We continue the guide for anti-racism ministry in the local church. In the previous blog, I spoke of how to build a team of clergy in a common ministry and how to gain support of each church’s leadership. Now we turn to a church-wide conversation with the membership of each church.
ADDRESSING THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH CONGREGATION
- You will send a letter of explanation to your membership explaining both the purpose and the process in which you are engaging and the possibility for sharing with other churches as we reflect on the central beliefs of our faith.
(A sample letter will be provided.)
- You will ask each member to identify three to five statements that they consider central for a Christian church.
- Inform the members of all participating churches that each church will see the cumulative results of each church’s membership. This is the beginning of a multi-congregational conversation within the larger church.
- Also inform the membership that they each will soon receive a couple of brief surveys with some questions about our understanding of both the nature of church and faith as it considers what the Gospel has to say with respect to racism. Again, the cumulative results of each church, without individual names attached, will be shared with the participating churches.
congregational teams in conversation
- When these results have been gathered and graphed for visual reflection, the churches will arrange for some shared church assemblies in which to reflect together on the results. (If virus conditions prevent such gatherings, a Zoom conference can be considered)
- Hopefully, each assembly will include members of both Black and White churches and in this mixed company you will engage in the discipline of Active Listening to deeper understand the impact of racism in our society. (This discipline will be further defined for those who want to participate.
- Then the churches will engage in an adaptation of the Truth and Reconciliation process developed in South Africa to deepen our understanding. (The adaption of the Truth and Reconciliation process for local churches will be further described of those who choose to engage in this process.)
- If sufficient community is built among the churches, small groups will be encouraged to identify some specific anti-racism activities to offer to their churches.
Once you have the program, you may have to click on the first slide or two to advance the slides.
