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Commission on Race and Ethnicity

The Commission on Race and Ethnicity advises the church on policies and initiatives that address issues of institutional racism and the commitment of the RCA to become a fully multicultural and multiethnic denomination. It serves as an advocate for transformation of the RCA in regard to its multiracial and multiethnic life. It recommends policies, objectives, guidelines, and strategies to assist the RCA in its effort through all of its agencies, commissions, institutions, and other affiliated bodies to become a fully multiracial and multiethnic church. And the commission monitors, evaluates, and reports on the RCA’s progress in achieving its multiracial and multiethnic objectives (BCO Chapter 3, Part I, Article 5, Section 7).

Background

The formation of the Commission on Race and Ethnicity was approved by the General Synod in 1998 (MGS 1998, pp. 318-319) alongside a reorganization of the racial/ethnic councils. The Commission on Race and Ethnicity was formed to take on the responsibility of advising the RCA on policies and initiatives that address issues of institutional racism, the commitment of the RCA to become a fully multiracial and multiethnic denomination, and other related matters.

Membership

The eight members of the commission must have at least one person from each of the General Synod Council racial/ethnic councils, and at least half of the members must be lay people.

Please consider whether service on the Commission on Race and Ethnicity is something to which God is calling you. If it is, provide the Commission on Nominations with information about yourself by completing a profile form.

Complete a profile form

Anti racism policy

The Commission on Race and Ethnicity presented the following recommendations to the 2022 General Assembly on June 14, 2022 which was adopted.

The ongoing hope is that these recommendations will support the inclusion and belonging of historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups within the denomination. We know that no one group is a monolith and that there are varied experiences of racism in the denomination and the world. CORE also acknowledges the ongoing need for conversations that promote deeper solidarity between churches, communities, racial ethnic councils and everyone.

As you review the recommendations, consider how 1) they can support the unique gifts that your community bring to the Reformed Church in America and 2) how your community can support the efforts to learn about, grow in, and deliver for a multiracial, multicultural world

View anti-racism policy