The Rev. Jerome DeVine presents a new strategic plan to the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. UMNS photos by John Coleman.

By John Coleman*

May 2, 2007 | WASHINGTON (UMNS)

The agency that monitors and promotes racial/ethnic inclusiveness in The United Methodist Church wants to mobilize more members - especially white people -- to challenge racism in the denomination and throughout the world.

The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race approved a six-year strategic plan at its spring board of directors meeting. The plan includes goals to increase the participation of the church's white majority in efforts to eradicate racism and to increase the presence of racial/ethnic minority leaders in the church. The denomination is about 92 percent white.

"The goals we approved are not new to the work of this agency," said Bishop Linda Lee, board president and episcopal leader of the Wisconsin Area.

"But now they are the focus of a comprehensive, ambitious plan that looks beyond merely monitoring the church for racism. As we strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ who can transform the world, we must engage the passion and gifts of more members of our church to confront and eradicate this persistent sin wherever it occurs - in our lives, our relationships and our institutions."

Board member Susanne Aikman raises a question as the Rev. Kelo Kaleuati listens.

The commission was created in 1968 as part of the merger that established The United Methodist Church and abolished the former Methodist Church's segregation of most black members into a separate jurisdiction with separate annual (regional) conferences. The agency's new plan seeks broader awareness of and response to persistent racism that still afflicts both the church and society.

Partnering against racism

The plan, which was approved during the board's March 15-17 meeting, includes developing resources, dialogues and other learning opportunities to explore and influence white members' viewpoints about racism. The agency hopes to foster an anti-racism movement, including support for projects that involve members of the church's white constituency working alongside racial/ethnic partners.

A 2005 commission survey found that many whites view the agency as existing only for racial/ethnic minority groups and see their own roles as marginal.

"Racism is still a life-threatening disease for which we must all be equally committed to finding a cure," said the Rev. Chester Jones, the agency's executive director. "This plan is about people of all racial/ethnic groups helping the church give birth to something new and better that can realize our vision of inclusiveness."

The Rev. Chester Jones

Another approved goal is to involve more United Methodists in critical social issues in ways that teach respect, compassion and hospitality toward people of all races. That goal includes ongoing support for efforts to abolish the offensive use of Native American sports-team names and mascots, a greater response to racial injustice and insensitivity suffered by victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and solidarity with undocumented immigrants in the United States who are searching for a better life for their families.

"These are three national concerns that are caused and exacerbated by racism that harms people with little or no political power in our society," said Erin Hawkins, a commission executive who led the plan's development. "While addressing racism in the church is our primary focus, we know our Wesleyan principles demand that we help The United Methodist Church respond to racial injustice and insensitivity hurting people across our national landscape."

Global view

The new plan also focuses attention on global racism by sponsoring regional dialogues, multimedia resources and a 2011 international convocation, in addition to possibly holding a board meeting for the first time in a central conference outside the United States. The commission also will help international delegates to the denomination's 2008 and 2012 general conferences learn to be more culturally sensitive and respectful in communicating with each other.

"The goals we approved are not new to the work of this agency. But now they are the focus of a comprehensive, ambitious plan.…" - Bishop Linda LeeThe commission plans to research and report on the status, concerns and future outlook for multicultural leadership and ministries in the denomination.

Those efforts would include intercultural leadership training; public awareness-raising campaigns; more recruitment and advancement of racial/ethnic staff by conferences, agencies and theological schools; and encouraging diversity among elected delegates and leaders at all levels of the church.

"We are building on the blood, sweat and tears of those who gave birth and purpose to this agency nearly 40 years ago," said the Rev. Jerome DeVine, a board member and West Michigan Conference district superintendent. "The plan is ambitious and will require boundless energy, vision and confidence to do things in a new way for this new day."

*Coleman is a communications specialist for the General Commission on Religion and Race.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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Resources

United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race

Racism