Anti-Racism Statement
As leaders of Grace Commons Church, we are deeply troubled by racial injustice in America today. We recognize we have much to learn when it comes to understanding the depth and breadth of this problem. We seek to commit ourselves and those we lead to ongoing study, self-examination, and appropriate action as expressions of our Christian discipleship.
Statements and Resources on Race and Justice from fellow Christian Organizations
National Association of Evangelicals Statement and Resource List
Highland Park Presbyterian Church Statement and Resource List
Be The Bridge
A non-profit organization whose vision is that people and organizations are aware and responding to the racial brokenness and systemic injustice in our world.
The Capetown Commitment
Section IIB. Building the peace of Christ in our divided and broken world. In October 2010, over 4,000 Christian leaders from 198 countries gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss critical issues of the time as they related to the church and evangelization. The Cape Town Commitment presents a statement of shared Biblical convictions, and calls Christians all over the world to action.
Equal Justice Initiative, founded by Bryan Stephenson
Christianity Today Articles on Anti-Racism
InterVarsity Press books on Justice, Race and Inequality
Fuller Seminary Statement and Podcast
Non-Fiction Books
Why We Can’t Wait by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963
The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma
Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley
Novels
Films
Since we know silence can be confused with intentional complicity, we want to be clear about race, racial injustice, and racial reconciliation.
Racism (personal, corporate, and systemic) is an affront to the gospel and to the goodness of God’s creation. The Book of James calls us to be doers of the Word. Love must be a noun and a verb. Personal and societal transformation will require a sustained commitment for years, not weeks. It will mean reading and learning, empathy and repentance, friendship and advocacy. It will require tender hearts and spines of steel.
We offer these resources as a gateway to understanding how our faith and deeds can come together.
Contact
Please contact Ash McDonald, Interim Director of Discipleship & Community with any questions.
