Discipleship Is Not Neutral: A Call to Explicitly Antiracist Formation and Faithful Action

by

Practicing Faith

Discipleship Ministries | Feb. 23, 2026

As part of Discipleship Ministries’ mission to form disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and as we commemorate Black History Month, the Antiracism Discipleship Task Force unequivocally condemns the racist video shared on the Donald J. Trump truth social account that depicts Barack Obama and Michelle Obama through dehumanizing imagery. This act is neither accidental nor harmless. Comparing Black people to primates is a long-standing racist trope rooted in white supremacy, historically used to strip people of their humanity and to justify exclusion, violence, and systemic oppression.

Black History Month calls the church to remember truthfully: to honor the faith, resilience, leadership, and sacred witness of Black communities, while also confronting the enduring sin of anti-Black racism. In this light, this moment represents not only a moral failure but a theological violation. Racism denies imago Dei—the Christian confession that every person is created in the image of God and bears sacred worth. Any act that diminishes another’s humanity stands in direct opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship Ministries affirms that discipleship is never neutral. Formation shapes how we understand our identity in Christ and how we live that identity in the world. One of our strategic priorities is to cultivate an intentional discipleship system in every church, grounded in our identity in Christ and committed to forming explicitly antiracist disciples. Dehumanizing imagery contradicts this calling and undermines the purpose of discipleship: to grow followers of Jesus who embody love, justice, and truth.

“Article V: Racial Justice” in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church proclaims that all people are created by God, uniquely beloved, and worthy of dignity. (See https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/article-v-racial-justice.) When racism is expressed through dehumanizing imagery, it violates this commitment and weakens the church’s witness to God’s reconciling grace. Black History Month reminds us that remembrance without repentance and proclamation without transformation fall short of faithful discipleship.

We echo the clear and prophetic naming of this moment by the General Commission on Religion and Race: this is blatant racism. When racist tropes are amplified by those in positions of power, the harm multiplies. Silence, deflection, or minimization are not faithful responses; they obstruct the formation of disciples who are called to speak truth, practice courageous love, and resist injustice.

Although the video was later deleted, the damage remains. Racist imagery lingers, reinforces systems of dehumanization, and emboldens further acts of contempt and violence. This reality demands more than condemnation; it calls for discipleship that forms us differently.

A Call to Discipleship and Guided Reflection

Antiracism Discipleship calls followers of Jesus to repentance, courageous truth-telling, and sustained transformation. As part of our commitment to forming explicitly antiracist disciples, we invite congregations, leadership teams, and small groups to engage this moment through prayerful reflection and faithful conversation:

1. Identity in Christ

How does our identity in Christ shape the way we see, name, and resist racism, especially when dehumanizing language or imagery is normalized in public life?

2. Discipleship and Formation

In what ways does our current discipleship system intentionally—or unintentionally—form us, and how might it be strengthened to cultivate explicitly antiracist disciples?

3. From Remembrance to Action

As we commemorate Black History Month, let us ask what concrete practices of repentance, truth-telling, and repair is God calling our congregation to embody?

Discipleship is sustained through practice, not statements alone, in alignment with Discipleship Ministries’ strategic priority of building intentional discipleship systems in every church. Rooted in our identity in Christ and committed to explicitly antiracist formation, we invite people of faith to reject and dismantle racism in all its forms and to recommit themselves to building a beloved community grounded in justice, equity, and the God-given dignity of every human being.

The journey of antiracism is a lifelong commitment to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. This work requires perseverance, resilience, and the support of a collective community. Together, we can build a future where justice prevails, and every person is valued as a beloved child of God.

Here are some resources that are designed to help you and your group participate in this important work:

We'd like to invite you to stay connected with the Antiracism Discipleship Task Force to receive updates on upcoming events, resources, and ways to get involved.

For additional inquiries, contact Bener Baysa Agtarap at bagtarap@umcdiscipleship.org

The Rev. Dr. Bener Baysa Agtarap is an ordained elder of the California Nevada Annual Conference. Currently, he is serving as Executive Director, Community Engagement & Church Planting/ Path1, and Director, Connectional Mobilization at the General Board of Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished with permission from Discipleship Ministries' website.