Our new racial Justice Adviser

What better time to introduce our new racial justice adviser, Raj Patel, than in the run up to Racial Justice Sunday on 10 September. Sally Jarman caught up with Raj to find out more about his faith and his aims for his work with the diocese.

The Anglican church has  been a source of joy and of frustration for Raj Patel since he became a Christian on precisely 7 January, 1975.

There was joy in the relationship forged with fellow worshippers at his first church in Leicester, based on respect and value for him as a person regardless of creed or colour. Since his family had moved from Kenya in the 60s he had been used to far less positive reactions from British society.

And he rejoices that in his personal journey so far he has encountered many Christians positively making a difference towards racial justice, ‘with commitments and joy that go beyond human strength alone’.

But he says he has also seen how Christians, because of inaction or misguided acts, will have caused God sorrow.
In the Anglican church today Raj believes we are actually turning people of all races away – because our words say we promote equality but in practice there is inequality:

‘We pay lip service to equality and hide behind the correct words and actions to show our credentials. But in terms of who we are in the sight of God that doesn’t come through. It’s a hypocrisy that would put anyone off.’

The attitude in many Chri-stian communities towards Black and Asian worshippers is still, he believes, patronising and pat-ernalistic and he suggests: ‘We should ask ourselves why it is that, even though in some Ang-lican churches there is a large proportion of black people there are very few in leadership positions.’

One of the things he wants to bring to his new role is ‘a reverse transformation’. He explains: ‘Promoting racial justice is as much for the sake of white people as for black people if we want salvation.

‘I’d like the wider church to realise it is for our own good. It is part of stacking up rewards in heaven and not just for the sake of black people.’

And he firmly believes that although it is important to make a difference in global policy, it is at local level, in church communities and among individuals, that the changes can really be put into action and felt.

Such changes will require intent, will and commitment to achieve. But he is confident that the will for racial justice in the Oxford  diocese is great and is looking forward to supporting Christian communities in finding ways to make it a reality.

Part of his focus will be on schools, looking at everything from development training for teachers to the curriculum and general school environment.

He says: ‘I want to convert the will that is there into something very practical that will make a difference for people on the ground.’

From black and Asian Christians in the diocese Raj also seeks action:
‘They need to buck up their ideas and become active in their contribution to their church communities, leading Bible study groups, joining the PCC, becoming involved in ministerial training.’

Action is something Raj is no stranger to himself. In the 1980s he was co-ordinator
of Evangelical Christians for Racial Justice, producing groundbreaking work on anti-racism within Christian communities.

He has co-edited two theological books: ‘A Time to Speak’ and ‘A Time to Act’, and worked as Executive Secretary for the then British Council of Churches Community and Race Relations Unit.

He has chaired the Alliance of Asian Christians and attends the Asian Christian Fellowship in Wycombe Road, Oxford. He is also an active member of his church, St Andrews, in Linton Road in the city. And since 2003 he has run his own consultancy business which, among other things, conducts equality and diversity training.

So how did this energetic, passionate campaigner for racial justice in the church become a Christian?

Raj explains: ‘I was brought up as a Hindu of Gujarati origin. I have always believed in God and had conversations with God from an early age.

‘But I became a follower of Christ as a teenager in 1975. I can remember the date exactly. I had been attending a Bible study group at a local church for a while. But 7 January was when I recognised that there was something more than just mental commitment. There was a welling up of the Holy Spirit, excitement, peace and an innate knowledge that it was the path to follow.’

His father, he says, saw Christianity as a ‘white man's religion’ and his brother was confident that he would grow out of it. But his family have always accepted his beliefs:

‘My parents, with their Hindu background demonstrated more Christian values and ways of Christian living than many churchgoers today, which is quite an indictment on many Christians.’

Racial Justice Sunday on 10 September is an ideal time for Christians in the diocese to focus their attention on their words versus their actions, says Raj.

The theme this year is one after his own heart, taken from James (2:26): ‘Faith without actions is dead.’

But that's just the start, he warns: ‘As Christians we have an exciting mandate to demonstrate one humanity, and a difficult challenge to work towards a just society.’