GCORR Launches Small Group Study to Confront Racism in the Methodist Church
Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: Understanding and Confronting Racism in the American Methodist Church
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is pleased to announce the release of a new six-session small group study for Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. This study is designed to invite Christians—particularly white Christians—into deep reflection and open dialogue about the realities of racism, with a focus on anti-Black racism within the church and society.
The study, co-authored by Rev. Dr. John Elford, the original author of the 2023 book, and Deaconess Garlinda Burton, draws directly from the book’s insights. It examines the history and ongoing legacy of the United Methodist Church in the United States, exploring how systemic racism has undermined the church’s mission, credibility, and overall witness. This resource also features contributions from Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, who adds her expertise on the historical context of the church's engagement with race and justice.
Participants will be challenged to see how these struggles are not just historical but continue to mirror broader societal patterns within 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 settings where most participants are white, Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm welcomes Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC). The study is designed to foster 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 discussions, 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.
For more information or to purchase the study guide to Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm, please visit: www.r2hub.org/premium-resources
Media Contact: Jeehye Kim
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
General Commission on Religion and Race
jpak@gcorr.org