First, some background information and perspective.....

  In the calendar year 2000, the 168 CCIW congregations continued their tradition of being very generous in their monetary support of the mission causes in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  We remitted some $1,411,187.29 to the Christian Church Finance Council for use in mission work beyond our local church settings.  The greatest portion (89.3%) was for Basic Mission Finance causes, totaling $1,260,088, and represented a 1.99% increase in giving over 1999.  Those BMF dollars from your church’s and CWF outreach budgets and, if used, the four special day offerings (Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) support the work of the whole church and are distributed to the general unit ministries (53.45%); to our institutions of higher education (10.95%) like Eureka College and Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago; to the Mission and Adjustment Funds (1.50%); and to support this Region’s ministries (34.10%).  In addition, the other two special day outreach offerings are -- Week of Compassion, an offering for world hunger and disaster relief, which received  $109,058 (7.7%), and Reconciliation, an offering for urban crisis concerns, which received  $42,042 (3% of the grand total in outreach offerings from our congregations in 2000).

  The Reconciliation Offering, in particular, was established by the Christian Church in 1968 amidst many national concerns about racial tensions, poverty, and the crisis in our urban centers.  Sadly, many of those issues continue to dominate today’s headlines.   This initiative from the onset was to be used for making grants to church agencies seeking to address such issues.  From the beginning, all the monies raised were to be divided 50/50 -- half to be used for national grants and half to be returned to the particular region for use with its more local concerns.  Since the late 1990's, Reconciliation’s primary focus has been more on the Christian Church’s Discernment Initiative around the issues of Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation in America.

  Within CCIW, the Reconciliation funds and granting processes have been administered by the Social Concerns Committee.  Membership on this committee, like all regional program committees, is open to any interested church member willing to serve a two-year term, renewable twice.  This Committee is accountable to the Regional Board and submits an annual written report to the whole Region every Fall through a special four-page supplement in the Christian (our Region’s newsletter) detailing the work of all the agencies receiving funding grants.  Copies of last year’s report are still available through our office.  This Committee of seven persons is currently chaired by Rev. Don Coleman, Co-Pastor at the University Church in Chicago, and staffed by Associate Regional Minister Rev. John DongGook Roh.  All grant applications are due every Fall and the Committee’s granting decisions are then made in December for the next calendar year.  For 2001, seven agencies were awarded funds totaling $24,000....including the $2,500 to the Illinois Disciples Foundation.  Other 2001 grants were awarded to the Chicago Citizens Alert program, the Pre-School at Common Place in Peoria, the Immigrant Adaptation program at Evergreen Christian Church in Chicago, the Emergency Assistance Fund of the greater Peoria Interfaith Hospitality Network, UIC’s United Campus Ministry’s Anti-Racist Strategic Leadership Development Program, and CCIW’s own Anti-Racism program.  These grants are intended to assist new mission  initiatives and are not intended to support on-going operational expenses.  All agencies must submit quarterly reports to the Social Concerns Committee or they will become ineligible for further funding. 

  While I realize some people will feel any money going to any cause or issue with which they disagree is wrong, I also hope we recognize this particular grant to IDF represents only 0.00177% of your total contributions to the many outreach causes of the church and only 5.9% of the total funds received in the Reconciliation offering.  So first of all, we need to keep all things in perspective!  I know I certainly don’t agree with everything my tax dollar does either, but I also know those percentages are far smaller than the greater goods that are served.  The same principles apply here -- including the principle of letting leaders know about any of my dissatis-factions.  I do understand why people are now saying they want more advance information on how contributions to Reconciliation have been used in the past and want more input regarding future distributions if they are to continue supporting these particular causes.  This is an issue we shall seek to address.

Secondly, some are wondering “What is the Illinois Disciples Foundation?”

  Since 1916, IDF has formally been the campus ministry presence at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  It is one of the oldest campus ministries of our church.  It began in 1905 as a vision of the Rev. Stephen E. Fisher, pastor (1903-1948) of University Place Christian Church in Champaign.  The Illinois Christian Missionary Society (a CCIW predecessor) and its related churches were very active in helping to make a reality this dream “of giving Christian oversight to the U of I students.”  The Foundation’s chartered objective for formation was:

“the teaching of the principles of the Christian religion, the providing of wholesome centers for student life, the cooperation with other similar agencies in the cultivation of the moral and spiritual life, and the extending of such activities as exigencies arise and opportunities offer.”

From the beginning the Foundation’s life, programming, and facilities were very much an integral part of the life and ministries at the University Place congregation and of the Illinois Disciples region.  Fundraising campaigns were held across the state in the late 1940's and 50's which eventually resulted in the construction of the Student Center Building and Fisher Memorial Chapel adjacent to the University Place facilities.  In 1963, the Rev. Jim Holiman was called to be the Foundation’s Executive Director, and he served in that role until his retirement in 1999.  They now have an Interim Director.

  Like all church and not-for-profit agencies, ministry foci will change and be affected by needs of the times and the personalities of the leadership.  Some of those foci will not be without controversy. This has been particularly true of IDF in the late 1970's and 80's as it became more and more a prophetic, social justice-based campus ministry and began to address issues of peace with justice, liberation theology, human rights, organizational abuses of power, and third world oppression.  The racism controversy and justice issues surrounding Chief Illiniwek have been on IDF’s agenda for quite some time, and so it would be appropriate for them to apply for such an education assistance grant from Reconciliation funds.  To be sure, I’ve personally not always wanted to hear nor agreed with all IDF has said and certainly not with all of their engagement tactics. On the other hand, I’ve also continually needed to keep an open mind and heart to listening for God’s guiding Word and activity in the serious issues being courageously addressed by them.

  A serious truth about life is when we quit actively listening to one another, emotions begin to rule, and relationships and trust break down.  Once that happens, it takes a long-time to rebuild relationships and restore trust.  Unfortunately that has happened between IDF and several persons and congregations across CCIW.  CCIW is currently not adequately represented on the IDF Board of Directors.  Relationships, funding, and agenda have gotten into deep ruts, out of which it is hard to extract one’s self and make changes.  Lots of people remain more focused on the memory of issues in the past than on the hope of opportunities in the future.  My faith remains confident that hope is stronger than memory.

  One of my primary portfolio responsibilities as Regional Minister is working with congregations and church agencies in the search and call process for finding new pastoral leadership.  IDF is currently in an interim situation between Executive Directors.  I have been working with the IDF  Board as they continue to define their mission for the 21st century and to seek new leadership.  Like all of us, they are also facing some serious funding issues.  Obviously, these things take time and do not move along as quickly as we would like -- nor do I have any authority to make any one do so or go in certain directions --- but I do believe we are making progress and some trust I believe does now  exist.  Martin Nieto, who is a member of the IDF Board, has been a very faithful attender at Regional Board meetings and serves as the IDF communications link with the Region.  He is also available to provide any information to individuals or congregations about the work of IDF.  I would encourage you to contact him or the IDF Interim Director Tara McCauley at 610 East Springfield, P.O. Box 2787 – Station A, Champaign, IL 61825 or by phone at 217-352-8721.

Third, and finally, why is the Church talking about Chief Illiniwek?

  To be frank -- it is an issue of racism, not just in Illinois but across the whole country.  Please understand, I do not come to that conclusion non-chalantly nor easily.  But, friends, racism is not just an issue between blacks and whites as many perceive.  It is much more than that and why it is such an important and appropriate moral and discernment issue about which the church needs to be studying and praying.  Sadly, I think the church is coming to the issues of racism much too late and not as courageously as we should be, including the issue of the Chief.

  I must confess, for years, I personally thought the issue Native American Indians were raising about their personal pain and their de-humanization related to being sports mascots was ludicrous.  “What’s the big deal?  Get over it!  These are wonderful traditions!” I thought.  I was absolutely wrong!  I was totally insensitive and programmed that way.  I was and am racist!!  But I’m also working on it, studying it, and praying about it constantly.

  It might help to know, I grew up in Colorado where playing Cowboys and Indians was common place.  We all knew the Indians were “savages” and the white Cowboys and the white Calvary were always the heroes, not just in our games but also in the movies and on television.  Yes, we had television when I was a child!  In addition, my high school’s mascot was a cute Indian -- one with a huge and distorted nose.  The cheerleaders all wore Indian costumes and moccasins.  I then went to college in Sioux City, Iowa, and here it was again.  We were now the “Chiefs” -- supposedly in honor of the originally native Sioux Indians.  We too had a Indian Chief in full head-dress at all games, riding a horse, doing a war dance at half-time, and leading the fans to cheer on our dismal athletic teams.  No one, especially me, thought a thing about it -- at the time (the 1960's), I thought it was “cool,” “respectful” and “appropriate.”

  As times change and as our country has begun to become more respectful of the civil rights of people of color, the voices of the oppressed have begun to be more vocal and heard.  Voices we are not always comfortable hearing, to be sure.  The images in the media thankfully now have much greater and appropriate sensitivity.  Many now find it hard to believe we used to have such demeaning media images so prevalent as the Aunt Jemima’s and the Sambo’s.  Another classic example and shift in perceptions right here in Illinois was in Pekin (whose sister city was Peking, China), and so “naturally,” the team mascot was the “Chinks” and their cheerleaders all wore silk-pajama like outfits and did native gestures.

  I’m glad those have been changed and that my alma mater has also made mascot changes.  It seems we’re just now starting to become sensitive to the cries and pleas of the Native Americans.  I used to think it was “silly” business and a “waste of time.”  I don’t any more.  I believe it is time we begin to respect the Native American Indians and no longer treat them as outcasts, savages, and objects.  It is time for Cleveland, Atlanta, Washington, the University of Illinois, and all other franchises and schools to change; no longer, to use and dehumanize persons of an ethnic constituency as sports team mascots.  We need to listen to the persons involved and, if they tell us they feel victimized and dehumanized, then we need to change -- not them!  It is also interesting to note the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (sadly, another latecomer to the issue) has recently made a recommendation that the use of Indian names and mascots “may violate anti-discrimination laws,” that they should be viewed as “disrespectful and offensive,” and that their use contributes to “creating racially hostile environments.”

  To be sure, our opinions, perspectives, and behaviors will differ.  I saw one sad picture of a person  in the protest lines against the Chief all dressed up in war paint and feathers -- he didn’t get it, but was more there for the parade than concern for the issues.  I certainly believe he was more disrespectful of Native American traditions than the University of Illinois’ sincere efforts in the selection and training of persons playing Chief Illiniwek.  But that’s not the point!  The point is the Native Americans experience such caricatures anywhere as inappropriate and demeaning.  I believe it is something parallel to an athletic team being called the “Bishops” and their team mascot would come out on the field dressed in liturgical vestments and dance around the field, leading cheers.  Persons from such religious traditions would find such inappropriate and offensive as well.  We are doing the same thing and being sacrilege with Native American traditions and persons.  I am pleading for an openness to looking at the issues differently and ultimately change.  That’s why we need to be talking about it, praying about it, and studying it.  God calls the Church and people of faith to model a new way of living together – the way of inclusivity, tolerance, and love within the Kingdom of God where all are valued and cherished.

  The second of the Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAG’s) I have cast before the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin, as part of our “Cherishing Christ’s Church for our Children’s Children,”  is that “We shall be known as one of the most anti-racist, pro-reconciliation institutions in our geography.”   I remain continually grateful we are one of the pilot regions in the church’s Anti-Racism Initiative and that we have a Steering Committee which has been fully trained and is now working hard on implementing strategies for our congregations to become  actively and spiritually involved in this discernment issue.  Personally, I was especially blessed to participate in a national anti-racism training workshop in 1998.  It was transformative in my thinking about the issues of racism and understanding them as not just attitudes of prejudice but also how they are coupled with systemic issues of institutional power and influence.  For me the training was both an enlightening and repentive experience, but one that even more deeply committed me to the causes of implementing anti-racist, pro-reconciliation attitudes wherever I am.

  Each of us will respond to these issues differently.  These are complex issues overlaid with complex histories, backgrounds, and relationships.  I do not ask you to be where I am.  Nor do I agree with every strategy others are pursuing around such issues, including Chief Illiniwek. You’ll not ever likely see me out on a picket line carrying a sign -- that’s not who I am.  And, I do want people to know I understand the dynamics of emotional attachments that people have.  I’ve have them myself, but I also believe at an even higher level than our emotions, we need to be talking with one another about the critical moral issues of our day and, together, always seeking to do God’s will. 

  As your Regional Minister and President, for whatever that is worth, I do fully believe and advocate these are issues needing our serious study and prayer as a people of God.  While I was not personally a part of the decision-making process in the Reconciliation grant to support IDF’s educational and advocacy efforts on the Chief Illiniwek issue,  I do support it and agree with its intent.  The manner in which the IDF campus ministry uses such funds will be an accountability matter in their reports to the Social Concerns Committee and the Regional Board.  Time will tell if it was a wise investment, but the intent is honorable.

  I sincerely hope this letter provides some helpful information and answers your questions.  It probably raises some more.  I do know that I am, and our Regional leaders are, open to continuing this dialogue.  We hope you will join us in prayer, as well, for God’s guiding wisdom as we seek to grow a healthy, vital Church serving the causes of Christ and to build-up the presence of God’s Kingdom in our midst.

                                                               In Christ’s Service,

                                                                Dr. Herb Knudsen
                                 CCIW Regional Minister and President

contents home page