Mission Statement

The Anti-Racism / Pro-Reconciliation Commission is a ministry of the Christian Church in Ohio, a covenant network of congregations in mission. As an integral part of that covenantal network the mission of the Anti-Racism / Pro-Reconciliation Commission is to work to transform both the regional manifestation of the Christian Church in Ohio and its congregations into anti-racist organizations.

This commission will work to accomplish this mission through three major initiatives:

In addition the commission will hold itself and its individual members accountable both for the work that must be done and for serving as a model of an anti-racist organization for the region and beyond.

The purpose of this work is that the following vision and goals can one day become a reality:

Vision

The Christian Church in Ohio is a gospel-centered anti-racist community of faith where the gifts of its diverse people are welcomed, encouraged and celebrated. It is accountable to people of color. Positive transformation is institutionalized in our regional structure. Congregations are building reconciled relationships that are intentional about sharing power.

Goals: The Christian Church in Ohio and its congregations will meet the following goals in order to claim an anti-racist identity:

• Analyzing: will have developed an analysis of systemic racism in the region and have obtained ownership of this analysis

• Training: all clergy, the Regional Board, regional staff, all commission and committee members, and other key lay leaders in congregations will have participated in the one-day anti-racism training

• Leadership Development: will have expanded the leadership on the Anti-Racism Team, all of whom have participated in the anti-racism analysis (Phase 1-3).

• Deepening spiritual roots: will have a growing understanding that living the gospel message of Jesus Christ means claiming and embracing an anti-racist identity

• Creating a community and culture of openness and trust: will have developed means of communication across institutionalized racial lines, especially helping white people to listen to and learn from people of color, thereby developing the ability to follow their leadership

• Structuring accountability: the Anti-Racism Team will be a standing committee. The Anti-Racism Team will be accountable to and report to the Regional Board, the Regional Assembly, and communities of color

• Institutionalizing financial support: the standing committee will have a line item in the regional budget

• The region will be ready to commit to a process of intentional, institutional restructuring based upon anti-racist analysis and identity.