Pursuing Justice, Reconciliation, and the Flourishing of all God’s People: An Antiracism Policy for the Presbytery of Los Ranchos

At its November 15th Gathering the Presbytery of Los Ranchos will consider whether to approve a proposed Antiracism Policy. Such policies are required of all judicatories – synods, presbyteries, and congregations. While the Antiracism Policy Task Force undertook the task of formulating a policy because the Book of Order requires it, they knew that more importantly God requires it.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8)

The policy consists of five parts. They are:

• Purpose
• Definitions
• Theological Foundation
• Actions
• Accountability

A brief explanation of each section and a comment about it by a task force member follows.

Purpose

“As Christians in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we are called as one body in Christ, believing all of humanity is created in the image of God. We are guided by the words of Scripture[.]”

I have worked on this anti-racism policy and am pleased to support it primarily because I am a Christian and a Presbyterian. We know that we are fallible human beings in need of God’s grace, which means we inevitably have blind spots and see things from our own perspective. We do not always realize we are treating one another differently due to racial differences, yet we swim in a social and political system that was built upon racial injustice. God shows us justice and love, and it is imperative that we strive to do the same. If there is anything in our gatherings, scriptural interpretations, and decision-making that causes harm to another, I feel obligated to learn and remedy that. This statement is a start for us – only a start – to live out the love and justice of Jesus Christ with our siblings. Rev. Gail Stearns

Definitions

Definitions are included “[t]o provide a common understanding of the terms used in this policy” and “[t]o aid in understanding concepts that undergird the work of antiracism[.]

The work of antiracism is a life-long endeavor. It is hard, necessary work. We all want to believe that we are “good people” and we do try to be, but try as we might we are people who have been acculturated into systems that privilege some and oppress others. Opening our eyes and our hearts to and confronting this truth enables us to acknowledge where and how we have fallen short and empowers us for the hard work of becoming the people God calls us to be… the work of embodying God’s love for all people. Ruling Elder Susan Young Thornton

Theological Foundation

Grounds the policy in scripture and the Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) proclaiming, “All people are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27), with inherent dignity and worth. Racism distorts this image and undermines the unity to which we are called in Christ.”

As Presbyterians, we are a confessional and scriptural people. Grounding this statement in Scripture and the Reformed confessions ensures that our anti-racism commitments are not merely ideological or political, but deeply theological. It reminds us that this work flows from our core identity as followers of Christ, called to love our neighbors, pursue justice, and live in truth. This grounding gives us a shared language of faith with which to confront sin, seek reconciliation, and proclaim hope. Rev. Maggie Goodwin

Actions

“To further our commitment to antiracism, the Presbytery of Los Ranchos” commits to a set of concrete actions that will guide our way forward.

As the team considered what actions [The Presbytery of Los Ranchos] should take to further its commitment to dismantling racism, the ability to keep our commitment was a central concern. As the team member tasked with proposing these actions, I first looked at the work of other presbyteries and organizations. There were so many significant, inspiring approaches being modeled; my original draft was a lengthy, highly detailed, and, perhaps, somewhat stern list. The team gently recommended I re-draft the section with consideration for what commitments [the presbytery] could actually keep, presented in more moderate language.  The resulting, approved draft commits [the presbytery] to a mix of measurable activities, such as requiring antiracism training, providing communication in preferred languages, offering resources, and reviewing policies and practices, as well as less tangible activities, such as ensuring diversity, supporting impacted people, and promoting mutual respect. The team sees this list as a doable, if ongoing, set of actions that will meaningfully further a commitment to antiracism. Ruling Elder Lori Ruff-Schmalenberger

Accountability

After initial approval, this policy will be reviewed biennially by presbytery council or its designee to determine the need for update or revision. In order to support this review, presbytery council or its designee will also… offer resources…provide antiracism training, … host one learning conversation per year….”

I joined the anti-racism task force because I understand anti-racism to be a practice of discipleship, and just as importantly, practiced in community. The General Assembly’s requirement that each presbytery create an anti-racism policy is a small but necessary step in recognizing how communities of color have been impacted by the structures of racism, both within and without church walls. But more importantly, it is also an invitation for us as followers of Christ to co-create opportunities for hospitality, to repent for collective histories of racialized trauma, and build cross-racial solidarity. The policy provides some benchmarks but also is supposed to be a dynamic document, one that hopefully forms our churches in their anti-racist witness. Ruling Elder SueJeanne Koh

Members of the Antiracism Policy Task Force will be leading a 10:00 a.m. Learning Conversation at the November 15th Presbytery Gathering to be held at Placentia Presbyterian Church. They will guide participants through an overview of the proposed policy, including the purpose, definitions, theological foundations, biblical grounding, actions and accountability. All participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policy and come with their questions, comments, and wonderings. At least one person from each congregation and worshiping community is strongly encouraged to attend.