Transcript from Andrew & Rosie’s message from Sunday, 14th June:

All of you will know that the horrifying death of George Floyd in the USA has caused both outrage and trauma for so many. Such discrimination and treatment of a human being is abhorrent and in complete contrast to the example set by the life and teachings of Jesus. 

On Thursday we made a statement in response to the events of the last few weeks. This pandemic and the lockdown is allowing us to address big things in our world and the subject of racism and injustice requires our attention and our action. 

We’d invite you all to read our blog or watch our video that was posted on Thursday. See our website and Facebook pages.

As we gather today we want to look at how we can all make a difference.

You’ll be familiar with our vision statement which is to “Follow Jesus, Live life to the full and to make a difference.”

Each Sunday during lockdown, we’ve been taking time to hear from someone in our church community who is making a difference. Well today we want to turn that around and ask that question of us all. Today we want to make the question personal. “Jesus - How can I make a difference?” 

Can you make this your prayer? This has certainly been our prayer this week. 

Although we are individual people with different experiences we know that as followers of Jesus we are all connected to God and to each other. The bible describes us as brothers and sisters in God’s family.

To restate what we’ve already expressed.  We emphatically condemn racism in all its forms. Racism is a violation of the character of God and an insult to his image that is expressed in every person.

As your leaders, we’re not just making a comment in this cultural moment, we’re committed to listening, learning and leading differently.

Today we want to speak in three ways. 

1.   As your leaders. 

2.   To all of you from a Black Asian Minority Ethnic background. 

3.   To everyone in our church family. 

From Us - Andrew & Rosie as church leaders and leading our team  

We start by acknowledging the issues. Racism is sin. It’s evil and unjust and sadly it’s the experience of many people.

We are committed to listening, learning and action.

Listening - being present in honest conversations. We’re going to be hosting some forums in the next few weeks to talk to those from Black Asian and Ethnic minority backgrounds to hear your stories, to understand your lived reality. We really want you to join us at those gatherings.  

We are committed to learning.  We don’t know what we don’t know. 

We are committed to action - to prayer and to a clear plan for the months ahead. 

This week we’ll post advance dates and details of those gatherings. We’ll restate those next Sunday as well. 

Now we want to speak to those of you who are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic community. 

If you currently see or could see Birmingham Vineyard as your home church, then our invitation is that you would fully engage in this conversation with us. 

We want you to know that we see you, we love you, we care and we want to learn from you and with you. 

We’d ask you to come to the forums we’re planning and be courageously honest about the things that affect you. (To find out more, click here: https://vnc.churchsuite.co.uk/events/icfyylbi)

Speak the truth in love so we can grow together.  Engage with us, help us learn and help us identify our next steps. 

For Everyone: How we can all make a difference? 

Some of you are largely unaffected by these issues of injustice and racism. You may not have any first-hand experience of the prejudice that many of our brothers and sisters face. 

There are times when as a church family, we celebrate; we express our joy together before the Lord. But there are also times when, as a body, we stand with, kneel with, hurt with, cry with, and pray with, those brothers and sisters who are mourning, those in our family who experience injustice, violence, and struggle. It is our calling as followers of Jesus to mourn with those who mourn, laugh with those who laugh, weep with those who weep. 

We act as Christ when we comfort each other and walk with each other. 

I spent 2 hours this week in conversation and prayer with senior Church leaders from both black and white led denominations and Churches in Birmingham. We all realised that more than ever we need to respond to this moment inspired by the example and spirit of Jesus. 

The church has a part to play in showing the world what a healthy vibrant community can look like. 

Our only hope is found in turning to Jesus. He is the light that is needed in this present darkness. 

We need Jesus. He reminds us that we’re all equally loved children made in God’s image.

We need Jesus. He provides a way for us to break free from the sinful selfishness of the human heart. 

We need Jesus. He shows us mercy and leads us to places of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. 

We need Jesus. He challenges us to speak for justice in a world of blatant systemic and historic inequality. 

We need Jesus. He has promised us the hope that his kingdom will come and his will be done as we pray and work for change.

We need Jesus. He reminds us there is a day to come where a great multitude that no one will be able to number, from every nation, from every tribe, and people and language, will stand before the throne of heaven as one. 

And until that day comes. We need action. 

Action that puts the words and vision of Jesus into practice. Action that protects all our brothers and sisters. Action through people that repent and re-orientate. Action that ushers in the promise of God’s kingdom. Action that is fuelled by God’s spirit. Action that leads to transformation and justice for all. 

God help us to be part of your kingdom coming on earth, as it is in heaven. 

We invite you to pray. “Jesus please lead me - How can I make a difference?”