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From Lament to Delay

David Hermitt

Managing Director at Enjoy Education Services

发布日期: 2021年7月22日

Introduction

The recent events in the BlackLivesMatter movement have highlighted some fundamental questions for the UK Church. On 8 June 2020, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, tweeted that “the racism that people in this country experience is horrifying. The church has failed here, and still does, and it’s clear what Jesus commands us to do: repent and take action.” Almost a year later, April 2021, the church Taskforce publishes a report “From Lament to Action” with recommendations for moving to urgent action. Has anything changed?

By 9 July 2021, Lord Boateng was appointed to chair a three-year Commission of independent advisers to scrutinise the Church of England's policies, practices, and culture in relation to racial justice. The start of action? But how will this progress when on 12 July 2021 those who control the funds of the church have not provided financial support to appoint the 42 Racial Justice Officers needed to do the work? The introduction of delay.

This article provides some questions and perhaps some pointers to what Jesus would do in these circumstances.

Is the Anglican church racist?

The BBC Panorama Programme “Is the church racist?” explored allegations of racism within the Church of England described Archbishop of York as “shocking”. Some of you reading this will find it uncomfortable to admit that the answer is “Yes”. Justin Welby has enough internal documentary evidence to be able to confirm that this is true. He has been listening to the stories of clergy and others in the church who feel that they “Can’t breathe”. Many speak about how their contributions to church life are choked. Others do not complain, they simply leave taking their gifting elsewhere. Other church denominations have already secured an inclusive church that looks more like the Kingdom of God that Jesus intended where there is an obvious racial diversity amongst its leaders.

We know that when we turn to Christ “the old has passed and the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5v17). Our faith affirms that we are all on a journey to become more like Jesus. In this context, all of us have deep rooted attitudes that our Lord will refine out of us over time. Racism is one of these at a personal level. This painful journey of becoming more like Jesus means change.

The personal accusation of being a racist feel as uncomfortable now as it did in the New Testament. For some, they assume that any discussion about racism is aimed personally at them. They are quick to point out that they have friends from all corners of the world. They assert that they have adopted a "colour blind" approach saying " I do not see colour". This is not enough and can blind them to the racism that is present around them. If you are one of these, you could still be unwittingly perpetuating a church culture that is institutionally racist. A structure that has led to the “total number of UKME/GMH bishops can together be counted on one hand (five out of 111). The number of UKME/GMH deans, archdeacons, and senior staff in the National Church Institutions only adds up to a further nine people” (From Lament to Action, 2021). The statistics confirm that we have a long way to go to achieving balance.

What would Jesus do?

What would Jesus do? Is a question that causes us to re-examine our modern circumstances through the lens of the Holy Spirit. We can call on our God to show us today what we should do with the unique circumstances that we face. Jesus choose to recruit his leaders (disciples) in the new testament by being led by the Spirit. Looking at the group that he actually chose, modern recruitment agencies would be shocked. What about the educational standards of the fishermen, can a tax collector be trusted? Jesus chose his disciples and appointed leaders based on hearing from God. The early church appointed deacons who were from different ethnicities so that all members of the church could be treated fairly.

Jesus answered the question “who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10v25-37) by telling the story of the good Samaritan. A story that has been re-told time and time again as the best example of what it means to be a neighbour. The central character is a foreigner, someone who would have been despised by those who originally heard the story first-hand who were clearly racist. Move forward to 2020, we need to re-tell this story for the modern Church of England in the UK. The emphasis that racism, alongside any other form of prejudice, is a sin. That Jesus expects better. The Samaritan, a foreigner, was the person who cared enough about the plight of others to act: to do something practical. To provide the time and some money to make things better. The religious leaders of the day did the opposite ignored the problem and passed by.

From Lament to action proposes that we appoint 42 officers to challenge racism in the Anglican Church. Imagine the disappointment when we hear that this proposal cannot be funded? Is this an example of ignoring the problem?

Conclusion

Tackling racism in the church is an important issue that should not be ignored. By facing up to the unconformable questions of the past, we provide an opportunity to define a new future. “Disregarding a significant part of the population, and thus denying the gifts they bring for the service of the Church, must not continue” (From Lament to Action, April 2020).

Not delaying any further and taking urgent action to fund the Racial Justice Commission will put the Anglican Church in a better position to fulfil the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations. Afterall, this is the last thing Jesus personally asked his disciples to do.