It’s Mission Month at ELPC

Being a PC(USA) Matthew 25 Church | “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”—Matthew 25:40

Racism, a social construct, is prejudice and social power that advantages one people over others based on skin color, ethnicity, or ancestral background. Racism is anti-Christian. Structural racism is not about individual prejudice or beliefs and attitudes, but is systemic and results in oppression, as well as unequal and inequitable treatment, access to housing, employment, education, money, and decision-making power. Racism is contrary and opposite to what God intends for humanity.

The PC(USA) 2016 General Assembly approved the comprehensive, churchwide anti-racism policy, “Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community” that states:

“Racism is a lie about our fellow human beings, for it says that some are less than others. It is also a lie about God, for it falsely claims that God favors parts of creation over the entirety of creation. Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against, and work against racism. Anti-racist effort is not optional for Christians. It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.” Read more at tiny.cc/matthew-25-racism.

It seems like a lifetime since we began to explore what it means for ELPC to fully live into becoming and being a Matthew 25 church. In January and February, we explored the first mark, Building Congregational Vitality, defined as the church community’s spiritual strength and capacity for purposeful mission, evidenced by a church’s structural systems, finances, and discipleship practices aligned in such a way that the church community engages in God’s mission in the local and world communities.

This month, we will explore our October Mission Month theme—and the second mark of a Matthew 25 church—Dismantling Structural Racism. You might ask, “What can I/we do to dismantle racism, as it is the very system upon which the U.S. was founded?” Much like mission, we act locally and think globally. The PC(USA) Mission Agency affirms: “Confronting deeply ingrained racist systems and structures in our communities and country takes sensitivity and stamina. Before congregations and worshiping communities can confront the harsh realities of racism, it is helpful to have a good foundation.”

As we observe Mission Month, the ELPC Mission Board; Justice, Neighbors, and Peace Committees; and the Facing Systemic Racism Ministry Team are offering weekly opportunities for us to confront how racism has devalued, disenfranchised, and diminished people of color in our own community. Let us come together as a faith family and decide how we can diligently work to dismantle structural racism.