Interview with Social Principles revision team leader Rev. George D. Wilson Jr.

My name:

Rev. George D. Wilson, Jr.

Profession:

I currently serve as director of connectional ministries of the Liberia Episcopal Area and chair of its Board of Ordained Ministry. I also teach introduction to religion at the United Methodist University on a part-time basis.

My UMC Story:

I have a humble beginning as son of a local United Methodist Church pastor. The church laid the foundation of whom I am today not only as a United Methodist elder, but instilling in me basic Christian principles that formed me as a responsible citizen and a life-long disciple of Jesus Christ in a poverty-stricken country.

My hope in convening the political community revision team.

My hope in convening the political community team is for us to engage this critical work with truly “open hearts, minds, and souls.” As a diverse team from different socioeconomic, political, religious, and certainly with varied world views, and of course from different contextual realities, I hope we can produce a revised Social Principles document that speaks across cultures and artificial boundaries that divide us as a community of faith.

Where in the political community section of the Social Principles do you see our greatest strength as a church?

One strength of the political community section is the emphasis placed on basic freedoms and human rights. Most of the conflicts in Africa borders on the denial of these rights which then become source of discontent and civil disobedience. For example, freedom of speech, assembly and religion are basic human right issues that should not be taken for granted. Another area of strength is criminal and restorative justice. Most criminal codes around the world are based on retributive or criminal justice systems. Retributive justice systems have done well in keeping criminals behind bars for a while but done poorly in transforming them to useful citizens after serving jail terms. Making use of the restorative system of justice as expounded in the political community section of the Social Principles is also a strength of the section.

What difference do the Social Principles make in the life of a congregation or a conference?

About one month ago, I made a plea through the Rev. Neal Christie [at Church and Society] to make 50 copies of the Social Principles available for distribution among District Superintendents and other conference officials within the Liberia Episcopal Area that had expressed need. Those copies have been shipped to Liberia. There is a need to do more teaching of the Social Principles in local churches and at the district level if it is to make any significant difference in the life of the church. Notwithstanding, as a result previous teaching sections conducted years ago, there are United Methodists who are knowledgeable about the teachings in the Social Principles document and conduct their lives consistent with its teachings.

Where do you see the greatest challenge to revising the political community section of the Social Principles?

The greatest challenge is to revise this section in a way that makes it not only succinct, but global in content and context.

Tell us the three greatest systemic oppressions or injustices facing society where you live today.

• Selective justice; those who have personal relationship with the power-that-be are above the law because they are not prosecuted when they break the law. In other words, the rich and powerful are above the law.
• Uncontrollable corruption and disregard for the rule of law.
• Disregard for the rights and dignity of people with disability, especially hearing and speech impaired, and the blind.

Who are some of your role models and how have you learned from them?

My late father, Pastor George D. Wilson, Sr. was my greatest role model. At an early age in life, I learned from him the virtue of humility, and the benefits of putting God first in all I do in this life. I also learned from him the art of heard work, reminding me always that lazy people always find life difficult. He was indeed my hero.

The late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was also my role model. His stance on equal justice for all and using peaceful means to achieve this goal fascinated me.

Anything else we should about you?

Before receiving my call to ordained ministry some 25 years ago, I worked as a high level electrical technician at the state run Liberia Electricity Corporation for 11 years. I am also married to Patricia Bindu Wilson and this union is blessed with several children and grandchildren. Above all else, I love Jesus!