resolution

Support for Multicultural and Global Churches

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3102

Whereas, a truly multicultural congregation is more than “token” participation of racial/ethnic persons, but grounded in racial equity that incorporates into the worship style, leadership, and entire ministry cultural and language elements of the different racial/ethnic/tribal groups present in the congregation thus ensuring that everyone has a place at the table where power is shared (resources and decision-making) and where conflict is managed in a culturally proficient way; and

Whereas, congregations thrive where everyone brings gifts to the mutually “owned table,” and where the entire congregation is shaped by all in an equitable manner and not by one dominant group; and

Whereas, ethnically/culturally specific ministries have historically been a source of strength, encouragement, and empowerment for people of color, and have enabled people to move outside of their local congregations to participate in the larger church and world and have contributed greatly to the global nature of the church; and

Whereas, it is important that the church be culturally proficient in seeking to understand the context of all people and reaching people where they are; and racial/ethnic/cultural/tribal diversities have been a reality in God’s creation from the very beginning; and

Whereas, mobility, advanced technology, war, political instability, and socioeconomic realities have brought the diversity of the world into neighborhoods, churches, and communities creating a challenge for homogenous churches, shifting demographics; and multicultural ministries have sometimes been placed in opposition to the continued development and strengthening of racial/ ethnic local churches and historically marginalized communities; and multicultural ministries are often being used to dismiss the uniqueness of the different groups and/or simply as a superficial face make-up (a few different faces in the congregation) that does not impact the life, language, leadership style, and decision- making of the congregation; and in these cases, multiculturalism can be a disguised form of racism and ethnocentrism; and

Whereas, the General Commission on Religion and Race is mandated by the Church to ensure the equal participation of all believers as members of the same body that is the body of Christ and the question of multicultural congregations or ethnic/culturally specific congregations is not an either/or proposition but rather two distinct paths needed to achieve the inclusive spirit revealed to us at Pentecost, when people understood each other, not through a common language, but through the power of the Spirit who affirmed and embraced everyone; and

Whereas, one of the principles of inclusiveness is self-determination and people of color in their continued quest for empowerment in the midst of a racist church and society benefit from the power to determine if their cultural and spiritual needs are best met in an ethnic specific congregation or in a multicultural one; and in many occasions an “ethnic specific” congregation can be the beginning of becoming a multicultural church and multicultural ministries should be looked upon as one of the models of the inclusive and multicultural church; and

Whereas, there are many ways in which the Church can be multicultural and inclusive without being together in the same worship service such as community work, mission, children and youth, church governance, etc.;

Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church’s commitment to inclusiveness and racial equity affirms the continued development and strengthening of the racial/ethnic congregations as well as the development and strengthening of congregations that are culturally aware, modeling racial equity and becoming truly multicultural congregations as defined above; and the Council of Bishops provides direction to annual conferences on matters of multicultural and ethnic specific ministries so that local churches are provided with resources and guidance in their efforts to respond to diverse communities; and

Be it further resolved, that the General Commission on Religion and Race will partner with the General Board of Global Ministries, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Board of Church and Society, and the General Board of Discipleship in the development of resources within current budgetary resources that undergird the creation and the strengthening of multicultural and ethnic specific ministries; and United Methodist seminaries and schools of theology will incorporate into their curriculums cross-racial and cross-cultural competencies needed to prepare students who will be able to minister in diverse settings.

ADOPTED 2012
RESOLUTION #3102, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 162A.

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