Social cohesion and the church: exploring racial integration in a Methodist Congregation

Abstract

Post-apartheid South Africa has identified social cohesion as one of its major programmes. The country continues to struggle with, amongst other challenges, issues of racism. Using the Inter Group Theory, this study aimed to reflect on social cohesion by exploring racial integration on a case study of a former Methodist Church. Interviews were conducted with clergy, lay leaders and ordinary members of the congregation. Each group of participants were asked questions specific to their roles and responsibilities in the church. The research questions were linked to three objectives that sought to establish how the participants experienced racial integration, how they understood its implementation and their view of the Methodist vision of unity. The study used the interpretivism paradigm to investigate racial integration. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that participants understood and experienced racial integration differently. There is evidence of forms of social relations, dynamics of managing diversity, challenges of whiteness, assimilation and the increase in black presence in a congregation. Results showed that best ways of implementing racial integration hinges more on intentional efforts that related to the appointment of representative leadership, design of transformative education programmes, inclusive worship and a strategic use of language. The Methodist normative vision of unity is based, amongst other things, on the ecclesiastical concept of Connexionalism and the commitment to a “One and Undivided Church.” It is recommended that racially diverse or multiracial churches must articulate their broad visions of unity that shall serve as norms of unity and reconciliation to the local churches. Churches must find ways of translating their commitments to racial integration from the abstract theoretical statements to practical programmes of implementation. The Practical Theology value of this study is to assist congregations on how to facilitate racial integration as part of their identity.