About

David Swanson, pastor of http://newcommunitycovenant.com/ (New Community Covenant Church), joins Rob and Jes on this episode of JUST. David is the author of “Rediscipling the White Church”, and also serves as the CEO of http://newcommunityoutreach.org/ (New Community Outreach), a non-profit organization working to reduce causes of trauma and raise opportunities for equity in Chicago. 0:00 Episode starts  1:30 Jes’s check in 4:08 Rob’s check in 6:02 David joins the conversation 7:09 Rob gives some background on David 10:00 How did David come to care about issues of justice and race? 13:24 Jes asks David to define and explain the title of his book 15:22 David describes three assumptions or tools that white organizations often use when addressing inequity 18:35 David acknowledges that there are many people against diversity, but he believes there is a large group that genuinely wants diversity and doesn’t know how to get there 20:24 Rob asks how the increased awareness of injustice impacts David’s book and message 21:35 The gravity of race is with those of us who are white 23:38 Interlude 24:05 Jes asks for some examples of how David’s church has been successful in cultivating diversity 25:08 Connecting discipleship with racial justice, instead of viewing it as ministry 26:09 David tells a story about two pastors who developed a fusion friendship that changed their churches 29:41 A relationship isn’t evidence of fixing injustice, it’s an ecosystem from which to work 30:57 Rob asks David for personal examples of fusion friendships that shaped his life 33:10 David shares his relationship with one of his mentors 34:39 Jes calls for the show up moment 36:15 David reframes to “what do I need to do to become more trustworthy to my friends and neighbors of color?” 39:23 Jes asks if there’s a network or high-level organization to coordinate this change 40:00 Rob gets “voluntold” to start the network 42:23 Jes calls for galvanization of racial reconciliation work 44:07 Rob thanks David for joining the show 44:54 David leaves the conversation 44:58 Debrief begins, Jes’s takeaways 45:47 Rob’s takeaways 50:19 Goodbyes and outro Thank you to DJ Pdogg and Producer Lo Key for our awesome music throughout the show! Follow DJ Pdogg online: http://www.djpdogg.com/ (www.djpdogg.com) https://twitter.com/DJPdogg?s=20 (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/djpdogg/ (Instagram) Follow Producer Lo Key https://www.instagram.com/producerlokey/ (Instagram) Our sponsors: https://www.recitynetwork.org/ (ReCity Network) https://www.coastal24.com/ (Coastal Credit Union) Our hosts: Jes Averhart, cofounder of https://bwshomecoming.com/ (Black Wallstreet Homecoming) Rob Shields, executive director of the https://www.recitynetwork.org/ (Recity Network.) Our Producer: Ben Azevedo, owner of https://www.bearcaveaudio.com/ (Bear Cave Audio) Our Editor Chris Pappalardo