Over the past four years the Ml has conducted Racial Justice Audits on both a national level and local with various religious organizations. The goal of Racial Justice Audit is not to determine whether or not systemic racism exists in the organization but rather to examine its effects and the dynamics by which it is maintained in the very structure.
The audit focuses on internal work of an organization consisting of identifying current patterns around representation, identifying barriers to racial equity, inventorying white supremacy culture embedded in policy, practices, and behavior of the organization. Even earnest and well-intentioned religious institutions consciously and unconsciously engage in practices that work against their desired hope and the vision God has for their beloved children.
We do this by implementing the following:
- Targeted data collection of key leadership through a online survey tool
- Narrative interviews with key constitutes to paint a more detailed and nuanced picture of the current
realities of the organization - Analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data to uncover patterns of racial inequity or areas of
justice and to make sense of why these patterns might exist in the first place.
- Theological reflection in order to ground the work out of sacred texts that sustains and supports the
community engaged in this important work - Key questions and recommendations for future and ongoing strategic engagement
- We do this with an accompaniment model, working with leaders to ensure institutional capacity is
built for the ongoing work of anti-racism
“The Mission Institute works to bring us back into right relationship with ourselves and others. Their team is diverse and works from a unique place that is not just about head learning but about heart learning.”
“For two years, my team has worked with The Mission Institute on the historic Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Church Leadership, and the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. Mission Institute’s leaders took a mammoth dream from us and returned with data, tools and insights that are so rich, they will change the way we pursue racial reconciliation, healing and justice as a whole denomination. Their approach incorporates a deep understanding of systems, stories, theology, formation, action, and the long-term nature of pursuing beloved community. The church’s leadership has been so impressed, we’re signing on for extra time and deeper partnership. Thank you, Mission Institute, for the chance to think, seek, change and pray with you.”