To Reject Racism and Advance the Gospel

WHEREAS, God has created all people and they are blood-related going back to our mutual fathers, Adam and Noah, and all are subject to the stain of original sin, but now also have been equally redeemed by the blood of Christ in order to be reconciled to God and to each other; and

WHEREAS, God’s Word says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:8–9); and

WHEREAS, Racism (the sinful notion that some races are inherently superior to others), misunderstanding, and strife are present in the world and experienced in congregations due to our sin; and

WHEREAS, The Synod abhors racism, and in convention has passed resolutions repudiating all racism (1992 Resolution 3-03;

WHEREAS, Critical Race Theory (CRT) has become a common, multifaceted, and controversial theory for discussion of contemporary race relations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reject the worldview of CRT, as it is contrary to Scripture and counterproductive to true racial conversation and reconciliation, for it pursues equality of outcome—equity—between racial groups, which requires treating individuals unequally based on race, and also reject all organizations, movements, petitions, and theological language that support this worldview in a positive manner; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reject any doctrine that teaches:

• one’s race, ancestry, or nationality is inherently superior to the race, ancestry, or nationality of another;

• any individual is inherently racist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, because of his or her race, ancestry, or nationality;

and be it further

Resolved, That the districts and circuits of the Synod develop an objective mission and ministry action plan for outreach to diverse communities among us; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to conduct conversations on race and diversity, to strengthen unity within the congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to engage members of their communities in these conversations, in light of Christ’s Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend those within the Synod who intentionally proclaim and work to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are different from themselves in the light of the Great Commission; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Mid-South District send this resolution to the Synod as it gathers at its 2023 convention to do similarly.