Statement & Action Plan for Racial Injustice & Police Brutality      

2020 Fellowship Community Church Elders

1.  We are FOR the Gospel. Jesus is our only hope to bring about racial reconciliation and peace in relationships.

God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28 NLV

·  We will preach and teach that being reconciled to God through Jesus is our only hope.

·  We will allow the Gospel and biblical principles to be the basis of who we are and what we do.

2.  We are FOR addressing racial injustice. We as God’s people are called to protect the vulnerable. We believe that God is just and He desires His people to act justly.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.  Psalm 89:14 ESV

·  We will be advocates for justice and address the issues of social and racial injustice in our culture.

·  We are for the equality and dignity of all people. From the beginning of life to the end, all human beings, both male and female, of all ethnicities, colors and ages, are sacred beings that God values.

3.  We are FOR peaceful protesting. We believe that peaceful protesting is a means to make an appeal to our government leaders and culture.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9 ESV

·  We will support those who choose to protest peacefully in an attempt to increase awareness without undermining Biblical values.

·  We will speak against rioting, looting, and the destruction of property.                                                          

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 ESV

4.  We are FOR condemning police brutality. We will speak against police brutality and be advocates for the sanctity of all human life.

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways. Proverbs 3:31

·  We grieve the misuse of force and authority in law enforcement.

·  We believe the abusiveness of some law enforcement officers does not represent the majority of those who serve our communities faithfully.

·  We will support through prayer and action our civic leaders and law enforcement.                                                                

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution… 1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV 

5.  We are FOR implementing change. Changing a nation requires we start with individual change. Our strategies will seek to address each of the above challenges utilizing a Kingdom agenda structure from Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX. The Kingdom agenda is:

·  The Individual – We will seek to foster understanding by primarily listening and dialoguing with people of color. We will seek to build friendships and journey with our brothers and sisters of color.

·  The Family – We will seek to help families address racism through our teaching, preaching, and resources.

·  The Church – We will initiate on-going relationships with black churches in the Roanoke Valley. This will include prayer, Bible study, fellowship and a priority of listening as we journey together.                     

·  The Civic and Community Leaders – We will work with local, state, and national church and government leaders in making positive biblical changes in law enforcement and legislation.