Petition Text: 22264-GJ-NonDis-O

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas, African Americans have been present and active in The United Methodist Church from the inception of Methodism in the United States; and

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.

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Petition Text: 22264-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference