resolution

Church Support of Caregivers of Children

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3082

We believe that children are the most vulnerable and precious resource of our societies, and they need loving adult support to flourish. Adult caregivers of children need parenting support systems as well. Today, children are being raised in a variety of household structures headed by various caregivers; and children in these families are in our communities, schools, and congregations. To flourish, families need a support system that embraces their household’s structure, and church ministry programs should reflect that changing dynamic.

We call upon each local United Methodist Church to:

make a conscious effort in its ministry action, as well as in its words, to nurture children by supporting their family unit and its caregivers, regardless of that family structure;
examine the structure of existing ministries to determine if they can be more effective and inclusive by changing titles, timing of events, group expectations, or other norms;
determine if new ministries are needed to help non-traditional caregiver groups, and create them as appropriate; and
prayerfully consider opportunities to minister and love children and their caregivers without limit.

ADOPTED 2008
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2016
RESOLUTION #3082, 2008, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 162C.

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