Counsel #6 — Racial Injustice In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Picture: Counsel #6 — Racial Injustice In The Seventh-Day Adventist ChurchCSI 25.1

The Seventh-day Adventist Church's history with racial injustice is complex. While its founders opposed slavery, the church later adopted segregation policies.The "Kilgore Policy" of 1890 formalized separate churches and institutions for Black Adventists, which persisted for decades. This segregation extended beyond church buildings, with Black Adventists often denied equal access to education, healthcare, and leadership positions within the denomination.CSI 25.2

The Civil Rights Movement sparked a gradual shift in attitudes within the Adventist Church. In 1968, a landmark meeting at Andrews University led to the official repudiation of the "separate but equal" doctrine. But it wasn't until the 1970s that the church officially condemned apartheid in South Africa and began to dismantle some of the structures of segregation.^{[58]https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1230&context=jams}CSI 25.3

In recent decades, the church has made efforts to address its past and promote racial reconciliation. These efforts include initiatives focused on education, diversity training, and the empowerment of minority leaders. While progress has been made, challenges remain. Deeper systemic changes may be needed to achieve genuine racial justice within the Seventh-day Adventist community.^{[59]https://youtu.be/pzF5KjTB-hk?si=sqbYYzpnwBP_V09Y}CSI 25.4

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices…. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness….” Matthew 23:23 NIVCSI 25.5

“When the followers of Christ are one with Him, there will be no first and last, no less respected or less important ones…. All will be equally one with Christ.” Ellen White in Manuscript 28, 1897CSI 25.6

Reflect: What do you think dismantling systemic racism should look like within the Seventh-day Adventist church?CSI 25.7