A080 Create a Task Force on Countering the Colonial Mindset
At the 80th General Convention, the Standing Commission on World Mission was tasked with preparing a report on the impact of colonialism on the Episcopal Church. The need for such a report was clear from the outset, yet what has emerged as a primary focus is the continuing impact of the colonial mindset on the Church today. Our missional institutions are replete with organizations, actors and systems that offer a preference for white, European and male voices in the allocation of funds, people and attention. The Anglican Church, the Episcopal Church, and its missional organs have often been the voice of empire and may still function that way through lack of awareness.
From the beginning, the missionary work of the Episcopal Church was wrapped up in the broader effort at colonization. In fact, the first missionary efforts undertaken in the Church were under the auspices of the Colonization Society. Looking back, Episcopal missionary efforts, while always undertaken with the goal of propagating the Gospel all over the world, also suffered from the unmistakable connection to colonialism.
Therefore, the Standing Commission on World Mission urges the General Convention to (a) create a Task Force on Countering the Colonial Mindset and (b) allocate adequate funds for its creation and work which includes researching and highlighting historic and present realities of the colonial mindset in our common life, and establishing educational materials for dioceses, churches, and mission partners to use in their work and ministry. This task force would report back to the 82d General Convention.
Explanation
At the 80th General Convention, the Standing Commission on World Mission was tasked with preparing a report on the impact of colonialism on the Episcopal Church. The need for such a report was clear from the outset, yet what has emerged as a primary focus is the continuing impact of the colonial mindset on the Church today. Our missional institutions are replete with organizations, actors and systems that offer a preference for white, European and male voices in the allocation of funds, people and attention. The Anglican Church, the Episcopal Church, and its missional organs have often been the voice of empire and may still function that way through lack of awareness.
From the beginning, the missionary work of the Episcopal Church was wrapped up in the broader effort at colonization. In fact, the first missionary efforts undertaken in the Church were under the auspices of the Colonization Society. Looking back, Episcopal missionary efforts, while always undertaken with the goal of propagating the Gospel all over the world, also suffered from the unmistakable connection to colonialism.
Therefore, the Standing Commission on World Mission urges the General Convention to (a) create a Task Force on Countering the Colonial Mindset and (b) allocate adequate funds for its creation and work which includes researching and highlighting historic and present realities of the colonial mindset in our common life, and establishing educational materials for dioceses, churches, and mission partners to use in their work and ministry. This task force would report back to the 82d General Convention.