Multi-Cultural, Multi-Racial Statement
What is a multi-cultural, multi-racialChurch?
A Multi-cultural, Multi-racial Church is one that…
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affirms and lives out its faith in God as revealed through Jesus Christ;
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knows we are interconnected with people of all races, ethnicities and cultures;
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embodies and rejoices in these diversities as gifts to the human family;
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welcomes all people into the community of faith without discrimination because of color, race, ethnicity, language or culture;
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formally recognizes and utilizes the racial and cultural varieties of gifts within the context of Christian Unity;
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struggles within church and society to rid itself of the sin of racism which has prevented an authentic embrace of the races, ethnicity and cultures in our denomination;
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makes multiracial and multicultural inclusiveness a key organizing principle for church in society;
works for justice and peace throughout the global community; -
reflects in its membership the changing demographics; and,
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declares itself an anti-racist congregation.
For more information, please see the information on UCC website.
Background
In 1993, the 19th General Synod of the United Church of Christ issued a pronouncement, Calling the United Church of Christ to be a Multiracial and Multicultural Church. The pronouncement reads, in part:
“The Nineteenth General Synod calls upon the United Church of Christ in all its settings to be a true multiracial and multicultural church. A multiracial and multicultural church confesses and acts out its faith in the one sovereign God who through Jesus Christ binds in covenant faithful people of all races, ethnicities and cultures. A multiracial and multicultural church embodies these diversities as gifts to the human family and rejoices in the variety of God’s grace.”
Read the full text of the pronouncement.