Our group name states what we hope to do and inspire in Michigan: “Naming, Claiming, and Acting the Change” that is needed to promote inclusion, access, and dignity for all people. The NCAC Team aims to offer support for congregations and disciples to help us live out the enduring principles Unity in Diversity, Worth of All Persons, All are Called, and Blessings of Community. The team name declares that we will help the church name exclusion and oppression where it is present, claim and repent of our own roles in perpetuating and ending it, and promote action for reconciliation and peacebuilding.
The Michigan Mission Center voted formally on November 5, 2022 for a Michigan Mission Center Diversity Team to be appointed annually by the mission center president for the purpose of gathering resources, collecting data, sharing recommendations, advising mission center staff and ministry leaders, providing educational materials, and pursuing projects that support and encourage efforts to enhance and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in mission center ministries and congregations.
2025 Team Members: Erin Cavanaugh, Allen Jones, Lynda Kennard, Pam Luce, Zilphia Martin IV, Dan Nowiski (interim team lead), Erica Nye, Jennifer Swearingen
2025 Team Actions
Statements on Gender Diversity shared January 22
Resources for Talking About Immigration shared by Linda Stanbridge, Mission Center President on January 31
Faith in Action: A Guide for Faithful Engagement shared by Linda Stanbridge, Mission Center President on February 26
Recommended Resources
| Resource | Format Book, film, tool, org., etc | Beginner or Intermed. | Education or Action | Notes |
| Power & Privilege Primers | ||||
| Privilege Checklists – Able-Bodied Privilege Checklist – Christian Privilege Checklist- Heterosexual Privilege Checklist- White Privilege Checklist | Checklists | Beginner | Education | Lists type of privilege and builds compassion/ seek equity for others who may not be privileged in the same way. |
| “Learning How to See”, Season 1. | Podcast. 6 episodes. | Beginner | Education | Intro to bias in human nature. Brian McLaren / Richard Rohr. |
| “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh | Article | Beginner | Education | Intro to concept of white privilege. |
| Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege – MSW@USC | Tool Kit | Beginner | Education | Diversity Tool Kit |
| Dignity by Donna Hicks | Book | Beginner | Education | Explores how to actively value the “Worth of All Persons” |
| Anti-Ableism | ||||
| Action of Greater Lansing – Barb | Video | Beginner | Education | |
| 8 Ways Ableism Shows Up in Religious Spaces – Unbound | Article | Beginner | Education | |
| Covid Exposed Christian Ableism. What Happens When Churches Reopen? | Article | Intermed. | Education | |
| Disability is Not a Diagnosis | Outline | Beginner | Education | Quick overview on framing disability in community. |
| Resisting Ableism in the American Church | Article | Beginner | Education | Brief overview of church exemption from ADA. |
| Disability Theology Is for Everyone | Podcast Episode | Beginner | Education | Intro to disability inclusion and faith. “Bible for Normal People” podcast ep.165. |
| Anti-Racism | ||||
| America’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis | Book | Beginner | Education | Racism in America and the church’s role. |
| “Seeing White” | Podcast, 14 episodes | Intermed. | Education | History of “whiteness” and racism in USA. Scene on Radio, Season 2. |
| The Dialogue Company & White Ally Toolkit | Org. | Intermed. | Education / Action | Training in white anti-racism allyship and compassionate discussion. |
| So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo | Book | Beginner | Education | Down-to-earth explanation of the benefits and challenges of discussing race. |
| Anti-Racism Reading List, by Sojourners | Book | Intermed. | Educations / Action | Comprehensive list of books shaping public conversation. |
| Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman | Book | Intermed. | Education | Theological work on God siding with the oppressed. |
| LGBTQIA+ | ||||
| Touched by Grace: LGBT Stories in Community of Christ | Book | LGBTQ+ stories in Community of Christ | ||
| Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience: Russell, William D.: 9781934901052 | Book | First Book of LGBTQ+ Stories in Community of Christ (Sunday School resource available to accompany the reading) | ||
| Harmony Recommended Resources | Books | Various | Education | Recommended reading list with children and adult resources |
| Reconciling Works Resources | Website | Intermed. | Education | Resources for congregations wanting to be affirming as well as resources for teens, worship planning, and more. |
| General Recommendations | ||||
| United States Navy Leadership Reading List | Book List | Beginner & Intermed. | Variety of resources on leadership, bias, & diversity. | |
| MSU Library Anti-Racism Reading List | Book List | Comprehensive list compiled by MSU Libraries Diversity Committee. |