resolution

Pathways to Transformation 2016-2024

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3411

A United Methodist Urban Ministry Plan for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Whereas, change is inevitable but transformation is optional, The United Methodist Church has the opportunity to transform and energize urban churches and communities; and

Whereas, the Holy Boldness: Pathways to Transformation Plan, adopted by the 2012 General Conference, has been developed to continue and strengthen the National Urban Ministry Plan adopted at the 1996 General Conference and reaffirmed in 2004; and

Whereas, the primary goal of the Plan calls for The United Methodist Church to provide a vision for the future: identify areas of focus and collaboration; organize and mobilize financial and human resources; and

Whereas, according to the “State of the World Population 2014” report, “in 2014, 54 percent of the world’s population was in urban areas,” and 1.8 billion children were living in urban areas, and “without proper planning, cities across the globe will face the threat of overwhelming poverty, limited opportunities for youth, and religious extremism”; and

Whereas, ultimately, the Pathways to Transformation Plan will be effective if annual conferences, districts, and, especially, local churches and faith-based community organizations and agencies develop strategies and carry out the agreed-upon goals and objectives; and

Whereas, it is also critical for the whole church (congregations in and outside urban areas, annual conferences, and general church agencies) to work in collaboration to support those working locally to transform urban congregations and the communities to meet the need of growing urban areas; and

Whereas, the priorities, goals, and objectives identified for this Plan were determined through a national survey of laity, pastors, faith-based community organization staff, annual conference staff, seminary presidents and deans, and bishops; and

Whereas, the primary goals are to accomplish the following:

transform existing urban congregations through training, coaching, and mentoring;
equip new urban churches and faith communities;
assist annual conferences and districts in urban strategic planning;
challenge and assist urban congregations to transform the communities in which they reside; and

Whereas, the priorities that will inform and guide these goals are:

urban theology and leadership development;
urban evangelism and congregational development;
living in community with the poor;
strengthening and developing multicultural relationships and congregations;
eradicating racism and other forms of oppression;
creating and developing urban/suburban collaboration and partnerships;
community economic development;
wholeness, healing, and health; and

Whereas, these goals and priorities further support the four areas of collaboration developed by the Connectional Table:

1) leadership development, 2) starting new congregations, 3) partnering with the poor, and 4) global health. This Plan is particularly synergistic with the third proposal, “partner with the poor to seek justice and address the causes of human suffering that result from poverty,” which has been assigned to Global Ministries; and

Whereas, urban transformation will require an ecumenical and interfaith collaborative effort by local churches working in cooperation with other denominational members of the Methodist family and other denominations, community organizations, businesses, and governmental institutions; collaboration will need to occur beyond the city limits by collaborating with exurban churches that share similar challenges, and churches in suburban areas that have committed persons, resources, and relational roots in urban neighborhoods, all of which strengthen ministry; and

Whereas, collaboration will also need to occur at the general church level with Urban Networks and general agency teams working together to identify common strategies that they can mutually accomplish; the national strategies linking with local strategies and needs; national collaboration involving the ethnic ministry plans already adopted by our Church with a particular sensitivity to those who are poor; and finally, national collaboration involving other ecumenical and inter-faith bodies and national urban resources;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the general agencies, Urban Networks, annual conferences, districts, and, especially, local churches to take authority and responsibility to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Plan; and

Be it further resolved, that the General Board of Global Minis- tries Office of Networks and Constituencies or its equivalent will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Plan. Objectives and action steps have been developed and will be implemented as funding is made available; and

Be it further resolved, in order to facilitate this coordination and implementation, the Office of Networks and Constituencies or its equivalent will have copies of the Plan available for any who wish to partner in this effort, and that with God’s help, we can reclaim our cities for United Methodism and, in the process, meet Christ on the streets walking with his people.

ADOPTED 2008
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2012, 2016
RESOLUTION #3411, 2008, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #180, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #171, 2000 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 162R.

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