8 Ways Church Leaders Can Move the Conversation Forward
Preach and teach about the sin of racism. United Methodist doctrine, moral and social teaching, and theological teachings clearly denounce racism as sin. Reiterate those historical teachings and stances in worship and all aspects of church life, including personal policies, worship design, and Christian education. No equivocation. Lead discussions in Bible study and church school classes on how Christians must understand and engage faithful anti-racism.
Denounce false notions of “two equal sides.” Talking about racism—personal and systemic—is often uncomfortable, particularly for white Christians, and the tendency often is to frame it as mere “disagreement” or dislike “among” two “sides” of an equitable society. However, all systems or teachings that assert that one race, language, or culture of people are less than sacred and worthy reflections of God’s creation is not a “side.” It is sin, and Christians must renounce.
Be present for honorable police officers and victims of rogue cops. People of Color will die, and good officers of all colors will be under-equipped to do their jobs effectively as long as racism is embedded in our systems. Victims of rogue police violence and the police officers who are trying to protect and serve all need the church’s tangible and ongoing prayers, presence, witness, and support.
Read a book, then act on it. Read books on anti-racism, Christian witness, and reform, then invite reflection and real-world experts to talk with you about what is happening in your community. Get your group or yourself involved with Churches of Color and with community groups active in positive action. A cluster of Chicago churches, for example, joined with local police officers to host town halls where church members and other residents—including formerly incarcerated persons—discuss how to improve police-community relations and more effective anti-racism training for beat cops.
Embrace the pain and risk the discomfort. Imagine a quarterly worship service dedicated to lamentation and crying, fasting and praying against racism, and for truth justice-making and reconciliation. In confronting white U.S. Christian complicity with racism, create opportunities for people to speak their own fears and pain, and to humbly confess and talk. Giving one’s self more fully to God for spiritual renewal can lead to personal and church-wide transformation.
Make space for white people to struggle together. Out of necessity, many People of Color in the United States find support through their own faith communities to survive and foster resilience living under the siege of racism. Likewise, white churches seeking to confront and dismantle racism must become positive, healing places where Christians can challenge outdated racial assumptions, ask hard questions, encourage and pray with one another, and decide together how to become more effective in dismantling racism.
Believe People of Color when they tell their stories. A giant step toward repair and healing is for white people—who collectively hold the most social power in our nation—to listen to, learn from, believe, and validate the experiences of People of Color. White Christians practicing an anti-racism faith must move from ignoring, excusing, and denying racism systems to dismantling them in concert with People of Color.
Work for true social justice through the lens of faith. Welcoming the stranger; Respecting all languages, skin colors, and cultures; Caring for the immigrant and orphan; Standing with those marginalized because of economic or social location; Rolling down justice. Each of these is a biblical imperative, lived out and modeled by Jesus Christ, our Savior. Make talking about, praying for, and working for racial justice an expression of your individual and corporate faith practice.