Rudy Gonzalez the Race Relations Representative in the region is available along with local facilitators to bring workshops to your church. DORR (Dance of Racial Reconciliation is workshop that is done in four modules. Each module is 1.5 hours. The ideal delivery is a one day workshop but it can also be offered in two half days. The second workshop is Church Between Borders. This is a half day workshop. The description of each workshop is listed below.

In addition Rudy Gonzalez is available to help develop dialogue between ethnic groups. He can work with leaders to design the right workshop or conversation to meet your most relevant needs.

Dance of Racial Reconciliation

DORR is a workshop designed by Christian Reformed pastors and leaders, under the auspicious of the Office of Race Relations, for the churches they serve and the church denomination they belong to. These training modules are for everyone in the Christian Reformed Church. People in leadership capacities of various communities are strongly encouraged to attend—the seminary and seminary students, denominational agency staff, urban congregations in changing neighborhoods, pastors and council members, youth pastors, campus ministers, missionaries, small group leaders, church planters, members of the Board of Trustees, college professors, executive staff, anti racism teams, youth groups and Sunday school teachers, and Christian educators/school teachers.

OPENING

Introduction

Program Review, Purpose, Expectations, Guidelines

SESSION ONE

The Kingdom Value of Diversity

In this module participants read and discuss the biblical perspective on diversity, the contributions it adds to congregational life, the internal and external culture, the importance of knowing why it is important and the need to make changes.

SESSION TWO

Dismantling Racism

In the second module we review the his history, attitudes that led to violence against immigrants and non Anglo and the residue that it left on the Anglo and non Anglo populations. We help participants agreed on terms and their definitions. Participants dialogue and discover the negative impact that institutional racism has on the advancement of non-Anglo communities and the four barriers to dismantling racism.

SESSION THREE

Racial Reconciliation

The third module is dedicated to finding ways for racial reconciliation by first affirming the call, preparing our selves and committing our selves to reconciliation. We address needed skills by working through a self evaluation. We review models for overcoming racial division, brainstorm action ideas and develop priorities

FINAL SESSION

Transformation

The last module is used to help participants review the day, review the Belhar Confession and its impact in South Africa and application for our churches. We close by asking participants to give us feedback on the workshop.
 

Church Between Borders

A fresh way to talk about immigration, build community and reach out to the neighborhood as a church. The curriculum consists of four participatory 60-90 minute sessions led by a trained facilitator.

Session 1: Discovering Structures of Immigration at Home

A facilitated group discussion on immigration and the particular challenges and opportunities that are manifesting themselves in your community.

Session 2: Immigration Storyline

This session has been used by hundreds of groups across the U.S. to learn about our changing immigration system, to discover where one’s family fits in, to hear how God has and is using the church, and to share individual experiences of resettlement.

Session 3: The Gospel Story and Immigration Law

Technical overview of the four doors through which people can work in the United States legally. Examples of why the current system is resulting in so much struggle and suggestions from the CRC on how Christians can respond in a way that is rooted in the gospel.

Session 4: Conclusions and Next Steps

Open discussions in small rotating groups to share what’s been learned, ask new questions, dig deeper in to scripture, discuss new insights, and make personal commitments to seek justice in our congregation and community.