Delegates vote to strengthen African-American family life

Translate Page

The United Methodist Church’s belief in family as the place where individuals are nurtured and sustained compelled delegates to adopt legislation to strengthen African-American family life.

Delegates to the denomination’s top legislative body amended and readopted a resolution stating that while all types of families are affected by economic and social change, today’s African-American families face problems of epidemic proportions, such as violence within the geographical community, new and virulent health problems, a high rate of cardiovascular illness and economic stress.

In an effort to make more people aware of the problems black families face, the delegates mandated that the United Methodist Board of Discipleship identify or create resources and materials to assist local congregations in developing mentoring, counseling and referral programs, which include implementing strategies for strengthening African-American family life. Delegates also called on the discipleship agency to produce listings of the resources and distribute and promote them in each of the church’s 63 annual conferences.

The Board of Discipleship is the church agency that provides resources and services to help church leaders build systems that enable every congregation to fulfill its primary task of making disciples of Jesus Christ. 

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer.

News media contact: (412) 325-6080 during General Conference, April 27-May 7.
After May 10: (615) 742-5470.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
General Church
Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton presides at the bishops’ spring 2023 meeting in Chicago. East Ohio Conference Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, at left, is the Council of Bishops president-designate. The bishops gathered April 29-May 5 for their first in-person meeting since 2019 and took on a variety of issues affecting the future of the denomination. Photo by the Rev. Todd Rossnagel, Louisiana Conference.

Bishops call for General Conference in 2026

United Methodist bishops see a need for the denomination’s top lawmaking body to hold an additional meeting to deal with changes resulting from church disaffiliations. Meanwhile, the denomination’s finance agency has its own concerns.
Mission and Ministry
Tim Tanton, United Methodist Communications. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Why church should care about press freedom

World Press Freedom Day is a time to reflect on the importance of newsgathering and the ties that connect freedom of expression and religion.
Judicial Council
The coming General Conference is scheduled to meet April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s top court, faced questions about how to handle delegate vacancies for the postponed General Conference, and whether another General Conference should be held between 2024 and 2028. Photo courtesy of charlottesgotalot.com.

Court rules on General Conference questions

The United Methodist Church’s top court addressed questions about filling delegate vacancies and whether another General Conference needs to be scheduled after the postponed 2020 General Conference takes place in 2024.

 

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2023 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved