A Girl Like Me – Media That Matters Film Festival

This excellent video was produced by a young woman named Kiri Davis.  It was the winner of the Diversity Award Sponsored by Third Millennium Foundation. It is a great tool for prompting discussions on issues of race in America. From the Media That Matters website: A Girl Like Me 7:08 min Youth Documentary Kiri Davis, [...]

A look at “Blended Nation”

An interview with the author of the book… Blended Nation: Portraits and Interviews of Mixed-Race America

A New Dream

A NEW DREAM from UnDocumented.tv on Vimeo. Click here to go to this resource:A New Dream About this resource (source): Immigration is a hot topic right now. But if all you see are the stories in the news, its easy to presume that those represent the majority of immigrants. Its when you actually have personal [...]

Accents: Fair Housing Laws Commercial

A commercial for the Fair Housing Laws. Could be used as a way to start conversations about the "new racism".

Amazing Grace in Mandarin Chinese & English

“During our Advent Series, we spoke on being a people who are Different, Yet One. This included the worship portion of the service, where Karen Yang and Carolyn Yoder led us in this beautiful hymn.”

An Interview with Lecrae and Trip Lee

“A couple of months ago (November 8, 2010) I had the privilege of sitting down with Lecrae and Trip Lee of Reach Records to talk about their stories, their music, their theology, and their future.”

Being a Witness in a Multicultural City by Ravi Zacharias

Dr. Ravi Zacharias shares tips on being a witness for Christ in our increasingly multicultural cities with challenges like: “pluralism is a good things but relativism is not”, “avoid prejudging others”, and “get to know them, befriend them, be kind and gentle and wait for the right time to share the good news of the gospel.”

Being an Asian American

A powerful 12 minute documentary created by Asian American young men. They explain the challenges they have faced growing up in America and the stereotypes they are constantly working to overcome. It provides excellent insight into the life of those who are a part of the fastest growing major ethnic group in the U.S.

Beyond the Reconciliation Blues by Ed Gilbreath

He states, “There are rarely any clear cut answers… That is the reason why I wrote Reconciliation Blues, to tell my story and the story of others. I want to give Christians a starting place for engaging in a more honest conversation about race. We are so afraid. We don’t know where to begin. We don’t want to say the really tough stuff because we’re afraid we are going to alienate others or be labeled a ‘racist’ or whatever.’

Bill Hybels Interviews Matt Soerens on Immigration

“Bill Hybels and Heather Larson of Willow Creek Community Church interview author Matthew Soerens about the issue of immigration and how the Church should respond.”

Bloodlines Documentary Trailer by John Piper

“A trailer for the full 20 minute documentary where Pastor John describes his childhood in the South, and how the Gospel transformed his life.”

Bob Lupton Explains Gentrification

From the DVD’s website: Gentrification is a controversial process that is re-shaping American cities. In this video clip, Dr. Robert Lupton of FCS Ministries (Atlanta) explains the term “gentrification” – giving a short history and definition. This clip is one of the bonus materials in UE2: New Neighbors.

Carriers of Christ by Chad Brennan and Michaela Gregory

In this 40 min sermon, Chad Brennan and Michaela Gregory talk about the dynamic power of biblical Christian community and the important principles we can learn from the Greek terms of agape, adelphos, basileia, and ethnos. Michaela shares a powerful story of how God taught her about agape and adelphos through an unexpected friendship with a white woman named Carrie.

Church Diversity Sucks by Pastor Scott Williams

One of the 9 minute videos broadcast as a part of The Nines leadership conference on 9/9/09. Pastor Scott Williams gives a powerful challenge to leaders to go beyond “just tolerating” diversity to intentionally embracing it. He challenges us to have conversations about embracing diversity with… God, our staff, and our congregations. “Church diversity sucks but the real fact is that it doesn’t have to.”

Clip from the Color of Fear

An intense clip from the provocative movie The Color of Fear. May be good for prompting discussion. Shows the passion and pain behind this subject.

CNN Black in America: Men (Part 1)

Provocative CNN special about African American men in America.

CNN: Are Asian Students Smarter? (studying stereotypes)

A CNN clip studying the stereotype of Asian students being smarter.

Color Me Blind (a parody)

A creative and funny parody on misguided efforts to promote “diversity”.

Colorblind But Not Colorless

Powerful spoken word challenging the church to greater ethnic diversity.

Diversity’s Symphony by David Bowden

“I was raised Southern Baptist. What I believed is what others practiced. A white church planted in red dirt. A midwestern boy with a tucked in shirt. I converted not just to Christianity but to an ideology, an identity, an idea, a theology. I was taught that Jesus died for the sins of humanity, that his cross would demolish all hints of inequality. That he cried out for unity in his last prayer at Gethsemane…”

Early Church History and Culture – Vince Campbell and Soong-Chan Rah

I sat in on this workshop when I attended the CCDA conference in 2009. Very interesting discussion!

G92 Immigration Conference – Video of Presentations

“The goal of this event is to promote a high level conversation about immigration in a way that honors the example of Jesus Christ and the written Word of God. Keeping Jesus and his Word at the center of this discussion is critical. We want to transcend partisan and media sound-bytes and to model an exceptionally high level of civility as we think carefully about an issue that is both complicated and important.”

Glimpse of life at a multi-ethnic church

Images of Cornerstone Christian Center–a multi-ethnic church in Torrance, CA.

Hole in the Head

“This video is graphic and moving. “Vertus Hardiman hid a shocking secret under a wig & beanie for over 80 years.”

How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native Americans

Shows how Hollywood created stereotypes and racism toward Native Americans.

Human Network Commercials: A Brand New Day

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

Human Network Commercials: Anyone Can Be Famous

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

Human Network Commercials: Meeting in America

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

Human Network Commercials: Show Me Something Cool

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

Human Network Commercials: Staring Competition

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

Human Network Commercials: Town Square

A TV commercial in the "human network" series by Cisco. They contain powerful visuals of how quickly the world is shrinking and how technology is allowing cultures to interact with each other in ways that were never before imaginable.

I Have a Dream Speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous "I have a dream" speach on August 28, 1963 in its entirety along with footage of those who attended the march on Washington, D.C. You can read the full text of this speech at: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

If Heaven is integrated, why not churches?

Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange County, California, also practices something many other black churches don’t: integration. “We’re fully integrated in the workplace, schools, public restaurants everywhere, except the church,” Whitlock told CNN. “It’s still the most segregated place on Sunday in the United States. Our goal is to do what heaven has already done. Heaven is fully integrated.”

Immigration and the Bible

From the DVD’s website: How do you think about immigration biblically? Dr. Carroll R. (a professor at Denver Seminary and author of Christians at the Border) travels around the country providing a biblical and historical context for engaging the issue of immigration.  Urban Entry is releasing a special 60 minute DVD of Dr. Carroll’s teaching [...]

Improving Race Relations: Interview with John Perkins

An interview with Dr. John Perkins, one of the great champions of racial unity in the Christian church. Dr. Perkins shares about his life and race relations in the U.S. Great video!

India and Scateboards

“Chris Weaver, youth pastor in Brooklyn, talks about his immigrant neighborhood, the diversity of his church, and the kids that skateboard in the church basement. It is a good example of a church that is living out biblical multi-ethnic community and crossing cultural barriers for the sake of being a light for Christ in their community.”

Interracial Churches

This PBS video is a compilation of interviews with pastors and Christian leaders around the country. They explain reasons why multi-ethnic congregations are so difficult to build and sustain as well as some of the benefits they have experienced.

It’s Your Choice (stereotyping)

Simple, short statement about stereotyping.

Martin Luther King on Accusations by Malcolm X

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s addresses accusations by Malcolm X and defends why he uses non-violent resistance and love as a means for social change.

Martin Luther King’s Prophetic Last speech

Dr. King continued to advocate for the poor and mistreated until the end (he was in Memphis to protest low pay for black garbage collectors). He declares “I just want to do God’s will” on the night before he was assassinated.

Ministry of Presence

It is often those doing “something significant” and leading the “meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops” that receive the awards and the praise. But, it is the faithful servants who quietly and sacrificially serve through the ministry of presence who change lives, communities, and the world. After all, that is how our Lord did it.

Multi-ethnic Church in the Suburbs? by Chad Brennan

Chad shares about his background in “the mostly-white suburbs”, the Middle East, and Queens. He presents five types of obstacles that keep Christians divided by ethnicity: cultural differences, sociological, historical, political, and theological. He explains how the early church demonstrates that it is possible to overcome all of these obstacles through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.

Multicultural Attitudes in Teacher Education by Karen Lea

“The challenges associated with cultural diversity will have to be addressed by teacher education programs and schools. Research suggests that if we understand attitudes and beliefs we can predict their corresponding behaviors. If schools are to be safe environments for multiple ethnicities, then the importance of identifying the attitudinal needs related to cultural diversity is paramount. This DVD starts a conversation about multicultural attitudes and is a result of an ongoing research project.”

Neighborhood responds differently to act of vandalism

Clip of a ABC 20/20 special which shows a neighborhood’s reactions to the same act of vandalism by white and African American teens.

Part 2 of 5 – Interview with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah

Dr. Rah shares…
- how racism is often thought of as exclusively a “personal issue” — but, the corporate aspect of racism must be recognized and addressed as well
- an example of how the corporate shame of racism was handled in a biblical way

Part 3 of 5 – Interview with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah

Dr. Rah shares…
- how the growing ethnic minority population in America will have a powerful impact on the values of American society and the church
- how the American church must break free from “white cultural captivity” and work toward a more multi-ethnic church
- suggestions for leaders seeking to build multi-ethnic ministries

Part 4 of 5 – Interview with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah

Dr. Rah shares…
- books that can help Christian leaders to learn about other cultural perspectives
- suggestions for how we can reach out to other ethnic groups with a “I’ll go to you” mindset rather than a “Come to me” mindset.

Part 5 of 5 – Interview with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah

Dr. Rah shares…
- there are two different ways we have looked at multi-ethnicity in America… melting pot and salad bowl
- how the dominance of Western, white culture hinders the church’s ability to experience and appreciate ethnic diversity
- suggestions for white Christians who do not understand the reality of white privilege

Race and the Christian with Piper, Keller, & Bradley

John Piper, Tim Keller, and Anthony Bradley share their thoughts on the biblical basis for ethnic relations in the church and why Christians should be motivated to break down ethnic divisions and advocate for justice within our society.

Race and the Movies

Fascinating series of three videos on the history of African Americans in movies. I think this could be a great discussion starter for a conversation about ethnic relations in America and the subtleties of racialization.

Racism a History – The Colour of Money Part 1

Excellent BBC series on the history of racism.

Racism in America – Art Fennell Reports

An interesting short documentary by Art Fennell Reports covering recent examples of racism in America. It would be good to show to a group before discussing topics like, “Does racism still exist?” or “How should Christians respond to modern racism?”

Racism in America – The Fight Against it

Ravi Zacharias Q&A on Church and State

In this video Ravi Zacharias answers two questions regarding the relationship between church and state. The question was posed during a lecture at Waterloo University. He states, “The interesting thing is that Jesus never came to impose a political infrastructure upon a society. He came to change the hearts and minds of men and women who then in turn could change their society. The salt and light work at an inner level.”

Reconciliation and Organizational DNA by Alvin Sanders

“It is starts with a philosophical perspective of, ‘this is who we are as an institution’. That philosophy starts to reflect itself in the mission statement, the vision statement, policies, practices, procedures, and the things they decide to resource. It all flows from that philosophy that they have that this is part of the DNA of our institution.”

Reflections on the Trayvon Martin Tragedy by Brenda Salter-McNeil

Dr. Salter-McNeil shares her reflections on the Trayvon Martin tragedy and challenges us to use it as an opportunity to grow in our ability to identify with people who are not like us and to empathize with their situation.

Sample Content from the 2010 Multi-ethnic Church Conference

Clips from various speakers at the 2010 Multi-ethnic Church Conference hosted by Mosaix Global Network.

Segregation Returns To America

Shows how schools are becoming more and more segregated.

Silent Racism: stereotypes toward Asian Americans

Asian American men share about what its like to deal with the stereotypes they face every day.

Something Other Than Other

New parents share about their journey as ethnic minorities in America and their hopes for their new child. Information about this video from the Media That Matters website: Winner of the Tolerance Education Award Sponsored by Third Millennium Foundation ABOUT THE FILM More About Something Other Than Other from Director Jerry A. Henry Andrea and [...]

Soong Chan Rah Speaking at CCDA 2009

Stereotypes about Hispanic Americans

Students at Texas A&M interview their fellow students about stereotypes about Hispanic Americans.

Stereotypes and White Privilege

Student documentary on stereotypes and white privilege.

The Challenge of Worship Styles

Art Lucero interviews Pastor Miles McPherson regarding what the worship looks like in their multi-ethnic church.

The ONE Event

About this video All of the scenes in this video were filmed during the ONE Event which took place on January 7, 2006 at the Ohio State University.  The ONE Event was facilitated by ReNew Partnerships with the help of college students, young adults, and ministry leaders from around the Columbus area.  Around 400 young [...]

The Story Behind Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps

Watch the amazing video of the history of Amazing Grace. Wintley Phipps at Carnegie Hall tells and sings the story behind the creation of Amazing Grace. Did you know that Amazing Grace is set to the tune of a West African Sorrow Chant? Watch it all, but don’t miss starting at 5:40 when he hums/moans/sings it as Newton likely first heard it coming up from the belly of the slave ship. 

The Tree: the power of unity

Very powerful video produced in India which illustrates the power of various people coming together to help one another.

To Serve by Martin Luther King

This is a 90 second excerpt from a famous sermon Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached in 1968 titled “The Drum Major Instinct”. Very powerful!  Click here to listen to the full 39 minute sermon.

Undocumented.tv Introduction

“Some in our society see immigration as an invasion. Many see immigrants—especially undocumented immigrants—as a threat to our economy, our security, and our national identity. But as a follower of Christ, God has been challenging Matthew Soerens and Jesse Oxford to see things differently: as a beautiful, missional opportunity for the Church.”

Urban Entry: Send These Introduction

“Whether you say “undocumented immigrants” or “illegal aliens,” the issue of immigration stirs up all kinds of passion – fear, anger, compassion, uncertainty… Although it is a politically sticky issue, Urban Entry decided to produce a DVD on immigration because the issue raises so many “urban entry” questions about our values, hopes, and fears as we follow Jesus. Conservative and liberals are challenged to re-consider their positions when they discuss this issue as Christians.”

What do you think about interracial dating?

In this video Pastor Perry Noble responds to this question.   ReNew staff member Richard Johnson wrote about Pastor Perry Noble’s response in our July 2011 ReNew Newsletter.

What if everyone was the same?

Creative video showing what the world would be like if everyone were the same. May be a good discussion opener — especially with youth.

Why Are Churches Segregated?

A variety of church leaders share why they believe the church continues to be divided by race.

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus

“A poem I wrote to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. In the scriptures Jesus received the most opposition from the most religious people of his day. At it’s core Jesus’ gospel and the good news of the Cross is in pure opposition to self-righteousness/self-justification. Religion is man centered, Jesus is God-centered.”