Resolutions & Statements
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Like any conscientious organization, the General Commission on Religion and Race embraces the responsibility to speak out publicly when its voice is needed on important social issues and events—particularly those involving race and racism. This responsibility is part of our mandate from The United Methodist Church to educate and sensitize the church and society through our advocacy for the cause of racial justice and inclusiveness. Our advocacy, as staff and board members, is sometimes expressed through resolutions and public statements, and occasionally through published commentaries by individuals and involvement in direct social action when warranted. GCORR’s official resolutions and statements—some of which are included in this section—are significant ways of taking public stands on key issues, guided by our United Methodist Social Principles and driven by our mission to lead the church in overcoming racism and bringing about interracial inclusiveness and reconciliation. Meanwhile, the quadrennial United Methodist General Conference, the only body that can speak officially for the entire denomination, receives thousands of petitions from many sources, including GCORR, that address various social and religious concerns. While some seek changes in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, others ask for resolutions to added or altered in the church’s Book of Resolutions. General Conference sorts through those petitions, determines through legislative committees which ones to bring to a vote and then acts to approve or reject recommended legislation. We list here some of the legislation passed by the 2008 General Conference that relates to racial/ethnic concerns in particular. But this is not an exhaustive list, and we may refresh it with additional items from time to time. We also list in this section important resolutions and statements issued by other church agencies, annual conferences, congregations, institutions and organizations—both United Methodist and non-United Methodist—with which we concur and which we sometimes officially endorse. We invite you to read and discuss the resolutions and statements in this section, share them with others, raise questions, and give us your opinions and insights on these and other relevant concerns. While we develop vehicles of public response and conversation on this Web site for the future, we invite you, in the meantime, to write to us at info@gcorr.org. Please let us hear from you. Read more Other Resoluations & Statements Read more |
