Recent U.S. census statistics reveal that Detroit is one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States. Unfortunately, too many churches mirror in their composition, the geographical separation of race that exists in the city. Jesus commanded followers to love God, love self and love others. The living out of the Gospel's mandate calls us into beloved community: relationships characterized by love, justice, mutuality and accountability. Detroit's geography of racism has erected borders both visible and invisible that make such relationships extremely challenging. The Detroit Partnership (DP) is an ecumenical group of urban and suburban churches partnering for the purpose of doing neighborhood projects together. DP partnering churches cross the ethnic, geographic and class boundaries of the city of Detroit. Detroit Partnership members engaged in theological reflection on principles of beloved community, as they initiated joint neighborhood projects. This project investigates the impact of individual and collective theological reflection and reflexivity on Detroit Partnership members as they reach across the borders of race, class and geography.
