Seeing more clearly

Tackling racism in the Canadian Church

It’s easy for Canadians to be a little smug when we compare ourselves to our southern neighbours, especially when they are struggling like they are these days. There is much to love about the United States, but there’s also much to resist.

Part of the founding vision of Faith Today, which still guides us today, is to present a distinctly Canadian evangelical voice because we know this voice matters so much and can be so easily drowned out – in news, culture, the arts and the Church. Everyone assumes we’re exactly like our southern neighbours unless clear Canadian voices show how we’re different or similar.

Which brings us to the topic of racism. When the horrible tragedy of George Floyd’s death occurred in May, it would have been easy to see it as distinctly American. We might have told ourselves that such awful things don’t happen here, that we’re exempt from the scourge of systemic racism. That the evangelical Church here is different and that racism here isn’t such a problem.

But this form of self-talk blinds us to our own issues. We know that from our own lives. Comparison is not a good way to judge the need for small changes or huge changes.

Our publisher The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada acknowledged this in June when it called Canadian churches (www.TheEFC.ca/State-C ment-On-Racism) “to combat racism and its related attitudes and injustices . . . . This is not only an American and Canadian problem, but is universal. Racism . . . continues to plague us, as we are reminded by current demonstrations in Canada and the legacy of racism told in the pages of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reports, and the lived experience of our sisters and brothers of colour. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be peacemakers and ambassadors of reconciliation, and to break down the walls that divide, including racism . . . and we invite you to join us.”

Listening helps. In this issue you’re invited to listen as Joel Gordon, Renée James and Sherman Lau speak honestly about their experiences of racism in the Canadian Church, and their own journeys of understanding. Next issue, we’ll have a pair of articles with an Indigenous focus. And we’ll continue to facilitate more ways to listen going forward.

It’s our prayer that as we listen more closely to each other, we will move closer to the glorious Kingdom God is building, and that we’ll increasingly be in line with it now and here in this place we call home.

It’s easy for Canadians to be a little smug when we compare ourselves to our southern neighbours.