Annual Conferences', Districts', and Local Congregations' Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism
WHEREAS, conferences, districts, and local congregations within the United States are becoming more diverse; and
WHEREAS, it is predicted that within the United States, the population of persons of European descent will be less than 50 percent before 2050; and
WHEREAS, racism has been a systemic and personal problem within the US and The United Methodist Church (UMC) and its predecessor denominations since its inception; and
WHEREAS, The UMC is committed to the eradication of racism; and
WHEREAS, it takes significant change, learning, time, and healing to eradicate racism; and
WHEREAS, it takes significant attitudinal and systemic change to learn and to incorporate the gifts and contributions of the different racial-ethnic persons within the church's ministry, structures, and mission; and
WHEREAS, since 1980 the Charter for Racial Justice Policies has served as an articulation of United Methodist understanding of the biblical imperative for the eradication of racism and a guide for action (#161 2004 Book of Resolutions—"A Charter for Racial Justice Policies in an Interdependent Global Community");
Therefore, be it resolved, that every annual conference, district, and local congregation within the US have a strategy and program which educates and supports systemic and personal changes to end racism and work multiculturally, and
Be it further resolved, that an educational program which will include understanding systemic racism, a strategy for its eradication, appreciation and valuation of diversity, and guidelines for working with different groups in communities toward becoming an inclusive church be offered at least yearly within the annual conference, and
Be it further resolved, that all clergy and lay leadership be encouraged to participate in such programs and that all newly ordained clergy be required to participate in these programs, and
Be it further resolved, that between 2008 and 2012 the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Commission on Religion and Race make available to annual conferences, districts, and local congregations resources such as the Charter for Racial Justice Policies and the Reflection and Action Planning Resource to assist them in their efforts, and
Be it further resolved, that the General Commission on Religion and Race include as part of its review process the adherence of annual conferences, districts, and local congregations in equipping and supporting leadership to eradicate racism and work multiculturally, and that as annual conferences, districts, and local congregations develop and implement programs, results will be forwarded by the Conference Commission on Religion and Race (or other conference structures dealing with those responsibilities) to the General Commission on Religion and Race.
ADOPTED 2000
REVISED AND READOPTED 2008
RESOLUTION #3374, 2008 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #164, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #151, 2000 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
See Social Principles, ¶ 162A.
