Level One: Introduction & Foundational Learning

Who This Is For:

Churches just beginning their journey of decentering whiteness or those needing basic foundational education.

Goals:

• Establish a shared understanding of terms like “decentering whiteness,” “white supremacy culture,” “racial justice,” and “allyship.”

• Begin to recognize how whiteness shows up in church traditions, worship, and decision-making.

Suggested Activities:

• Basic Educational Series:

• Host a 4-6 week study group exploring the history and impact of white supremacy on the church.

• Use accessible resources:

• The Cross and the Lynching Tree (James Cone) for historical context.

• A relevant documentary such as 13th to understand systemic issues.

• Offer a weekly discussion guide that includes a scripture or faith tradition reflection and prompts related to race and faith.

Introduction to Key Concepts:

• Invite a guest speaker or facilitator to give a basic presentation on what “decentering whiteness” means in a church context.

• Provide an overview of common terms: “white fragility,” “settler-colonialism,” “racial equity,” “DEI backlash,” etc., to build a shared language.

• Safe & Compassionate Spaces for Conversation:

• Host small group discussions that encourage open, non-judgmental conversation.

• Emphasize listening, empathy, and the importance of being okay with discomfort.

• Provide simple guidelines on how to give and receive honest feedback about racially charged speech or behavior in a compassionate manner.

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