The Race & Christian Community Initiative
Imagine Christians continuing Christ's redemptive work by collaborating across racial lines to foster shalom between individuals, communities, and systems damaged by racism. RCCI works toward this vision by equipping Christians in Greater Boston to engage issues of race in ways that honor the image of God in all people and nurture the righteousness and justice Jesus desires for our communities.
We focus on coming alongside white evangelicals who believe racism is a problem and that Jesus is a part of the solution. We provide biblically-based discipleship so white evangelical communities can experience — and contribute to — healing from the sin of racism. We also work with BIPOC Christians who desire to see transformation in white evangelical communities and the body of Christ at large.
“For [Jesus] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. - Eph. 2:14, NIV”
Check out this video from RCCI’s 2018 ministry launch party to get a feel for the ethos and energy of our ministry.
The impact of racism is present throughout our communities. Whether it’s racial disparities, unjust practices, or ongoing tensions, the sin of racism dishonors the image of God and counters Jesus’ vision for righteousness and justice. God calls the Church to be a source of healing and transformation. We have work to do to respond to that call.
White evangelicals are often unaware of racial realities and unsure of how to engage well in issues related to race. When they try to reach across racial lines — even with good intentions — they can do things that contribute to the problem. They have work to do to engage issues of race in ways that are respectful, responsible, and supportive to communities of color. They need to develop the knowledge, skills, and posture to be engaged and effective members of a reconciled and reconciling community.
White evangelicals can grow with the guidance, encouragement, and accountability of learning and acting in Christian community. We provide a space where they can explore hard truths with love and grace. We walk with them as they learn to respond to these realities as an outworking of their faith and open themselves up to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
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Hear a testimony from a local pastor of how RCCI discipled him so he could disciple others.
Options for Learning with Us
RCCI provides teaching, coaching, and community building that engages people in heart, mind, body, and spirit. We engage each part of ourselves so our whole selves might experience healing.
Action Communities: RCCI hosts collective action communities for white evangelicals that aim to increase their capacity for anti-racist action and following the leadership of people of color. All action opportunities serve leaders of color building shalom across racial lines. Click here for more information.
Learning Communities: RCCI hosts cohorts for white people shaped by the evangelical tradition to help them learn about and engage in self-work related to race. This offers the knowledge foundational to more effective action taking. Cohorts explore the biblical and theological foundation for engaging issues related to race, how racism manifests today, and how to respond as an outworking of our faith. Click here for more information.
Experiential Education: We partner with leaders of color to provide multiracial audiences with experiential learning opportunities that help them more fully engage the realities of racism. Click here for more information.
Sermons & Workshops: RCCI offers Sunday morning teachings for congregations of all races and introductory workshop series designed for white evangelical communities. Click here for more information.
Coaching: Let’s talk about your unique ministry context and how you can address issues related to race in your community. Services include imagining next steps for your congregation; receiving feedback on a sermon series, curriculum, or event; or mentorship through 1:1 discipleship. Email mlietz@egc.org for more info.
Our approach
RCCI focuses on nurturing transformation within white evangelicals in Greater Boston. We do this primarily through white affinity groups. Just as women’s and men’s ministries or youth groups contextualize ministry to nurture growth, white affinity groups offer a space where white people can grow in their understanding and capacity to experience and participate in God’s redemptive work.
Why does RCCI use white affinity spaces?
Both white people and people of color need to work toward biblical reconciliation for justice and healing to occur. White people often have the option to not think about or engage in issues of race. When they choose to do so, they often encounter a steep learning curve. People of all races benefit if white folks take time to learn and grow before, during, and after crossing racial lines.
Racism impacts people of different races in various ways. Doing self-work in affinity groups helps white folks explore how racism affects them and the work they need to do to experience — and contribute to — Christ’s healing and transformation.
It is not the responsibility of people of color to teach white people about race. White people should bear this responsibility, with the guidance of people of color.
The experiences, capacity, identity, and call of Megan Lietz, founder and director of the RCCI, make her best suited to focus on white evangelicals.
Although RCCI heavily utilizes white affinity spaces, this does not mean we are outside of the accountability of people of color. On the contrary, we need their guidance and oversight all the more.
How does RCCI stay accountable to people of color?
We intentionally integrate BIPOC perspectives into our curriculum through books, media, guest speakers, and collaboration. RCCI also regularly seeks the thought partnership, feedback, and accountability of BIPOC colleagues and community partners. Actively learning from BIPOC leaders through a wide range of professional development opportunities is also part of our practice.
We recognize that, as white people, we have racial blindspots and that people of color are better positioned to see and respond to racism. We take the posture of a learner and follower, submitting ourselves to be accountable to people of color and the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Related to this, we strive for any multiracial gathering RCCI hosts to not only be in partnership with people of color but also initiated, inspired, or requested by people of color. We believe this helps address the perpetuation of unequal power dynamics and natural limitations that can occur when white people are the initiators, decision-makers, or hosts.
MEET OUR PROGRAM STAFF
Megan Lietz, Director of RCCI
Raised in a rural, white community, Megan never imagined living in the city or working toward racial reconciliation. But God has led her to immerse herself in diverse urban contexts, and she has come to call these communities her own. Megan's studies and experiences have helped her develop a rich theology of race relations, with a desire to live it out.
She holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell's Campus for Urban Ministerial Education, and a Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University, where she studied power dynamics in multiracial congregations. Megan served on staff at a Black church for five years and has spent most of her time in the city living in the Codman Square neighborhood of Dorchester. As a white evangelical, her love for both this community and people of color compels her to lead white evangelicals in the ongoing self-work critical to biblical reconciliation.
When not at work, Megan serves at Abundant Life Church in Cambridge and enjoys cooking, reading, outdoor exercise, and spending time with her husband and two children.
To hear more of Megan's story, check out the article about her and her work with RCCI in Boston Voyager Magazine.
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