Addressing racism and injustice is messy and difficult to talk about, and it’s natural to either avoid the conversation altogether or scratch the surface by using hashtags on social media and think you’ve done your part as a church.
But often, our silence as a church is perceived compliance.
In today’s episode of the Think Orange podcast, we’re joined with Tasha Morrison, founder of Be The Bridge, an organization at the forefront of racial reconciliation. Together, we discuss what our role is in relieving the tension in a racially-divided country.
Topic Timeline:
Dave introduces the podcast and today’s guest, Tasha Morrison, founder of Be The Bridge (:12)
Dave introduces podcast producer, Kevin Jennings (1:22)
Kevin shares how today’s podcast may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but it’s important (3:15)
Dave talks about today’s podcast sponsor, Sometimes It Takes A Party (5:06)
Tasha explains the mission of her organization, which equips churches and other organizations to help people address racial reconciliation (7:00)
Tasha talks about how people have had more awareness of racial tension in the last two to three years (7:55)
Tasha shares how it’s important for people to move from awareness of racism to acknowledgment of it (8:39)
Jesus is the only hope for racial reconciliation. As the church, as the body of Christ, we carry that hope. But right now, we’re part of the problem (8:50)
When the world is in pain and our country is divided, the church should speak life into this issue (9:50)
Justice and worship are not exclusive from one another (10:28)
When a system is broken, we should be the ones to speak truth into the situation and not ignore it (11:31)
Tasha and Dave discuss how not addressing race relations is an excuse (12:01)
Justice is part of the essence of who God is. He was the ultimate justice (13:17)
If you teach love, you have to care about your neighbor; you have to care about their pain (14:00)
Tasha talks about the proper response to racism and hate crimes on social media (15:54)
If the church has a problem addressing white supremacy and hate crimes related to race, there is a bigger issue at hand (17:58)
Tasha shares how she would like the church and friends to respond during tough racial situations (18:09)
How are we discipling the members of our church? (19:20)
Simply saying “I’m sorry” doesn’t speak unity (20:41)
Ask yourself, “What would I want someone else to do if I were in this situation?” (21:26)
Our awareness of these issues shouldn’t lead us into shame and guilt. Our awareness should lead us into conviction and action (22:42)
Tasha shares how we can become unified and talks about Be The Bridge (23:37)
When we have diversity in our lives, we’re more richly blessed (24:57)
Tasha says when we sit down with someone who is different than we are, we begin to develop empathy (25:24)
The greatest thing you can do is listen (26:40)
Tasha shares how a church can be intentional about bringing diversity into their churches (27:26)
Tasha discusses how the work of diversity is different than the work of racial reconciliation (28:13)
Ask yourself, “Why do I want diversity?” (28:50)
Diversity is just the first step (29:26)
Does your church look like your community? (29:43)
It’s not completely about you inviting people in, but you going out (33:46)
Dave says racial reconciliation is about asking the right questions (34:28)
We’re supposed to be the answer and there is no answer coming from the church but silence (35:18)
Tasha talks about how she started having conversations that ultimately led to Be The Bridge (36:12)
This work of racial reconciliation starts with you. Look through your social media and see what’s missing. Start having conversations (37:29)
Tasha talks about implicit biases (42:34)
Dave shares his story of racism he experienced when he was in school (46:05)
Tasha says we could be a lot further in our country if we addressed the need for racial reconciliation (47:15)
It’s time for the church to lead in hope and courage (52:46)
Dave gives closing remarks (53:44)
