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African American Black Council

The African American Black Council (AABC) is a racial/ethnic council of the General Synod Council (GSC) of the RCA. In addition to being the voice of African American and Black congregants and congregations in the RCA, the council also advocates for policies of inclusion and economic, social, and racial justice.

The council was established by General Synod in 1969 as the Black Council for the Program of General Synod. It is one of the RCA’s four racial/ethnic councils.

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” –Micah 6:8

Mission statement

The AABC celebrates God’s love by empowering, educating, and encouraging its members to partner with their communities and the RCA to develop ministries and policies for church growth, leadership development, social and racial justice, and economic development.

What we do

The council supports the work of RCA ministry staff to equip church leaders to do their work in a variety of ways. The AABC comes alongside churches, church plants, and other ministries in order to provide equipping opportunities and workshops, helping pastors, lay leaders, and congregations accomplish their goals toward church growth, leadership development, social and racial justice, and economic development.

The AABC also helps individuals and congregations advocate for and implement policies of inclusion and economic, social, and racial justice. The council continues to encourage the denomination to continue the work of dismantling racism through policy changes, Sankofa learning experiences, and awareness of African American and Black history, culture, and current challenges.

Membership

The AABC has 24-28 members, all of whom are confessing members of an RCA church or church plant and are elected to serve by the region where the church is located, with representation of each geographical region. At least three of the members must be young adults, ages 18-29. Terms are for three years.

Contact AABC

Stay connected through the Watts Up? newsletter, which unites, resources, networks, and serves the RCA’s African American and Black members.

Interested in planting a church? Looking for a pastoral position in the RCA? Contact Pete Watts, coordinator for the AABC, at pwatts@rca.org.

To learn more about the AABC, email us at aabc@rca.org.

Resources