(From the October - December 2021 issue of VOX)

“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” Jeremiah 22:3

“Two main themes shone through above all others - the need to speak up and the need to show Christ’s love in action.”

This question prompted 539 responses with many engaging in detailed reflection about the role of the church and the challenges of racial injustice. Two main themes shone through above all others - the need to speak up and the need to show Christ’s love in action with dozens of similar responses from across the island. Other key themes identified are mentioned repeatedly throughout the responses. The overwhelming weight of the comments demonstrated a strong desire to tackle racial injustice and for the church to lead the way in doing so.

Speak Up And Show Christ-Like Love

Respondents repeatedly mention the need and desire to speak up and speak out, to find and use our voices and the voice of the church, to advocate—both from the pulpit and in the community, to be “a voice to the nation” and preach acceptance. They say it’s important to name things out loud, identify when white supremacy or nationalism takes hold, and to loudly oppose racism. Comments frequently called for Christians to practice what we preach, speak openly and strongly about value and equality of all people and be a prophetic voice. Many simply state it’s time to “have the conversation” and talk about these issues.

By speaking out and acting when we see discrimination happening. There is no reason why the church shouldn’t use their platform and voice to speak up for justice, unity and diversity all of which are biblical values.

Identify minorities and fringe communities in our communities. Reach out to them with love and care. At a human level befriend them and listen respectfully to them to understand their culture, needs and experience; offer and show help and support to them; be a ‘good neighbour’ to them. If they ask about your hope, share with “gentleness and respect” - 1 Peter 3:15. Address and speak out against racism and give support to anti-racist initiatives in the church/denomination and in the community. Regularly review and audit issues of race in our community. Theologically re-examine the Bible and the Gospel message on the issue of culture, race and inclusion. Address this as denominations and congregations.

We need to speak out on these issues clearly and nationally. Too often the church nationally is seen as only caring about the ethics of the bedroom or the classroom. We have to find our voice on issues of racial justice and show that we have been leading the way in diversity for quite some time.

By speaking out and acting when we see discrimination happening. There is no reason why the church shouldn’t use their platform and voice to speak up for justice, unity and diversity all of which are biblical values.

Preach more about love, acceptance of people who are different. Have days or week-long activities or awareness sessions on diversity and inclusion. Jesus loved everyone and as followers of Christ that’s what is expected from us, if we can do this, it will be easy to lead the way to tackle racial injustice. It is time for people to see the church practicing what it preaches.

Repentance

Related to speak is the desire to recognise, admit and repent of our failings. Several mention that there is a biblical model for this. We must admit we have a problem, admit where we’ve been wrong or ignorant, humble ourselves, demonstrate self-examination. We can acknowledge and atone for historical and current harms, offer transparent accountability when things go wrong. (A few acknowledge we hold a connection to historical injustice and how this ties into current inequalities.)

We also need to develop a more biblical idea of corporate and national repentance for the sins of our people and our ancestors. The radical individualism of the present age allows us to say, “I’m not personally racist, so everything is fine, and I’m not responsible for whatever privileges I might have accrued in a racist society.”

Teaching The Gospel

The vast majority of respondents who mention the Gospel say “loving your neighbour” is the place to start. They suggest that truly preaching and living the gospel, teaching the Bible and being the church is a first step towards tackling racial injustice. Many mention a focus on discipleship will lead to living out Christ in our communities. There was also some nuance here with a few comments expressing the church’s focus should be on the preaching and evangelism rather than on tackling injustice in the wider sense.

This shouldn’t even be a question for any follower of Christ. We are called as His church to stand for what is right, to stand against injustice. We should, as followers of Christ be at the forefront of radical love and radical acceptance. We should be living the gospel in loving our neighbour.

Primarily by being the church of Jesus Christ - one body from many different people and places. Discipleship which teaches and forms identity in Christ in a way that then knows how to engage with race, injustice, division, hatred. Being a prophetic voice in speaking out against racial injustice and inequality and providing a vision for peace, justice and human flourishing beyond this. Peacemakers in community.

It really depends on what is meant as racial injustice. If it means leading in terms of “social justice”, I think it is the wrong matter to tackle. Rather we should return to biblical justice. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. All deserve the punishment of death for our transgressions against God. Jesus made atonement on the cross, satisfied God’s holy wrath, and open a way for all to be reconciled. True racial justice is the new birth available to all people through Jesus. So in short, preach the gospel, evangelise the nations and teach about holy living through the Spirit.

Honouring The Imago Dei

The Imago Dei is often mentioned as a biblical imperative for leading on inclusion and tackling racial justice—to practice the radical love of God. To recognise the image of God in everyone and intentionally show the love of Christ to all – and particularly marginalised – people.

Speak openly and strongly about the value and equality of all people; keep reflecting on the involvement and contributions of our own church community especially those from ethnic minorities. Think through what changes we as leaders and white Irish need to make to stop blocking ethnic minorities from fully participating in the life of church. To listen as to how we can open up spaces for all people especially ethnic minorities.

Formal Advocacy

Several respondents brought up specific points of social action within our greater communities. To reach out to community organisers, lobby local councillors and ministers, become educated on refugee and asylum seeker experiences (many mention direct provision in ROI), and to directly engage on a national level as a united Church on this issue. A few mentioned the church has historically been on the right side of justice, and this is a good argument for pressing in public voice and action.

“Our humility in addressing this injustice will enable the church to lead the way.”

Advocate against unjust legislation, e.g., new Westminster anti asylum Bill. Integrate asylum seekers and refugees into community not pack them away in remote direct provision centres and detention centres. Recognise and speak out against racism. Lobby politicians. Increase access to employability and better access to alternative routes in education to university for teens.

We have a strong heritage in this, as well as a past where we have been the perpetrators. In fighting injustice now we need to acknowledge these two aspects honestly and openly. Our humility in addressing this injustice will enable the church to lead the way through the Twitter world, and diplomatic speak, to real KOINONIA, to real welcome.

Church Action / Example

Respondents want to see churches welcome others and ensure they are fully included in the life of the body, listening and reflecting on ethnic minority involvement in church, and making changes as necessary. “BE THE CHURCH” is mentioned over and over again, but also a focus on those outside church walls. Churches should “lead the way” and truly identify and live as a family of God.

The church is literally the body of Christ made up of every nation and tribe and skin colour, we must be confident in out identity as brothers and sisters in the family of God and lead the way in showing equality to one another, which is motivated by love and not fear of how we look to the world.

[We need to] become better listeners, leaders, and risk takers; willing to be uncomfortable for the good of others, focus on core doctrine and let go of anything else blocking the way for others to experience the secure love of God through Jesus.

Collaborate

Respondents want to see collaboration with other churches and ministries, and even with other faith groups or community groups. They suggest listening to and learning from the global church and acting in solidarity with persecuted church and other persecuted faiths.

By supporting social efforts in the community to bring communities together. Linking to the expertise already there in groups that have the skills and expertise and are properly constituted and governed.

We need to engage more with local councillors, etc., to understand the issues in the area, to live out Christ in our communities and to focus more on those outside the walls. Churches in a town could work more together.

Other repeated themes include concern expressed about white nationalism in our churches and the wider media, the need to be peacemakes and those who befriend, listen and reach out. A few gave more practical examples of how these things can take place. Many advocated for more education on the subject.

Not a Problem

A very small minority of comments reject the focus on racial justice either as not a church problem, or as not a problem at all in Ireland / Northern Ireland. Some felt we already do well and we don’t need to worry about it.

I don’t see much racial injustice in Ireland, unless Social Justice Activists are now going to play the Race Card to give non-Irish entities an unfair advantage over Irish. Then we will have an Anti-Irish bias, which would be racial... I think the church should be aware of who it is bending over backwards to please, and why.

I don’t like the wording of this question. Churches’ primary goal is to glorify Him and spread the good news of Jesus. Everything else should follow. Jesus didn’t come into the world to tackle the problem of slavery; He came to save the ungodly.

Survey: How can the church lead the way in tackling racial injustice?