A Letter to Fellow ACNA Clergy: On Anti-Racism and a More Diverse and Just Anglicanism

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Following the lead of bishops Jim Hobby, Todd Hunter, Stewart Ruch III, and Steve Wood, who recently wrote in response to the death of George Floyd, which gained support from a number of other bishops, we offer this open letter to our fellow ACNA clergy and to the churches under our care. Whether you’re ACNA clergy, a layperson, or a Christian leader outside the ACNA, we invite your consideration of the following and your signature in support.

Our Context

Our province, The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), was born as part of a global movement that features diverse leadership and reflects the churches and people of global Anglicanism. It is a manifestation of the universal power and eschatological telos of the Gospel of Jesus: “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).

Currently, the American population is about 38% non-white. By many projections, over the next 20 years, it will be increasingly composed of ethnic minorities. Our province, however, is far from representative of this emerging reality. The mission on our doorstep is clear: to reach North America, in all of its ethnic diversity, “with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.” We have the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel “to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15) and to be Jesus’ witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We are called to reflect the ethnic diversity of the global movement of which we are a part, as well as the diverse locales in which we are present.

In order to more fully embody our Gospel witness, we must support, encourage, and empower the leadership of brothers and sisters of color in the ACNA to create more hospitable and welcoming spaces for people of color. This includes Black, Latino/a, Native, Asian, and other people groups. We must listen and respond to these voices in our midst and collectively seek to understand and address the historic and ongoing ways in which people of color continue to struggle under various expressions of injustice.

We see and grieve the racism and discrimination that exists and has a deep cultural and structural influence in our society, in our communities, and in our churches. The recent tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd are simply the latest in a long line of harrowing examples of these deeply embedded systemic realities. We see and grieve that our brothers and sisters of color, including many in our own dioceses and parishes, have been and continue to be profoundly affected by these realities.

Against this backdrop, we offer the following confessions and make the following commitments.

Confessions

We confess that we have failed to see, understand, and address the expressions of racism, both personal and systemic, that plague our society, communities, and churches.

We confess our slowness to listen to the dismay and discouragement of our brothers and sisters of color, especially those in our own province, and have neglected to cultivate hospitable spaces for them to flourish.

We confess that our ignorance, complacency, and silence have undermined our fidelity to the Great Commandment to love God and love our neighbor (Matt. 22:36-40), which fundamentally calls us into disciplines of anti-racism.

Commitments

We commit to listening to, learning from, and supporting leaders of color in their witness to our province.

We commit to partnering with these friends, and with organizations like

• the Anglican Multiethnic Network (AMEN),
• Caminemos Juntos,
• Asian & Multicultural Ministries in Canada, and
• the Every Tribe and Nation Network

that are working to promote, support, and invest in a more diverse and just Anglicanism.

And, in all of our different capacities and platforms, in our churches and in the world, we commit ourselves to investing in the work of anti-racism—in our catechesis, discipleship, preaching, ministry, advocacy, and reform.

(Editor’s note: You should also check out the work being done by The Matthew 25 Initiative.)

The Road Ahead

We are encouraged by the leaders, including the Archbishop, who have spoken out about the recent injustices, and we know that there are places within the province where there is movement toward realizing this vision of a multi-ethnic church, one that is unhindered by racism in all its forms, that can reach the entirety of North America.

However, there is significant work yet to be done. We hope that others will join us in our intentional commitment to partnering with leaders of color and the provincial organizations listed above in order to cultivate a diverse and just Anglicanism in North America.

We are a group of clergy committed to the ACNA and its mission. If you would like either to join us in these confessions and commitments or signal your affirmation of such work, we invite you to add your name to this letter.

Our ultimate goal, however, is not just signatures, but a collective public commitment towards diversity and justice for the sake of the gospel and our Kingdom witness.

Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Sincerely in Christ,

Authors

Rev. Ryan Boettcher
Associate Clergy, Resurrection Anglican South Austin

Rev. Dr. Shawn McCain
Rector, Resurrection Anglican South Austin

Rev. Seth Richardson
The Telos Collective

Rev. Dr. J.R. Rozko
National Director, Missio Alliance & Co-Lead Pastor, First Church of the Resurrection

Rev. Ben Sternke
Co-Rector, The Table Indianapolis & Co-Founder, Gravity Leadership

Rev. Matt Tebbe
Co-Rector, The Table Indianapolis & Co-Founder, Gravity Leadership

Rev. Erik Willits
Host of The Intersection Podcast
Special Projects, Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others

Initial Signatories (Click Here or Scroll Down to Sign)

Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Alger
Provincial Canon for Church Planting, Anglican Church in North America
Director, Always Forward Church Planting Initiative

Rev. Gary Ball
Rector, Redeemer Asheville, NC

Rev. Canon Taylor Bodoh
Rector, Incarnation, Tallahassee
Canon for Church Planting, Gulf Atlantic Diocese
Leader in the Anglican Multiethnic Network (AMEN)

Rev. Seth Cain
Rector, The Village Anglican, Greenville

Rev. Dan Claire
Rector, The Church of the Resurrection, Washington, D.C.

Rev. Canon Greg Goebel
Editor-in-chief, Anglican Compass

Rev. David Martin Hanke
Rector, Restoration Anglican, Arlington

Rev. Canon Alan Hawkins
Chief Operating Officer, Anglican Church in North America

Rev. Thomas Hinson
Rector, Advent Anglican, Washington, D.C.

Rev. Hannah King
Associate Rector, The Village Anglican, Greenville

Rev. Michael King
Associate Rector, The Village Anglican, Greenville

Very Rev. Canon Dr. Kris McDaniel
Senior Pastor, Trinity Anglican, Atlanta
Canon for Church Development (Planting and Adoptions), Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others

Rev. Canon Dr. Emily McGowin
Associate Lecturer of Theology, Wheaton College
Canon, The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others

Rev. Ron McGowin
Interim Rector, Holy Cross Anglican Church, Lake Villa, IL

Rev. Lee Nelson
Rector, Christ Church, Waco

Very Rev. Rob Patterson
Rector, Redeemer Anglican, Santa Cruz
Regional Dean, Northern California, Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others

Rev. Marty Reardon
Westside Worship Pastor, Trinity Anglican, Atlanta

Rev. Erik Rogers
Assisting Clergy, Resurrection Anglican South Austin

Rev. Canon David Roseberry
Publisher, Anglican Compass

Rev. Joshua Steele
Managing Editor, Anglican Compass

Very Rev. Cliff Warner
Rector, Christ Church, Austin

Christine Warner
Director, Matthew 25 Initiative

Rev. Tish Harrison Warren
Author, Liturgy of the Ordinary
Writer-in-Residence, Church of the Ascension, Pittsburgh

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Warren Pagán
Associate Rector, Church of the Ascension, Pittsburgh

Rev. Janna Ziegler
Co-Rector, Church of the Resurrection, Los Angeles

Rev. Jon Ziegler
Co-Rector, Church of the Resurrection, Los Angeles

Sign the Letter

If you’re ACNA clergy, please use the first form. We’d also love for laypeople and Christian leaders outside of the ACNA to indicate their support. If you’re not ACNA clergy, please use the second form (scroll down).

(NOTE: Don’t worry if you don’t see your name appear below right away. There might be a bit of a lag. No need to submit twice.)

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