Overview

How do we uncover the roots of sustained injustice in the American church? What is the path forward for racial bias in the church and how do we reverse patterns and systems of complicity?

This cohort will focus on the book and video series, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, by Jemar Tisby. The Color of Compromise takes readers on a historical journey: from America’s early colonial days through slavery and the Civil War, to the immoral enactment of Jim Crow laws and hard-won victories of the Civil Rights era, to today’s Black Lives Matter movement. In this cohort, Dane County pastors and clergy will engage in discussion of Tisby’s book to confront complicity in the American church, with the aim to further advance the local church toward reconciliation.

Who is the Cohort for?

This cohort is designed for local pastors or clergy serving in Christian congregations in Dane County. This cohort will be facilitated by Adam Clausen, of Life Center Madison, and Colièr McNair, of Blackhawk Church.

Cohort Capacity

Serving a maximum of 16, the cohort will split into two groups with a maximum of 8 members each.

Resources 

All participants will be expected to secure their own copy, read, and come ready to discuss The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. Members might also view the video series of the same name (available on Amazon Prime), but this is optional.

Meeting Schedule 

Our cohort will meet four times, from 12:00-1:30 PM, on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 24 – Introductions, Setting the Conversation, Chapters 1-7
• Thursday, October 22 – Chapters 8-11
• Wednesday, November 11 – The Color of Compromise with author Jemar Tisby (live event)
• Thursday, December 3 – Personal actions steps and prayer

We plan to meet in-person at Upper House. However, as with everything during the COVID-19 pandemic, our planning is influenced by the trajectory of the pandemic as well as university, state, and county policies. At Upper House, space will be arranged to allow for physical distancing. We will also require masks. If it turns out our learning cohort needs to go virtual, we will pivot to online meetings.

Registration 

Opens August 6

Close September 16, or when full

Cohort Leaders

Jon Anderson serves as the Executive Director of Collaboration Project, whose mission is to foster collaboration between churches for the good of the community. He lives in Monona with his wife, Mary, and their three children, Ethan, Charlotte, and Hazel.

Adam Clausen serves as the Senior Leader of Life Center Madison, where he articulates the core values that anchor the culture and vision for the church’s development and service, in Christ, in the broader community. He lives in Madison with his wife, Rachel, and their two children, Eden and Zion.

Colièr McNair serves as the Pastor of Multicultural Ministry and Worship Arts at Blackhawk Church. He resides in Madison with his wife, Myra Renee, eldest daughter Tziah Coli, son Laonnes Charles, daughter Amira Charlize, and son Mysaac Colin.