Whereas, this involvement for African Americans continued in spite of the fact that we were placed in missionary conferences within annual conferences in a segregated Central Jurisdiction; and
Whereas, in 1968 the Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. (BMCR), was formed to "help The United Methodist Church become inclusive of African Americans"; and
Whereas, from the beginning, BMCR has been concerned with recruitment and itineracy of Black pastors, supporting, empowering, and informing African American pastors and congregations; and
Whereas, BMCR has suggested new forms for the life of local congregations and precipitated creative motives for the kind of unity among Black Methodists that can mean a vigorous, faithful witness in Methodism and toward the gospel of Jesus Christ; and
Whereas, the following 1992 statistical report indicates the racial composition in The United Methodist Church population as:
Hispanic Americans 0.63%
Native Americans 0.26.%
Asian Americans 0.71%
Pacific Islanders 0.12%
African Americans* 4.27%
* The largest percentage of any other racial ethnic constituency.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference give its endorsement to "Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century"; and
Be it further resolved, that the General Conference direct the General Council on Ministries to include within its regular evaluation process with the general program agencies a review of each agency's effectiveness in strengthening the Black church from the period 1997-2000, including the 2000 General Conference; and
Be it further resolved, that GCOM consult with the general program agencies for encouragement to build program initiatives and budgets around program projections for strengthening the African American church.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22264-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference