Christian Leaders Respond to our Survey on Racism in the Church

(From the October - December 2021 issue of VOX)

Nick Park - Executive Director, Evangelical Alliance Ireland

The issues of race, racism and racial justice are not ones that can be discussed coldly or dispassionately. The pain of those who encounter racism is real and raw. God’s passion for truth and justice burns white-hot. For those who truly love the Church of Jesus Christ, any manifestation of racism in the Church is like a cancer invading the body of a beloved family member. This survey demonstrates that the Church cannot and will not remain silent on this - one of the burning issues of our day. Those of us who are privileged to serve in Church leadership need to listen to the heart-cry of God’s people as captured in this research

Nathaniel Jennings - Area Representative for Ireland, OMF International UK

Such helpful and timely research! It has personally given me really helpful insight into the situations, attitudes and opinions across the church in Ireland as I try to speak into and dialogue on these issues myself.

There needs to be a careful consideration, a winsome and clear response to those who will try and undermine addressing these issues by taking the lines coming from some evangelical Americans. It needs to help us on our journey to forming and articulating a sensitive and courageous theology and practice which offers something better than the myriad of solutions ‘the world’ has whilst being able to find common ground and be gracious when this overlaps with the endeavours of social and political groups who are also working for justice, dignity and equal opportunities for all. I also think an accessible and implementable resource for churches who want to grow and change in this area would be a very good outcome down the line.

Rev. Dr. Trevor Morrow Minister Emeritus of Lucan Presbyterian Church and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

This is a first rate piece of work and invaluable to the church in Ireland becoming an authentic ‘sign of the kingdom’. The experiences of some of our Christian brothers and sisters, although a minority, is still alarming. I am reminded of Michael Jackson’s reflections a few years ago on his Dublin Diocese being sectarian having previously ministered in Clogher. He was savaged for it, including by previous Archbishops who wrote in dissent to the Irish Times. Sectarianism is the same monster as racism but with a different face.

I am not alarmed or surprised by the minority who are irked by the notion of systemic racism. North American evangelicalism has been fed a diet of the dangers of critical race theory. It has clearly had an influence on the thinking of some of our Christian family in Ireland. It will be necessary for those who are seeking to present the findings to know how to respond to this. If ‘in Adam we all died’, then that is a recognition that sin is not just an individual choice but is systemic to our fallen humanity. Racism may not have the same systemic elements in Ireland as in the USA but sectarianism is self-evidently systemic in Ireland, North and South and may be a useful example.

The last two sections on the ‘inclusive church’ and ‘tackling injustice’ were uplifting. The specific and concrete proposals would make for useful resources for congregations to consider.

Joy Eniola, Intercultural Development Coordinator, Dublin

Thank you and well done to the team for such incredible and needed research. I am particularly pleased to see that, for the most part, respondents were aware that we have a problem and want to have solution-focused conversations around it. I am keen to see what are the next steps for the Irish Church as we cannot afford to shelve these findings - beyond numbers, they are the experiences of real people who have likely lived, often in silence, with the consequences.

Sean Copeland, Acting CEO, Tearfund Ireland

This is a really important piece of research and will hopefully facilitate healthy, informed discussion within the Church in Ireland. In recent months the issue of racism has, once again, become a debate crossing national, political and, indeed, ethnic and racial boundaries. Tearfund Ireland applaud VOX magazine for embracing this topic and contributing to the conversation in Ireland.

Tearfund Ireland seeks to honour the inherent dignity of all people, recognising that each person has been created in the image of God. The act of creation entails intent, which implies purpose, which, in turn, indicates God had a reason for creating different people groups.

While the bulk of our work is carried out overseas, Tearfund Ireland, as part of the Church, works with and through the Church in Ireland to facilitate our shared mission to help people overcome the injustices that keep them from flourishing. In our development and humanitarian efforts, we have witnessed the devastating impacts of racial discrimination, systemic racism and ethnic violence. Two core activities of our work are to release people from poverty and to speak up for those who are unjustly treated. Racism is an injustice.

In reviewing the headline outcomes of this research on race in Ireland I have been encouraged by the many comments from those who remind us of our identity as Christians – that we are followers of Christ, children of God, part of the family of God and members of one Body.

In line with those realities, it is beneficial to remember that our words are powerful. In fact, Scripture tells us that our tongue carries the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21) and James reminds us of the wrong we do when we speak ill of those who have also been made in the image of God (James 3:9).

We live in a world in which our relationships with God, others and creation have been broken by sin. Racism is one of the many results of this brokenness so it is no surprise that discussions about race are sometimes divisive and have potential to leave people hurt or angry. However, as children of God, we are mandated to be salt and light, to love our neighbours and to be ministers of reconciliation. As we pursue biblical justice for all people, the Church in Ireland has a tremendous opportunity to offer creative, restorative and life-giving solutions. In so doing we will more fully display the multi-faceted wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). I pray the Church in Ireland can gracefully and humbly engage in this conversation.

Rev Dr Ivan Patterson, Irish Council of Churches President

ICC is encouraged by the responses to our survey with VOX, in particular the overwhelming sense that people across our member churches are committed to building them up as places of inclusion where all can fruitfully belong. The considered and thoughtful responses will enable us to have a much more in-depth understanding of on-the-ground experiences and feelings. We are emboldened to honour that commitment by developing this work and seeking to equip churches to live out that vision where all are included in our church communities.

Pastor Tunde Adebayo-Oke, Regional Pastor and Country Coordinator of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ireland

The quality of the research survey and the subsequent painstaking analysis and initial report underscore the crucial learnings pivotal to the church leadership in the nation. Tough questions asked and honest, useful opinions given. The findings paint a very clear picture of where the church is now and what needs to be done for us to become a united Christian community. Bravo. Very impressive work done.

Bishop Brendan Leahy, co-chair of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting

The Irish Inter-Church Meeting are delighted with the response to our survey, undertaken with VOX, and anticipate that it will enable us to gain a much deeper and more nuanced understanding of what is happening in Irish churches across the country and how experiences of diversity are impacting all of us. We hope to further develop this work so that our churches will be better equipped to be places where all can belong and be fully included in the body of Christ. We thank all who participated for sharing so thoughtfully and are encouraged at the overwhelming support for a vision of a church that reflects the global body of Christ as it is represented here in Ireland.

Rev Dr Sahr Yambasu, President of the Methodist Church of Ireland

This data provides important and interesting information, which should help us all not only in cross-cultural but also general ministry in our churches. There is so much in there that needs careful and close study to ascertain how best to allow it to influence praxis in our churches.