Feature

Loving our neighbours

To mark Racial Justice Sunday (13 February) three members of the territory’s Racial Inclusion Working Group (RIWG) tell Salvationist what the group aims to achieve

LINDA McTURK

KILBURN WHEN thinking and praying about Racial Justice Sunday, it’s essential to consider the territory’s motto, ‘Love God, Love Others’. If we truly value everyone with the same dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances, our actions must reflect Jesus’ instruction to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31) and treat everyone with the same respect as we have for ourselves.

We don’t always get things right within the Church and there have been instances of discrimination and lack of inclusion – even within the Army – that have caused hurt to others.

The RIWG is working towards tangible actions to help our Movement become more inclusive. The things that we aim to achieve include creating more theological resources for corps to advocate and ensure inclusivity in their congregations, and helping to educate and spread awareness about the need to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of their background.

We are making progress, but there is still much more to be done to adequately address racial inclusion in the Army. For example, I would like us to have a system of accountability to safeguard everyone from acts of discrimination and prejudice.

The steps the RIWG is taking are positive, but there is a long road ahead. I hope that, in the coming months, more people will be willing to join us in this challenging but hopefully fruitful journey towards loving our neighbours as ourselves.

SARAH LADIPO

RECRUITMENT MANAGER, THQ IN January 2021 I was invited to join the RIWG. My immediate reaction was: ‘What does God want and what can I contribute?’ I am passionate about racial inclusion but I didn’t want to be part of a group for the sake of it. I paused and reflected.

As I responded to say yes, I became more intrigued and excited about the RIWG. I devoured the papers I was sent and took time to understand the group’s mission of ‘seeking ways to confront and fight against racism within The Salvation Army’.

I hoped that I would be among others who had a passion for Christ, his word and what he has to say about racial inclusion. When the day arrived for the meeting, I joined online and mostly observed employees, officers and corps members deeply and articulately expressing their desire to see Godfocused change within The Salvation Army. I knew I was in a group that was not afraid to challenge, find solutions, question and reflect on issues around racial inclusion.

Has it been easy? Absolutely not. I have spoken to people who do not see a problem, but it does not deter us and we press on. Has the fire gone out? No. In fact, I believe it is burning more fiercely and nothing has extinguished our commitment.

Jesus calls us to love God and love our neighbours. That call continues to remind me why the group is needed.

MAJOR MARK HERBERT

DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, SOUTH EAST THE challenge to be racially inclusive has demanded something from me personally. As a white male within our Movement, when I meet with the RIWG I am in the minority for the first time in almost 37 years of officership. My membership of this group demands from me that I listen and then listen a bit more and learn from the shared experiences. Racism is real, it runs deep, even if unintentional. To be racially inclusive demands from me a willingness to recognise the problem and then confront it.

Racial inclusion for us as a Movement is equally demanding. The problem is so big that we have struggled to be clear about first steps. Without action we only have words, and words are not enough. I’m excited by the prospect of creating safe spaces, the opportunity for people to become inclusive mission advocates in corps, centres and offices and the thought of fellowship over coffee as we learn together in small groups.

The RIWG is demanding! The group’s collective passion, determination and wisdom tell me that this is not a silent body. The membership wants the best for the Army and longs for the day when everyone who walks through our doors feels they have a voice, equal opportunity and that they belong – a small but significant way to love God and love others.