¶ 1006.18 of the Book of Discipline 1992 gives the General Council on Ministries the responsibility, in consultation with the Council of Bishops, of identifying special programs for the denomination. On recommedation of GCOM, the 1992 General Conference adopted Calendar Item 214 Page 237 of the Daily Christian Advocate and approved the following quadrennial special programs for 1993-1996:
Campus Ministry: Mission at the Center
Peace with Justice
Substance Abuse and Related Violence
Implementation
Campus Ministry: Mission at the Center
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry was assigned responsibility for the implementation of this special program with the goal of restoring campus ministry to its central role in the mission of The United Methodist Church and inaugurating a new era of partnership between local congregations and campus ministries.
The work of Mission at the Center was undergirded by the GBHEM following its adoption of five "basic priorities" which made it clear that reaching out to students through campus ministry and drawing them into communities of faith-learning and service was at the heart of campus ministry. In May 1996 this effort will inaugurate the United Methodist Student Movement in the United States--a long-awaited organization of students who desire to more fully participate in the life of The United Methodist Church.
In 1994, United Methodists in Campus Ministry (UMCM) was organized to train and support campus ministers. Clergy, diaconal ministers, lay persons, campus ministers, and college chaplains comprise the organization's membership.
Perhaps the finest achievement of Mission at the Center has been the renewed sense of partnership between campus ministries and local churches. New models of ministry have evolved and relationships between congregations and institutions of higher learning have been revived.
The renewal of ministries in higher education is going global. Numerous exchanges of Russian and United States' students have occurred, and a jointly-planned conference is planned for February 1996.
Even though it has been a relatively small gesture in terms of the need, this special program has been an important beginning. Seeds have been planted. The harvest will be a new generation of Christian leaders as students, and those called to serve them, resume their time-honored role in the life of the church.
Peace with Justice
The General Board of Church & Society was assigned responsibility for the implementation of this special program; however, they worked collaboratively with the other general agencies.
The purpose of the Peace with Justice Special Program is to provide opportunities for United Methodists to understand God's claim on creation and God's mandate for shalom, to motivate, through deeper Biblical knowledge, spiritual growth and Christian discipleship and stewardship, the community to live lives which bring them into participation in bringing about shalom, through involvement in the local church, community, nation, and world.
This special effort has been implemented through diverse and creative efforts. From coordinating gun turn-ins, to using art to help young people from wartime situations express themselves, to turning nuclear weapon production sites into nature preserves, United Methodists have been active in creating a more peaceful and just world. In many annual conferences and local churches, special emphasis has been placed on teaching children and youth nonviolent conflict resolution skills. A stronger understanding of the role the media plays in the level of violence in our world has occurred. Momentum has built with growth in the number of people in the national Peace with Justice Network, Covenant Congregations and the Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering.
The General Board of Church & Society provided resources throughout the quadrennium to assist local communities in addressing peace concerns. In addition, the following components strengthened this program:
Annual Conference Peace with Justice Coordinators
GBGM Peace with Justice Educators
Local church, district and conference Peace Advocates
Peace with Justice Certification
Peace with Justice Sunday
Peace with Justice Week
The funding came primarily from the Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering with the GBCS and other program agencies contributing funds as well.
Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV)
This is a special program assigned to the General Board of Global Ministries in collaboration with several agencies and in cooperation with the Council of Bishops to continue the Bishops Initiative on Substance Abuse and Related Violence. The major funding source for this program for 1993-96 was the Mission Initiatives Fund.
Since January of 1993, SPSARV has intentionally engaged in the implementation of five programmatic components mandated by the 1992 General Conference:
Community-based Demonstration Programs: GBGM, National Division
Support for Other Church-Related Programs: GBGM, National Division
Leadership Development and Training Programs: Interagency Task Force on SPSARV
Educational and Promotional Resources: GBGM, National Division
Advocacy: General Board of Church & Society
Below are some of the accomplishments resulting from this special program during the quadrennium:
Mass promotion and distribution of "Revival of Hope" curriculum to all annual conferences and assistance to Northern European Central Conference with copyright process to utilize "Revival of Hope" curriculum: GBOD and UMPH;
Legislative advocacy on substance abuse and violence-related issues: GBCS and GBGM;
Allocation of Minority Group Self-Determination Fund for substance abuse related ministries: GCORR;
Mailings through the campus ministry section of GBHEM recruiting student volunteers for substance abuse summer ministry: GBHEM;
Allocation of funds to support HIV/AIDS International Consultation: GBGM, Health and Welfare Program Department;
Allocation of funds to eight substance-abuse and violence-related projects in three countries: GBGM, UMCOR Program Department;
Training opportunities: GBGM, Women's Division and National Division.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21694-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference