Racial
Justice & Multicultural Ministry
This committee is
responsible for:
-
Enabling the
United Reformed Church to understand and respond to the
multi-racial/multi-cultural nature of society in order to enhance its
mission;
-
Assisting the
United Reformed Church to reflect on racial justice issues and to address
these in its policies;
-
Identifying
strategies for combating racism in all its forms in the church and society,
working closely with other committees and councils of the church to
implement them;
-
Helping the
United Reformed Church to celebrate the diverse racial and cultural
backgrounds of its membership, encouraging all members to participate
meaningfully at all levels of the Church's life.
Committee Members
Convener: Revd
Andrew Prasad
Secretary: Mrs
Katalina Tahaafe-Williams
Mrs Sandra Ackroyd, Mr
Iain Bhagwandin, Revd Dr John Campbell, Revd Helga Cornell, Revd Carla Grosch-Miller,
Mrs Elaine Patrick,
Revd Norman Setchell.
1. Introduction:
Catch the vision – for
God’s Tomorrow …
1.1 The United Reformed
Church is a multicultural church in a multicultural, multi-faith and
increasingly secular society (and world). Together with other mainline churches
in contemporary western democracies, it finds itself wrestling with how to
respond to the changes and growing diversity both within itself as well as in
the wider society. The end of Christendom in the West has meant that so-called
mainline churches have become isolated, alienated and marginalised from their
host culture. In short, the church has become a diasporic minority community of
faith. Against this post-Christian reality, the United Reformed Church has seen
and seized the opportunity to rediscover what it means to be church.
1.2 The question of what
it means to be church inevitably raises concerns about missiology and
ecclesiology. Mission is God’s initiative. The church is invited to receive and
share in it. It follows then that a church with this understanding of the missio
Dei would have the ability to proclaim the gospel to a specific context and
simultaneously seek God’s purposes in the whole of creation. Such a church would
understand the absolute significance for today of learning to live and witness
together as people of difference. How we live and relate with all our
differences in an ever growing and complex world is a central theological
challenge for the church in the 21st century.
1.3 The Committee
believes this to be a kairos moment. The United Reformed Church (and indeed
Britain itself) is culturally and ethnically diverse. The opportunity is there
for the United Reformed Church to articulate a self-understanding as a community
of difference and thereby model an alternative way of being. The United Reformed
Church is in a position to model the vision of a truly multicultural body of
Christ. Through its life and witness as a marginalised community of faith, it
can exemplify a commitment to inclusion and reveal the kind of Christ proclaimed
in its midst. This commitment becomes even more critical at a time when social
and political rhetoric seeks to exclude rather than embrace. The mission call
then is to become a truly multicultural Christian ecclesia, founded on the
notions of welcome and hospitality.
1.4 As the United
Reformed Church seeks to hear again God’s call and to re-vision what it means to
be church, the urgent task of seriously engaging with cultural diversity and
what it means to be the multicultural church needs to be a priority if it is to
live up to this high calling.
2. History of
Striving for Racial Justice
(Reports 2005
Appendix 2)
2.1 From its inception
the United Reformed Church has endeavoured to respond to God’s call and claim on
it with regards to racial justice. Its history of striving for racial justice
speaks of a church that is centred upon the gospel and the proclamation of its
message of freedom and justice. It speaks of a church that passionately believes
in God’s power to make a difference in peoples’ lives and to transform
communities to witness authentically to God’s kingdom, known and proclaimed in
Jesus Christ. Indeed, the Committee believes that the United Reformed Church’s
continuing commitment to eradicating racism is the mark of a church called by
God to live and promote God’s way of life of justice, peace, and reconciliation
(‘Catch the Vision’ Commentary).
2.2 In 1978 the United
Reformed Church urged all its members to support the British Council of Churches
(BCC) Statement against Racism by making public stands against all forms of
racism. In 1981 it strongly opposed the British Nationality Bill. The Church
adopted the Declaration on Racism in 1987, committing itself to equip all its
members to challenge racism in all its forms and to devote resources to this
task. In the 90’s the United Reformed Church acknowledged the existence of
barriers that marginalize certain groups within our church structures. It
adopted an Equal Opportunity Policy and Charter for the Church to monitor the
appointment, call, representation, and position of women, black people, all ages
and people with disabilities in the church; and to take appropriate action where
necessary to address the rights and responsibilities of black members. 1996 saw
the appointment of a Multiracial/Multicultural Development Worker, and in 2001
the Assembly appointed and inducted the first Assembly Secretary for Racial
Justice together with an Assembly Committee for Racial Justice to continue the
work.
2.3 Noting the rise in
racist violence and racial prejudice exposed by the presence of refugee and
asylum seekers in Britain and Europe, the United Reformed Church called on its
members to welcome and befriend these brothers and sisters in need, and urged
the British government to fairness and compassion toward them. Most recently,
the January 2004 Mission Council declared its concern over the rise of extreme
right-wing and racist political parties in Europe and the UK, stating that
…within Britain membership or any form of support for organisations such as the
British National Party (BNP) is incompatible with Christian discipleship.
Further, it called on the whole church to make these views known in the local
and European elections in June 2004, and noted with welcome the growth in the
number of migrant congregations in the United Reformed Church.
3 Challenges and
Opportunities
(Reports 2005
Appendix 3)
3.1 The United Reformed
Church has a tradition of embracing diversity in its worship styles, theology
and discipleship. Its history of striving for racial justice is an affirmation
that in fact it is a multicultural church with membership composed of different
cultures and ethnicity.
3.2 For many years,
across much of London and in various other towns and cities, local congregations
of the United Reformed Church have been grappling with the opportunities and
challenges of building one just and caring fellowship with members from two or
more distinct cultures and backgrounds. The Committee rejoices to see local
congregations where people of diverse cultures seek to worship in one
fellowship. We also recognise the rightness of our journeying alongside
congregations that for the time being remain focussed on particular migrant
communities as we all explore how best to sustain both unity and diversity
within the body of Christ. (Reports 2005 Appendix 4)
3.3 While the overall
composition of the church is multicultural, living as a multicultural church
continues to be a challenge. The United Reformed Church tries hard to rejoice in
the rich mix of ethnic cultures that is so characteristic of British life. But
it needs to consider seriously just how welcoming it is to those strangers
looking for belonging. Are there enough done to let all people in the community
and neighbourhoods know that they are welcome and that the church doors are open
to receive all with care and hospitality? How inclusive is the church in
embracing diverse worship styles? It would be tragic to repeat the mistakes of
the Windrush years when a dearth of welcome for Caribbean Christians
significantly added to the impetus for the formation of black majority churches
in the UK.
3.4 There needs to be
more intentional effort in developing multicultural ministry and in proclaiming
the United Reformed Church as a church that welcomes all cultures and ethnicity,
if it is serious about becoming a vibrant and sustainable Christian community in
the next ten years (‘Catch the Vision’ Commentary). It is no exaggeration to say
that such rich cultural diversity provides the church with opportunities for
mission it cannot ignore. This is an opportunity for the United Reformed Church
to engage more seriously with the notion of what it means to be a multicultural
church as it considers its future.
3.5 Though challenged
with the vision of multicultural ministry, the Committee has faith that the
United Reformed Church is striving to respond to the call to be diverse, lively,
inclusive and flexible. The Committee believes that the church hears God’s call
to become a community of faith that is truly multicultural, i.e.- a church that
embraces cultural diversity and is united by faith in Christ. Hence, General
Assembly’s move in 2004 to change the Committee’s title to Racial Justice and
Multicultural Ministry (RJ&MM), affirming the Committee’s leading role to
develop multicultural ministry in the United Reformed Church as integral to its
brief. The Committee is eager to work to equip the United Reformed Church to
become not only visibly multicultural, but also to live multiculturally, through
its programmes and initiatives.
4 Self-Examination –
Individual and Institutional Racism
4.1 The United Reformed
Church recognises that racism is a sin. Racism and racial discrimination
continue to be pervasive features of most societies. If we are honest, we will
admit to holding attitudes and opinions that make unfavourable judgements
towards people based on ethnicity or skin colour. Racism is a key obstacle to
the realisation of truly multi-racial/multi-ethnic communities, which safeguard
diversity, where different identities interact, and where the rights and
obligations of all are fully respected in love and fellowship (Transformative
Justice, WCC, Geneva 2004). Metanoia, the graced turning of one’s heart towards
God, is an essential part of the Christian faith. The first step that prepares
one to receive this grace is to examine oneself for that which impedes one’s
relationship with God and with God’s people.
4.2 Key world events have
drawn national and local government attention to the insidious and pervasive
nature of racism within institutions and structures (e.g., Stephen Lawrence
Inquiry Report, 1999; UN World Conference against Racism, 2001). The World
Council of Churches (WCC) produced a paper in response to the 2001 UN World
Conference against Racism called Transformative Justice - a vision for building
truly inclusive and just communities through healing, reconciliation and
re-establishing right relationships.
4.3 In Britain the wider
church has also responded to these developments. In 2003 Churches Together in
Britain and Ireland (CTBI) published Redeeming the Time: All God’s People Must
Challenge Racism, endorsing the Stephen Lawrence Report’s definition of
institutional racism and acknowledging the existence of such racism within the
church.
4.4 The Stephen Lawrence
Report defines institutional racism as those established laws, customs and
practices that systematically produce racial inequalities in societies. If
racist consequences are the result of institutional laws, customs or practices,
the institution is racist whether or not the individuals maintaining those
practices have racist intentions. Institutional racism is systemic and not
simply the function of racist individuals in the organisation. There is a
distinction between racial prejudice and racial discrimination. People who are
not racially prejudiced can practice racial discrimination when they participate
in an institution that perpetuates racial inequalities, and in their failure,
which may be unconscious or uncritical, to offer equal opportunities and access
to services to all people. Institutional racism is inherent in how the
institution conducts its business and is administered in seemingly impersonal
ways without the explicit endorsement of the institution. Indeed, it persists
and even flourishes despite the dominant culture’s explicit disavowal of any
form of racism.
4.5 The United Reformed
Church defined institutional racism in its 1987 Declaration on Racism as those
…organizational barriers which deny black people a just share of power and
decision-making and the church’s failure to …adapt so that black people can
share fully in its life. It also affirmed the richness of life that true
multicultural sharing can bring. Eighteen years on and our churches remain
largely mono-cultural, as does our leadership. Visible involvement by minority
ethnic peoples at all levels in the life of the church is minimal. Like the
Metropolitan Police Service and other institutions, the church is often
oblivious to how its structures and practices exclude people of other cultures.
The exclusion of minority ethnic people, though unintentional, is the outcome of
institutional racism.
4.6 The United Reformed
Church is hindered in its effort to become a truly multicultural community of
Christ by the destructive influence of institutional racism. The church needs to
grapple honestly with the problem of institutional racism. It needs to examine
rigorously its ways of conduct and to consider the consequences of its policies,
practices, and procedures for minority ethnic peoples and those on the margins.
The challenges of today present opportunities to be used constructively, and in
the words of the General Secretary, that involves …serious self-analysis and the
deliberate creation of equal opportunities, for only so can God’s gifts be fully
appreciated.
5 Sacrifices and
Pruning
5.1 The Committee
believes that for the church to move forward in faith, changes must be made in
the way it orders its life and finances. More than physical and financial change
is required. Sacrifices and pruning, without which the vision for the church’s
future cannot be attained, need to take place in the hearts and minds of people.
What must be sacrificed is the desire to stay within comfort zones. What must be
pruned is the limited understanding of who are neighbours and what care is due
to them. What is called for is nothing less than a transformation and renewal of
minds so that, in the words of the apostle Paul ‘…we may discern what is the
will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ (Romans 12: 2)
6 The Committee’s
contribution
6.1 The Committee is
passionately committed to helping the United Reformed churches develop caring
and just communities of mutual hospitality and welcome for all. Educational and
training resources are helpful tools for equipping the churches to become
communities of mutual hospitality, welcome, and reconciliation. The Committee is
committed to working ecumenically to produce such resources. In addition to
‘Strangers No More’ which was produced jointly with the Methodist Church, the
Committee is now close to completing another training resource with the Baptist
Union aimed at meeting various levels of need in the churches.
6.2 The Racial Justice
Advocacy Network continues to help people on the ground engage more deeply and
without fear with issues of cultural diversity. The Advocacy work includes: work
with refugee and asylum seekers throughout the UK; trade justice and make
poverty history campaign; work in partnership with secular community projects to
promote and develop cohesive multicultural communities; and work to develop good
inter faith relations. The Racial Justice Advocates are committed and inspiring
individuals who volunteer time, energy and even personal resources to develop
just and reconciled multicultural communities.
6.3 The Multicultural
Youth Programme began with regional multicultural youth events throughout 2004
and early 2005, leading up to the United Reformed Church Multicultural Youth
Conference in October 2005. At the October conference a Multicultural Youth
Forum is to be launched. This forum will be run and led by young people from
different backgrounds.
6.4 Annual/Biennial
Conferences are planned for 2005 for three specific minority ethnic groups in
the United Reformed Church, in preparation for the United Reformed Church
Multicultural Conference and Celebrations planned for 2006. The conferences will
provide opportunities and space for the gathering of people from similar
minority ethnic background to come together and share their culture and their
stories. They would be spaces in which to reflect together on how they may
impact the life and witness of the United Reformed Church – their spiritual
home.
6.5 The committee
continues to work closely with ecumenical partners to nurture and develop
minority ethnic leadership through our networks, particularly in the Ethnic
Minority Lay and Ordained Ministers (EMLOM) Association.
6.6 The website has been
fully designed and ready to go. Assurances have been given that it will go up
very soon. A data base of resource people is being compiled so that we can have
people from minority ethnic background readily available to serve on committees
and other councils of the church when needed.
6.7 Promoting inter faith
relations and dialogue continues with the Inter Faith Relations Committee and
ecumenical inter faith networks like CIPA, CCIFR and others.
6.8 Support for the
Mission Partners, and Volunteers is an important of our work and the mission
partner programme is especially helpful in raising awareness and supporting
multicultural ministry projects.
6.9 Working for racial
justice and to develop multicultural ministry nationally and globally in
partnership with networks that include Churches commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ),
CWM, WCC, and others is significant and ongoing.
6.10 Racism Awareness
Training for various groups including synods, districts, theological colleges,
congregations and ecumenical bodies continue to be an active part of the work.
7 Kairos Moment
7.1 The Committee
believes that now is a kairos moment for the United Reformed Church to further
its commitment to the Lord’s work of healing the divisions in the human family
through the Committee’s work for racial justice and to develop multicultural
ministry. The Committee seeks to equip all levels of the church to build a
United Reformed Church that is truly hospitable to the whole people of God and
therefore a sign and witness to the reconciling and redemptive work of God in
Jesus Christ. It seeks to develop communities of mutual hospitality, welcoming
all peoples and the joys, gifts, and opportunities for service they bring. Now
is an opportunity for the United Reformed church to make clear it’s commitment
to becoming a multicultural church that welcomes people of all backgrounds
nurturing, supporting and utilising their gifts for leadership and full
participation in the life of the church.
Resolution 34
Developing Multicultural
Ministry
The Committee asks
that General Assembly commits to the following practical steps to enable the
United Reformed Church to further develop as a multicultural church:
a) General Assembly
requires racial awareness training to be included in the induction of future
Assembly staff, employees and committee members, and instructs that provision be
made for training all existing staff and committee members at least once every
two years.
b) General Assembly
affirms its support for the Racial Justice Advocacy Network, strongly urges each
synod or region to appoint a Racial Justice Advocate Co-ordinator and encourages
congregations to support the advocacy by encouraging members to join the
network.
c) General Assembly
instructs the Secretaries for Training, Ministries and Racial Justice and
Multicultural Ministry to evaluate the accessibility to minority ethnic people
of the systems of candidacy and training for Ministers of Word and Sacrament,
Church Related Community Workers, lay preachers and lay leaders, and to report
with recommendations to Mission Council no later than March 2006.
d) General Assembly
authorises the Committee for Racial Justice and Multicultural Ministry to
conduct an audit of church structures, policies, procedures and practices for
the presence of barriers to full participation of minority ethnic people, and to
report with recommendations to Mission Council no later than October 2006.
e) General Assembly
endorses the ‘Guidelines for welcoming and Receiving Migrant Churches’ (Assembly
Reports 2005 Appendix 5) and commends them to the United Reformed Church.
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