- Overview
- Mission and Vision
- History of SCORR
- Registration
- Schedule
- Speakers
- Breakout Sessions
- Events
Overview
At the time Isaiah 43 was written, we find the people of Israel are in captivity to the Babylonians. No doubt, many questions ran through their minds - will God deliver them from captivity just as they were delivered from the hands of the Egyptians? Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord assures them that he will do something new, “it will spring forth, like a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” In the midst of pain and confusion, God assures his people that he will move in their midst.
Our world is currently in turmoil, leaving us feeling like we are in a wilderness, searching for streams that bring hope. At such a time as this, SCORR seeks to be a beacon of hope, an annual gathering that seeks to empower attendees to become catalysts for change through transformational learning and growth as we engage the diversity of the Kingdom of God. As we transition to a conference hosted by a different institution each year, we look to the Lord to lead us into this new season with hope and great anticipation.
As we enter this, the 26th annual Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation (SCORR), let us remember the words of our Lord from the prophet Isaiah. As we engage in discussions on diversity on Christian college/university campuses across the country, let us ponder how we can experience streams in a desert. Whether we are students, faculty, staff or alumni of a Christian college/university, may we continue to build a community of vibrant servant leaders, those who work for the good of others, that all may thrive and prosper in God’s Kingdom.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The mission of SCORR is to empower attendees to become catalysts for change through transformational learning and growth as they engage the diversity of the Kingdom of God.
Vision
The vision of SCORR is to be an annual gathering where attendees experience:
- instruction that broadens their perspectives,
- dialogue that enhances critical thinking, and
- artistic expression that inspires creativity.
Through active participation in SCORR, attendees will develop a greater vision for enhancing diversity promoting biblical justice and inspiring leadership that results in a life-long process of building God’s Kingdom on earth.
Goals
- To provide teaching on the biblical basis on reconciliation, justice, and the Kingdom of God on earth.
- To address issues facing contemporary society and engage one another in critical dialogue on being a presence in our society.
- To explore the challenges facing Christian colleges and universities regarding diversity in Higher Education.
- To build a network of advocacy and support for students, staff and faculty who are committed to enhancing an awareness of diversity, reconciliation and shalom on Christian colleges and universities.
Values
We believe that the process of reconciliation is central to the message of the gospel and to be lived out on a daily basis by believers in Christ.
Therefore, SCORR gives high priority to worship, prayer and the teaching from scripture the value of diversity and ministry of reconciliation.
We value to role of the arts in our education and edification as the Body of Christ. We serve a creative God and we should be a creative people of God.
Therefore, we give a significant place for a variety of artistic expression in our worship and instruction at SCORR.
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. As we come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, all can make a significant contribution.
Therefore, we value dialogue across cultures, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. At SCORR we are all students as well as teachers.
History of SCORR
History of SCORR
The Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation (SCORR)
Looking Back to Look Ahead
In the summer of 1995 several of us who work in Christian colleges/universities gathered for a day to network and dialogue on the state of affairs regarding diversity initiatives on our respective campuses. We shared our ups and downs and sought to encourage one another to continue in this difficult but necessary work. At this meeting, I presented the vision I had to start a conference that would bring students from various Christian colleges/universities together for an annual gathering. It would be a time to celebrate our diversity and to share our stories with one another. They unanimously agreed that this was something I should do, and they would be in support of it. In February of 1996 we held our first conference. Humble beginnings were huge steps of faith.
The original name of the conference was called the Western Regional Multicultural Leadership Conference. From about 1996 to 1999 students and staff from colleges/universities from the Southern California region attended. In 2000 we changed our name to the Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation and hence the acronym, SCORR. By then the conference had grown to serve Christian colleges/universities along the West Coast.
In the ensuing years, SCORR expanded its scope as many students in leadership positions (Student Government, Residence Life, Chapel Programs), from the Biola campus as well as from a variety of other Christian colleges and universities, began to require attendance as a part of their leadership responsibilities. Topics thus ranged from “how is diversity relevant to student leadership” to “how do we address challenging issues on our campuses as well as society at large.”
Whether students are new to the conversation on diversity or eager to engage in a deeper process, the vision for SCORR remains to be an annual gathering where attendees experience, a) instruction that broadens their perspectives, b) dialogue that enhances critical thinking, and c) artistic expression that inspires creativity. As the vision statement reads, “Through active participation in SCORR, attendees will develop a greater vision for enhancing diversity, promoting biblical justice and inspiring leadership that results in a life-long process of building God’s Kingdom on earth.”
Among the visiting colleges and universities that have attended SCORR: Azusa Pacific University, Belmont University, Bethel University (Minnesota), Bethel College (Indiana), Cedarville University, Concordia University, Fresno Pacific University, George Fox University, Hope International University, Moody Bible Institute, Pepperdine University, Point Loma University, Samford University, Simpson University, Seattle Pacific University, University of Northwestern (Minnesota), Vanguard University, Wheaton College, Westmont College.
Today, we continue to grow as attendees now come from many parts of the country. The need is ever pressing to address issues facing, not only diversity in Christian Higher Education, but how does the Kingdom of God become a reality on our campuses. Creating opportunities for students, faculty and staff to dialogue together is an on-going challenge. SCORR seeks to be a part of the solution as we gather annually to address crucial issues facing the church, Christian colleges/universities and the world at large.
Registration
Register to this year's conference: October 12 - 15, 2022 at Vanguard University.Individual Registration - $75
Vanguard students, staff, and faculty - $0