Becoming An Anti-Racist Church - Take a Step
Racism has shaped, and continues to shape, the life of the Church. Recognizing this truth is not about assigning guilt but about embracing our call to be agents of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Anti-racism work is a tangible expression of living out the Gospel, as we seek to love our neighbors as ourselves and confront systems of injustice.
The work of becoming an anti-racist church is not a destination but an ongoing journey of learning, unlearning, repentance, and action. This post is not the final word on the subject but an invitation to begin—or continue—the journey together.
Gravity Commons (Fighting Christian Racism)
Gravity Commons provides resources that explore how racism intersects with faith. Their offerings include:
Theological Reflections: Addressing racism as idolatry and examining the historical role of churches in systemic inequalities.
Books and Study Guides: Recommendations such as The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby and The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone.
Practical Tools: Guides for pastors and church leaders on addressing racism, creating anti-racist small groups, and engaging in activism.
The United Church of Canada (Anti-Racism Worship Resources)
Resources for integrating anti-racism into worship:
Worship Materials: Orders of service for observances like Emancipation Day, Black History Month, and Pentecost.
Prayers and Liturgies: Prayers for justice, healing from racism, and reflections on systemic oppression.
Stories and Reflections: Testimonies and theological reflections to support congregational dialogue.
National Council of Churches (ACT Now to End Racism)
The ACT Now initiative provides resources for churches to address racism. Offerings include:
Educational Materials: Study guides, discussion prompts, and theological reflections.
Historical Resources: Insights into the role of the church in perpetuating and resisting racism.
Advocacy Tools: Resources for public witness, policy advocacy, and community organizing.
Grandview Church, Vancouver (Racial Justice Resources)
Grandview Church has curated a great list of resources for various groups and needs. the following resources were all found on their site. Grandview Church offers resources focused on racial justice within the church. These include:
Articles
Just Because Your Door is Open Doesn’t Mean I’m Welcome Here, Kathy Khang
This article, in Christianity Today, addresses the lack of racial diversity in churches.
Guilty Roots: Owning our Ever Present Past, Terry LeBlanc (in CBM Mosaic)
LeBlanc pushes his readers to not exonerate themselves from the wrongs of the past, but see reconciliation as an on-going work to participate in.
We Need a Pentecost, Keri L. Day
Article uses the story of Pentecost to envision a way forward in the context of a society that is intensely divided.
Videos
Racial Justice: A Way Forward, Dr. Soong Chan Rah
Rah discusses how biblical lament relates to racial justice. Rah offers a challenge to listen to voices who have suffered the most from oppression.
"Whiteness" Isn't European Ethnicity, "Race Has Always Been A Matter Of Geography", Willie Jennings
Jennings discusses some of his perspective on Whiteness, and how ideas of race are linked to geography (this is near the center of his whole theological project; see his book below).
Black Lives Matter: Is the Church Complicit?
This is a panel discussion, with panelists from Great Britain and the US.
Books
Introduction to First Nations Ministry, Cheryl Bear
An overview of First Nations theology, which includes the Indigeonous views of Creator, the Holy Spirit, the Incarnation, a theology of land, and a theology of missions.
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity, and the Journey Towards Racial Reconciliation, Jemar Tisby
Tisby blends history, theology, and sociology to help resource Christians wanting to move towards racial reconciliation.
Cracking Open White Identity Towards Transformation, Canadian Eecumenical Anti-Racism Network Examines White Identity, Power and Privilege, The Canadian Council of Churches
resource book with activities and readings aimed at tackling white privilege and moving towards racial justice and reconciliation.
More Resource Lists
Fellowship Center for Racial Reconciliation
There is a link to a downloadable PDF for a “Starter Kit” for racial reconciliation work. This “kit” was created by a church in California.
Anti-Racism Resource List (Cedar Park Church)
This is a resource list created by a church in Delta. It is similar to, but more robust than, the list here.
Guide to Anti-Racist Books and Resources: The Church & Racism
This is a big list of books exploring topics of racial justice and the church; it was created by a university library in the USA.
Go Deeper
While resources are helpful, transformation happens when we commit to learning in community and taking action together. We invite you to join us in the Antiracism Course with Selam Debs, where we will:
Engage in conversations about race, privilege, and faith.
Learn ways to dismantle racism and unconscious bias within ourselves, our churches, and communities.
Uncover systemic racism
Commit to ongoing growth as individuals and as a faith community dedicated to justice and reconciliation.
Learn how to center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and Racialized (BIR) individuals
Selam Debs, a Black Ethiopian woman and mother, has supported over 6,000 individuals in antiracism, anti-oppression, and equity training. She has worked with companies like Lululemon and organizations such as Lutherwood, Carizon, Family & Children Services, and John Howard Society. The course also guides schools, libraries, and businesses through coaching sessions and training.
The course will be released in late Spring. The more people who sign up, the more generous the subsidy. To express interest or learn more, fill out the form on this page.