Whereas, a manifestation of sin is injustice, abuse, and violence; and
Whereas, racism diminishes self-worth and denies equal opportunity; and
Whereas, the 1992-1996 quadrennium has been marked by a new upsurge of racially motivated bigotry and violence across the United States; and
Whereas, there have been hundreds of incidents in which racial/ethnic persons have suffered violence through intimidation, shootings, assaults, and murder; and
Whereas, White supremacist groups such as, but not limited to, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Christian Identity, Neo-Nazi, Possè Comitatus, and Skinheads have spread north, south, east, and west in the United States, especially in rural areas; and
Whereas, some of those groups have adopted non-physical tactics that are equally as "deadly": producing and distributing cable television programs to promote racist ideology and establishing home pages on the Internet; and
Whereas, the racial demographic changes of the United States are reaching more and more rural areas; and
Whereas, interracial relationships in America are marked by four different but related characteristics, where White persons, generally, as a group:
1. Retain most, if not all, positions of important decision-making power;
2. Maintain informal (sometimes formal) policies and practices that discourage racial/ethnic minority access to many societal benefits;
3. Assume the superiority of their cultural norms and values and, therefore, tend to be insensitive to alternative lifestyles and values;
4. Misplace the problem by focusing critically or paternalistically on racial/ethnic minority persons and not on themselves; and
Whereas, racism is both conscious and the unconscious perpetuation of a disproportionate distribution of power between races, the denial of access to resources on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, and rationalization of racial superiority by "blaming the victims"; and
Whereas, prejudice is any attitude formed without adequate facts, while racism is prejudice plus power; and
Whereas, understanding the historical dimensions of racism is important; and
Whereas, true multi-culturalism and diversity require an increase in personal awareness, the learning of new behaviors, removal of bias and barriers, changes in policies, practices, and structure, and the creation of new rules; and
Whereas, creating a multi-cultural and diverse Church means moving beyond recovering from the past toward shaping the future in community, a future of God's shalom that recognizes, values, and celebrates the unique qualities, gifts, and God's grace in all persons; and
Whereas, the Racism in Rural Areas Task Force affirms efforts by concerned persons, congregations, groups, and annual conferences in rural areas who are confronting racism in their individual and corporate lives, the Task Force concludes that racism continues to be a pervasive and systemic force within the rural church and community and must continue to be understood as the entire Church's unfinished agenda;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference accept and move to implement the following recommendations of the Racism in Rural Areas Task Force:
General Church: It is recommended that
The Rural Chaplains Association, a network of clergy and lay persons, be affirmed in its work with individuals, rural churches, and communities in shalom ministries, and that the General Board of Global Ministries continue to resource the rural chaplains.
Training be made available by the General Commission on Religion and Race to enable each annual conference Commission on Religion and Race to serve as a resource and support group for promoting cross-cultural understanding in rural areas.
1. New rural-oriented resources on racism and inter-ethnic conflict be developed by the General Board of Discipleship, in consultation with the General Commission on Religion and Race. These resources should be developed for all age-level educational work of the church.
Cross-cultural resources for local churches and annual conferences in rural areas be developed by the General Board of Discipleship in consultation with United Methodist Rural Fellowship.
Resources on racism, inter-ethnic conflict, and cross-cultural material be listed on pages or sections within the existing catalogs produced by the general program agencies in consultation with the General Commission on Religion and Race.
In each level of the Course of Study, material on racism and inter-ethnic conflict in rural settings be developed and included by the Division of Ordained Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, in consultation with the General Commission on Religion and Race.
2. Recommendations for course work and "field experience" to understand racism and inter-ethnic conflict in rural settings be developed by the Division of Diaconal Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, in consultation with the General Commission on Religion and Race.
Cross-cultural rural experiences be reflected in all dated curriculum for children/youth church school material developed by the General Board of Discipleship.
3. Training for all national mission personnel related to the General Board of Global Ministries include a rural component on rural racism and multiculturalism.
4. The development and nurturing of Shalom ministries in rural areas be a priority of the General Board of Global Ministries, such as Upper Sand Mountain Cooperative Parish.
5. Cooperative parish ministry as a viable style of nurture, outreach, and witness, be undergirded and resourced by the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Discipleship.
6. Efforts of Black, Native American, and other farmers of color to preserve and increase land ownership be supported by all general program agencies.
7. All general program agencies advocate to end discrimination against racial/ethnic minority farmers and rural organizations by local, state, and federal officials.
8. Advocacy supports be provided by the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society to organizations that are led by racial/ethnic minority persons, such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Intertribal Agricultural Council.
9. The General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries work cooperatively to help local congregations, cooperative parish ministries, and annual conferences establish ministries with farm workers.
10. The General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries provide resources for local congregations and annual conferences to assist in combating rural racism.
11. The General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries join national efforts to promote farm worker justice.
12. The General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries take legislative (political) action, ecumenically if possible, to direct the United States Department of Agriculture to decrease agricultural subsidies that are given mostly to huge corporate farmers. Further, that at least 15-25% of the subsidy money should be directed to racial/ethnic minority farmers and farm organizations to improve farming methods, try new crops, and provide loans to purchase needed farm supplies and equipment.
13. The General Commission on Religion and Race monitor the implementation of the recommendations to general agencies.
Annual conference/district : It is recommended that
14. Support group(s) be developed for persons active in anti-racism strategies and for persons ministering to victims of hate crimes.
15. An immediate response-support task group be formed by the bishop and cabinet to respond to bigotry and violence in the church and/or society.
16. Cross-racial appointment orientation workshop(s) for local churches and pastors be incorporated and conducted by the bishop and cabinet in their operational policies.
17. Cooperative ministries be initiated and undergirded in rural areas that include diverse racial/ethnic minority congregations and encourage cross-cultural/racial cooperation and ministry.
18. Those applying to be Probationary Members in the Annual Conference be expected by the Board of Ordained Ministry to participate in a cross-cultural rural experience.
19. Individuals and congregations consult the conference Commission on Religion and Race and the conference committee with responsibilities for rural ministries for suggestions on places within the annual conference for cross-cultural rural experiences.
20. Training in each district/sub-district/cluster/ministirium to promote rural cross-cultural understanding be made available by the conference Commission on Religion and Race.
21. A working plan to provide for cross-cultural experiences in rural areas be developed and implemented by the Conference Committee on Ethnic Local Church Concerns.
22. A Response Team to deal with hate crime and violence, in church and society, especially in rural areas, be established by cabinets and bishops. (cf. Eastern PA model).
23. Congregations in rural areas be prepared by annual conference and/or district leadership for the new influx of diverse populations so that the Church will model the new community of inclusiveness and shalom.
24. Concern and support for pastors in cross-racial appointments be demonstrated by the bishop and cabinet. The Conference Commission on Religion and Race train persons to be listener/advocates as part of a support team.
25. Listening posts be provided that allow racial/ethnic minority persons a safe place to tell their stories, thereby helping to confront the White Church with its culture of racism.
26. The identification and development of rural Shalom ministries be a part of a conference Comprehensive Plan for strengthening racial/ethnic minority churches and communities.
27. Each annual conference advocate to end discrimination against racial/ethnic minority farmers and rural organizations by local, state, and federal officials.
28. Advocacy support be provided by annual conferences to organizations that are led by racial/ethnic minority persons, such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Intertribal Agricultural Council.
29. Annual Conferences and Local Congregations equally assume responsibility to:
* Establish a farm worker ministry to sensitize members of the concerns of farm workers and to advocate for farm worker justice.
* Join the Farm Worker Action Network of the National Farm Worker Ministry.
* Observe a Farm Worker Sabbath/Farm Worker Sunday to raise awareness of Farm worker issues, possibly being a part of Rural Life Sunday observance.
* Become informed about and advocate for support of organizations such as the National Farm Worker Ministry that focus on improving working conditions, housing, wages, and health care of farm workers.
Local Church : It is recommended that
30. Congregations be prepared to support open itineracy and experience workshops/seminars on inclusiveness, racism, and cultural awareness by local Pastor-Parish Relations committees.
31. Opportunities for the congregation to deal with the issues of racism and to experience varied styles and forms of worship be provided by the Council on Ministries/Administrative Council, through appropriate work-area committees.
32. When a pastor of a different racial/ethnic minority group is appointed, the pastor and the congregation together develop a covenant that enables the fulfillment of the new opportunity for ministry.
33. Planning and programing that include awareness of the surrounding community and its racial/ethnic minority composition be on the agenda of the Council on Ministries/Administrative Council so that the ministry of the congregation is enhanced and relevant.
34. Use of curriculum resources like The Language of Hospitality, Creating a New Community: God's People Overcoming Racism, and Building a New Community: God's Children Overcoming Racism be encouraged.
35. Congregations work ecumenically and with secular agencies on issues of rural racism.
36. Intentionally inclusive mission statements be written by local churches.
37. Advocacy supports be provided by the local church to organizations that are led by racial/ethnic minority persons, such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Intertribal Agricultural Council.
38. Local churches support efforts of Blacks, Native American, and other farmers of color to preserve and increase land ownership.
39. Develop a model counseling course to help rural pastors become confident and skilled to counsel parents of children who commit hate crimes or who are victims of hate crimes.
40. Encourage ways to provide more inclusive mental health services in rural areas and offer additional courses on crisis counseling to rural pastors.
Individual: It is recommended that
41. Persons not be silent. If you are subject to an act of bigotry or racial violence, tell someone. Tell your family, your friends, neighbors, the church; seek support for yourself. Report the incident to police. Insist that the crime be reported as a "hate crime."
42. Support be given to the victim and encourage him or her to report the incident to the police. Enlist aid and support from the church and community. Witness to the law of love as exemplified in Christ's teaching of the Good Samaritan.
43. Persons teach children about other cultures and countries, opening minds that the church is global.
Institutions of Higher Education: It is recommended that
44. The General Commission on Religion and Race and the Office of Town and Country Ministries, National Division, General Board of Global Ministries be invited by schools of theology to design and implement rural cross-cultural experiences for seminary students preparing to serve as diaconal or ordained ministers.
45. Boards of Trustees be reviewed by all of the two- and four-year colleges with a relationship to the United Methodist Church, except historically Black colleges, for racial, ethnic, and gender inclusiveness and, where necessary, begin to be reflective of all United Methodists of the annual conference in which it is located.
46. All conference elected trustees of two- and four-year colleges related to the United Methodist Church, except historically Black Colleges, ask for admission statistics that include racial/ethnic minority makeup and encourage the college to reflect at least the racial/ethnic minority makeup of all high school students from which their student body is drawn geographically.
47. Training on racism appropriate for college trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students be designed and made available by the General Commission on Religion and Race to all two and four year colleges related to the United Methodist Church.
48. Faculties be reviewed by all two- and four-year colleges with a relationship to the United Methodist Church, except historically Black Colleges, for racial, ethnic and gender inclusiveness and, where necessary, begin to be reflective of all United Methodists from which their student body is drawn geographically.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22670-IC-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference