Over a growing number of years, we as Christian Fellowship have become more conscious of the divide that continues to exist in racial relationships in our society. This divide is not only evident in today’s headlines, but also in our inability to be able to have healing conversations about matters of race.
The church – as representing something of the spirit of the Kingdom of God – should be a reflection of a people who have learned how to speak, listen, and respond to matters of indifference and injustice and show a way to live in healing, in peace, and in solidarity.
This is not something that comes about on its own accord; it takes an intentional effort. As such, we are putting forth this statement outlining a four-fold mission for advancing better racial relationships through understanding, harmony, and unity. This is not just a goal but a process. It is something that is entered into one by one with each person making progress as he or she gives themselves to this mission.
Our plan is to offer regular times for exploring, informing, and facilitating this conversation through seminars, books, speakers, and other resources.
We invite all who read this statement to join us in taking steps that will reflect the Kingdom of God and what it looks like to bring heaven to earth – “Your Kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” –Matthew 5:9
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
“Racism affects all of us. But few in the majority culture feel it or admit it. That is the privilege of being the majority. Your color and your ways are assumed. Whiteness is not an issue for you … so why should blackness be an issue? We are naïve at best.” – Pastor John Piper addressing his majority white congregation in 2002
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin
