Agents of reconciliation? Five steps

Indigenous peoples all over the world have suffered from colonialism, as European nations invaded, occupied and overran the original inhabitants. Many indigenous people remember their history since those times with sadness, anger and loss.

Christians are called to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and to be agents of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Why is this important for the church, and how can we go about it?

A demonstration church?

Demonstrator cars allow a person to “try before they buy“. Demonstration schools show other teachers and trainee teachers the best teaching methods.

The church is meant to be a demonstration of the kingdom of God on earth. Christians are supposed to show love (“they’ll know we are christians by our love” – John 13:35). We are supposed to live in such an altruistic and loving way that people will see God at work in us (Matthew 5:16).

In our pragmatic, busy western societies, many people aren’t all that impressed by our words. They want to “try before they buy“. They want to see if we really mean what we say. Does this God stuff really make a difference; is it worth even thinking about?

There are many aspects of life and behavious that Jesus told us were important. One of them is caring for those least able to care for themselves (Matthew 25:31-46).

Dispossession

Australia’s indigenous peoples, like indigenous peoples in North and South America, were dispossed of land when Europeans settled here. In many cases they were removed from their traditional lands, they lost their culture, were pushed to the margins and were often cheated out of wages.

Sadly, the church was often complicit in this. Doubtless the motives were often good, but too often First Nations people were treated more like animals than people made in the image of God. As a result, First Nations people have suffered, materially, emotionally, spiritually.

And Jesus said as much as we did it to the least of these, we did it to him!

This is the harsh reality in Australia, and I expect it is often the reality in other parts of the world too.

Recognition and reconciliation

First Nations people in Australia, especially Christians, know that white occupation cannot be undone. But they ask that the past reality be recognised (“truth telling”). They ask that their disadvantage be addressed.

And they ask white Australians to walk with them into a new future.

If we want to be agents of reconciliation, walking with them is surely the least we can do.

Five steps

We can’t walk together with people we don’t know and have never met. Here are five steps we can take together.

1 Listen & learn

We weren’t taught a lot about First Nations people, history or culture when I was at school back in the day. And what we were taught was very much from a white perspective.

Nevertheless, I thought I had a reasonable understanding of white Australian history and a fair degree of sympathy for what Aboriginal people had lost. I would guess most Aussies felt the same.

But when I started to listen to recent history from a First Nations perspective, I began to realise that what I had learnt was very sanitised. The reality was far worse than I had imagined.

So the first step in reconciliation must be to learn the facts of white Australian history.

There is plenty of written material available. I recommend these sources of information:

Common Grace is a Christian organisation, a “movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice”. One of its core justice issues is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice. We can all learn a lot from the gracious truth-telling of the Common Grace Aboriginal justice spokespeople, Bianca and Safina.

Black Lives, Government Lies, by Dr Rosalind Kidd.
It is heart-breaking to read the reality behind the insensitive way that governments treated and mistreated Aboriginal people, resulting in the poor social and health outcomes we see today. I recommend this brief book by an academic historian, documenting some of the atrocities (no, I don’t think that is too strong a word) committed in the state of Queensland against Aboriginal people.

First Australians is an excellent 7-part TV series available to watch free from Australia’s SBS (Special Broadcasting Service). I learnt so much from this series.

Learn about The Coming of the Light, when Torres Strait Islanders celebrate when white missionaries brought Christianity to their people back in 1871. One time when the meeting of two cultures worked out well, leading to greater peace in the Islands.

No attempt to understand the current situation with First Nations people is complete without reading the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a beautiful and gracious offer of reconciliation and moving forward together.

Some say we shouldn’t dwell on the past, but simply move forward. But the history is still with us, in memories, in trauma and in the effects of disadvantage in the lives of many people. Christians, of all people, should know that the correct way to deal with past wrongs is acknowledgment, repentance and forgiveness.

2. Pray

It should go without saying that white Christians will pray for our indigenous sisters and brothers, and for reconciliation and justice for all Australians, including First Nations.

3. Go

There are many events we can attend, to learn, meet and encourage. I have found attending these events has almost always been enlightening and encouraging.

NAIDOC week is this week (7-14 July). Its aim is to “celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples …. learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. “ There is likely to be a NAIDOC event near you.

Australia Day (January 26) is a difficult day for Aboriginal people because it marks the beginning of the white colonisation of Australia. Aunty Jean Phillips and Brooke Prentis, Aboriginal Christian leaders from Brisbane, have for many years now marked this time with Change the Heart services around Australia and online. We can support Aboriginal Christians by participating.

National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) commemorates “two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey” – the successful 1967 referendum which guaranteed First Nations people some rights prefviously denied them, and the High Court land rights decision. This week provides another opportunity to learn and to interact with First Nations people.

Some churches have special services in NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks. It is generally easy to find a local service online.

4. Make new friends

It’s not always easy to meet and get to know First Nations people. Circumstances and opportunities differ. But if we attend events like those I’ve mentioned, opportunities will arise.

I have found the First Nations people I have met at different events over the years have been friendly and keen to relate. I have found their culture generally makes them open and community-minded.

And I have found I have learnt a lot from a culture that values community, respects elders and cares for the land. I have appreciated their impish sense of humour and the way they value yarning among equals over sitting in rows listening to experts. What’s not to like about sitting in a circle around a fire talking with friends?

I believe respectful friendship has a lot to offer both white and black communities.

5. Invite

Aboriginal Christians I have met believe they have something good to offer the Australian church. But they feel their culture and contribution has often been devalued by the white church.

One remedy is to invite First Nation Christians to participate in and lead activities in our churches.This past Sunday, NAIDOC week was celebrated in the church I attend by handing over total leadership of the Sunday service to First Nations people. They chose the songs, led the music and led the prayers. The Aboriginal speaker (a member of the congregation) tied together the NAIDOC theme of “keep the fire burning” with the cultural practice of bush management via cold burning and the Biblical teaching of the fire of the Holy Spirit. It was a little different and it was good.

There are ways to welcome First Nations people into our churches. Acknowledging country (not in a token way, but whole-heartedly), purchasing some Aboriginal artwork, respecting their elders, choosing some songs that they particularly identify with and knowing more of Aboriginal history, would all help.

Is it necessary? Is it token?

You’ll have to decide. The First nations Christians I know are looking to white Christians to recognise the past, to seek justice on their part and to walk together into a better future. To them it is necessary. And if our friendship is genuine, it certainly isn’t token.

I pray white Christians will be agents of reconciliation.

Photo: In February 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (here seen on a large TV screen in the centre of Melbourne) formally apologised to the stolen generations (Aboriginal people taken as children from their families), on behalf of the Australian Government and people. This was one important step in the process of reconcilation between white and black Australians. Photo by Flickr user ‘virginiam‘ on Wikimedia Commons.

Let's overturn these tables