Very Good Idea / Trillia Newbell
For young kids. this book focuses on the goodness of God’s design and diversity.