Children’s Ministry and Race

Here's Why We Must Start Talking About Race in Children's Ministry

Recent events have precipitated the many conversations happening around the issue of race in America right now.  I’m glad that these conversations are also happening in the area of Children’s Ministry.  As uncomfortable and sometimes difficult it is for these conversations to occur, these conversations are so important to have.

A few months ago, I wrote about this very thing (you can find that post here).  Shortly after that post, I came across a post in a Facebook group that caught my eye. A kidmin leader mentioned that she had transformed a puppet that she found from being a ‘thug’ to being more appropriate for church.  To say that I was mortified would be a huge understatement, primarily because I didn’t know that a gold chain could classify a puppet a ‘thug’.  When I responded (after praying about how to use the right words to respond appropriately), some said that I was over-reacting.  Some said that the leader was not being racist and didn’t mean anything by it.  I was even told to ‘lighten up’.

While I don’t know the woman’s intention, the point I wanted to make to the group was that we have to be careful in the language we use and how we view people (even puppets) who look different from us.  My heart was grieved. What we say – and don’t say – says a lot.

My friend, Henry Zonio, reached out to me after my original posts to continue the conversation regarding race and Children’s Ministry.  I wanted to share his article here with you so that you, too, can be part of the conversation.

You can access Henry’s article here: http://childrensministry.com/articles/race-today-red-and-yellow-black-and-white/

Special thanks to my friend Christine Yount Jones and the team at Children’s Ministry Magazine for running this article.

Keep the conversation going! What are your thoughts around this topic?  

10 Inspiring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

In recent months, there has been a heightened sense of racial tension and discussions here in the United States as a result of the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

Today, we honor the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a man whose heart’s desire was that people would not be judged based on the color of their skin.  This is my prayer, too.

Until then, let’s not shy away from having these important discussions about race relations.  After all, we were all made in God’s image, right? (Genesis 1:27)

10 Inspiring #MLK Quotes

Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Washington, DC
Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Washington, DC

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”