Who is the expert content contributor?

This session was created with the help of Dr. David Anderson. It incorporates several themes from his book Gracism: The Art of Inclusion. There are 66 short instructional videos by Dr. Anderson spread throughout the session.

What is the emphasis of this session?

Most groups of people, regardless of their size and makeup, have insiders and outsiders. The insider/outsider dynamic can have a wide range of intensities from a subtle feeling of uneasiness to an intense persecution and hatred. A person may feel like an insider or outsider based on their longevity in the group, familiarity with the culture, ability to speak the language, etc. And/or, the group may treat a person like an insider or outsider based on some personal characteristic like their wealth, gender, age, ethnicity, education, experience, etc. Because there is so much variety in the
insider/outsider dynamic, there is no quick and easy formula for determining who is an insider and outsider. But, the following questions can help us get an idea:

• Who feels comfortable in the group?
• Who is treated the best or the worst?
• Whose opinion is valued and listened to?
• Who knows the "right way" to do things?
• Who does the group look to for leadership?
• Who receives praise and recognition?
• Who has the most options available to them?
• If the person is missing does anyone notice?
• Whose desires are taken into consideration?

This session helps Christian leaders to understand how the insider/outsider dynamic effects their organization and their ability to be a witness for Christ in their community.  It presents a biblical framework for recognizing outsiders and extending them special favor in a way that creates unity and builds a healthy, Christ-honoring atmosphere.

What are the learning scenarios in this session about?

Our e-learning sessions are built around "learning scenarios"--fictional situations that are similar to the types of challenges that trainees can expect to face.  The main character in this session's learning scenarios is Pastor Carl Stephens, an Anglo (white) pastor of a predominantly white church.  Pastor Carl wants to see his church do a better job of reaching out to the growing ethnic diversity in his community.  In Section A Pastor Stanton learns the biblical basis for the insider/outsider principle.  In Sections B and C he struggles with how to apply what he has learned in a way that promotes unity within his church.  As he wrestles with a wide variety of situations, Pastor Carl is patiently mentored by Pastor Ron, an older white pastor who led a multi-ethnic congregations for over 30 years.

What does the session contain?

• 71 learning scenario screens (each screen contains a picture and audio narration)
• 38 coaching videos
• 25 ask the expert videos
• 8 custom handouts which you can printout and use to remember the content and/or train others
• And more!

Can I see what the session looks like?

You can see screenshots of this session by clicking on the images in the top left corner.  To see one of our sessions in action please watch the instructional videos.

What does a coaching video look like?

This coaching video is on a learning scenario screen where the main character, Pastor Carl, is trying to figure out why a Hispanic Culture Celebration Dinner which his church organized was poorly attended.

What have people said about the session?

"The way this material was presented was gracious in itself. I appreciate the spirit in which this information was given, the video clips were well-done, pertinent and "real-life" I especially liked the encouragement that we need to "learn the lessons that failing teaches" because often our efforts in this area, while well-intentioned, have not been inclusive -- I am reminded that the story of every Christ-follower's life is a story of grace."

"Having been involved in multiracial churches for 15+ years, I saw the value in this session as I saw many of the pitfalls that I have personally seen/experienced in different church settings as it relates to this topic of Inclusion. To have this tool now available, to be able to learn the Art of Inclusion is so invaluable in the church today!"

"This was great. Very relevant to our church congregation presently. Thanks for all the work involved in creating and supplying it."

"As a minister in a culturally diverse area, I found the learning scenarios to be particularly relevant. We are wrestling with these very issues, and perhaps I appreciated knowing that the tensions our leadership team feels right now are quite normal given the nature of ministering to and reaching our neighborhoods."

"This helps me better understand these concepts of insiders and outsiders. I appreciated the inclusion of how to apply this concept on a practical level through things that do naturally come up in the culture of how we live our lives. I also appreciate the warmth Dr. Anderson is showing. Some people have really bad experiences with being coached on diversity (being labeled, having assumptions made about what is important to said person, etc.). Thank you for giving grace in recognizing that, even if some have questions or concerns, they might not be hostile to the idea; they just might need time to process, consider, and evaluate."

"I enjoyed going through the sessions immensely. Coming from a public high school background, the lessons I learned about diversity in high school were important but also not entirely accurate from a Christian perspective. Learning lessons about diversity that are based in faith and to be carried out in love and with the purpose of reconciliation were very interesting and helpful!"