The 1992 General Conference approved Calendar Item 970 as a consent agenda item of business. This calendar item recommended that the GCOM continue the Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee for 1993-96. Further GCOM is given the responsibility "to coordinate the denomination's efforts to incorporate the contributions and concerns of the ethnic local church into all programs, budgets, agenda and resources." (¶ 1006.5)
History and Background
From 1976 to 1988 Ethnic Minority Local Churches were lifted up as a missional priority, because they offered The United Methodist Church its greatest growth potential and a priority in evangelism. These churches and the communities in which they often are located consistently experience the most serious domestic and international challenge; they offer an unparalleled avenue for justice and peace ministries. Furthermore, ethnic minority local churches offer an avenue to develop mutuality in mission with the church universal, which will soon become predominantly colorful, as well as with the human family which is already overwhelmingly Third World.
At the 1988 General Conference the Missional Priority Coordinating Committee reported that through the missional priority the entire church has discovered amazing gifts, insights, perspectives, and commitments within the household of faith. While many fruits had come with the missional priority, the fullness of the commitments were not yet realized. Ethnic minority local churches still had a variety of needs for program, facilities, and leadership development. Annual conferences were asked to develop comprehensive plans to provide the basis for their on-going commitment to develop and strengthen the ethnic minority local church for witness and mission. Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committees were to be established in each annual conference. GCOM was called to create a task force as part of the Council's internal structure to deal with Ethnic Minority Local Church concerns. It was also with the awareness that the world was increasingly becoming multi-cultural and cross-racial. Furthermore, the resurgence of racist activity around the world calls on the church to be on the forefront not only to speak out against racism, but to serve as a model for inclusiveness.
Racial/Ethnic Population Growth
The racial/ethnic populations in the United States have increased dramatically. In the ten year period between 1980 and 1990, the United States population grew by 23 million persons, from 227 million to nearly 250 million or an increase of 9.9%. Over two-thirds of this growth (15.2 million) was by racial/ethnic group populations. The table below shows that the Asian American population nearly doubled (an increase of 3.3 million), Hispanic American population increased over 50% (8.5 million), Native Americans grew by nearly one-third (403,000), and African American population showed an 11% gain. During the same period, the White population grew less than 1%.
In addition major population shifts have taken place in urban areas including the decentralization of central city populations into the suburbs, population shifts due to the change of location of employment, and increasing global mobility. Furthermore the racial/ethnic populations grew in all regions across the U.S., resulting in racial/ethnic population increases in most of the U.S. annual conferences. These areas of growth have resulted in the rapid increase of Hispanic ministries in many annual conferences, continued growth of African American populations, the creation of new Korean and other Asian congregations in all five U.S. jurisdictions, the recognition of Native American presence through the Native American Awareness Sunday observance, and the growth of Pacific Island congregations in many conferences.
An Experience in Racial Inclusiveness
The ELCC Committee shares an experience of one of its members which describes a vision of a vital, inclusive United Methodist Church:
"Imagine walking into a church assuming that it is primarily made up of Caucasians and discover a choir practicing; the majority of whom are Korean. During worship about 15 people from Africa come forward to sing using indigenous instruments as accompaniment. After the service you chat with a person from Japan, couples from India and Scotland. You learn that this church is developing a Chinese fellowship, and they are having their first worship service in the Mandarin language that afternoon."
A member of the GCOM ELCC Committee from the United States experienced this in a little church in Graz, Austria, and what a surprise it was to experience "a symphony of cultures"<D> there. In addition, worshipers were given earphones to use so that each could hear the service in his/her own language and feel included and welcomed. This experience demonstrates that there are numerous opportunities for growth and expansion of ethnic ministries in a variety of settings, some in unexpected ways. In Acts 10:34-35, the scripture reads, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
Implementation and Process
GCOM formed an Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee which was composed of twelve GCOM members with voice and vote. Additional members with voice, but not vote, included one representative from each of the four racial/ethnic caucuses, one representative from each of the three ethnic language concerns, and one representative from each of the eight general program-related agencies. The Committee was organized in April 1993 and met annually. It facilitated coordination and communications among the general program-related agencies, the ethnic/language conferences, and the four national racial/ethnic caucuses as they seek to develop and strengthen ethnic ministries.
GCOM staff provided training for conference chairpersons of Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committees during the Joint Training Events held in 1992-93. The 1990 U.S. Census data along with other resources were provided each conference chair. At the request of annual conferences, additional training sessions and consultations were held with conference ELCC Committees. Staff of several of the general agencies provided additional encouragement and support to racial/ethnic constituencies at the annual conference, jurisdictional, and national levels.
The ELCC Committee commends the general agencies for carrying out the process of incorporation of ethnic local church concerns. Some achievements this quadrennium include the implementation of a Native American fax network (UMCom), Black Methodism: Legacy of Faith video (UMCom), Spanish and Korean language interpretation of the Social Principles (GBCS), Spanish language hymnal (GBOD), Pentecost Spirit video (GBGM), Ethnic Pastors Institute (GBHEM and other general agencies), Programs for Spanish Instructors (4 program boards), Volunteers in Mission projects (GBGM), School of Evangelism for Native Americans (GBOD), seminars on immigration, poverty, and other social issues with direct impact on racial/ethnic communities (GBCS), and assistance in reviewing the revised conference comprehensive plans. The four general boards have faithfully administered the Ethnic Local Church grant funds, provided through the World Service Fund, to local churches and annual conferences.
Four church-wide programs directly related to the development and strengthening of ethnic local churches:
The National Plan for Hispanic Ministries reported many accomplishments: 51 new Hispanic congregations in 17 annual conferences, 220 faith communities established in 35 annual conferences, 35 revitalized congregations in 14 annual conferences, 337 community or outreach ministries begun in 36 annual conferences, 14 annual conferences with new Hispanic ministries, 389 lay missioners recruited and trained from 32 annual conferences, 62 new church school extension programs in 17 annual conferences, and 8 home missionaries commissioned and 4 more in process. The National Plan is recommended for continuation in the 1997-2000 quadrennium.
The Native American Comprehensive Plan focused on congregational development, leadership development, Native American spirituality, and denominational presence. A new ministry was begun on the Navajo Reservation in the Desert Southwest Conference, 50 persons were recruited as Gatherers who work with new or revitalizing ministries by gathering the community or assisting the pastor, development of a specialized track for ordained and diaconal ministry appropriate for Native American ministries, skills training and empowerment through the Native American Family Camp and Native American Writer's Workshop, and a video on Native American ministries. The Native American Comprehensive Plan is recommended for continuation in the 1997-2000 quadrennium.
Asian American Language Ministry Study, under the direction of the General Board of Global Ministries, brought together seven Asian sub-ethnic caucus groups to share visions and needs for affirmation and resources to empower Asian American language ministries. GBGM will bring a report to the General Conference for further implementation in the next quadrennium.
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century study was carried out by GCOM. The study reviewed the effectiveness of the general agencies in strengthening the Black Church from the period 1972-1993 and is recommending a Plan for Strengthening the Black Church through the development of congregation-to-congregation "learning teams" throughout the U.S. to expand ministry, mission and create more "vital congregations". The teams will be resourced by Congregational Resource Centers organized for training lay and clergy participants.
The ELCC Committee received reports from the ethnic language conferences. The Affiliated Autonomous Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has seen major advancements in leadership development, evangelization, and church development, aided by financial and staff resourcing from the general agencies. The Rio Grande Annual Conference implemented its Vision 2000 plan, which seeks to reach a membership of 30,000 members by the year 2000. The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference elebrated its 150th anniversary in October 1994 and reaffirmed its commitment to the total ministry of The United Methodist Church. The conference emphasized stewardship towards becoming more self-supporting and the greater involvement of laity in its mission.
The four national racial/ethnic caucuses held convocations, training seminars, and leadership development workshops throughout the quadrennium. National BMCR held an annual lay academy and Harambee youth convocation. The National Federation of Asian American United Methodists and Asian Sub-caucuses worked with the General Board of Global Ministries to further develop ministries to Asian language constituencies and developed plans for church development. An Indochinese revival conference was held to strengthen this growing cluster of Asian Americans from southeast Asia. The Native American Family Camp provided opportunities for training and development for the Native American International Caucus. The National Hispanic Caucus, MARCHA, with the assistance of GBOD sponsored a Hispanic youth and young adult training, "Forming Young Hispanic Methodists: 21st Century Ideals."
The Committee has received reports from the annual conference ELCC Committees of their progress. Many conferences found it difficult to implement their Conference Comprehensive Plans. The most frequent reasons given were inadequate financial and other resources and a lack of commitment by the conference leadership to give priority to ethnic minority concerns. Additionally, many conferences plans were developed nearly 10 years ago and are in need of revision and updating. This is particularly needed in light of the changing demographic characteristics. Some conferences have used these plans to examine new opportunities for ministry and have initiated new Hispanic and Native American ministries in conjunction with the national plans adopted at the 1992 General Conference.
The ELCC Committee is encouraged by the growth of vital ethnic/racial ministries: 1) many ethnic/racial churches are actively involved in social ministries in their communities such as feeding programs, citizenship classes, English as a Second Language classes, employment seminars, youth ministries, health related ministries, etc. many of these are receiving support from their congregations, annual conferences, and the general agencies; 2) ethnic churches are helping people to find their own identity and relationship to God through culturally sensitive and relevant worship experiences; 3) laity are being recruited, trained, and deployed through such programs as the Hispanic lay missioners program, to work in local church ministries, to begin new congregations and ministries, and to revitalize existing ministries; 4) lay and clergy leadership training is bringing partnership in ministry to expand and extend ministry; 5) racial/ethnic churches are offering internships for young leaders to introduce them to full-time ministry; and 6) youth convocations are organized to focus on ministry and recruit persons for ministry
These efforts to develop and strengthen ethnic ministries are especially significant given the growing racial tensions and divisions in the United States. Public and governmental debates on issues such as affirmative action, English as the official language, welfare reform, and curbing immigration underscore that many are unwilling to continue the movement towards multi-cultural understanding, justice, and inclusiveness. A recent Harvard University study shows a disturbing gap between the perceptions of Blacks and Whites on racial matters and demonstrate how stereotypes and myths supersede factual information. There is concern that ethnic ministries will be overlooked in efforts to downsize, right size, and streamline the church. Will the church follow societal trends and dictates or challenge these trends with prophetic witness to God's reign?
The United Methodist Church is called to strongly affirm inclusiveness and multi-cultural understanding by making disciples of all nations showing no partiality. It further calls the church to lead in the quest for justice and equality for all, and to aid in the empowerment of racial/ethnic persons through the sharing of our rich, diverse cultural and ethnic heritages. The Church is called to speak out against those who seek to exclude and perpetuate racism.
In concluding its work for the quadrennium, the General Council on Ministries approved the following recommendations of its ELCC Committee for:
1. The continuation of the Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee (ELCC Committee) for 1997-2000 to be composed of 12 GCOM members, one representative from each of the four national racial/ethnic caucuses, one representative from each of the three ethnic language conferences (Oklahoma Indian Missionary, Rio Grande, and Iglesia Metodista Autónoma Afiliado de Puerto Rico) and one representative from each of the eight general program-related agencies (GBCS, GBOD, GBGM, GBHEM, GCCUIC, GCOC, GCORR, and GCSRW). The membership is to be broadly representative and racially inclusive. GCOM shall cover the expenses of its members and the representatives from the racial/ethnic caucuses and the ethnic language conferences. The agency representatives will attend at their agency's expense. The Committee shall be a part of the GCOM's internal structure. It shall maintain a cooperative relationship with GCORR.
The Committee's responsibilities will be 1) to keep the vision of incorporation of Ethnic Local Church Concerns (ELCC) before The United Methodist Church; 2) to provide guidelines for general agency and annual conference incorporation of ELCC; 3) to coordinate efforts of general agencies and annual conferences on the incorporation of ELCC; 4) to ensure a forum for dialogue and coordination among the general program agencies and the ELCC Committee to deal with incorporation of ELCC; 5) to develop and coordinate resources and consultative services to assist the church in the incorporation of ELCC, to evaluate funding processes for incorporation of ELCC at the annual conference and general agency levels, to document conference and general agency incorporation of ELCC (such documentation will include review of conference Comprehensive Plans and their implementation); 6) to provide training for annual conference ELCC Committee chairpersons; and 7) to assist the General Commission on Communications in the promotion and interpretation of ELCC.
2. The continuation of $5.5 million funding of the World Service apportioned fund during the 1997-2000 quadrennium for Ethnic Local Church Concerns to support and enable the process of incorporation of the concerns and contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and Native American constituencies.
The funds (approximately $1,375,000 per year) to be designated annually among the four program boards as follows:
General Board of Global Ministries 45% $618,750
General Board of Discipleship 20% $275,000
General Board of Higher Education & Ministry 20% $275,000
General Board of Church and Society 15% $206,250
These funds are to be used exclusively for grants for the development and strengthening of the ethnic local church for witness and mission.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21689-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference