CENTRAL FLORIDA PRESBYTERY'S
STATEMENT ON RACIAL INJUSTICE
Statement Adopted by the Council of Central Florida Presbytery on August 11, 2020.
Appendices Adopted on August 24, 2020.
Appendices Adopted on August 24, 2020.
“In every age, the church has expressed its witness in words and deeds as the need of the time required."1 In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others who have been unjustly killed, now is that time. As a Matthew 25 Presbytery,2 and with the conviction to dismantle structural racism, we end our silence.
We, faith leaders and clergy of Central Florida Presbytery,3 confess that we have been slow to face the reality, sin, and evil of racism. We admit that we have neglected to acknowledge the pain of our fellow Presbyterians, Christians, and all whose value has been judged and discounted because of the color of their skin.4
Racism is real. Racism is still prevalent in the hearts of many, including those who profess belief in God. Racism is learned behavior because no infant is born with bigotry. There is only one human race, whereby every person, most especially the disenfranchised, yearns for dignity and deserves respect.
We acknowledge that racism is a sin against God and against non-white people. We are all created in the image of God. We confess our failure to fully follow Jesus Christ in loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. We acknowledge that we cannot truly love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we see every day (1 John 4:20). We have failed to take responsibility for our part in the struggle against systemic racism, and we have failed to demonstrate love for our sisters and brothers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
As proclaimed in the anti-racism statement made by the Sumter Leaders of Faith: 5
Historically, white Christian traditions have been complicit in racism. The formation of our nation, strongly influenced by religious conviction, included an acceptance of racism and slavery. We stand guilty of defending the genocide of indigenous communities, tribes, and people, and of making acceptable slavery, particularly of Black peoples (Luke 11:42-52).6 These long-held beliefs have contributed to structural racism in our education, economic, and judicial systems. We have permitted the unfair prosecution and punishment of Black people for unproven crimes or suspicions. We are now confronting this reality.
Today, we declare that Black lives do matter.
We affirm our love and support of our brothers and sisters in law enforcement. However, police brutality is never acceptable, and we must hold accountable those who commit such acts.
The late Honorable Representative John Lewis said, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” We have an obligation to make “good trouble.”
Scripture proclaims that the Lord requires us to “do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
Therefore, Central Florida Presbytery commits to act for racial justice, equality, and respect for all people. We commit to demonstrate this within our communities, through our prayers, policies, and practices...MORE
1 Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), “The Confession of 1967 9.02” in The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Part I, Book of Confessions, (Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, 2016).
2 Central Florida Presbytery voted to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery at its December 3, 2019 stated meeting. Citing Matthew 25:31-46 and Jesus' call to actively engage in the world, this Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) initiative calls councils and congregations to help eradicate systemic poverty, dismantle structural racism, and/or build congregational vitality. See how to become a Matthew 25 community at: www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/become-a-matthew-25-church.
3 Central Florida Presbytery is the council of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations encompassing the 10-county region of Central Florida. For more information about the Presbytery, go to: www.cfpresbytery.org.
4 Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), 224th General Assembly, Item 00-29 “On the Church in This Moment in History – Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action” 2d Plenary, 2020.
5 Ecumenical Faith Leaders Task Force, “Sumter Leaders of Faith,” (Sumter, SC: New Harmony Presbytery, 2020).
We, faith leaders and clergy of Central Florida Presbytery,3 confess that we have been slow to face the reality, sin, and evil of racism. We admit that we have neglected to acknowledge the pain of our fellow Presbyterians, Christians, and all whose value has been judged and discounted because of the color of their skin.4
Racism is real. Racism is still prevalent in the hearts of many, including those who profess belief in God. Racism is learned behavior because no infant is born with bigotry. There is only one human race, whereby every person, most especially the disenfranchised, yearns for dignity and deserves respect.
We acknowledge that racism is a sin against God and against non-white people. We are all created in the image of God. We confess our failure to fully follow Jesus Christ in loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. We acknowledge that we cannot truly love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we see every day (1 John 4:20). We have failed to take responsibility for our part in the struggle against systemic racism, and we have failed to demonstrate love for our sisters and brothers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
As proclaimed in the anti-racism statement made by the Sumter Leaders of Faith: 5
- Racism is a sin. Racism is a sin against God and against humanity.
- Racism tells a lie. Racism tells a lie about God and about what God intends for humanity for it falsely claims that some are less than others.
- Racism must be confessed before there can be reconciliation.
Historically, white Christian traditions have been complicit in racism. The formation of our nation, strongly influenced by religious conviction, included an acceptance of racism and slavery. We stand guilty of defending the genocide of indigenous communities, tribes, and people, and of making acceptable slavery, particularly of Black peoples (Luke 11:42-52).6 These long-held beliefs have contributed to structural racism in our education, economic, and judicial systems. We have permitted the unfair prosecution and punishment of Black people for unproven crimes or suspicions. We are now confronting this reality.
Today, we declare that Black lives do matter.
We affirm our love and support of our brothers and sisters in law enforcement. However, police brutality is never acceptable, and we must hold accountable those who commit such acts.
The late Honorable Representative John Lewis said, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” We have an obligation to make “good trouble.”
Scripture proclaims that the Lord requires us to “do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
Therefore, Central Florida Presbytery commits to act for racial justice, equality, and respect for all people. We commit to demonstrate this within our communities, through our prayers, policies, and practices...MORE
1 Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), “The Confession of 1967 9.02” in The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Part I, Book of Confessions, (Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, 2016).
2 Central Florida Presbytery voted to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery at its December 3, 2019 stated meeting. Citing Matthew 25:31-46 and Jesus' call to actively engage in the world, this Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) initiative calls councils and congregations to help eradicate systemic poverty, dismantle structural racism, and/or build congregational vitality. See how to become a Matthew 25 community at: www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/become-a-matthew-25-church.
3 Central Florida Presbytery is the council of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations encompassing the 10-county region of Central Florida. For more information about the Presbytery, go to: www.cfpresbytery.org.
4 Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), 224th General Assembly, Item 00-29 “On the Church in This Moment in History – Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action” 2d Plenary, 2020.
5 Ecumenical Faith Leaders Task Force, “Sumter Leaders of Faith,” (Sumter, SC: New Harmony Presbytery, 2020).