If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably realize how important acquiring knowledge is to me. I love learning! And up until June, I did most of that through Audible books on my commute. However, now that I work from home, I didn’t make it through as many books as I normally would during a year. That was probably the only bummer about losing my commute. But I made a big attempt during the first half of the year to compensate, and I’ll certainly squeeze in another one or two during my holiday travels.
And if you’re in a short or no commute situation like me, but you still want to learn, try podcasts. I began substituting more podcasts for books since they are shorter, but still convey a lot of information. Here are the ones that top my list:
Interested in trying Audible? Click the image below.
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I believe this was my 12th year to attend Catalyst Conference here in Atlanta. It’s a great time of learning about Christian leadership, as well as seeing old friends. And, yet again, there were some great moments this year.
Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor of North Point Ministries
Jesus didn’t predict a place. He predicted a people. We are very different, but have Jesus in common. they were the same.
John 17:20 – that they may be one (which is uncommon fellowship = theme)
Disunity disrupts the mission.
John 12:34-35, final instructions
Unselfish love fuels uncommon fellowship.
Mutual submission is the most powerful dynamic in the world.
If we miss the love thing, it doesn’t matter what else we might get right.
Uncommon = uncomfortable
Acts 15 takes place 20 years after the resurrection, and they are still having trouble including Gentiles.
One of the most important chapters in the Bible for us to understand.
Oneness has to win the day.
Immorality tears down unity. Eating is a consideration
600 laws were narrowed down to two so they could participate
Jesus sacrificed his life so you could have uncommon fellowship with God. – Romans 5-6
Mike Foster, Founder of People of the Second Chance
Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you are a mistake.
Being able to identify with someone is a powerful thing. “Me too” brings healing to brokenness.
We are not defined by our brokenness. We are defined by God’s unfailing love.
Romans 9:25
Jen and Brandon Hatmaker, Authors and Humanitarians
We have to be willing to go into the hard spaces.
We are either in this world for it, or so set apart that we have no voice.
I would like to spend less time defending my voice, and more time being like Jesus.
The work of justice is not easy. You will be criticized and it will cost you. But it’s worth it.
Many of us pray for the Kingdom over and over, but we aren’t willing to make Kingdom moves. – B
We need to move from defending God to declaring Hm. – B
We need to focus on being good neighbors, and love well. – J
Craig Groeschel, Founding Pastor of of Life Church
We have a common enemy, and it is not the church down the street.
John 17:20-23
We desperately need each other.
Unity is not uniformity.
We should err on the side of being “for” not “against.” Build your ministry on this.
We should give everything we are to strengthen others.
We all have something we can give.
Lead the way with irrational generosity.
We need to love like Jesus loved.
I believe the world is sick and tired of hearing about the love of Jesus. I believe they want to see it in action.
Father Edwin Leahy, Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School
Give up what you want for what WE need.
Brian Houston, Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church
It should be an adventure living with, and serving, Jesus.
Spontaneity is our friend in the Church.
Innovation doesn’t come from sitting and pointing a finger.
Criticizing breaks down. Let’s build.
Predictability can also be a friend. Example, the word of God is timeless.
Brenda Salter McNeil, Director of Reconciliation Studies at Seattle Pacific University
Acts 10: 28-35
The Civil Rights movement was born in the Church. #BlackLivesMatter was born in the streets. Why won’t you let it into the Church?
We have got to reclaim the credibility of the Church for the next generation.
Black Lives Matter is a catalytic event that can be an opportunity for the Church.
Catalytic moments are a wake up call.
Catalytic events make us ask questions.
Look for your invitation into uncommon fellowship.
God takes our feeble attempts and uses them anyway.
What God wants from us, He wants for them.
Scarcity thinking builds walls.
God wants all people to flourish.
May the generation looking for leadership find it in the Church.
Scott Sauls, Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church*
The closer you get to the “other” the closer you’ll get to Jesus. This is a New Testament theme.
The hope of the universe rests on an Arabic man who was an outcast and never spoken English.
I am the minority Jesus included. (He’s white.)
Propaganda, Hip-Hop and Spoken Word Artist*
It’s hard for the dominant cultures to see themselves collectively, and the hurt of individuals you are different from them.
You can’t subjugate other image-bearers. to do so, you must assume they are less than human.
Implicit biases assumes you already know me without really knowing me.
Soong-Chan Rah, Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism, North Park Theological Seminary*
Colorblindness assumes equality is already at play.
Colorblindness removes our individuality. It reduces everyone to the majority.
Mark DeYmaz, Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church*
The statistics show us that whites are becoming the minority.
If there is no division in heave, why are we allowing it here on Earth?
Surely it breaks the heart of God that the Church is segregated by race and class.
Jesus had power, privilege and position…and He set it down.
Jenny Yang, Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief*
The conversation of race is really about power.
There is a lot of pain in the people of color cultures that churches aren’t necessarily addressing.
They aren’t just issues; they are individuals.
American comfort and prosperity in large has been built on the back of the marginalized and people of color who had no rights.
By welcoming the “other,” we are demonstrating the gospel.
Any time we pursue our own comfort and prosperity over the needs of others, we are doing a disservice to the gospel.
Charity removes relationship with those who make us feel uncomfortable.
When we talk about refugees, this isn’t a test of our politics. It’s about what we believe the gospel says.
Rachel Cruze, Daughter of Dave Ramsey
Quit the comparisons.
Being grateful squashes comparison.
The road of comparison leads to debt.
Debit limits generosity.
Where there is no margin, there is no ministry.
Simon Sinek, Best-Selling Author
Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.
Time and energy are the most vulnerable things you can give to others.
Great leaders have empathy and perspective.
Patience is required for the journey.
We have an entire section in the book store on self help, but not a “help others” section.
Organization health always results in sustained impact.
In a healthy org, everyone is convinced that everyone is essential.
You begin becoming a great leader RIGHT NOW.
Why are we doing? Why are we doing it? Where do I fit in?
Everyone knows what THEY are doing but do they know what WE are doing?
When everyone knows what we are doing together, most decisions are pre-made.
Going through this process is sometimes more valuable than the product.
“Why” is the inspiration.
Memorable is portable.
How does what I do contribute to what we do?
This is about the responsibility you carry, not the work you perform.
Everyone at your org needs to know your answer.
Develop one sentence responsibility descriptions for your direct reports.
*These folks were all part of a panel. It was my favorite session in the main conference, and you can watch it right here.
And if you just want some fun moments and entertainment, you can watch Jon Crist’s videos…
Once again, I attended the annual Catalyst Conference two weeks ago here in Atlanta. My favorite day of the conference is Labs. It’s the day where you get to choose who you want to hear, and tailor the topics more to your interest. I was able to sit in on some great ones this year! Check it out…
People of other colors are not our tokens. They need to become friends.
John 17, we must be a credible witness – Tasha
Creating new laws and amendments are not the same thing as dismantling the system. – Tasha
It’s ok for you to listen to someone else’s pain, and not know what to say. But please listen. – Jo
It’s ok for you to hear someone else’s pain and not know what to say. But we need to listen. – Jo
The Church has been the taillights when it comes to racial reconciliation, when it should be the headlights. Aren’t we the ones who have HOPE through Jesus? – Tasha
If you are someone with a platform, maybe you should use it to pass the mic to someone else with more knowledge on this issue. I have a black son, but I do not know what it is to be black. – Jennie Allen
Always start with prayer. – Tasha
Get to know People of Color as people first. Change happens when we find commonality and develop real relationships. – Tasha
Diversify your life in small ways first. – Tasha
Reconciliation will cost you. It could be pride or comfort, or even your politics. It’s hard work. – Tasha
I can support the police while speaking up for justice. – Tasha
Get off social media, turn off the TV, and get some real-life People of Color friends! Don’t try to understand our culture from a media perspective. It’s often wrong. – Tasha
Romans 12:4-6 Message, Christ’s body and its many parts
In each of our life stages, we feel at some point that we are drowning.
Guilt and shame are entirely different. Shame is not of God. Guilt needs to get our attention. And guilt is the only time a good, Christian girl can say, “Go to hell!” – Liz 😉
Many times we are so overwhelmed in our world, we stay confined there. When in fact, we should get perspective and distraction from other people’s world. We forget that we are all living someone else’s dream. Be grateful for where you are, and run with it. – Esther
Look up “Simply Christian” by NT Wright (permanence, proximity and presence)
We all need 3:00 a.m. friends. Be the one to lead with vulnerability. – Rebekah
Be brave in saying what you need.
Your vulnerability is one of the greatest gift you have to give. – Rebekah
Don’t put the pressure on others to come to you. Go to them. If you are white, put yourself in a place locally where you are in the minority. Sit in it for a while. – Tasha
Joshua had to be told to be ‘strong and courageous.’ We all feel inadequate in the beginning of big dreams. – Jennie
We don’t have to be afraid of what God tells us to do because He has bigger and better plans ahead anyway. We just have to start down the path. – Liz
It’s better to proactively get counseling for a year than to wait and need it for 10. – Jo
Your platform is not a place to do your therapy. Go first as a good example, but do it in a good and responsible way. – Liz
What are the visuals that people see in your church? For example, are all your missions pictures of white people saving the poor, black people? What does this communicate to your children? – Jo
If you have a multi-ethnic or diverse church, it doesn’t mean that you’ve arrived. The issue of racial reconciliation isn’t a box to be checked. It’s an ongoing conversation. – Tasha
Your church needs to be a safe place for kids of all ethnicities. If it’s not, the children of color will take impressions, feelings, memories, comments and even micro aggressions into adulthood. I know I have, and so have my friends. The Church should be a place where all feel welcome and wanted. That is what the gospel is all about. – Tasha
I was excited to visit the MLK Memorial in DC last fall.
One of my favorite passages of scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, particularly the part about God giving us the “ministry of reconciliation.” To me, that is central to the work of social justice. It is a mantle I have taken up, and carry with me. And it is what comforts me when I’m weary of how people have harmed each other over and over again, but feel the need to take a step forward anyway.
I once heard someone define justice as “God’s way of putting things right,” and I liked that. It makes the word both a noun and a verb, and I believe that’s how we need to treat it to make any real progress.
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.21 God made him who had no sin to be sinfor us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)
These verses have rung loudly in my ears the past few days as we heard yet again about the tragic shooting of two African American men, compiled with the devastating addition of the attack on police officers in Dallas. Both are heartbreaking situations that never should have happened. But the question remains, what are we going to do about it?
I honestly think many people just don’t know what to do. It’s not that they don’t care, but they feel stuck in their response. Or maybe they feel conflicted in what to say, or how to react, or where to turn, or simply how not to offend. I’ve felt some of that myself, and I address it a bit here in this guest blog post.
So, if you can relate, I’d like to provide you with just a few resources that I hope will be helpful.
The first, of course and as always, is to pray. My friend Latasha started a terrific organization called Be The Bridge, which promotes racial unity and reconciliation through conversations and the Church. I suggest looking through her resources and site. But her first piece of advice for anyone is to pray. Pray for the situation. Pray for your personal response. Most of us live in our own bubbles, complete with people who look and think like us. So, pray for opportunities to make new friends or have these conversations with old friends. I think these are requests God would love to honor.
Another thing Latasha suggests is reading books by people who look and think different than you. Additionally, follow these kinds of people on social media, or go to the places they hang out.
Continuing along these lines, here is a fantastic conversation by Latasha and IF:Gathering founder, Jennie Allen, that took place on Friday. I highly recommend this 45-minutes as its just an honest sit-down between two friends.
This is a great article by Relevant Magazine for understanding the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Check out this article by Kristen Howerton, who is white, which explains the concept of “white privilege.”
There are also many terrific books and movies as well. Two books I’ve read in the last year are The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander and Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. And I gotta say, the latter is one of the hardest and most beautiful books I’ve ever read. As far as movies, there are well-known ones like Life is Beautiful and American History X. Here are a bunch more, and it wouldn’t take much research to find others, or you can ask me for more. I have lots to catch up on in this area too, and have books piling up in my Audible Wish List.
Pardon the bleeping, but this The Daily Show clip does make some good points while also bringing some humor to the situation. It’s always good to infuse some humor when you can.
There are lots and lots more, but if you need a starting place, hopefully this will provide you with one.
But here’s your disclaimer: I’m telling you now that this can be a messy process. I know that sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re getting outside your comfort zone, which you should in many aspects of life, just remind yourself that you’re doing it to become a better person and more educated. Most often, the people who don’t look like you will be really grateful that you’re making an effort to see life through their lens. And grace will be extended on both sides. Just make a new friend. You’ve done that before. You don’t have initially start with a race conversation. In fact, they might appreciate that too. 🙂
Sadly, I have seen bigotry in action. I have witnessed an actual segregated community south of Atlanta, complete with the literal “other side of the tracks.” I have heard friend’s stories of how they were discriminated against. And even if you missed these things, you’ve probably heard jokes that come at someone else’s expense. We cannot keep pretending these are ok. We cannot keep silent. This kind of harmful thinking often starts in small ways. And therefore, small actions can create change.
When you know these people, not just know of them, you should want to fight for them.
It’s hard work. It’s ugly work. It’s messy work. But it work that matters. And if you follow Christ, you have also been given the ministry of reconciliation. So, what are you going to do about it?
“In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be… This is the inter-related structure of reality.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail
UPDATE on 7/12/16
I’ve also just watched these two online sermons from this past Sunday, and they’re additional great examples to watch about how the Church can address the issue.
You can’t discover lands that are already inhabited. We tend to dehumanize those who were already here.
The Declaration of Independence calls Native Americans savages. The Constitution also degrades women, natives and blacks. It assumes the majority has the right to say who is human.
What does justice look like when everything you have is stolen and your system is corrupt?
Check out the book, Prophetic Lament.
Mark Reddy
“If you have a conversation about justice, you must be prepared to be uncomfortable.”
Jim Wallis
You don’t change things with laws and policies. You must change the narrative.
When you benefit from oppression, you are responsible for changing it.
Leroy Barber
Starting Hope Mob to support African American biz owners. Not a charity, an investment.
7% of nonprofits are led by people of color
52% of nonprofits work in areas of people of color
3% of funds go to areas of color
Nicole Baker-Fulgham
6% of Beverly Hills kids are in poverty, 82% of Compton kids are in poverty, and they’re only 20 minutes apart
Harvey Carey
Amos 5:21 (Amos means “burden”)
What happens when what bothers you doesn’t bother anyone else?
Low income areas always have a beauty supply, liquor store, fast food and a church.
Quite over-analyzing and just do something.
God honors one’s acceptance of their burdens.
Justice is not a project. It is the heart of God for equity.
“God has put some super in my natural.”
Andy Crouch
The Creation Story is a story of ordering and abundance.
Authority + Vulnerability = Flourishing
The destruction of evil happens when image bearers show mercy, compassion and justice to the disenfranchised.
Marshall Hatch
The goodness of God is in the margins, and that’s where change will come from.
The reality of history is that it is never over.
God sides with the poor; He doesn’t stand on the sidelines. He enters the world from the margins.
Lynne Hybels
Love, honor and respect those who are different from you.
Jenny Yang
There are 60 million displaced people, refugees.
The refugee crisis is about the one who is seeking refuge in another country.
The US paid attention because it now affects us. Fear has driven our response.
Compassion doesn’t have to come at the expense of security.
The Middle East church is carrying the brunt of the refugee crisis.
67% of US churches haven’t discussed refugees.
We are followers of a Middle Eastern refugee. If Jesus was born today, would we let Him in our borders?
The largest social network is the Church.
There’s a difference in caring about something, and caring about someone.
Fear will cripple us from completing the mission of God.
Comfort and security have become our idols.
Russell Moore
Story of the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 16)
Lazarus would’ve been invisible to this guy.
Who is invisible in your life?
Our political beliefs should not come before our Christian beliefs. Jesus was unashamed in His words.
We can not be people who are concerned about justice if we are embarrassed about the doctrine of Hell.
We must be concerned not only about the oppressed, but about the Oppressor.
Are we a people of justice, or just a people who protect our platforms?
Are we a people of justice or justification? We must carry the full weight of the Gospel, not just the parts our political party allows.
Michael Flegar and Charlie Date
We can end violence, that’s not the issue, but we don’t have the will. – MF
There is too much silence in the Church. – MF
The reason we don’t talk about community violence is because it’s a black/brown issue. New Hope church changed that. People need to see themselves in every life, though.
The Church becomes irrelevant when it doesn’t act as the conscience of the neighborhood.
The guilt factor makes us silent, when it should move us to do more.
We can’t just tell people to do better, we must give them alternatives.
We can’t talk to kids in churches about God-given dreams and visions, and not dismantle the systems that help kids from achieving them.
Make us restless until we find out rest with You. – CD
Lisa Sharon Harper
Genesis 1
The first book of the Bible was written by a group of priests coming out of exile.
We are created in the image of God so we can become a marker of Him wherever we go.
Like Caesar was on coins
Subversive statement to make when the early rules were supposed to be appointed by God.
“Dominion” is more akin to “steward.” And we are to serve and protect whatever we are stewards of.
The derivation of “perfection” is actually the breathe between things. It is the connector, and it is “very good.”
Genesis 14 is the first mention of both “king” and “war.”
Think of each person as an image-bearer of God in order not to oppress them.
Tony Compolo
“It is the best of times. It is the worst of times.”
We hear so much bad news, but the Good News always reigns.
The Church is doing great things all over the world.
Free trade should be replaced with fair trade.
Do you love Jesus? Take Him seriously.
“In the poor and the oppressed is the essence of Jesus.” – St. Francis of Assisi
You must do whatever you can on both a micro and macro level.
There is a big difference between being a disciple and a believer.
Rev. Tracy Blackmon
Joshua 6:22-23
A holy obligation to take someone with you when you get free.
Did the sisters get left out? No, Rahab made sure they were included.
It’s easy to silence those with the least power.
The Boko Haram story – It’s been two years and only 50 girls have been located out of the 200.
Whenever the marginalized are not met with the grace of God, the covenant is broken.
We must see ourselves in not only the eyes of the Conquerer, but the casualties.
We’ve been arrogant at denying others that are different a seat at God’s table.
We must not separate our freedom from those who are bound.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably realize how important acquiring knowledge is to me. I love learning! And up until June, I did most of that through Audible books on my commute. However, now that I work from home, I didn’t make it through as many books as I normally would during a year. That was probably the only bummer about losing my commute. But I made a big attempt during the first half of the year to compensate, and I’ll certainly squeeze in another one or two during my holiday travels.
I believe this was my 12th year to attend 
Once again, I attended the annual 
Mark Charles
Mental Post-Its 