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Jen Bradbury
Sep 12 · 5 min read

The (false) unity of 9-12

As we've approached the twentieth anniversary of 9-11, I’ve seen this picture on social media a lot:

In some ways, I get the sentiment.

Our country is divided, certainly more than I’ve seen at any other point in my lifetime.

And yet, every time...

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#refugee #racism #privilege

Jen Bradbury
Oct 20 · 5 min read

Rwanda, missions, & saving our neighborhoods

Twice, I’ve had the privilege of leading mission trips to Rwanda. On both occasions, well-meaning people commented, “How great that you’re going to save the Rwandans!” or “It’s so awesome that you’re bringing God to Rwanda!”

How disappointed those...

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#politics #Rwanda #diversity #racism #Missions

Jen Bradbury
Jun 16 · 5 min read

A sanitized MLK

Over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about Martin Luther King Jr.

As a kid, MLK was the ONE black man I learned about in a positive way. He was the pastor who gave the “I have a dream” speech and who advanced the notion of...

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#justice #race #racism #Jesus

Jen Bradbury
Jun 05 · 5 min read

Is the church going extinct?

Perhaps in the last few weeks, you’ve seen a meme like this one:

Murder Hornets

I certainly have.

Between the pandemic, the murder hornets, the killing of another black man, the protests, and the riots, I've heard more people than ever before say something...

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#youth ministry #scripture #church #Leaders #research #racism #worship #justice #youth pastor #Pandemic

Jen Bradbury
Jun 04 · 5 min read

I hope they'll listen

Img 8877

Hope is very into party planning right now.

Yesterday, she planned a carnival for our family to participate in, complete with individual tickets for each activity – tickets she spent two hours making.

One of the carnival activities was CHALK,...

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#justice #children #racism #Pandemic #privilege #parenting

Jen Bradbury
May 31 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Exhaustion

This week has broken me.

George Floyd.

The protests.

The looting.

The pandemic.

It’s left me feeling exhausted.

And I’m someone who knows what exhaustion feels like.

I’ve felt the complete and utter exhaustion that defines a first trimester...

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#death #pregnancy #racism #Pandemic #privilege #breastfeeding

Jen Bradbury
May 30 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Mentioning the Unmentionables

As a parent, I, like so many, want to shelter my girls from the horrors of the world. At 10-months old and 5-years-old, they are, after all, still so young.

Yet, the reality is that Hope (the 5-year-old) hears EVERYTHING… And she asks questions...

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#death #church #children #racism #Pandemic #parenting

Jen Bradbury
Apr 07 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Excuse me, my privilege is showing

During these days of COVID-19 quarantine, I've once again become aware of just how privileged I am. 

I'm aware of my privilege when I watch the nightly news and I'm struck by the disproportionate number of African Americans who have died from...

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#Pandemic #privilege #racism #church #marriage #children's ministry #children #grief

Jen Bradbury
Oct 15 · 5 min read

Review: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison

Filed in Book Review

I was in my 30s before I began wrestling with the concept of my privilege, thanks largely to a senior pastor who was passionate about fighting systemic racism. My interaction with him sparked my desire to continue learning about and understanding...

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#identity #justice #church #racism #privilege #books #worship

Jen Bradbury
Jan 07 · 5 min read

Review: White Picket Fences by Amy Julia Becker

Filed in Book Review

Ever since reading Small Talk and A Good and Perfect Gift , I’ve been a fan of Amy Julia Becker. Because of this, I was excited to read her new book, White Picket Fences: Turning Toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege.

White Picket Fences

Amy’s book...

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#Community #racism #privilege #books

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Latest Posts

  • The (false) unity of 9-12
  • Rwanda, missions, & saving our neighborhoods
  • A sanitized MLK
  • Is the church going extinct?
  • I hope they'll listen
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Exhaustion
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Mentioning the Unmentionables
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Excuse me, my privilege is showing
  • Review: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
  • Review: White Picket Fences by Amy Julia Becker

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