Difficult work of discipleship
This is a difficult time to be the church in Canada, where I live, as in other parts of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the world through 2020 has made life difficult for our congregations and ministries: halting our usual gatherings for worship, fellowship, and service; necessitating the cancellation of many events and programs; increasing the need for pastoral care; stretching our financial resources to the point of breaking; and testing the ability of our leaders to adapt to new ways of being the church and continuing our ministries.
The pandemic has also brought to light significant and troubling inequalities and injustices that are ongoing and systemic in our society. While Canadians tend to think of ourselves as welcoming and hospitable, it has become clear that we are not living up to our ideal of being an inclusive, multicultural society that welcomes and embraces diversity. Indeed, we have significant issues with racism and violence against Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour. Although blatant acts of racism do occur, the deeper problem is the systemic racism that pervades our government processes and policies and is highlighted in times of crisis when certain communities are revealed to be suffering disproportionately more than others.
As the Accra Confession reminds us, as a church “We believe that God calls us to stand with those who are victims of injustice. We know what the Lord requires of us: to do justice, love kindness, and walk in God’s way (Mic 6.8)” (25). Therefore, we have been listening to visible minorities within our denomination, and we have been learning that the pandemic is simply revealing issues that were already present in society and even within the church. We are feeling the sense of urgency, especially from our Indigenous communities, to speak and act now for the sake of their people who are suffering and dying. We are also becoming more and more aware that the issues are complex, deeply rooted, and the work for justice will take a long-term commitment to walk together and advocate for change.
As a church, we are very aware that we are not innocent of the colonial history and the ongoing racism in our society. Our denomination has confessed our participation in the Indian Residential School System that worked to “kill the Indian in the child” and we have benefitted from the colonization of this country that stole the land from the First Nations. “We too, stand under the judgment of God’s justice. We acknowledge [our] complicity and guilt…” (Accra Confession, 33).
This is a difficult time to be the church, but perhaps no more difficult than it was for the earliest followers of Jesus or for disciples through the centuries throughout the world. In Matthew 11:16-19, 28-30, Jesus invites those who would follow him to the difficult work of discipleship. It includes the hard work of facing our sin, repenting, and turning in a new direction. It also includes the joyful work of welcoming and celebrating the rich diversity of all God’s people as we meet one another in the new community of justice and peace that Jesus is establishing.
Although the work of the church feels heavy right now, I am reminded of Jesus’ invitation to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). Yoked to Christ who leads us, teaches us, and helps us to shoulder the burden, we can trust that this work of rooting our racism and transforming our society is possible. Our job is to walk close to Jesus and with each other as we do this work, taking one step after another towards the reign of justice that is God’s plan for our country and for the world.
The pandemic has also brought to light significant and troubling inequalities and injustices that are ongoing and systemic in our society. While Canadians tend to think of ourselves as welcoming and hospitable, it has become clear that we are not living up to our ideal of being an inclusive, multicultural society that welcomes and embraces diversity. Indeed, we have significant issues with racism and violence against Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour. Although blatant acts of racism do occur, the deeper problem is the systemic racism that pervades our government processes and policies and is highlighted in times of crisis when certain communities are revealed to be suffering disproportionately more than others.
As the Accra Confession reminds us, as a church “We believe that God calls us to stand with those who are victims of injustice. We know what the Lord requires of us: to do justice, love kindness, and walk in God’s way (Mic 6.8)” (25). Therefore, we have been listening to visible minorities within our denomination, and we have been learning that the pandemic is simply revealing issues that were already present in society and even within the church. We are feeling the sense of urgency, especially from our Indigenous communities, to speak and act now for the sake of their people who are suffering and dying. We are also becoming more and more aware that the issues are complex, deeply rooted, and the work for justice will take a long-term commitment to walk together and advocate for change.
As a church, we are very aware that we are not innocent of the colonial history and the ongoing racism in our society. Our denomination has confessed our participation in the Indian Residential School System that worked to “kill the Indian in the child” and we have benefitted from the colonization of this country that stole the land from the First Nations. “We too, stand under the judgment of God’s justice. We acknowledge [our] complicity and guilt…” (Accra Confession, 33).
This is a difficult time to be the church, but perhaps no more difficult than it was for the earliest followers of Jesus or for disciples through the centuries throughout the world. In Matthew 11:16-19, 28-30, Jesus invites those who would follow him to the difficult work of discipleship. It includes the hard work of facing our sin, repenting, and turning in a new direction. It also includes the joyful work of welcoming and celebrating the rich diversity of all God’s people as we meet one another in the new community of justice and peace that Jesus is establishing.
Although the work of the church feels heavy right now, I am reminded of Jesus’ invitation to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). Yoked to Christ who leads us, teaches us, and helps us to shoulder the burden, we can trust that this work of rooting our racism and transforming our society is possible. Our job is to walk close to Jesus and with each other as we do this work, taking one step after another towards the reign of justice that is God’s plan for our country and for the world.
—Rev. Amanda Currie
Moderator
2019 General Assembly
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Minister
First Presbyterian Church
Regina, Saskatchewan
Moderator
2019 General Assembly
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Minister
First Presbyterian Church
Regina, Saskatchewan