Shifting from a White-Dominant Ministry Model to a Multi-Ethnic One
17 min 03 s
Rev. Dr. Todd Grant Yonkman
- It was a white church with people of color in it, rather than a truly multiracial multicultural model.
- The message shifted from, You’re welcome if you come to, we want you here.
- Racial justice work and church vitality work are, in my approach, connected; they go together.
- Whatever town you are in, there are people of color there that you can build authentic relationships with, and you can do this work!
- You know the relationship is authentic when you’re inviting their stories and experiences to change you also. Granby Racial Reconciliation;
Rev. Dr. Todd Grant Yonkman has been engaged in professional ministry for the past 25 years. He has served congregations in the midwest and northeast as a settled pastor, Transitional Senior Minister, Senior Co-Minister, and church planter. He is currently serving as Transitional Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Granby.
Rev. Yonkman has been ordained in the United Church of Christ since 1999. He is an Interim Ministry Network accredited Professional Transition Specialist. He has Professional Certified Coach level training and is a member of the International Coaching Federation. He serves on the Temple Development Committee for the Worcester Zen Center, and is UCC representative to the National Council of Churches Buddhist-Christian dialogue. His publications include Reconstructing Church: Tools for Turning Your Congregation Around, (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014).
Rev. Yonkman and his wife, Rev. Nicole Grant Yonkman, have two adult daughters, three house rabbits, and a black lab named Mayleen. Check out Pastor Todd’s blog at www.todd-grant-yonkman.net. He can be reached at toddyonkman@gmail.com.
- Recorded in November of 2021
- Listen to more from Rev. Dr. Todd Grant Yonkman
