Description

Next steps:

1. Do you hold biases or judgments for the sake of maintaining comfort in your own life?
2. How many people are in your circle that you do not align with on issues of politics, religion, sexual orientation, etc? (This may be a clue that you’re holding on to more biases/judgments than you think)
3. Find one of your sandpaper people and make an effort toward building relationship with them.
4. Find someone you don’t agree with and learn about their story. Particularly their pain. Remember, sharing stories is a bit like holding hands. It’s hard to hate someone when you get that close.
5. Where have you possibly inherited some unhealthy views of people who are different than you? Look for ways to challenge those beliefs.
6. If you consider yourself a follower of Christ, look for examples in Scripture of how Jesus treated people who were considered ‘on the fringe’ or ‘outcasts’. How are you lining up with His example

Resources:

1. Six Ways To Overcome Your Biases for Good-Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201508/6-ways-overcome-your-biases-good
   
   The above article is a great one, but admittedly, you may find yourself fighting biases simply because of the content…or the author. If this is true for you, consider doing the really difficult work of eradicating those biases and the really good work of following the ideas offered in the article. This article wants to help us do that with links to ‘bias inventories’ and exercises we can engage in to help us with overcoming biases and unhelpful judgments.
2. Braving The Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone Brené Brown https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Wilderness-Quest-Belonging-Courage/dp/0812995848/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531237079&sr=8-1&keywords=braving+the+wilderness

In this fine work by Brené Brown, you will find yourself challenged at times, but also validated in many ways as well. What we appreciate the most about this book is her willingness to share her own struggles, what she learned from them and how she grew in the process. This is a fast read as it feels like coffee with a friend, if that friend was challenging you and calling you out on things. 

3. Overcoming Bias: Building Authentic Relationships Across Differences
   
   Tiffany Jana & Matthew Freeman
   
   This particular book addresses how we all have biases even if we can’t see them on the surface. Mostly because they’re unconscious. But they get in the way of being effective and impactful. What we like about this book is the approach the authors take, using stories and exercises to challenge us and help us grow. You will likely have some fun along the way with this one, but don’t worry, there will be plenty of ‘butt-scrunch’ moments along the way to remind you that there is indeed, real work to be done.

4. All Are Welcome: Toward a Multi-Everything Church
   
   Leon Brown, Jemar Tisby, Eric Washington, Irwyn Ince, Jarvis Williams, Alexander Jun, Russ Whitfield, Sherrene DeLong, Alexander Shipman, Jahaziel Cantu, Stanley Morton, Lance Lewis, Darryl Williamson, Christian Edmondson

Hey Church! This one is for us! If you’re looking for a book that will truly bring a variety of voices together to offer perspectives we can’t get in a segregated atmosphere, this is your book. It is a collaboration in the truest sense, with the voices of many authors represented.

Differences tend to separate. Particularly in our loud and confusing world, it can be easiest to gather with those who are similar. The problem is the call of the Great Commission and the outworking of the gospel we observe in the books of Acts seems to be calling us to something different.

All Are Welcome is an attempt to have (and continue) the conversation that looms in our communities. Read with an open mind (and heart!) and ask God to show you how this book and its concepts can be implemented into your church and your life.