Since 2000, there has been a concerted effort to look at Church of the Servant and discern how we can become an anti-racist church. An anti-racism team of nearly 20 COS members, who, with the approval of council, began to proceed with this agenda. Members or our congregation are encouraged to attend workshops that are organized by the joint efforts of three partner churches: Coit Community Church, Madison Square CRC, and Church of the Servant. Janice McWhertor, and Laura Carpenter have been trained to lead these workshops that are designed to raise awareness and organize for racial reconciliation.

· Workshop Goals
To see and experience racism in a new and redemptive way.
To gain insights into systemic racism through the eyes of faith and Scripture.
To see more of the connections between history and contemporary race relations.
To identify organizing opportunities, to eliminate racism, both causes and effects, within the body of believers and throughout the world

Our three churches have also formed a separate committee to help administer our antiracism work:

MISSION

We exist to empower and equip churches and other Christian organizations in West Michigan to organize and disciple their members to become agents of institutional and individual racial reconciliation.

VISION

We are a community of churches and Christian organizations who are agents of racial reconciliation.

VALUES

Christian: we are dedicated to be more and more conformed to Christ, as individuals and in community.

Collaboration: We are eager to collaborate with interested congregations and other Christian organizations, and utilize other antiracist resources.

Accountability: we are committed - as a multi-racial team - to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, with special attentiveness to the voices of racial groups in church and community who are often left unheard.

Congregational focus: our ministry is designed to be integrated with the entire life and witness of the local church.

Organizing: We are committed to strategic use of our spiritual and physical resources for long-term effectiveness.

We also encourage our congregation to take advantage of workshops, seminars, and resources that are offered throughout the year in the greater Grand Rapids community.Church of the Servant has collected books and movies that focus on issues of racism, which are readily available for people to borrow. Throughout the year opportunities are offered to encourage us to learn more about racism and how to dismantle it. These opportunities include viewing movies, looking at scripture and engaging speakers who can guide our conversation and learning. Watch the website and weekly bulletin for announcements about this important work. Our current team as well as our Council and staff, see the task of fighting racism as an important part of our congregation’s growth of faith in Christ.

The Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA) has a mandate (2004) for the churches that helps motivate us to do this work:

Synodical Mandate

“To initiate and provide effective and collaborative training, programs, and organizing actions in ways that mobilize Christian Reformed agencies and educational institutions, as well as classes and congregations to recognize, expose, and dismantle racism in all its forms and to experience true biblical reconciliation as a diverse and unified people of God.”

Church of the Servant approved her own statement in May 2007:

“Church of the Servant hopes to become an anti-racist and multi-ethnic community of faith that intentionally recognizes, exposes and dismantles racism in all its forms. Through this antiracist and multi-ethnic community we hope to experience true biblical reconciliation, where people are equally honored and proclaimed precious in Christ.”

For more information, contact church staff: Naji Umran or Janice McWhertor at 956-7611 or email: jmcwhertor@churchoftheservantcrc.org .