York General Synod – Beyond Empire: Rethinking Christian Education and Formation
As part of July’s General Synod in York, USPG hosted a fringe event called ‘Beyond Empire: Rethinking Christian Education and Formation’ where panellists discussed how the Church can engage in intentional racial justice work in important formative and educative spaces such as parishes, schools, and theological education institutes (TEIs). This included how discipleship, vocation, and advocacy initiatives could be reshaped in a manner which would both celebrate, and be challenged by, the rich diversity of global Christianity.
The event was opened by The Revd Canon Dr Duncan Dormor, General Secretary and CEO of USPG, who reflected on the Church’s imperial legacy:
Our global presence today is directly linked to our colonial past, impacting everything from land distribution to liturgy, as well as how we today have been formed as people.
This includes children in our schools. Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde, National Education Lead for Racial Justice for the Church of England, shared how a Year 9 pupil once asked her:
What do you do when your Saviour and your oppressor wear the same face?
The interaction demonstrated the need and longing for an honest, healing faith that doesn’t avoid the painful parts of the Church’s story.
Alysia-Lara expressed a deep sense of hope and conviction, especially as initiatives like Christianity as a Global World Faith (Church of England) respond boldly to this need—helping to dismantle the Western lens through which Christianity is too often presented. By centring around authentic case studies from Christians around the world, especially communities that have often been marginalised, rich, real-life perspectives can be brought directly into the classroom.
The panellists also discussed how the lenses which constrain the richness and diversity of Christianity do not always fall under the guise of oppression. The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, brought up how a young man she knew became racially prejudiced against people who had the same skin colour as himself due to racial stereotyping passed down from his parents.
As Chair of the Oversight Group for the Church Commissioners’ work on African chattel enslavement and Reparatory Justice, Bishop Rosemarie highlighted how helping people to better understand themselves and others can give them an additional foundation in their Christian faith by embedding a sense of belonging.
Our final panellist, The Revd Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, built on this further by spotlighting how theological education has unconsciously served as a surrogate space for imperialism through ‘Eurocentric normativity’. He explained: “The epistemic power of colonialism – both past and continuing – has not just reordered the world, but has also shaped our means and possibilities for analysing and understanding it. This is done through a ‘first in Europe and then elsewhere’ frame of thinking where non-European theologies are considered latecomers and constant learners in doing theology because it does not mimic the logic of empire.”
Challenging racial injustice is not easy and requires courage, listening, and change, but it is gospel work. That’s why USPG remains committed to a biblical vision of racial justice—one that recognises all people as image-bearers of God, honouring dignity and embracing cultural richness. To find out more or get involved, visit uspg.org.uk or follow @USPGglobal on social media.
With thanks to Bishop Rosemarie and Alysia-Lara for their contributions and participation at our Synod fringe event.
Let us pray:
Gracious and loving God,
Thank you for the beauty, wisdom, and grace that you have bestowed upon your global Church. We pray that diversity continues to be cherished globally, and that we are further emboldened to champion justice so that young people all over the world can better understand your love, your grace, and your presence in their lives. We commit ourselves once again to our ongoing support for those who need it most as we continue to pray for peace with justice and the dignity of all people. Make us people of peace in the lives we lead. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.