Becoming a pro-reconciling, anti-racist church

 

Recent events in the United States have rubbed raw emotions over the sin of racism. For decades, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been intentionally working to eradicate systemic racism with admittedly mixed results.

 

Reconciliation Ministry gives leadership to the overall priority.

 

The ministry was the Church's initial response to the civil unrest following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968. Beginning with Resolution 29 of the International Convention of Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) that year, our Church has persistently pursued ways to address the sin of racism through resolutions and direct action in our congregations, regions and general ministries. For many years the ministry has offered pro-reconciliation/anti-racism training, but there are also other efforts currently underway that reach across the life of the Church.

• Open Executive Search Model.  In response to General Board Item 00-1676, the executive search process has been implemented.  The Executive Search establishes guidelines for the recruitment and selection of executive leaders in the general and regional expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The procedures assist the Church in recruiting and maintaining executive leadership that is reflective of the people of God whom we are called to serve.  It was revised in 2011, calling for pro-reconciliation/anti-racism training and recommending that the values of the model inform entry level employment practices, as well.
• Cultural competency. A committee of the General Board, led by former moderator Regina Morton, is developing a process for improved cultural competency for governing boards and ministries to prepare receiving ministries of the historically dominant culture to be served by persons of color.
• Items for Reflection and Research.  During the 2013 General Assembly, an Item for Reflection and Research (GA 1323) on mass incarceration and its disproportionate effect on communities of color was brought to the floor, encouraging the Church to study the issue. Reconciliation Ministry also took up the theme for their offering cycle this fall - School Yards, Not Prison Yards. Materials for the continued discussion around for-profit prisons and the higher rates of incarnation of African American men can be found on the Reconciliation Ministry website. Another item for Reflection and Research was also presented and approved (GA 1324) to encourage prayer, reflection and education about the Doctrine of Discovery and its impact on indigenous peoples.  Part of the Justice education track for the 2015 assembly will be devoted to further examination of these two items.
• GA 2013 Resolution.  During the 2013 assembly, a resolution entitled "Removal of Any Racist Language in the Governing Documents of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)" (GA 1328), was adopted and has been actively pursued by a committee headed up by the Rev. Sandhya Jha. The committee is currently reviewing The Design, Standing Rules for the Administrative Committee, General Board and General Assembly, The Policies and Criteria for the Ordering of Ministry, The Merger Agreement, and the founding documents for Hispanic and NAPAD Ministries. The team is working to ensure the documents include the perspective of people of color and not just the dominant culture narrative. 

Christmas offering

Dec. 14 and 21

 

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