Faith Community

Challenges: How can we...

1. address the we/they dichotomy?
2. foster respectful relationships?
3. address stereotypes?

Recommendations:

• Create inter-faith, inter-church, and inter-congregational programs.
• Develop outreach opportunities for your congregants. Foster hands-on service opportunities within the community.
• Use the pulpit to promote respect for those who are different in any way.
• Teach acceptance and inclusion of those who are different to children in Sunday school.
• Welcome and work with prejudiced members of the congregation.
• Provide opportunities to learn and talk about prejudice, acceptance and conflict resolution through programs like Help Increase the Peace Project (H.I.P.P.) and Study Circles.
• Identify religious and corporate leaders who are committed to promoting diversity and inter-group relations. Encourage them to make their views known.
• Hold religious forums for leaders to discuss race, diversity and faith.
• Model inclusion by inviting members of other groups to visit your congregation, and vice versa.
• Partner with organizations with expertise in these areas.