Justice & Mercy

Quick Links: Indigenous Issues | Welcoming Refugees | Opposing Racism | Environmental Justice | Poverty & Homelessness | MAid

The CBWC’s Justice and Mercy Network seeks to inspire and equip churches to pursue right relationships with God, with self, with others, and with the world. 

Contact us: mdoerksen@cbwc.ca

Indigenous Issues

The church in Canada has, consciously and unconsciously, supported systemic injustices like the appropriation of land, the forced relocation of Indigenous communities, the creation of the reserve system, and continued economic and political exploitation. The work of the JMN seeks to help churches understand issues of colonization and to respond to God’s call for repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14), just action (Micah 6:8) and living in peace together (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). 

Welcoming Refugees

The CBWC has been a Sponsorship Agreement Holder for the Canadian Government for over 40 years. Contact our Refugee Coordinator to learn how we can assist your church in sponsoring refugees to Canada: refugees@cbwc.ca  

Refugee Booklet
Refugee Booklet

Opposing Racism

Race and racism are social constructs created and sustained for the benefit of some and the marginalization of many. Every person is created in the image of God, wholly equal and entitled to equal life in our churches and communities. The church is meant to be the manifold witness of unity among those of diverse ethnic backgrounds, striving for reconciliation and solidarity. 

  • Unsettling Truths, Mark Charles & Soong-Chan Rah

    White Fragility, Robin J. Diangelo

    Do All Lives Matter?, Wayne Gordon & John M. Perkins

    Healing Our Broken World, Grace Ji-Sun Kim & Graham Hill

    White Awake, Daniel Hill

    White Lies, Daniel Hill

    How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi

    One Blood, John M. Perkins

    The Next Evangelicalism, Soong-Chan Rah

    Reconciling All Things, Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice

    Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad

    Rediscipling the White Church, David W. Swanson

  • Ethnicity – Culture of origin or identity, based on traditions, language, nationality or heritage. 

    Antiracism – A movement of solidarity with those subject to racism and an intentional challenge to systemic racism. To be antiracist is to see all people in all their differences as equal. There is no neutrality with respect to race. Antiracism confronts racial inequalities. 

    BIPOC – Black Indigenous People of Colour – This acronym was created to represent the diversity of histories among those who experience the effects of racism is our society. The experience of each group is analogous but importantly distinct. 

    Black Lives Matter (BLM) A decentralized movement that protests the disproportionate impact that racism has on Black people and communities by responding to police brutality and racially motivated violence against black people. By extension, it is a protest against racism in all its forms and a movement of anti-racism. 

    Race – A social construct based on the colour of one’s skin and other perceived physical attributes. Race is a category created to classify people for political, social, and economic reasons.  

    Racism – The oppression of any person or people group based on their perceived race. Racism is embodied in policies, ideas, and actions. It is individual and systemic. It is the belief that perceived racial difference makes any group superior or inferior to another. Racism is sin.  

    White Supremacy – A description of the “white” cultural ideal of Western society. “Whiteness” has become the standard by which elements of society are judged. White supremacy, in this context, refers to systems that shape our society. Its most extreme is exemplified by radical groups like the KKK, but it is also subtly embedded in Western culture. 

Environmental Justice

Scripture calls Christians to live as stewards and caretakers of creation. How do our activities and choices in our industrialized society impact the ecosystems we inhabit and the global community? What steps might we take? 

Addressing Poverty & Homelessness

Many in our world lack the resources to meet the basic needs of life. Our local and global neighbours are pushed into homelessness by a range of diverse social and economic drivers. As we follow in the ways of Jesus, we will come alongside these people in God’s name to build relationships that resource, empower and restore God’s dignity. 

MAiD

The complexities surrounding Medical Assistance in Death (MAiD) and end-of-life decisions are challenging to navigate, but our starting place will be the reality that each person’s life has worth because they are made in the image of God and loved by Him.  

These resources are gathered from many sources and are intended to assist in the ongoing exploration and discussion around MAiD. Opinions expressed may not necessarily reflect the CBWC’s held value of the sanctity of life from conception to death.