How BMCR was Formed

Despite founder John Wesley’s anti-slavery stance, early southern Methodism in the colonies found itself complicit with the evil institution eventuating in denominational division, in the north and south in 1845. There was a desire to heal this rupture, but the southern Methodists were still unwilling to accommodate persons of color. This led to the shameful creation of a segregated Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

Ultimately, as the country desegregated, a plan of union between the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren led to the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction in 1968. A concern that Blacks voices be included in the leadership of the newly formed United Methodist Church, required that an advocated organization be formed that would hold the church accountable.

That voice was Black Methodists for Church Renewal.