Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: Small Group Study (101-200 Members)
Understanding and Confronting Racism in the American Methodist Church
The General Commission on Religion and Race presents a six-session small group study for Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. This study invites Christians—especially white Christians—to engage in deep reflection and open dialogue about the impact of racism, with a focus on anti-Black racism, within both the church and society.
Drawing directly from the insightful 2023 book by Rev. Dr. John Elford, a retired United Methodist clergy member, the study examines the history of the United Methodist Church in the United States. It explores how systemic racism has affected the church’s mission, credibility, and overall witness. By reflecting on these historical and ongoing issues, participants are challenged to see how these struggles extend beyond the church and mirror broader societal patterns in the American Christian context.
Who is this study for? This resource is crafted for small groups of up to 13 people and is ideal for:
Sunday school classes
Campus ministries
Clergy covenant groups
Congregational leadership teams
Community mission teams
Faith-based discussion groups
While the content is particularly relevant for spaces where most participants are white, the study welcomes Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). It’s designed to create a thoughtful and safe environment for discussing how racism, perpetuated by those in power, has impacted Black Americans, particularly within religious institutions.
What will participants gain? This study aims to deepen participants' understanding of what racism and white supremacy are, and how they operate within the church and beyond. Through engaging discussion, guided reflections, and historical context, the resource empowers participants to:
Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of anti-Black racism in the United Methodist Church.
Understand how this legacy affects the church’s mission and witness today.
Learn about the persistent efforts of Black Christians and white allies to address and dismantle these injustices.
Engage in honest, transformative dialogue to envision a future of equity and inclusivity within the church.
Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm challenges all who follow Jesus to reflect deeply on the ways institutional bias hinders the mission of God’s beloved, global Christian community. By confronting these difficult truths, the church can reclaim its integrity and commitment to justice, and stand as a more effective, authentic witness of God’s love in the world.
Pricing Take advantage of our special launch pricing available through the end of this year! To make this resource accessible for churches of all sizes, GCORR offers tiered pricing at a special discounted rate for 2024. Please note that prices will increase in 2025.
Note This study is available as a digital download—no printed materials will be shipped. The book itself will have to be purchased separately.
Get Started Today! Start the journey towards deeper understanding and healing in your community. Purchase this small group study and receive all the tools you need to facilitate meaningful, impactful discussions on racism, faith, and justice.
Understanding and Confronting Racism in the American Methodist Church
The General Commission on Religion and Race presents a six-session small group study for Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. This study invites Christians—especially white Christians—to engage in deep reflection and open dialogue about the impact of racism, with a focus on anti-Black racism, within both the church and society.
Drawing directly from the insightful 2023 book by Rev. Dr. John Elford, a retired United Methodist clergy member, the study examines the history of the United Methodist Church in the United States. It explores how systemic racism has affected the church’s mission, credibility, and overall witness. By reflecting on these historical and ongoing issues, participants are challenged to see how these struggles extend beyond the church and mirror broader societal patterns in the American Christian context.
Who is this study for? This resource is crafted for small groups of up to 13 people and is ideal for:
Sunday school classes
Campus ministries
Clergy covenant groups
Congregational leadership teams
Community mission teams
Faith-based discussion groups
While the content is particularly relevant for spaces where most participants are white, the study welcomes Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). It’s designed to create a thoughtful and safe environment for discussing how racism, perpetuated by those in power, has impacted Black Americans, particularly within religious institutions.
What will participants gain? This study aims to deepen participants' understanding of what racism and white supremacy are, and how they operate within the church and beyond. Through engaging discussion, guided reflections, and historical context, the resource empowers participants to:
Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of anti-Black racism in the United Methodist Church.
Understand how this legacy affects the church’s mission and witness today.
Learn about the persistent efforts of Black Christians and white allies to address and dismantle these injustices.
Engage in honest, transformative dialogue to envision a future of equity and inclusivity within the church.
Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm challenges all who follow Jesus to reflect deeply on the ways institutional bias hinders the mission of God’s beloved, global Christian community. By confronting these difficult truths, the church can reclaim its integrity and commitment to justice, and stand as a more effective, authentic witness of God’s love in the world.
Pricing Take advantage of our special launch pricing available through the end of this year! To make this resource accessible for churches of all sizes, GCORR offers tiered pricing at a special discounted rate for 2024. Please note that prices will increase in 2025.
Note This study is available as a digital download—no printed materials will be shipped. The book itself will have to be purchased separately.
Get Started Today! Start the journey towards deeper understanding and healing in your community. Purchase this small group study and receive all the tools you need to facilitate meaningful, impactful discussions on racism, faith, and justice.
Understanding and Confronting Racism in the American Methodist Church
The General Commission on Religion and Race presents a six-session small group study for Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. This study invites Christians—especially white Christians—to engage in deep reflection and open dialogue about the impact of racism, with a focus on anti-Black racism, within both the church and society.
Drawing directly from the insightful 2023 book by Rev. Dr. John Elford, a retired United Methodist clergy member, the study examines the history of the United Methodist Church in the United States. It explores how systemic racism has affected the church’s mission, credibility, and overall witness. By reflecting on these historical and ongoing issues, participants are challenged to see how these struggles extend beyond the church and mirror broader societal patterns in the American Christian context.
Who is this study for? This resource is crafted for small groups of up to 13 people and is ideal for:
Sunday school classes
Campus ministries
Clergy covenant groups
Congregational leadership teams
Community mission teams
Faith-based discussion groups
While the content is particularly relevant for spaces where most participants are white, the study welcomes Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). It’s designed to create a thoughtful and safe environment for discussing how racism, perpetuated by those in power, has impacted Black Americans, particularly within religious institutions.
What will participants gain? This study aims to deepen participants' understanding of what racism and white supremacy are, and how they operate within the church and beyond. Through engaging discussion, guided reflections, and historical context, the resource empowers participants to:
Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of anti-Black racism in the United Methodist Church.
Understand how this legacy affects the church’s mission and witness today.
Learn about the persistent efforts of Black Christians and white allies to address and dismantle these injustices.
Engage in honest, transformative dialogue to envision a future of equity and inclusivity within the church.
Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm challenges all who follow Jesus to reflect deeply on the ways institutional bias hinders the mission of God’s beloved, global Christian community. By confronting these difficult truths, the church can reclaim its integrity and commitment to justice, and stand as a more effective, authentic witness of God’s love in the world.
Pricing Take advantage of our special launch pricing available through the end of this year! To make this resource accessible for churches of all sizes, GCORR offers tiered pricing at a special discounted rate for 2024. Please note that prices will increase in 2025.
Note This study is available as a digital download—no printed materials will be shipped. The book itself will have to be purchased separately.
Get Started Today! Start the journey towards deeper understanding and healing in your community. Purchase this small group study and receive all the tools you need to facilitate meaningful, impactful discussions on racism, faith, and justice.