Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointments

Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments celebrate the value of relationships, both in the pulpit and in the pew. Facing the Future--a three day event held in May 2011, addressed the challenges surrounding appointments and ministries and shared the dreams that beckon us to become the authentic Beloved Community.

Below you will find print materials from the Crossing Bridges pre-event and Facing the Future event that GCORR thinks will empower us to lead the church at every level and to engage in ministries that cross cultures and build relationships. You will also find select video presentations from the May 2011 event, including opening and closing worship services, bible studies and pleanary sessions.

Crossing Bridges Pre-Event Print Resources
Facing the Future Event Print Resources
Facing the Future Video Presentations

Crossing Bridges Pre-Event Print Resources

Crossing Bridges: Cross-Cultural Competency Leadership Training for Building and Strengthening the Church
Get the tools and information needed to be an effective leader in a racially and cultural diverse church.

Crossing Bridges: A Proposal for a Three-Phase Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Competency Training
Demographic studies in the United States show that our population is becoming increasingly diverse, driving a need for training in cross-cultural/cross-racial competency and helping to develop a better sense of community across and within ethnic/cultural/racial lines.

Facing the Future Event Print Resources

Facing the Future Event Program Book
The complete program book from the Facing the Future event in Los Angeles, Calif., May 2011.

Report on Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointments in the United Methodist Church
The 2008 Book of Discipline calls on clergy and congregations to prepare for cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments. The report highlights existing cross-racial/cross-cross-cultural appointments in the United Methodist Church.

Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Appointments and Shared Facilities (GCORR)
During the past ten years GCORR’s annual conference reviews mandated by The Book of Discipline have noted cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments and shared facilities need greater support from our annual conference leaders, clergy and laity. This PDF suggests ways that conference CORRs can empower steps in this direction.

Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry Handbook (GBHEM)
Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are made as a creative response to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the church and in its leadership. Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are appointments of clergypersons to congregations in which the majority of their constituencies are different from the clergyperson’s own racial/ethnic and cultural background. When such appointments are made, Bishops, cabinets, and boards of ordained ministry shall provide specific training for the clergy persons so appointed and for their congregations.

Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Appointments Training Resource (GBHEM)

Moving from Ethnocentrism to Intercultural Sensitivity and Biculturalism
Moving from ethnocentrism to intercultural sensitivity and biculturalism and how do we address the way people experience cultural difference.

Courage and Hope
Presentation materials from the clergy Learning Track session at Facing the Future.

The Hispanic Creed
By Justo Gonzalez

Intercultural Development Inventory
The ability to successfully accomplish cross-cultural goals--diversity & inclusion--is a core leadership competency in the 21st Century. The Intercultural Development Inventory measures one's capability to shift cultural perspective and adapt behavior to cultural commonality & difference.

Intercultural Effectiveness Scale
Learn about the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale, which measures how well one interacts with someone from a different culture, and what it says about you and your role in the Church.

A Glossary of Terms About Race, Religion and Culture
A list of terms relative to race, religion and culture.

Cultural Competency Instrument Resource List
A complete list of cross-racial/cross-cultural resources.

Facing the Future Video Presentations

To view the full collection of videos, please use the red scroll bar to the right of the video titles listed below the video player.