Is diversity or discipleship the answer to segregation within the American church? David Swanson, pastor and author of Rediscipling the White Church, talks with Amy Julia about the segregated American church, the white church’s discipleship problem, and how rethinking discipleship can grow communities of welcome that break down barriers. (Scroll down for book giveaway details.)
SHOW NOTES:
“David W. Swanson is the pastor of New Community Covenant Church, a multicultural congregation in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. He helps lead New Community Outreach, a nonprofit that collaborates with the community to reduce sources of trauma, and speaks around the country on the topics of racial justice and reconciliation.”
Connect online:
- Website: dwswanson.com
- Twitter: @davidswanson
- Facebook: @PastorDavidWSwanson
- Instagram: @david.w.swanson
On the Podcast:
- Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity
- Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
- Michael Emerson and Christian Smith
- David Bailey on Love Is Stronger Than Fear
- Arrabon
The White Church, Segregation, and Discipleship episode quotes | David Swanson
“There’s something that’s been discipling us outside of Jesus that has left us content with that segregated status quo…Why is it that my discipleship to Jesus hasn’t upended or broken through some of the segregated patterns that are so normal in this country?”
“What makes us so incredibly unique is that we make up this family with other welcomed outsiders…and the center is always Christ, the center is always Jesus’ body, which welcomes us as these former outsiders now sitting together at the same table.”
“One of the attributes of whiteness is forgetfulness.”
“If the goal is discipleship, then let’s look around and find out what’s discipling us right now. What are our discipleship practices right now…I’m particularly interested in corporate discipleship and how we’re being formed together. I think that’s really important for those of us steeped in individualism.”
Book GIVEAWAY:
To enter to win a copy of Rediscipling the White Church…
1. After 1 p.m. EST on April 6, go to Amy Julia’s Instagram account: @amyjuliabecker
2. Follow @amyjuliabecker on Instagram ✔️
3. Like the post for this podcast episode 💙
4. And tag a friend in the comments of the post who might be interested in this podcast episode 😀
Winner will be randomly selected on Monday, April 12, 2021. Thank you to IV Press for making this giveaway possible!
[Shipping to the continental United States only. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram. Contest will end at 11:59 p.m. EST 04/11/21]
Thank you to Breaking Ground, the co-host for this podcast.
Head, Heart, Hands, Season 4 of the Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast, is based on my e-book Head, Heart, Hands, which accompanies White Picket Fences. Check out free RESOURCES that are designed to help you respond to the harm of privilege and join in the work of healing. Learn more about my writing and speaking at amyjuliabecker.com.
👁🗨Accessibility: You can read the transcript for this episode here, or see this episode with subtitles on my YouTube channel.
To learn more with Amy Julia about the white church, segregation, and discipleship:
- Love is Stronger Than Fear | Season 4—Head, Heart, Hands
- S4 E7 | Are Christians Afraid to Talk About Racism? with Corey Widmer
- S4 E5 | Healing the Harm of White Evangelicalism with Kristin Du Mez
If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive regular updates and news. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Goodreads, and you can subscribe to my Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast on your favorite podcast platforms.
