SIGN THE COMMITMENT

Bellevue Churches Commitment to Anti-Racism

As white & non-Black POC church members in Bellevue, WA and the Eastside,  who belong to the broader global Church community, we sign this public commitment to the life-long process of anti-racism in our personal lives, in our churches, and in the communities we live in.

In doing so, we lament:

  • The unjust murders of George Floyd, Amhaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and countless others from within the Black community at the hands of law enforcement.

  • The systemic, cultural, and personal violence inflicted upon our Black brothers and sisters.

  • The institutionalized racism within our country’s structures that have oppressed non-white people, historically and present-day.

  • The unavoidable infiltration of white supremacy within our own theology and understanding of God, that elevates whiteness over the diversity of God’s own image and character.

We repent of:

  • Our sin of complicity as members of the Church in helping to create these systems of oppression, directly or indirectly.

  • Our sin of silence regarding physical and systemic violence inflicted on our Black brothers and sisters historically, and present-day.

  • Our sin of ignorance or denial for our own racism and history of racism.

We commit to:

  • Listening to and learning from Black voices and perspectives.

  • The journey of anti-racism as a core piece of discipleship through education, prayer, and action both individually, and communally.

  • Using our voices and our privilege to amplify our Black brothers and sisters, and to advocate for equity and systemic change in our churches and societies.

  • Dismantling and rebuilding our church structures to reflect the diversity of God’s kingdom.

  • Unlearning white supremacy in the context of Christianity, and seeking out diverse voices within the Church to inform our understanding of God’s character and the Gospel.