The call for racial reconciliation is louder than ever. It’s impossible to turn on the news or scroll through social media and not be confronted with the results of racism, prejudice, and division. As a church, we know we need to speak up and do something about this brokenness. But the question remains: How do we get beyond our own biases to begin the process of moving toward healing and unification?

On Episode 71 of The Think Orange Podcast, LaTasha Morrison and Lana Jeffrey join us to share their own experiences with breaking beyond biases and give practical advice for church leaders seeking to promote true diversity in their own ministries.

Topic Timeline

LaTasha Morrison talks about leading a diverse student ministry  (12:15)

LaTasha shares about her background growing up as a black student in a predominantly white community (14:07)

Racial reconciliation is different than diversity—diversity drives reconciliation (17:33)

In your social media follows or contact list, how many of the people in your circle look just like you? (18:02)

The church should be a distinct, transformative voice for racial healing (18:56)

A “spirit of oneness” is not a spirit of sameness (21:42)

Racism is the misuse of power of systems and institutions along with racial prejudices (22:46)

If you desire diversity in your youth group . . .

  • you must understand the culture of your community (26:28)
  • you have to create safe places for all your students (27:53)
  • you have to lead from a place of conviction (30:22)

Guest host Sarah Bragg interviews Lana Jeffrey (31:25)

What it looks like to have bias in ministry (34:11)

Exposure builds empathy (35:38)

Inviting God and others to help us recognize our own biases (38:02)

Helping kids and students break down biases they’ve inherited from family influence (41:18)

Strategies for leaders to break down barriers (47:07)

  • Exposure to other ministries, conferences, and environments outside your comfort zone
  • Ask yourself what kind of message things like your marketing, social media, blogs, and website communicate to those you want to reach
  • Show people where they can belong
  • Invite people in your community into your church outside of Sunday

Lana shares her heart for volunteers (55:01)

Dave and Ashley’s final thoughts (59:31)