‘Stop the boats’ - a local church’s response
Written by Emily Shepherd, Co-CEO of Welcome Churches
Stories related to refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants continue to dominate our newsfeeds. One of the most prominent phrases associated with this in 2023 so far has been the phrase ‘Stop the boats’ - a term adopted by the government with regards to the many small boats that are making the dangerous journey across the English Channel throughout the year to bring migrants who intend to claim asylum in the UK upon arrival here. This phrase, and the stories surrounding it, are politically highly charged. Many people have strong opinions on this issue - both for and against the government policies listed in the latest Illegal Migration bill which is currently going through parliament.
The UNHCR (the UN’s refugee agency) has stated that the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’, if passed, ‘would amount to an asylum ban - extinguishing the right to seek refugee protection in the UK for those who arrive irregularly, no matter how genuine and compelling their claim may be, and with no consideration of their individual circumstances’. Many Christians have come out to oppose this bill, with over 1450+ church leaders signing a letter that was presented to 10 Downing Street. The Church of England bishops have also denounced these policies in the House of Lords, stating that they are ‘morally unacceptable’. However, there are many other Christians in the UK who take a different point of view. Some of the Conservative MPs advocating for this bill hold a Christian faith themselves, and many are concerned about stopping the people smugglers who are making this journey possible.
It can feel extremely difficult for church leaders, and others, to know how Christians should be responding to this issue: what is the role of the Church when engaging with politics, particularly when our communities are so divided? It can be very tempting to think that maybe we should just avoid talking about the issue because our opinions can be so different! Is there a place, as God’s people, to continue to show the values of Welcome and Hospitality, which are so important to God, amidst such political division and turmoil?
Here at Welcome Churches, we believe that EVERY church is called to welcome the stranger in some way. Time and time again, as we read the Bible, we see examples of why we should prioritise welcoming people seeking refuge in our communities. Whether that be because we’ve seen them face injustice, persecution, homelessness, or loneliness, God instructs us to say welcome. ‘Welcome the stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt’ (Leviticus 19:34) shows us how central being a ‘stranger’ is to our Christian identity - we should have a lot in common with the people who are strangers in our communities too!
As we do this, as our churches take a stand and show how important an issue this is, we also send a powerful message to our wider communities. As we welcome people seeking asylum and refuge, we show our wider communities something of the nature of our God: who welcomes all of us, no matter our background, social status or ethnicity. Our God: who shows endless compassion and mercy to each of us. Our God: who says that when we welcome the stranger, we actually welcome Him (Matthew 25:35).
So whilst it is a difficult issue for our churches to engage with, it is one that we simply cannot ignore. Now is the time for us to show a welcome to all those who need it; and to do all we can to help those seeking refuge to find a place to call home in our neighbourhoods.