Case Studies

There are many church denominations and Christian organizations in the United States currently pursuing racial justice reconciliation through policy, education, activism and reparations. Each of these groups endeavor to bring people together under a common goal, which does not require diversity alone, but one that is inherently focused on community, healing and imagination, and with action as the path forward. Case studies of four of these organizations illuminates key insights on a racial justice framework for reconciliation within Christian communities.

Arrabon https://arrabon.com/

The basis of Arrabon’s work is in research and training for church communities and small groups. They produce courses, studies, webinars and podcasts available for anyone who wants to be involved in reconciliation within their community. Their framework for reconciliation is grounded in biblical principles to catalyze healing in racially divided communities for “lasting organizational and community transformation”. They do this by creating space for conversations, communal imagination and collaboration through which to put reconciliation into practice. They seek to be bridge builders, defining reconciliation as “a foundational Christian practice that helps grow our faith as we seek to repair broken relationships and injustice.”

National Council of Churches https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/about-us/

The National Council of Churches is a community of various denominational traditions united “in a common commitment to advocate and represent God’s love and promise of unity in our public square.” The NCC focuses on legislative processes, political activism and mobilization, as well as community leadership to inform and encourage public participation, particularly through their anti-racism campaign A.C.T. Now (Awaken, Confront, Transform), acknowledging the damage cultural racism inflicts on communities in order to change minds and bring about healing that hinges on confession, “reparative justice and restorative justice.” They ground their stance for reparations on scholarship and a Biblical basis.

Minnesota Council of Churches https://mnchurches.org/sites/default/files/MCC%203-Point%20Platform%20for%20Racial%20Justice%20--%20Rationale%20%26%20Vision.pdf

Minnesota Council of Churches is a partnership of like-minded churches united to utilize community engagement and mobilization, and activism to pursue reconciliation, similar to the (&) Campaign. In their words, “Through truth telling, racial justice, and personal transformation we seek to change societal norms’ through their 3-point platform for racial justice which includes: a truth-telling process, education, and reparations for Black and Indigenous Communities. MCC is focused on reaching into their communities through education for steps to greater inclusion.

(&) Campaign https://www.andcampaign.org/about

(&) Campaign operates through activism, mobilization, and civic and community engagement, using podcasts, education training on policy, and campaign management. It exists to “educate and organize christians for civic and cultural engagement that results in better representation, more just and compassionate policies and a healthier political culture.” (&) Campaign pursues redemptive justice, careful to both distinguish it from spiritual redemption and use it as a model for civic engagement through self-giving love rather than the absolute leveling of all social power.

OneRace (connecting communities) https://oneracemovement.com/

OneRace connects communities through events, small groups and producing courses to build a framework for reconciliation. They partner (&) Campaign as well as many community building initiatives involving youth and young adult mentoring, food pantries and urban development. OneRace utilizes messaging, tactics, strategies in order to understand that race is a social construct, emphasize confession and repentance, and to use privilege to change a racial narrative for the benefit of future generations.

Analysis of Similarities and Differences

Each organization takes an approach to racial justice and reconciliation that is unique according to its mission. Nevertheless, each posture of reconciliation serves as the starting point for addressing (societal and, often more specifically, church-wide rifts in political opinion and culture that exacerbate) racial justice issues. They range from work in the political and activist realms, to a focus on education and community building.

The (&)Campaign and the National Council of Churches (NCC) work to mobilize Christians through gathering to affect change and political activism. The (&)Campaign seeks to have conversations that both bridge the rifts in political opinion as well as to break down “sides” in favor of looking for perspectives and solutions that benefit those most impacted. The NCC seeks to mobilize people, most prominently through their anti-racism campaign, A.C.T. Now. They also provide accessible information on United States legislation, exemplified in H.R. 40 which calls for a House committee to investigate “(1) the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery, (2) forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed slaves and their descendants, and (3) lingering negative effects of slavery on living African Americans and society.” They track the progress of this proposed bill closely on their website.

While political mobilization is an important approach to seeking racial justice and reconciliation, the Minnesota Council of Churches, Arrabon and OneRace center on community building and education. Arrabon and OneRace seem to rely most heavily on making available courses and training opportunities within Christian communities, organizations and churches. OneRace also practices community building, which is prominently seen through its partnership with various community building organizations such as the (&)Campaign, Peace Preparatory Academy, PAW kids (a pantry food truck), City Takers (a youth development program), Connections Homes which provides mentoring for young adults, and Summerhill Ministries providing youth center activities.

The Minnesota Council of Churches engages heavily in reconciliation work through community building with neighbors, particularly immigrants and within racial justice contexts. It expresses a strong commitment to inclusion and reaching into communities, and is involved in campaign messaging and political action. Taken together, MCC embodies both the grassroots and top-down approaches to reconciliation change.

MCC, NCC, Arrabon and OneRace most prominently seek a reconciliation process of truth telling, education and reparations.