Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Reconciliation
Natalie Brown
Savanah Stewart
Cole Watson
Integral
Mission
The proclamation and demonstration of the gospel.
Loving Our
Neighbor
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and
with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a
second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself
(Matthew 22:36-39).
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus
(Galatians 3:27-28).
Shalom
Shalom is not just peace but flourishing, flourishing in all dimensions of our
existence in our relation to God, in our relation to our fellow human beings, in
our relation to ourselves, in our relation to creation in general. (Wolterstorf)
Michael O. Emerson
Leading scholar in race and religion
Education:
1988-Bachelor of Arts: Sociology and Psychology (Loyola University of Chicago)
1990- Masters: Sociology (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
1991- PHD: Sociology (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
Part of the irony of religions role is that in strengthening
micro bonds between individuals, religion contributes to
within-group homogeneity, heightens isolation from
different groups, and reduces the opportunity for the
formation of macro bondsbonds between groupsthat
serve to integrate a society.- Emerson
John Perkins
Civil rights activist
Community Developer
Importance of Topic
Diversity challenges congregations to not just view Christianity and the world from their own
cultural lens. By building relationships with people who are different than us, we begin to see
them not as different, but as brothers and sisters in Christ. When relationships are formed,
especially with those who are marginalized, we begin to take up their plight and see justice as an
integral part of our faith. In turn they also show us more of who God is and who we are in light
of that. Racial reconciliation is a must for the Church in order for it to become the true body of
Christ.
Research Question:
What are churches in Holland doing to seek racial
reconciliation within the congregation?
Demographics of Holland
Race
Percent
White alone
64.2
Hispanic
26.4
Asian alone
4.7
Black alone
3.5
Two or more
races
1.9
Other race
alone
.3
American Indian
.2
Alone
*Data from http://www.city-data.com/city/Holland-Michigan.html
Future Research
Talk with local churches about what they are doing to address the issue of
racial reconciliation.
Look at what the Church has done in the past to bridge the racial divide.
References
1.
"Empowering Communities; Building Indigenous Leadership." Home. Accessed November 7, 2015. http://www.jvmpf.org/.
2.
"Journey Toward Forgiveness." Journey Toward Forgiveness. 2001. Accessed November 7, 2015.
http://www.journeytowardforgiveness.com/stories/perkins/biography.asp.
3.
King, Martin Luther, and James Melvin. Washington. "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution." In A Testament of
Hope: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1986.
4.
"Michael Emerson on Race, 'People Cities,' and the Potential of North Park." - North Park University. Accessed November
07, 2015. http://www.northpark.edu/News/2015/Michael-Emerson.
5.
"Michael O. Emerson | Faith and Leadership." Michael O. Emerson | Faith and Leadership. Accessed November 07, 2015.
https://www.faithandleadership.com/michael-o-emerson.
6.
Nittle, Nadra Kareem. "Ending Racial Segregation in the American Church by Promoting Diversity." About.com News &
Issues. Accessed December 09, 2015.
http://racerelations.about.com/od/diversitymatters/a/RacialSegregationinChurch.htm.
7.
"Office of the Provost." - North Park University. Accessed November 07, 2015.
http://www.northpark.edu/About/Office-of-the-Provost.
8.
"Papers of John Perkins - Collection 367." Papers of John Perkins - Collection 367. June 23, 2006. Accessed November 7,
2015. http://www2.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/367.htm#3
9.