Forging authentic relationships to eliminate the existing racial divide in our communities and churches.

About Allies for Racial Justice

Building Bridges of Understanding

This ministry is a partnership of…

In the summer of 2016, the news was filled with officer-involved shootings of African Americans, along with the shootings of five police officers in Dallas, Texas. Tensions between the black community and the officers commissioned to protect them escalated. These conflicts were not new, and secular approaches had done little to resolve the systemic issues leading to these situations. There seemed to be no resolution in sight.

The senior pastors of Church of the Resurrection and St. James United Methodist became determined to transform our congregations and our city into the place envisioned by Jesus, a place where all brothers and sisters in Christ care for and empathize with one another – a transformation that begins with understanding and listening to each other. We held a community forum at St. James on August 30, 2016, to discuss the racial history and current state of racial relations in Kansas City.

That forum was a first step, beginning the hard work of building bridges of understanding. As a follow-up, we formed the Allies for Racial Justice team. This team is comprised of members representing each congregation and is working toward implementing a vision of a city that will someday better reflect the kingdom of God.

Members from St. James United Methodist and The Church of the Resurrection plan events together like cookouts and football watch parties to break bread together and share fun times, build relationships, and talk about moving forward to reflect the Kingdom of God in the world.

We must work to put aside fears, biases, and prejudices that have come from our separation. These changes will not happen overnight. We are called to intentionally engage with one another and move out of our comfort zones to love each other, as Jesus commands, as we love ourselves.

Recommended Resources

These videos, books and other resources are excellent guides to having conversations about racial reconciliation.

Videos

"Our Divided City"

"KC Race and Equity Initiative: Socialization and Bias" 10/30/2018

"KC Race and Equity Initiative: Starting the Conversation" 8/29/2018

"Building the Troost Wall: Structural Racism in Kansas City"

"Understanding Others", Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III sermon

Rev. Adam Hamilton's Sermon: Stand Together

"Vital Conversations" with Dr. Robin DiAngelo

"Race: The Power of an Illusion" (excerpt)

"Elements that Hinder and Help Fruitful Dialogue on Issues of Race", Rev. David Anderson Hooker

TED Talk: Walk Toward Your Biases

TEDtalks 2012: Bryan Stevenson, "We Need to Talk about Injustice"

Racial Reconciliation Conference 2017: Daniel Hill

TED Talk: The Danger of a Single Story

Books

See on Amazon

Other Resources

Debby Irving – 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge

Creating effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of power, privilege and leadership is like any lifestyle change.

For 21 days, participants will do one action to further their understanding of power, privilege, oppression, and equity.

Take the Challenge

Driving Tour

Dividing Lines: A History of Segregation in Kansas City

Journey through the history of segregation in the Kansas City metro, primarily through its real estate. The tour is designed so that you can safely drive through the city at your own pace while hearing stories about each area you travel through.

Get the Tour