communal practices
Book Club
“Lament recognizes the struggles of life and cries out for justice against existing injustices”
- Dr. Soong-Chan Rah
Our 2024 Book Club featured “Prophetic Lament”, by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah. The author joined us for a theological and meaningful discussion about the role of lament in spiritually healthy disciples who are seeking justice!
(Feel free to inquire by email: jarret@renewchurchla.com)
MOVIE NIGHTS
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT RENEW JUSTICE MOVIE NIGHT!
conference sessions
In 2021, we hosted Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil as part of our “Reconciled Together” series. The talks below were part of the larger conversation spanning over a 10-week period.
LOCAL SPACES
RECOMMENDED PODCASTS
ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATIONS
Over the last couple years, our DEI spearheaded a collection of roundtable conversations, which give us insight into how to talk about these topics.
PROCESSING PROGRESS
Processing progress is a weekly podcast brought to you by the DEI team at Renew Church LA. Each week we will sit through the uncomfortable as we unpack what it looks like to fight against injustice + carry the burdens of our siblings as we work towards racial reconciliation as a family in Christ.
LITERATURE
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil spoke at Renew in 2021, we highly recommend her books as a great introduction to the work of racial reconciliation.
BRENDA SALTER MCNEIL
THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE
These works explore the interconnection of history, racism, and theology. While we recommend these for learning about how theology engages race and reconciliation, we do not endorse all the theological views of these authors.
HISTORICAL LITERATURE
These works look at the historical, cultural, and sociological impact of racism in America.
NARRATIVE LITERATURE
These works look at the historical, cultural, and sociological impact of racism in America.
RENEW SERMONS
quick links
OUR LIVING PRINCIPLES
The Living Principles exist to set the expectations that help us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually enter into the work of justice. They help us engage in healthy discussions with our Renew Family Members and remind us of our shared commitments.
WE DREAM BIG
We are full of wonder and choose to imagine the possibility of building Heaven on earth.
OUR GOAL IS RECONCILIATION
In all that we do, we are ambassadors of Jesus, and he has charged us with the ministry of reconciliation. So we seek to unite, not divide.
WE ARE ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS
We believe in progress over perfection. There is beauty in our vulnerability and we make space for tenderness and authenticity.
WE OFFER GRACE FOR CURIOSITY IN OUR LEARNING AND UNLEARNING.
When we fall short, we lament, repent and reconcile. We ask questions lovingly, but also commit to taking ownership of our journey and doing the work for ourselves.
WE GIVE OUR BEST.
WE BELIEVE IN UNITY NOT UNIFORMITY.
We believe this process is sacred, so we show up. We take action. We embrace discomfort.
We might be at different places on our journey, but we are knit together and can only move forward together.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PRIVILEGE.
We each bear the burdens of these responsibilities in accordance to the privilege we occupy.
WE CARE FOR OTHERS AND WE CARE FOR OURSELVES.
In the lifelong fight for justice, we decenter ourselves and acknowledge our humanity and the true Savior, who also knew when to rest.