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Many Voices, One People, One Mission
A Call to Increased Understanding and Appreciation of Our Diversity
RACE IN AMERICA
Race still matters in America and, in many ways, we remain splintered along the lines of race. While it can be difficult, dialoguing about racial issues can serve to lessen racial fears and promote racial harmony. Many denominations have already engaged in dialogues about race in America today. American Baptists can seize the moment and advance the cause of Christ through a focus on conversations directed towards racial reconciliation.
What are American Baptists saying about this issue?
ABCUSA Policy Statement on Racial Justice
Excerpt from the Policy Statement:
American Baptists represent the coming together of many racial and ethnic streams within American life and within the life of our world. We recognize and affirm efforts underway by some to help the value of racial and ethnic diversity become normative within the church and to model within society values and structures that open the doors of opportunity for all people. We call upon the church to continue and increase efforts toward this reality.
ABCUSA Resolution on Reconciliation
Excerpt taken from the Resolution: It is through God's love that we are called and empowered to be a reconciling people. The oneness given to us in creation, "in the image of God," has been fractured by human sinfulness which dishonors the richest of human life. The human family is differentiated into tribes, clans and nations. Fear of differences and greed lead to aggression, oppression and subjugation of peoples. What God has made "very good" becomes increasingly bad as hostility, hatred and retaliation lead to alienation. Alienation distorts God's original intention for human relationships.
Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism
Beneath the Skin shows that racism is far from eradicated—inside or outside the church. Yet many Baptists are working together in proactive ways to break down the racial and ethnic walls of division and to be faithful to the Bible's moral vision.
Beneath the Skin considers past mistakes and future challenges regarding racial unity and social justice. From the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the current immigration debate, Beneath the Skin peels back prejudices and confronts them with biblical mandates. Interviewees come from nearly a dozen states and represent the best in Baptist life, including preacher and activist Will Campbell, Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III of American Baptist Churches USA, and Javier Elizondo of Baptist University of the Americas.
Watch the 30-second trailer for Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism at right. Download a Discussion Guide using the passcode found on the DVD. Order the DVD from Judson Press
Here are some definitions of racism. How would you define racism?
- Racism = Race, Prejudice and Power (Definition taken from the Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process, Anti-Racism Analysis Training.)
- Racism is the belief that one race is innately superior to all other races. It is the devaluing of intelligence, gifts and potential for contribution within society of persons outside one's own racial identity. It is also the use of economic, social and political positions of power to sustain ethnocentric values and systems. This intentional or unintentional organization of formal and informal systemic structures that keep specific racial-ethnic groups disadvantaged and disenfranchised is institutional racism. Racism, when manifest by individuals, groups or systems is a sin against God. It is grievous to recognize pervasive manifestations of the sin of racism within U.S. history that remains embedded in the fabric of life in our society. American Baptist Policy Statement on Racial Justice, March 1989; Modified by the General Board – March 2006
- Racism 1. A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities, and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2. racial prejudice or discrimination www.merrian-webster.com
Here are some questions for consideration as you prepare to discern how God might be leading your congregation to address this issue.
- What are our hopes regarding conversations about race?
- What are our fears regarding conversations about race?
- How can we prepare ourselves to face the fears and pain that may be associated with this issue?
- Who should be included in these types of discussions?
- What tools do we need to better equip ourselves for race-related conversations?
- How readily does our church adapt to change?
- What do we understand about conflict transformation?
- What resources and tools do we have to better equip us to handle conflict transformation?
- How do we understand racial reconciliation?
- Read Psalm 85:10: "Truth and mercy have met together, and justice kissed peace."
Reconciliation must address these components. Without justice the brokenness continues to fester. There can be no reconciliation without transformation! What is this passage saying to you? ...to your congregation?
Congregational Resources
Unlearning Racism: A Personal Commitment
by Catherine Choy-Wong
Reconciliation is a Place
This is an exercise drawn from the work of John Paul Lederach exploring the dynamics of truth, justice, mercy and peace in working for reconciliation. It is used in conflict transformation training by Rev. Dwight Lundgren, coordinator for intercultural ministries - reconciliation, National Ministries. Call (800) ABC-3USA, ext. 2451.
Race and Poverty: a Five–Session Study Guide
This free resource that examines attitudes and perceptions about race and poverty in America was developed and published jointly by National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in response to the human suffering following Hurricane Katrina and witnessed by the world. In a nation often considered a land of plenty, how could there be so many with so little?
Download the sessions below to use this guide in a Sunday school class, a mid-week Bible study group or a weekend retreat. No matter where or when you use it, you're bound to be challenged by the questions it raises and the awareness it offers. You may also want to visit the National Minsitries Web page where the below resource is hosted.
Introduction
Session 1: The Missional Moment—Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Session 2: Poverty Uncovered—Amos 5:11-24
Session 3: Seeing the Pain—James 2:1-13
Session 4: Confession and Repentance—Revelation 3:14-19
Session 5: Redemption and Reconciliation—1 John 3:11, 16-24
Teaching Tolerance
www.teachingtolerance.org - Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving inter-group relations and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation's children.
The project offers free educational materials to teachers and other school practitioners in the U.S. and abroad through a self-titled magazine, free curricular kits and web-based downloadable curricula for youth and parents/guardians.
The Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process: An Anabaptist Training and Skill Development Program, Mennonite Central Committee US - This training event provides the foundation for the ongoing work of dismantling racism in the local church and community. It offers an analytical framework for dismantling racism and the how-to's of developing anti-racism teams in your local congregation.
Contact information:
- Phil Morice Brubaker, training coordinator, (574) 246-0812, pmb@mcc.org
- Mennonite Central Committee US, 21 South 12 Street, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501, (717) 859-3889 www.mcc.org/us
Troubling the Waters for Healing of the Church: A Journey for White Christians from Privilege to Partnership (Leaders and Participants Guide), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - This is a training process for groups and individuals seeking to explore identity, privilege and power in order to live more inclusive lives. $35
Contact information: www.augsburgfortress.org or (800) 328-4648
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Books and Magazines - The books and magazines in this section contain easy-to-use Bible studies, curriculum and processes that can be used in your congregation. |
Anderson, David. Gracism: The Art of Inclusion. InterVarsity Press: Grovers, Illinois. 2007
______________________Multicultural Ministry. Zondervan: Grand Rapids. 2004
McKenzie, Steven. All God's Children: A Biblical Critique of Racism. John Knox Press: Louisville. 1997
Law, Eric. The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb: Spirituality for Leadership in A Multicultural Community. Chalice Press: St. Louis. 1993
Teaching Tolerance, Fall 2008, Issue 34 - Special Youth Empowerment issue featuring articles by Barack Obama and John McCain on how young people can change the world. www.teachingtolerance.org
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