If your congregation has some familiarity with racial justice concepts and is ready to look inward, Level Two is your next step. This level moves beyond basic definitions to engage in critical self-reflection and dialogue. Here, we begin wrestling with the more difficult questions: not just "what is this work?" but "how does it apply to us?"
Our Goals for Level Two are to:
Move beyond basic definitions to explore how whiteness shapes our specific church culture, leadership, and theology.
Begin wrestling with the discomfort that comes from self-examination and intentionally examining who is centered and who is marginalized in our worship, leadership, and decision-making processes.
Suggested Activities to get you started:
Start a Deeper Reading & Discussion Group. Add more challenging materials, such as Dear White Christians by Jennifer Harvey, which provides a theological framework for this work, or selected episodes of the popular "Seeing White" podcast series. This material is designed to spark conversations about reparations, allyship, and structural change.
Hold Practical Workshops on Communication & Community-Building. These sessions can help you develop the skills needed to have compassionate but honest conversations. Encourage the formation of peer feedback circles where congregants can practice giving and receiving feedback about racialized language or assumptions in a supportive way.
Begin inviting marginalized voices into your community. This could be a local BIPOC-led ministry for an informational session or panel discussion, allowing for non-extractive, respectful relationships. We stress that this is not about taking from a community, but about building genuine partnerships rooted in reciprocity and mutualism.
Join the Southwest Conference’s Community of Practice (CoP) for Anti-Racism. This is a powerful way to learn from and be supported by other congregations on the same journey.
Next Step: Is your church ready to dive into Level Two? Visit the Level Two page on our website to explore the recommended resources and activities, and consider joining our CoP to connect with others doing this vital work.