I’m thinking about leading a BTB Community Group. What are the first steps I should take?
Start with prayer–a lot of prayer.
Listen to the voice of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to others with the same heart for racial justice and reconciliation.
Establish your purpose:
Why do you want to start a BTB Community Group? What do you want to see God do?
If you are not a member already, join the Be the Bridge Online Community: BTB Connect. Create a profile and request the spaces relevant to you!
Focus first on your own transformation and liberation.
If you’re a POC, focus on self-care — limiting your intake of triggering material, news, videos, etc. Educate yourself by reading some of our recommended books and find a safe community to talk and engage with. You can join our BIPOC Community in BTB Connect. If you are a white person, start to intentionally listen to people of color and educate yourself on the issues; join our Foundations Community in BTB Connect. Look at our Be the Bridge Academy for courses that will help foster education, community, and healing.
How do I find people to participate?
Ask your friends and your larger social network (people at work, church, school, etc.)
Use social media.
Check with your church leadership to find out if there’s a way to let people from your congregation know about your group.
Be aware that not everyone is in a place mentally, emotionally, or spiritually to engage in the work of racial bridge building. Try not to be discouraged if your attempts to find group members are met with rejection or take more time than you anticipated. This work is incredibly challenging. In the end, it will be more beneficial to find group members who are “all in” than trying to convince others to join you.
We are soon releasing an app that will help you find community near you! Sign up for our email newsletter, Abridged, here so you’ll be the first to know!
What is the ideal makeup of a BTB group?
BTB groups are co-led by a BIPOC and a white person.
It is essential that at least one of those leaders is a person of color. BIPOC Community Group leaders are required to take BIPOC 1.0 in the BTB Academy and white leaders are required to take either Values-Based Foundations or Christian-Based Foundations in the BTB Academy. These foundations will create brave spaces for the community group.
Groups should consist of 6-12 people of different ethnic backgrounds.
Also, try to be as diverse as you can with marital status, age, geography, and other demographics.
It’s preferable that no one person should be the only representative of any racial or ethnic group, so no one feels the pressure of being the sole spokesperson for their race/ethnicity.
Ideally, groups would include at least as many people of color as white people.
OK, I’ve taken all the steps listed above, and I’m ready to lead a group. Now what do I do?
Request to join the BTB Community Group Leaders Community in BTB Connect where you can glean a wealth of wisdom from experienced group leaders.
Register your group. If you already have an existing group and have never registered, register today!
Find at least two trusted friends or ministry partners to pray for you, your co-leader, and your group. Prayer support is essential.
Invite people in your community to join you on this journey.
Join our Online Community
Our online community group is a community of people who share a common goal of creating healthy dialogue about race and racialization in the U.S., with an emphasis on promoting understanding about racial disparities and injustices. The purpose of this forum is to create a brave space for both learners and well-seasoned reconcilers to ask questions and process thoughts and ideas.