The Ministry of Race Relations is mandated by synod "to design, organize, and implement programs that will assist the denomination, churches, and members in eliminating the causes and effects of racism within the body of believers and throughout the world."
Its staff is trained to present workshops for churches, classes, and members. They also distribute God's Diverse and Unified Family to help persons and congregations challenge racism and promote in-depth reconciliation.
The promotion of multiethnic Christian celebrations is an important aspect of its ministry. On the denomination-wide level, it resources the synod-sponsored All Nations Heritage Week celebrations. It provides churches with bulletins, worship resources, and advice in order to help congregations celebrate our God-given diversity.
Race Relations Ministries
Race Relations initiates and provides training and programs to mobilize Christian Reformed agencies, educational institutions, and congregations to recognize, expose, and dismantle all forms of racism and to experience true biblical reconciliation as a diverse and unified people of God.
This is accomplished through the Dance of Racial Reconciliation (DORR) in the United Sates and Widening the Circle (WTC) in Canada. The ministry is at the core of this large project that includes all CRC agencies and institutions. Antiracism is a long-term program that shows great promise because it deals not only with personal racism but also with the societal and institutional realities that promote racism.
Ministries of the Office of Race Relations
All Nations Heritage Week
- Educates and promotes culturally and racially inclusive material
- Celebrates God’s diversity in the CRCNA
- Takes place the first Sunday in October
Dance of Racial Reconciliation & Widening the Circle
- Antiracism/racial reconciliation training programs
- Promotes activities of mutual understanding
- Dismantles personal and systemic walls of racism
- Teaches Christ-focused racial reconciliation
Multiethnic Conference
- Identifies and unites ethnic leaders
- Encourages multiethnic congregations
- Commits to and promotes a multicultural vision
Race Relations Scholarships
- Supported solely through offerings taken by the churches at All Nations Heritage Sunday celebrations
- Promotes ethnic leadership development
- Administers need-based scholarships for students who are involved in the work of racial reconciliation
