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United Reformed Church Proclamations against Racism

1. 1978

1.1 Resolution 4

1.1.1 The Assembly endorses the Affirmation in the British Council of Churches Statement on Racism and urges all members to make a public stand against racism in all its forms and in support of the reconciliation which is so integral a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1.1.1.a The Affirmation of the BCC Statement is as follows:

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ sets forth the unity of the human race: the acceptance and love of all within the human family.

2. We assert again the claims of love and justice: to seek the good of others and to work for the human rights of all.

3. We recognise that Britain is now a pluralist society of varied races, cultures and religions; we must respect those who practice different religions and adhere to different styles of life; a more varied society offers new opportunities to us all.

4. We believe that racial policies and racial activities of the National Front, and other similar bodies, are entirely contrary to the truth of the Gospel and contrary to the true integrity of this nation.

5. We believe that racial attitudes will not be defeated by violence on our streets, but by open and unyielding commitment to freedom and justice for all.

6. We therefore urge Christians and non-Christians to act in ways which are free from racial discrimination and to support those values which are the foundations of our democratic society.

7. A Commitment

As a witness to this stand against racism we sign this statement as a clear commitment to a tolerant and just society, freed from racism of all kinds.

2. 1980

2.1 Resolution 1

2.1.1. The Assembly urges all churches to study the question of racism, both locally and nationally, using the publications of the British Council of Churches’ Community and Race Relations Unit, and commends to all Churches the CRRU Project Fund as a practical way of contributing to the creation of a truly multi-racial society in Britain.

3. 1981

3.1 Resolution 3

3.1.1 The Assembly expresses its opposition to the British Nationality Bill and urges Her Majesty’s Government to withdraw it, and it calls upon Churches to make their views known to their members of Parliament; to work actively to combat racism; to contribute to the project fund of the Community and Race Relations Unit of the British Council of Churches.

4. 1987

4.1 Resolution 4

4.1.1 The Assembly adopts the Declaration on Racism and commends it for study and action and as a future point of reference throughout the Church.

4.1.1.1 The Declaration on Racism:

Creed. The United Reformed Church believes that all people are created in God’s image, free and equal in his sight.

Definition. Racism results where prejudiced attitudes of superiority over others are combined with the power to shape society.

History. Western civilisation is, and has long been, seriously flawed by racism.

Acknowledgment. British society nurtures racism through assumptions, stereotypes and organisational barriers which deny black people a just share of power and decision-making.

Confession. The Church displays racism by failing to adapt so that black people can share fully in its life, its outreach and its decision-making.

Affirmation. There is cause for celebration in church and society when black and white people learn to cooperate, share power and make decisions together and where new forms of community life are thus discovered.

Commitment. The United Reformed Church commits itself to challenge and equip all its people to resist racism within themselves, within the church and within society as a whole and to train people and devoted resources to this task.

Pledge.

The United Reformed Church pledges itself, as it shares in action against racism, to monitor and review at regular intervals what progress is being made in church and society.

5. 1990

5.1 Resolution 7

5.1.1 The Assembly adopts the statement A Declaration of Equal Opportunities policy (in relation to ministers).

Par. 4: The Church is aware of possible barriers for example to women and to black people within the structures of the Church in ministry and others posts; this has to do with expectations, position, role and status.

Par. 5: The Church will therefore establish appropriate methods of monitoring the appointment, call and position of women and black people in the ministry and of considering appropriate action where necessary.

6. 1994

6.1 Resolution 7

6.1.1 The Assembly adopts an Equal Opportunity Policy (by unanimous vote) as follows:

a. The Church affirms its Basis of Union that ‘all ministries shall be open to both men and women.’ At Assembly 1987 it adopted a Declaration on Racism and in 1990 adopted a Declaration of Equal Opportunities Policy in relation to ministers.

b. This policy is not a statement of what the Church has already achieved; it is a declaration of the way it intends to move forward at all levels and in all aspects of its life within the limitations of its resources. In particular, it is an aid to appointing the most suitable people to all positions of responsibility within the church disregarding irrelevant considerations; it does not oblige the church as employer or otherwise to make appointments of people other than those most capable of fulfilling the responsibilities.

6.1.1.1 Assembly declares:-

• The Church will behave as an ‘equal opportunity organisation’; and not discriminate on grounds of race, gender or disability.

• The Church works to combat racism, sexism and prejudice against people with disabilities and is committed to positive action rather than containing the issues.

• The Church is aware of possible barriers, for example to women, black people and people with disabilities, within the structures of the Church in ministry and other posts; this has to do with expectations, position, role and status.

• The Church will therefore establish appropriate methods of monitoring the appointment, call, representation and position of women, black people and people with disabilities in the Church and take appropriate action where necessary.

7. 1994 

7.1 Resolution 19

7.1.1 Assembly welcomes and adopts the document ‘Charter for the Church’ and encourages those responsible for the appointment or nomination of members of all the councils of the church to become more aware of the issues and to follow its recommendations.

7.2 Resolution 20a

7.2.1   General Assembly calls the whole church to prayer and action so that ways are found to listen to people of different cultural backgrounds in our churches.

7.3 Resolution 20b

7.3.1 General Assembly instructs the Mission Council

(1) to consider the motion from Thames North Synod on the allocation of a special multi-racial ministry;

(2) to make proposals to the General Assembly of 1995 in consultation with the new Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities and the Finance Committee as to what post, if any, is needed and how it should be funded.

8. 1996

8.1 Resolution 22

8.1.1 Assembly, noting the concern of the Churches Commission for Racial Justice and in support of their statement, gives its full support to those in local churches and communities who feel constrained by conscience to offer sanctuary to individuals and families facing deportation, providing they are satisfied that sanctuary is a last resort and that at least one of the following applies: 

a) there is a well-founded fear of persecution;

b) there is a serious threat to family life;

c) there would be a basic denial of justice and compassion.

9. 1996

9.1 Resolution 7

9.1.1 Assembly instructs the Overseas Exchange Sub-Committee, on consultation with the Equal Opportunities Committee, to use one of its 5 special ministry posts for the appointment of a multi-racial and multi-cultural development worker with the United Reformed Church for an initial period of three years.

10. 2000

10.1 Resolution 49

10.1.1  General Assembly resolves to urge Mission Council as a matter of high priority to secure funding and urgently to make an appropriate appointment to continue the work begun by the Revd Marjorie Lewis-Cooper.

11. 2001

11.1 Resolution 40

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

11.1.1  General Assembly urges Her Majesty’s Government to accord greater dignity and respect to those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom by:

1. Adopting a positive attitude to refugees and asylum seekers.

2. Accurately informing and educating the public, thereby dispelling myths that give rise to resentment and racism.

3. Simplifying and expediting the asylum seeker procedure.

4. Ending the voucher system forthwith and introducing a workable cash benefit system.

5. Ensuring that where detention is deemed to be necessary, it is caring and supportive to which end prisons should not be used.

6. Liasing with local statutory and voluntary bodies and churches in dispersal areas to ensure adequate resourcing and human support.

11.1.2 General Assembly encourages all United Reformed Churches, with their ecumenical and interfaith partners, to develop and sustain a positive approach by:

1. Welcoming refugees and asylum seekers irrespective of faith or ethnicity and valuing the contributions they have to offer.

2. Encouraging congregations to befriend, advise and support.

3. Offering material assistance as appropriate.

4. Lobbying constituency MPs.

12. 2003

12.1 Resolution 27  

Refugees & Asylum Seekers

12.1.1 General Assembly, noting the strength of feeling on the issue of refugees and asylum seekers in our society today, urges all members of the United Reformed Church to:

a) acknowledge the unequivocal call of the Bible to care for the stranger in our midst and to respond to the needs of strangers in our own neighbourhoods with compassion and practical friendship;

b) seek to address our own attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers with honesty and in ways that reflect the quality of our faith and commitment to our caring God;

c) seek to live out the gospel in relation to refugees and asylum seekers through challenging the selfishness and racism that their presence has exposed, and by resisting any attempts to make this racism socially acceptable, whilst being aware that honest attempts to do so may lead to ridicule by many in British society.

d) To join with other Non-Government organizations in active local and national campaigning to further the above aims.

13. 2004

13.1 Mission Council Resolution on the British National Party (BNP)       

13.1.1  Mission Council at its January 2004 meeting declared that:

‘membership or any form of support for organizations such as the BNP is in compatible with Christian discipleship…’

13.2 Resolution 8  

Racial Justice & Multicultural Ministry

General Assembly agrees that: 

a)  The Racial Justice Committee be renamed the Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry Committee;

b)  There should be cross representation between the Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry Committee and other General Assembly committees, together with the opportunity for an occasional inter-committee forum, to ensure its work is effectively integrated with the whole work of the United Reformed Church, and in particular with its work in developing relations with new migrant churches.

Committee for Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry

Convener: Revd Andrew Prasad

Secretary: Katalina Tahaafe-Williams

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