As followers of Jesus Christ, as the body of Christ here on this earth, we are called to put aside the sin of racism and to work to systematically and institutionally destroy it.
As such, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA strives to be an antiracist, anti-oppressive, multicultural church.
For God is our peace; who has made both into one
and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
Ephesians 2.14
Jesus Christ has broken down the barriers that separate humanity. It is clear from Holy Scripture that racial oppression is contrary to God’s will. In response to God’s Word, an antiracism ministry has been developed, whose purpose is to help the Metropolitan Chicago Synod identify how the issues of race, racism and racial injustice impacts our congregations and the communities we serve; to shape an antiracist identity; and, to develop a plan to transform the structures of the Church to be antiracist.
Accomplishing all that we have been called upon to do is vital to the fulfillment of our synodical mission statement:
In Jesus’ Name • Proclaim the Gospel • Make Disciples • Do Justice
God’s justice and concern for those who suffer from injustices are not individual issues they are family issues.
Our family - the Church - is broken by racism. It is more than one person mistreating another, but the effects and the destruction of the whole of the family of God that these acts cause.
As long as we are separated by race, as long as certain of us benefit because of “race”, as long as some of us are denied benefits because of “race”, then the family of God is broken. And just like in each of our families, no one person or group can be affected by brokenness without the whole of the family being affected.
Therefore, antiracism work in our Church exists for the following reasons:
- The very nature of our lives as people of God, as a church, and as followers of Jesus Christ calls us to work against anything that keeps us from living together as equal people of God;
- The institutional church with its structures and policies and at times its theology has historically played a major role in the facilitation of white privilege and continues to do so today;
- The reality of the ELCA and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is still that of a predominantly white church in a multicultural context;
- The reality of institutionalized racism in the church keeps some people from being able to participate fully in all aspects of Christian life in our congregations - from worship and leadership to fellowship programs and finances.
These reasons certainly have an affect on the witness of the Church and are contrary to the Good News teachings of Jesus Christ.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Overcoming the centuries old construct of racism is not an easy task - racism is deeply embedded in our society, our laws, our institutions, our church, our very lives. And, unlike those “As seen on TV” ads — we do not have a quick fire solution.
We do, however, offer to join you on the journey to an antiracist church, an antiracist society.
God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8
Like that proverbial pebble, we seek to create sufficient discomfort to provoke meaningful and fruitful conversations regarding the formation of antiracist identities; regarding the eradication of the depressing, debilitating and hopeless state that is racism.
Our hope; our expectation — there’s that emphasis again — is that a common analysis and definition of racism will facilitate conversations that will engender a deeper sense of understanding and trust.
A common analysis will obliterate the fear and resentment that is ever-present when the topic of racism is broached. Arriving at a common definition and analysis will facilitate the journey towards antiracist transformation.
A common analysis will empower all of us to work towards the day when all persons will not be judged by the color of their skins, but by the content of their character.
Fostering discussions on the impact of race and racism along with the development of a common analysis and understanding of the racial construct is vital in order to expose and resolve the rifts that keep us apart.
