Survey: How can we make Churches in Ireland and Northern Ireland more Inclusive?
(From the October - December 2021 issue of VOX)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3: 28
There was a huge response (554) to the open question about how we can make churches in Ireland and Northern Ireland more inclusive with a wide range of practical and thoughtful comments and suggestions. The overwhelming majority were positive and welcoming of such moves. A handful of comments dismissed the need for inclusivity, with some suggesting that the white, male indigenous population is being discriminated against. However, these views represented a tiny minority of responses.
Ten key themes emerged from the comments.
1) The Gospel and the Bible
Comment after comment emphasised the need to focus on Jesus, to preach and teach what the Bible stays about unity in Christ and about racial justice. Some suggested if we preach the Gospel that inclusion will happen naturally. Others emphasised the need for specific and intentional Bible teaching on the topic.
“We need to hear more of what the Bible teaches on racial inclusivity. We have spent so much time, for example, talking about Adam and Eve in terms of evolution or sexuality, that we often forget the utterly radical lesson that their creation teaches us about race. We are all descended from the same forebears. We are all one race. A more controversial measure might also be to turn away from the dependence / fixation that many churches and church leaders have with the USA. A greater, more international, diversity of role models, mission partners and conference / training speakers would help us to appreciate more the gifts that God has given the world church and not just one, very white dominated nation.”
“I think if churches teach honestly from the Bible, it will help. The Bible has a lot of great teachings on loving your neighbour. In churches there should neither be Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free; we are one in Christ.”
“Foster a warm, welcoming environment for all where all individuals are treated equally as image-bearers of our loving Creator. Highlighting race and racism in isolation or as isolated topics can be unhelpful, unless there are instances of people not being welcomed and included. If brotherly and sisterly love is taught and practised as an outworking of the gospel, specifically highlighting race/racism may not be necessary.”
2) Representation in Leadership
Many expressed a desire to see leaders of all ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds reflected in all levels of church leadership and church body. (Note the topic of leadership was covered elsewhere in the survey and proved controversial. Here however, we include the comments and suggestions made in terms of inclusivity.)
“...By having different ethnicities part of the leadership teams. By not expecting those who are different from us to become like us but rather being willing to set aside our rights and privileges to incorporate aspects of others cultures and liturgies.”
“Allow open access to ministry and leadership positions for anyone, regardless of gender and race. As more people are given a voice in leadership, I believe the church will become more inviting and open. Maybe also, meet and partner with churches that have a greater representation of ethnic minorities. That way we learn from each other and lose that sense of distance and ‘otherness’.”
“I’d love to know what it looks like to be an active church member and church leader in other parts of the world. Perhaps we’re not identifying leadership gifts because they look different elsewhere?”
3) Engage Community
Respondents encouraged churches to become more active in the local community collaborating with other congregations and other organisations, learning about the needs and challenges facing ethnic minorities and advocating for justice in our neighbourhoods.
“More active connections with the people who literally live on our doorstep, active involvement in local ethnic minority community group and other such groups.”
Practical suggestions
“For churches to be more open to looking at and engaging with the other areas of society, i.e.: schools, community groups, statutory bodies in health and councils etc. Have a church representative to engage and report on the needs and give feedback.”
“By making sure I have a right heart first, then speaking up for immigrants looking for housing, etc. This is very complex in the cities where housing is a shortage. I think it is a sad fact that it is contributing to racism.”
4) Welcoming vs Inclusivity
Comments highlighted the need to be intentional not in just welcoming, but in purposefully including people in all levels of church and community, and creating a process to keep accountable in achieving this.
“There needs to be a conscious and intentional choice among those leading, as well as those attending, to make a church inclusive.”
“There needs to be a conscious and intentional choice among those leading, as well as those attending, to make a church inclusive. In my experience, denominational structures are a hindrance to significant changes (in terms of multi-ethnic representation in leadership structures).”
“Just persist in offering friendship and encouragement to all who come to our church including strangers who are white/Irish but not part of our circle. The difference between “welcome” and “inclusion” is a big gap that needs bridging.”
Practical Suggestions
“More diversity is needed as leaders in the church. Each church could be mindful of national days of its members from different countries and mention or celebrate it with them. Learn worship songs from diverse cultures present in the church.”
5) Openness
“Most churches are welcoming of the ‘stranger’ and understand we are all equal before God. However, we may not be inclusive and even racist out of ignorance or lack of awareness.”
Many highlighted the need for open dialogue, open conversations, open and transparent processes, open channels of communication and openness to exploring areas of difference.
“Having the conversations and raising awareness is a good start. I think most churches are welcoming of the ‘stranger’ and understand we are all equal before God. However, we may not be inclusive and even racist out of ignorance or lack of awareness.”
“Stop making barriers to protect ‘it’s always been done this way’ attitudes. Be open and willing to listen to others who have a different viewpoint or background.”
6) Education
Comments suggested training and education is needed to help individual Christians and churches to become aware of issues facing ethnic minorities and immigrants. There was a recognition that changing the culture of a church will require a change in attitude.
“Training for people in leadership roles on anti-racism, unconscious bias, etc. The space for conversations about racism (that are facilitated). The churches to critique colonial legacies, how they talk and act about the Global South and the role that plays in reinforcing difference and racism.”
“All White Irish need to get educated on racism especially in our churches and there is a need for an open discussion of mature believers in our churches of all colours. I feel the key is in a change in attitude, coming through knowledge, and openness. Ignorance is not an excuse. We must resist being defensive about the reality of our privilege. We need to be welcoming, embracing / celebrating other cultures and learning about each other. Not be ‘afraid’ of those who are different and realise the richness of diversity.”
7) Relationship
Many mentioned that inclusivity starts with relationship and building friendships with others both between individuals and between different churches and congregations and practical suggestions emerged (often involving food!).
“...engage with diverse communities that make up our local areas. It’s true that not everyone enjoys the same style of a church service, and that’s fine. But even if we mostly prefer to stick with our own particular style of a service, there can be opportunities for churches that do have different styles to occasionally gather together, to share in social activities, and to participate together in projects that serve the need of our local communities. In getting to know people who are different from ourselves we can develop friendships and a basic respect for one another. That way if some racist incidents arise in our local area, we already have a basis of relationship, we are not just watching a news story unfold as if it had no connection to us.”
“Start dialogues with different groups including non-Christians or groups like the Quakers, etc. Find out if African congregations would welcome white visitors. Give people coffee and cake and start talking.”
Practical Suggestions:
“Meaningful moments of cultural dialogue, even if outside the liturgy; culture lunches; coffee mornings (for different age groups, and men’s breakfasts). When friendship is built, inclusion in the broad spectrum of faith life is much easier.”
“Have a forum where people of different race can meet informally and get to know each other, e.g.: sports event, table quiz, local history walks, etc.”
8) Resist Sectarianism / Denominational Tensions
Some mention tensions within denominations or sectarianism as feeding into racial inequality in churches. Many encouraged working with other churches on this issue (and others).
“Begin by accepting the roots of our own bigotry and division. I believe this is necessary in order to have an inclusive attitude, stance and spirit. If we do not want to include each other within our various communities, i.e., Catholics and Protestants welcoming each other into each others’ lives and communities. How can we provide authentic inclusivity for anyone else? We probably aspire to this, but we need to work harder and begin a deeper/ broader dialogue.”
“Teach a Kingdom of God perspective on British/Irish history, understanding, owning and repenting re. racism/sectarianism.”
“The denominations can do a lot more to work together and tackle any local issues with a united voice.”
9) Equality
There were many comments equating racial justice and equality (ethnic minority inclusivity) with gender parity, disability inclusion and LGBT rights.
“Sermons should educate congregations about the importance of diversity and inclusion - of new members, ethnic minorities, people who are different in some way from them (disabilities, marital status, appearance, employment status, financial status, sexuality, etc.) - ample material in the NT to make it clear this is the right way.”
“A more enlightened view on diversity and inclusion ... You can’t welcome people from ethnic minorities with one hand while refusing to affirm LGBT people with the other.”
10) Accessibility
Respondents discussed how we can remove barriers to those from other backgrounds/minority groups. Some suggested self-reflection was needed to identify issues that hinder unity such as nationalism as well as underlying racism and sexism or economic inequalities.
“Inviting perspectives from those who are from ethnic minorities on how/what we do in church. Making leadership roles attractive and accessible to them, if necessary, changing how we do things to accommodate them.”
“Remove barriers to those from other backgrounds, e.g. have a mix worship music styles, different preachers. Some churches need more wholesale issues dealt with such as the links between church and nationalism.”
“Have more open conversations about what it means to be white; have better understandings of systemic rather than individual-based racism; connect the dots between colonialism, capitalism, sexism, and racism. Humility, and self-examination. Giving up on this notion of inclusiveness that is just about attracting more of the “other” into the community, but not changing the community in any way.”
