To the Mid-Atlantic Mission Center:
Black Lives Matter.
Earlier this year, Community of Christ released its 2020 Guiding Question: Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful one? When initially presented, local jurisdictions were invited to reflect on this question and discern its promptings. Not only was it to bridge 2020 Reunion themes, but it was also intended to unify mission center conferences, discussions, and action—to refocus our primary identity as a “peace church.” In the past week, the question has become more urgent. This statement is written in response to the identity and calling we share as those who strive to be Community of Christ.
Our mission is grounded in Luke 4. Echoing the ancient prophet, Jesus proclaims “release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,” (Luke 4:18-19, also see Isaiah 61:1-2a). This spirit of liberation guided him—and his followers—in their relationships with all persons. The marginalized—those silenced and oppressed systematically—were named and welcomed as beloved children of God. To proclaim anything different today would be contrary to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ. To proclaim anything different today moves us away from Jesus, the peaceful one.
The recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery have reignited a national conversation about racial injustice and implicit racism long overdue, suppressed, and ignored. After centuries of discrimination and silencing, voices are beginning to reach those deafened by complacency and negligence. The language of anger, pain, and grief are creating pathways to justice and peace. The countless black lives lost to racism over the centuries—names and stories that go untold, undocumented, and un-filmed—far outweigh the discomfort of property damage over the last week. To fixate on the signs and symptoms of anger, and neglect the systemic causes is societal malpractice. To do the same while proclaiming Christ is to be guilty of religious malpractice.
I wholeheartedly wish black communities did not need to take to the streets to protest and riot for their voices to be heard. More pressingly, I wish they did not have to endure horrors such as Jim Crow laws, segregation, slavery, lynching, and restriction of constitutional liberties. As a society, we must continue to do better. As Christians, we must continue to do better. As Community of Christ, we must continue to do better.
As your Mission Center President, I take these challenges seriously. I am guilty of ignorance and white privilege. For this, I am deeply sorry. My heart breaks for those I chose not to uplift and prioritize. My heart breaks even further when it requires racially driven murders to open society’s eyes to the disparities that surround us all.
Nevertheless, acknowledgements, apologies, and statements only go so far in the quest for justice.
The following actions will guide the Mid-Atlantic Mission Center’s immediate steps forward:
I will work with the Extended Advisory Council to design a resolution to be considered at the 2022 World Conference requiring all Community of Christ priesthood and priesthood ordinands to complete a cultural competency course. We will ask that this course be available within one year of World Conference approval. This resolution will be considered at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic Mission Center Fall Conference.
The Mid-Atlantic Mission Center will collaborate with the World Church Diversity and Inclusion Team to provide regular opportunities to educate ourselves about injustices concerning race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status in order to become better allies.
Effective immediately, the mission center will develop a Peace & Justice Team to help congregations, members, and friends get involved with local advocacy and lobbying efforts that uphold the Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles.
I will continue to listen for and seek ongoing opportunities to uphold black lives.
Many question the role of the church in the postmodern world. Some contend the church has no place. I firmly believe that the church—grounded in Christ’s mission, led by the Holy Spirit, and persistent in its servanthood—can and should journey with those seeking justice. If we are willing to courageously step forward in love, “on Earth as in heaven” will not be a distant reality.
It is not enough to call for lawful justice of those who killed George Floyd. Now is the time to witness, speak out, take action, and worship with all those who have been denied seats at the table. Moving toward Jesus the peaceful one is uncomfortable, but undoubtedly necessary. I pray we discover the strength within ourselves to “boldly follow the [mission] initiatives into the heart of God’s vision for the church and creation.” (Doctrine and Covenants 165:1b)
Let us march, protest, and sing onward to Zion.
Your brother in Christ,
Ryan A. Pitt
Mid-Atlantic Mission Center President, USA
Community of Christ
Wednesday, June 3, 2020