The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-02-26
GROUP MET ON
FEB. II AT YM;.
PLAN APPROVED.

A Code OF Inter-Racial Relations
for Protestant Churches was all hut
unanimously adopted by the board
OF directors of the Detroit Council
OF Churches at the specially called
executive session at the downtown
Y.M.c.A. on Thursday. Feb. II. Out
OF the 80 members present repre-
senting the 10 denominations affil-
lated with the council only one
dissenting vote was cast.
DR.. Edgar Dewitt Jones, presi-
dent OF the council. presided at the
meeting and the code was present
ed by DR.. Alfred McClung Lee,
chairman Of joint committee from
the Social Service and Public Az
fairs departments authorized TO pre-
pare such statement at the
boards regular January meeting.
The code while applying specin-
caliy 70 the program Of the Detroit
Council Of Churches can obviously
attempt only TO set up criteria by
which Christian communions. con-
gregations, and individual church
members may govern their rela-
tions with those Of other races and
cultures In their various spheres Of
activity.
These criteria are. however, quite
specific In that they define what
should be Christian relationships
In membership Of churches. In ad-
ministrative personnel Of such or
carnations. In boards Of church
control. and In general application
Of Christian principles to commu-
nifty problems. II Is also provided
In the code and In the councils &C.
ceptance thereof that "the COM
munions. and congregations affiliat-
ed with the council" ~ well n "in-
dividual church members, be asked
10 consider this statement In . re-
examination Of their interrseial at
titudes and practices"
The following are salient features
OF the code announced by the Rev.
T. T. Brumbaugh. executive secre-
tary Of the council.
Bars Segregation
In the light Of recent Detroit
events. the board OF directors Of
the Detroit Council OF Churches
realizes that our application OF such
Christian. democratic. and scien-
tifc principles has been far short
OF what is expected OF US as Chris
tians. II has therefore deemed il
advisable TO formulate this code OF
interrscial policy. We believe that
the council should permit no segre-
cation in its own program and
recommends 10 the communions, in
dividual churches. and individual
church members affiliated with ii
that they re-examine their inter-
racial practices in the light OF the
following statements.
This board OF directors also feels
that an interracial rolicy would be
incomplete IL il were confined
merely TO members and potential
members Of Christian Churches. In
addition, II advocates criteria OF
practices. IN regard 10 stan members
and bosrds OF church control and
10 relationships with other COM
munity organizations.
We recommend that the follow
ing steps be taken with regard 10
the code Of practices herein set
forth:
Il! That this code Of interraciai
policy be adopted and applied In
the program Of the Detroit Council
OF Churches.
t2) That the communions affiliat-
ed with our council be asked to
consider this statement In . re-
examination OF their own inter
racial practices.
q, That the constituent Chris
tian congregations also be asked TO
consider this statement In = re-
examination Of their interraciai
practices.
~ That individual church mem
bers be asked 10 consider this state
ment In . re-examinztion OF their
interracial attitudes and practices.
MEMBERSHIP:
On The Churches Of Christ are
committed by their founder to .
policy Of racial equality through
their belief In the Fatherhood Of
God and the Brotherhood Of Man.
(2) Irrespective Of race. members
or potential members living within
q ehurch's geographical community
should not be excluded from or
limited In number in that churchs
membership.
g, Where . particular racial
group has set mp . separate church.
this should not be used ~ q reason
for excluding members Of the group
thus served from other churches Of
the same communion.