Racism is an abuse of power. The ability to relinquish power is the beginning of reconciliation. Power
dynamics are evidenced in how we seek equity and opportunity among our denominational structures and
leadership. Jesus modeled relinquishment when he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant”
(Philippians 2:7 ESV). Following Jesus’ lead, Paul went to great lengths to relinquish his personal, moral,
religious, and ethnic power for the sake of Jesus (Philippians 3:7-11). Theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim puts
it eloquently, “We relinquish power when we say no to opportunities so that other voices can be heard.”
Our Charge to Reflect the Heart of God
The church is charged to reflect the heart of God, and the wisdom of God is to be revealed through the
church. Ephesians 3:6 explains, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together
with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Paul
continues in verses 10 and 11, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of
God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal
purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Furthermore, the vision of God’s kingdom as revealed in Revelation 7:9 suggests that the kingdom of
heaven is saturated in the celebration and welcoming home of all people. The text states, “After this,
I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes
and were holding palm branches in their hands.” In this knowledge, the racial discrimination of any person
is against the vision God has for creation.
The church is charged with reflecting the heart of God regarding equity and inclusion. Therefore, the Free
Methodist Church desires to give agency to the dismantling of systemic racism to see the kingdom of
heaven on earth.
Organizational, individual, and societal level commitment:
While many Free Methodists have sought equality and unity across race, culture, and ethnicity, the Free
Methodist Church regrettably recognizes equality and unity have not always been prioritized or attained by
Free Methodists. The Free Methodist Church is committed to equality and unity through the love of Christ
among all races, cultures, and ethnicities organizationally, individually, and societally.
As an organization, individuals, and society, the Free Methodist Church is committed to:
1. An attitude of ceaseless humility and self-examination, recognizing the ease with which our own
limitations can make us blind to the experiences and interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
2. A posture of humility and repentance for the ways that we have been complicit in or failed to recognize
acts of racial oppression.
3. Identify, confess, repent of, and redeem thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors that manifest discrimination
against a person on the basis of race, ethnicity, or any other distinction between social groups that we
create or enforce.
4. Seeing racism not only in individual prejudicial attitudes and actions, but also as embedded in
processes, system, and institutions. We endeavor to redeem those processes, systems, and institutions
pg. 14 — lightandlifemagazine.com
Racial Unity A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church - USA — Page 3
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