The Minnesota Churches Anti-Racism Initiative (MCARI) is a joint program of the Minnesota, Greater Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area councils of churches. It is a statewide, ecumenical collaboration focusing on engaging local churches in anti-racism efforts. This effort goes beyond addressing personal prejudice and focuses on dismantling systemic and institutional racism through a long-term transformation process.

The purpose of MCARI is to foster and participate in ongoing racial reconciliation among diverse communities by engaging the Minnesota religious community in anti-racism education, training and organizing to strengthen the capacity to recognize and respond to systemic racism. The program is staffed by the Tri-Council Coordinating Commission (TCC).

A strategy of organizing is at the center of TCC efforts. Experience indicates that systemic racism cannot be "trained" away. What is required is a process that organizes systemic and institutional transformation. Key to this is a trained institutional team that has developed an analysis of racism that is relevant to community and systemic transformation. This, in turn, shapes a strategic change process that involves the entire institution in the journey of transformation.

A three-phase process (developed by Crossroads Ministry in Chicago) is used by TCC to engage churches and denominations in systematic training and organizing. Since a key element in institutional transformation is an internal leadership team, the training and formation of such a team is the primary outcome of this process.

Phase I: Planning and Design.
Each participating church, denomination or institution goes through a period of shaping its participation in the Initiative. This includes appointing a planning and design task force and participating in introductory anti-racism training.

Phase II: Training and Team Formation.
Participating institutions develop their criteria for the composition of their anti-racism leadership team. This team participates in a three- day intensive anti-racism training. This training event provides the tools and initial skills to help the institution begin a process of internal assessment and organizing.

Phase III: Advanced Skill Building and Strategy Development.
Institutional teams participate in a series of ongoing skill development workshops and frame strategies for involving their church or organization in a process of long-term transformation that touches every aspect of institutional life.

This process creates the means for the institution to internalize an anti-racism education and assessment capacity and to faithfully participate in multicultural collaborations to combat racism. It creates the context for institutional accountability to oppressed communities and offers the possibility of becoming dependable allies in the struggle for racial justice.

If you are wondering how your congregation can faithfully participate in the call to reconciliation, join the growing number of churches and institutions that are currently involved in a systematic process of anti-racism training and organizing through becoming a part of MCARI.

122 West Franklin Ave., Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-871-0229
tcc@gmcc.org