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Final Session Recap:
Q&A, Reflections and Commissioning
Trimester II
- Session Five: Race in Early History - January 21, 2021
- Session Six: Gift of the Black Church to Conversations of Justice and Unity - February 18, 2021
- Session Seven: The Silenced Narrative of Native Americans - March 18, 2021
- Session Eight: Latina Church: History, Present and Future of the Church in the U.S. - April 15, 2021
- Session Nine: Asian American Pacific Islander Experience - May 20, 2021
Trimester III
Check out past session recordings, homework and other resources below.
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Final Session: Commissioning with Q&A
Date: September 8, 2021
About: In this final session for May We Be One, Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith share reflections on the past year, offer encouragement and answer many of the questions submitted in the past two trimesters.
Additional Resources:
Small Group Leaders Handbook - Developing Transformational Communities - https://www.ivpress.com/small-group-leaders-handbook
Chasing Justice - Justice Masterclass - The Justice Masterclass events are designed to give expert insights from those who are already leading us into rebuilding a just world. https://chasingjustice.com/masterclass/#rooted
Coaching with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah - The emphasis of this coaching cohort with Dr. Rah will be on cultural competency in Christian leadership in multi-cultural contexts. https://www.tailored.coach/soongchanrah
Sojourners - Why Nathan Cartagena Teaches Critical Race Theory to Evangelicals
Session Twelve: Building Cultural Competency
Date: August 19, 2021
About: In the twelfth session, dive into the theology of culture, teaching on the Image of God and the Cultural Mandate and practical application on improving cultural intelligence for you and your entire church.
In this session three dynamic emerging leaders at Grace and Peace Church in Chicago give a purview into what it looks like to be culturally competent, how to practice cultural competencies in ministry and why it matters in all areas of the Church.
As mentioned by the leadership team in the session, the Intercultural Development Continuum (IDC TM) describes a set of knowledge/attitude/skill sets or orientations toward cultural difference and commonality that are arrayed along a continuum from the more monocultural mindsets of Denial and Polarization through the transitional orientation of Minimization to the intercultural or global mindsets of Acceptance and Adaptation.
Session Eleven: Multiethnic Worship & Preaching
Date: July 15, 2021
About: Exploring multiethnic worship, preaching and challenges faced by the multiethnic church. Led by Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Dr. Efrem Smith and Dr. Soong-Chan Rah with special guest Dr. Korie Little Edwards.
Dr. Korie Little Edwards is a leading scholar of race and religion in the United States. She is currently the associate professor of sociology at The Ohio State University. Ultimately, what drives Dr. Edwards' scholarly agenda is her passion about and commitment to matters of racial justice and diversity in the church.
Homework Reading
The Next Worship
Glorifying God In A Diverse World
Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal
*Discount Code: WVJUST - 40% off
Complimentary Reading
The Elusive Dream
Power of Race in Interracial Churches
Dr. Korie L. Edwards
Session Ten: The Multi-Ethnic Church
Date: June 17, 2021
About: Exploring the ways multiethnic communities can serve as a tool for solidarity and mutuality. Led by Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Dr. Efrem Smith and Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, each share from their experiences as pastors by addressing the challenges of multiethnic communities. Additionally, understanding key principles and practices grounded in the latest data help with developing healthy thriving multiethnic churches.
Homework Reading
The Post-Black and Post-White Church
Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World
Dr. Efrem Smith
Complimentary Reading
Many Colors
Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah
Diversity in the United States is rooted in birthrates, not immigration. As the demographics of our society change, what will it mean to raise up effective and innovative leaders in an increasingly diverse society?
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah at TedxNorthPark University
Mestizo Podcast - S2E3 - Decolonizing Multi-Ethnic Churches
Sandra Maria Van Opstal joins the podcast to look at the failure of the multiethnic movement and asks the question "What does a multiethnic/multiracial church look like when whiteness is decentered?"
Session Nine: Asian American Pacific Islander Experience
Date: May 20, 2021
About: Led by Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Dr. Efrem Smith and Dr. Soong-Chan Rah with special guests Nikki Toyama-Szeto, Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, Dr. Russell M. Jeung
Homework Reading
More Than Serving Tea
Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership, and Faith
Edited by Nikki Toyama-Szeto and Tracy Gee
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Complimentary Reading
Becoming All Things
How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures
Dr. Michelle Reyes
In 2020 Dr. Russell Jeung launched Stop AAPI, a project of Chinese for Affirmative Action, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, and SF State Asian American Studies. It tracks Covid-19 related discrimination in order to develop community resources and policy interventions to fight racism.
Read more about Stop AAPI Hate.
Christians for Social Action (CSA) is a group of scholar-activists, stirring the imagination for a fuller expression of Christian faithfulness and a more just society.
Session Eight: Latina Church - History, Present and Future of the Church in the U.S.
Date: April 15, 2021
About: Led by Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Dr. Efrem Smith and Dr. Soong-Chan Rah with special guests Robert Chao Romero, Kat Armas, Dr. Liz Rios and Jon Aragon
Length: 1.15 hr
Resources:
- The Protagonistas Podcast with Kat Armas - a podcast centered on highlighting the stories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other women of color among communities of faith.
- Passion2Plant - a church planting organization and network with a mission to train Black and Brown planters to start justice oriented churches right from the start
Organizations to follow and support:
Matthew 25 So Cal - Matthew 25/Mateo 25 (M25) is a network of Christians in immigrant and non-immigrant congregations, community organizations and academic institutions in Southern California who come together to stand with and defend the vulnerable in the name and spirit of Jesus.
Abara - Exists to cultivate opportunities for understanding, serving, and loving across divides through education, encounters, and response.
Homework Reading
Brown Church
Five Centuries of Latina/o
Social Justice, Theology, and Identity
Robert Chao Romero
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*Discount Code: WVJUST - 40% off
Pre-Order Now
Abuelita Faith
What Women on the Margins Teach Us about Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength
Kat Armas
Purchase
*Available August 10, 2021
The Protagonistas Podcast with Kat Armas
Highlighting the stories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other women of color among communities of faith.
Session Seven: The Silenced Narrative of Native Americans
Date: March 18, 2021
About: Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith with special guests Renee Begay, Lenore Three Stars, and Randy & Edith Woodley
Length: 1 hr
Resources:
- Randy & Edith Woodley
Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice - Non-profit dedicated to developing, implementing and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices
Eloheh Farm & Seeds - (website)
Peacing It All Together - (podcast)
Books by Dr. Randy Woodley - Renee Begay
Listening as Partnership - Importance of listing to indigenous leaders when engaging in a partnership (23 min; video)
The Talking Circle - Gathering around a virtual table to talk about Native American life, culture and ministry (website) - Lenore Three Stars
Kinship to Creator - a journey into the brutal history of the church brings one Lakota woman into a deeper understanding of her people and her faith. (article) - Organizations to Follow & Support
Would Jesus Eat Fry Bread? - (conference)
The Red Road - empower and minister hope to Native communities (organization)
NAIITS - dedicated to encouraging the Indigenous community to develop and to articulate Indigenous perspectives on theology and practice (organization)
Homework Reading
Unsettling Truths
The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery
Mark Charles
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah
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Mark Charles - The truth behind 'We The People' - the three most misunderstood words in US history. TEDx Talk, about Doctrine of Discovery - (17 min; video)
Complimentary Reading
Shalom and the Community of Creation
An Indigenous Vision
Dr. Randy Woodley
“Eloheh” (pronounced Ay-luh-hay) is a Cherokee Indian word meaning harmony, wholeness, abundance and peace.
Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice focuses on developing, implementing and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices. While there is an identifiable farm within the almost 10 acres near Yamhill, Oregon, the whole property is considered vital to the farm and as part of the farm. We have created a center that embodies educating mind, soul, and body to fulfill our mission of living in harmony with the land, using North American traditional Indigenous knowledge (TIK), wisdom and practices as a guiding model.
Eloheh Farm & Seeds seeks to be a model of regenerative agricultural, animal husbandry and wild-tending systems that support human needs, while improving the earth and all creation inhabiting the web of life.
Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice, which includes Eloheh Farm & Seeds, is a 501(c)3 non-profit under the auspices of Eloheh/Eagle’s Wings which began in 1999.
Randy Woodley - Another History
Renee Begay & Lenore Three Stars
Session Six: Gift of the Black Church to Conversations of Justice and Unity
Date: February 18, 2021
About: Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith with special guests, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and Jemar Tisby
Length: 1 hr
Resources:
- About Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
Leadership Links
T3 Leadership Solutions
A Sojourner's Truth - About Jemar Tisby
The Witness Foundation
How to Fight Racism - PBS Documentary - The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
The Witness Foundation - Facebook Live Event - February 19th - 7 pm CST - Chasing Justice - Facebook Live Event - Black Futures - February 25th - 7 pm CST
- Killing Us Softly - Dr. Efrem Smith
- The Post-Black and Post-White Church - Dr. Efrem Smith
- Reading While Black - new Seminary Now video curriculum - Esau McCaulley
Homework Reading
A Sojourner's Truth
Choosing Freedom and Courage in a Divided World
Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
Purchase
Discount Code: WVJUST - 40% off
Homework Reading
How to Fight Racism
Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice
Jemar Tisby
Session Five: Race in Early Church History
Date: January 21, 2021
About: Start of the second trimester with view into race and racialization in early church history.
Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith with special guest, Dr. Vince Bantu
Be sure to view the second video (24 min) which is a conversation with Dr. Bantu highlighting specific questions from the session and the homework reading, A Multitude of All Peoples
Length: 58 minutes
Survey: First Trimester feedback - take survey
Homework Reading
A Multitude of All Peoples
Engaging Ancient Christianity's Global Identity
Dr. Vince Bantu
Purchase
Discount Code: WVJUST - 40% off
Session Four: Perspectives
Date: December 17, 2020
About: Perspectives - Question & Answer session recapping important topics and questions submitted during the first trimester of learning and community
Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith.
Resources:
- Local Neighboring Guide
Jumpstart your thinking on where you can practically apply what you have learned in this first trimester - in your community. - Key Conversation Points Guide
Starting points for discussion with cohorts, colleagues and ministry leadership.
Length: 55 minutes
Homework Reading
The Next Worship
Glorifying God In A Diverse World
Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal
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Discount Code: WVJUST - 40% off
Session Three: Changing the Narrative
Date: November 19, 2020
About: Changing the Narrative - The power of narratives, the false narrative of racial difference, the call to confront and the path forward
Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith. Special guest speaker, Pastor David Swanson.
Resources:
Length: 52 minutes
Homework Reading
Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0
Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness, and Justice
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
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Session Two: Our Changing Reality
Date: October 15, 2020
About: Our Changing Reality. What do the changing U.S. demographics mean for the U.S. Church?
Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith. Special guest speaker, Dr. Michael Emerson.
Resources:
- Topical Video Clips for The Next Evangelicalism
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah answers key questions on The Next Evangelicalism from recent sessions.
The Next Evangelicalism 10 Years Later
“White Church” in Decline
The Future “Next Evangelicalism” Leaders
Unique Cross Cultural Role
The Next Evangelical Church
How Should White Evangelicals and Leaders Respond?
People Will Leave The Church
Length: 1.26 hours
Homework Reading
Divided By Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America
Dr. Michael Emerson & Christian Smith
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Session One: Questions & Challenges: Individual Sin/Corporate Sin
Date: September 17, 2020
About: Questions & Challenges: Individual Sin/Corporate Sin. Is racism and racial injustice a personal issue or structural and systemic?
Led by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal and Dr. Efrem Smith
Resources: Session One Slides & Bonus Materials (Bibliography & Additional Videos)
Length: 1.31 hours
Homework Reading
The Next Evangelicalism
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah
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Orientation
Date: August 20, 2020
About: Review calendar and syllabus for the first trimester. Hear about the plans for small group discussions, content and upcoming reading list. May We Be One Leadership Team also discusses core values and expectations of the journey
Introduction
Date: July 23, 2020
About: Introduction to May We Be One. Hear from the leadership team and learn about vision for the year long journey
Length: 48 minutes
May We Be One sessions have concluded for this year!
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