Statement on Injustice and Reconcilation
As a Christian Church we hold to the truth of the Holy Scriptures and affirm the value and dignity of all people, regardless of race, religion or gender. Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. (1 Peter 2:17 - AMP)
We recognize mankind has not always honored this truth, that in our fallen world we have and continue to experience inequality and injustice; that too often we have seen the worst of mankind; that all human institutions are fallible.
We also recognize, that although imperfect, the Church has been a force for good throughout the ages. Churches have cared for the less-fortunate, fed the hungry, provided humanitarian relief and built hospitals and schools and shelters.
The recent news about the discovery of unmarked graves at the former Residential School in Kamloops grieves the heart of God and the hearts of good and decent people across our country.
As a church, we weep with those who are weeping and pray for comfort and healing, for genuine reconciliation and harmony among all people, for reconciliation is at the very core of our faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
We humbly call upon our God who has said, If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
We join our voices with those calling for accountability, justice and lasting reform.
We remain committed to be a faith community where all are treated with Christ-like love and where we honor and serve one another. When we fail, we seek truth and forgiveness and the Spirit’s wisdom to find a way forward.
We recognize that this statement is only words; that words are not enough to bring about change, but such change can spring from a heart that is surrendered to God and seeking to align our faith and practices with the principles in His Word. While we will not always get it right, we can listen and respond compassionately, and by the grace of God, do our part to bring more of God’s truth and values, to bring healing, to our communities, our nation and our world.
June 2021
We recognize mankind has not always honored this truth, that in our fallen world we have and continue to experience inequality and injustice; that too often we have seen the worst of mankind; that all human institutions are fallible.
We also recognize, that although imperfect, the Church has been a force for good throughout the ages. Churches have cared for the less-fortunate, fed the hungry, provided humanitarian relief and built hospitals and schools and shelters.
The recent news about the discovery of unmarked graves at the former Residential School in Kamloops grieves the heart of God and the hearts of good and decent people across our country.
As a church, we weep with those who are weeping and pray for comfort and healing, for genuine reconciliation and harmony among all people, for reconciliation is at the very core of our faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
We humbly call upon our God who has said, If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
We join our voices with those calling for accountability, justice and lasting reform.
We remain committed to be a faith community where all are treated with Christ-like love and where we honor and serve one another. When we fail, we seek truth and forgiveness and the Spirit’s wisdom to find a way forward.
We recognize that this statement is only words; that words are not enough to bring about change, but such change can spring from a heart that is surrendered to God and seeking to align our faith and practices with the principles in His Word. While we will not always get it right, we can listen and respond compassionately, and by the grace of God, do our part to bring more of God’s truth and values, to bring healing, to our communities, our nation and our world.
June 2021
A Statement on Racial Diversity and Equality
As a church family at Valley, we join with many across our nation, in the United States and around the world to pray for God’s mercy and grace into the lives of so many who are broken and deeply wounded; who are experiencing grief and sorrow. We lament the brutal and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd and many others who have died unjustly. We know that such injustice and division grieve the heart of God and stand in contrast to His love and His Word.
We pray for comfort for those mourning. We pray for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation--those things that reflect the truth we find in the Holy Scriptures; that reflect God’s heart to all mankind. We affirm the truth of Colossians 1:20 that reminds us that God, through the Lord Jesus was pleased to reconcile to himself all things…by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
We, as the people of God reject inequality as being contrary to God’s will and ways. We recognize this as a problem not only beyond the borders of our nation but within our borders as well. As we listen to the voices of minority groups in our land, we cannot dismiss the truth that racial prejudice affects many Canadians. We affirm God’s desire to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:10)
We confess and declare the truth of the Bible that all human beings are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and as such, everyone has value and dignity. Further, we confess and declare that there is no place for the kind of hostility and division that is so prevalent today. While we condemn any abuse of power, we also recognize that there are those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7). They deserve our respect and cooperation. We give thanks for police officers, firefighters and first responders who serve with honor and routinely put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities.
Our commitment at Valley is to be a people and place where all are treated with Christ-like love, and where we honor and serve one another as we are exhorted to do in the Bible (Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13). To this end, we will listen and learn that we may be part of the solution and agents of blessing in a hurting world. Where we have fallen short, we ask for forgiveness. We accept our responsibility to embrace and proclaim the truth of the Gospel and its implications regarding racial diversity, for we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
We humble ourselves and seek God’s wisdom and guidance, for He has said, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
June 2020
We pray for comfort for those mourning. We pray for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation--those things that reflect the truth we find in the Holy Scriptures; that reflect God’s heart to all mankind. We affirm the truth of Colossians 1:20 that reminds us that God, through the Lord Jesus was pleased to reconcile to himself all things…by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
We, as the people of God reject inequality as being contrary to God’s will and ways. We recognize this as a problem not only beyond the borders of our nation but within our borders as well. As we listen to the voices of minority groups in our land, we cannot dismiss the truth that racial prejudice affects many Canadians. We affirm God’s desire to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:10)
We confess and declare the truth of the Bible that all human beings are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and as such, everyone has value and dignity. Further, we confess and declare that there is no place for the kind of hostility and division that is so prevalent today. While we condemn any abuse of power, we also recognize that there are those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7). They deserve our respect and cooperation. We give thanks for police officers, firefighters and first responders who serve with honor and routinely put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities.
Our commitment at Valley is to be a people and place where all are treated with Christ-like love, and where we honor and serve one another as we are exhorted to do in the Bible (Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13). To this end, we will listen and learn that we may be part of the solution and agents of blessing in a hurting world. Where we have fallen short, we ask for forgiveness. We accept our responsibility to embrace and proclaim the truth of the Gospel and its implications regarding racial diversity, for we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
We humble ourselves and seek God’s wisdom and guidance, for He has said, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
June 2020