Where are Canadian Baptists on Racism?

June 2, 2020

Dear David,

For the last days, my heart has been broken by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25^th—the tragic culmination of a sea of wrongs that the black community has suffered in the US and in Canada. I am sad; I am angry. I am worried about my friends who are directly affected by racism daily in Canada, the US, and around the world. There are days since then that it seems clear what I should do and days when I don’t know what to do—but I wish that I did. I must act today by writing to you and calling us to action to do our part to end racism. As Christians, we must passionately pursue the eradication of racism by actively obeying the words of Jesus to love one another. 

I wish we had sent this out earlier. There is no excuse for silence in the face of racism, but I hope you will trust that my hesitation was born of wanting to act wisely and well and to avoid contributing to the body of injuries that have been sustained by our black family members over many generations.

Racism has no place in the family of God and certainly not in CBOQ, Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. We must ensure that within our sphere of influence and leadership, racism is replaced by Christ’s truth, love, and acceptance. At the sight of it, we must call it out. At the sound of it, faint or strong, we must run toward that sound and speak change into being. We also must do what we as Christians are to be known for, to love, to pray, and to extend care. Please join me in developing ways to love and show care today and every day, particularly to the people of color in your community. Please join me today in creating a gathering for prayer among those who are tuned in to your calls to action. Lastly, I ask of you today that you listen to the pain and hurt of those who live daily with the ugly reality of racism and who are affected deeply by its weight and wounds. Believe people when they tell you about what they have experienced. Stand with me, as CBOQ, against racism and for the whole, unfractured family of God. 

I spoke with Rev. Wendell Gibbs today, from First Baptist Church Toronto, who reminded me that “Sympathy is unnecessary and unhelpful. Empathy is required.” He said that I, as a white person, must feel the burden with him. And so, I choose to carry this burden with you, Wendell, and others that experience racial injustice. I don’t know where feeling this burden with you may lead me, but that’s okay. I will learn as I go, and we will journey together. So, without knowing just yet what to lift and carry, I feel the weight and believe that I’m carrying something.

Lord open our eyes to see what to carry and reveal to us, we pray, what we should do that will administer true justice and show mercy and compassion.

Peace be with you,

Tim McCoy
Executive Minister, CBOQ