Committee on Jesus, Race, and the Church (JRC)

Our Committee on Jesus, Race, and the Church (JRC), in response to Jesus’ love and reconciling work, supports Christian discipleship at Blacknall on matters regarding race and ethnicity as an integral part of carrying out the church’s mission in the world. 

The JRC’s primary goals are to:

  • Develop and communicate common theological understandings about the role and importance of racial/ethnic identity and justice in the Bible, in God’s kingdom and in Christian discipleship. This occurs through the regular church “rhythms” such as preaching, Sunday School, special workshops and events, listening to and learning from faith leaders of color, small group content, dedicated times for prayer and lament, book groups, and conversation.

  • Support existing and new efforts at Blacknall to maintain, strengthen and/or build partnerships with local congregations of color as a means of deepening our experience of Christian unity through relationships, furthering our understanding of race/ethnicity in God’s kingdom and in our society, and working for the shalom of our city. This occurs in partnership with Blacknall’s Durham Ministry and Engagement Team (DMET), relationship-building and joint activities with other churches and community groups, and other organic initiatives and friendships nurtured by Blacknall members.

  • Examine institutional practices with regard to race in order to establish a culture of welcome and belonging for all. This occurs through conversations with church staff, committee leaders, and church members who do not identify as white, as well as informal assessment of institutional areas such as hiring and budgeting practices.

For more information about the JRC and how you can get involved, email David Dunderdale.

Racial Justice and Unity at Blacknall

Blacknall’s calling is to glorify the Triune God, to make known the crucified and risen Christ, and to advance the Kingdom that God is building in us, in Durham, and around the world. We believe this calling requires us, as a church, to faithfully engage in issues related to race and ethnicity and justice.

Rooted in scripture and in our theological convictions, there are some things we believe:

  • Every person is made in the image of God, and that His Church includes the richness of people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is not incidental to God’s design for humanity, but integral to His purposes for human flourishing. (Genesis 1:27, Mathew 28:18-20, Revelation 7:9-10)

  • Because of sin and the brokenness of our world, the reality of racism — which unjustly considers and treats some people as less than others — keeps us separated from one another, and from the life God intended for us. We define racism as a system of racial prejudice exerted by those in power — institutionally and individually, consciously and unconsciously. In the United States, racism has predominantly benefited white people in the dominant culture while disadvantaging or oppressing people of color. As individuals and as a church, it’s important for us to acknowledge, understand, and confront racism and the beliefs and systems that perpetuate it. (Deuteronomy 24:17-18, Acts 6:1-7)

  • We care about justice because we worship a God of justice, and it is foundational to Jesus’ understanding of His own ministry. Throughout the Old Testament we see that God loves righteousness and encourages his people to pursue justice (Isaiah 6:8, Micah 6:8). Jesus came proclaiming God's good news for the poor (Luke 4:16-21). Racial justice — the systemic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone — is something we believe Jesus cares about and calls his people to care about, too. (Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Isaiah 58, Psalm 89:14)

  • We have hope for racial and ethnic justice and unity because of Jesus. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, reconciling us to God and to one another. Although hostility and division continue to mar God's people, we work for justice and unity because we hope in Christ's return and redemption of all things. (Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21)

  • We are called to unity through the Spirit—not uniformity. We are called to be a diverse family of faith, building the church with our various gifts. In Acts at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12), the Holy Spirit comes so that the church can unify in worship and expand across differences. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27, John 17:20-23, Revelation 7:9-10)

  • Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. This includes listening to, learning from, being in relationship with, and taking action to support those who are oppressed and marginalized due to their race/ethnicity. We want everyone to experience the love of Jesus and a belonging in his church. We believe it is essential to our sharing of the Gospel and advancing the Kingdom. (Matthew 22:37-39, Luke 10:25-37, John 13:34-35)

  • The pursuit of racial justice and unity is a lifelong part of our discipleship and our prayer for the kingdom to come. We believe this journey will require listening, healing, wisdom, and especially humility. We do this with the help of the Holy Spirit as our guide, and Jesus as our hope and example. (Luke 14:11, Philippians 2:3-6, Micah 6:8)