Fahs Collaborative Dismantling White Supremacy Culture Resource
The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School, creator of the Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity curriculum, has eight suggestions for dismantling white supremacy culture in your congregation:
-
Create/fund programs and spaces to nurture the spiritual growth and faith formation of children, youth and adults of color
Train "prophetic pastoral caregivers" to minister to white fragility and resistance while moving white people toward more resilient and accountable solidarity
Create alternative decision-making structures to "majority rules" democracy; center the voices and experiences of people of color
Commit human, infrastructural, and financial resources—without high barriers for access—to community partners and organizations, led by and for people of color
Recruit, train, and empower leadership by children/people of color in all areas of congregational life (not just in social/racial justice areas)
Institutionalize an explicit commitment to racial justice in your bylaws, ends statements, hiring policies, financial policies, and decision-making structures
Do theological reflection and political education about the intersections of white supremacy and all other justice and service projects
Provide regular educational and spiritual deepening opportunities for congregants of all races to engage in learning and reflection about white supremacy
Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity is one of the best educational and spiritual deepening opportunities a congregation can provide. The latest version, Beloved Conversations: Virtual, is a brand-new program, designed and intended for online participation with vastly improved new features.