GCORR's Action Plan incorporates the Four Areas of Focus adopted by the General Conference in 2008.

Leadership Development

Developing principled, Christian, visionary leaders for the church and the world is crucial to the mission, vitality and witness of The United Methodist Church. That especially includes women and people of color the world over, as those groups emerge with greater influence in our communities, our church and in all aspects of our diverse cultures.

The quest for inclusiveness challenges us at all levels of our church, especially when and where there is limited presence and participation of racial/ethnic leaders and limited experience among white leaders in working closely with racial/ethnic and international peers. The effort to diversify leadership and cultural wisdom in churches, conferences, agencies and institutions must be intentional and forward-looking if we are to reap the plentiful harvest of potential that God has placed in our midst.

New Places for New People

While congregational development and revitalization has always been an evangelistic emphasis of The United Methodist Church, we will focus even more of our efforts in 2009 to 2012 on creating new places for new people by starting new congregations and renewing existing ones.

If we will honor our commitment to make true disciples of Jesus Christ—and in so doing, to transform the world for Christ—we must reach out with genuine hospitality to invite, welcome and engage new people, whoever and wherever they are. We must make them feel welcome and involved as we start new churches and faith communities, renew and revitalize our existing congregations, and seek to inspire faithful, transformative discipleship. Indeed, it is we who must first be transformed, or in the words of Jesus, “born again.”

Eradicating Poverty

Racism and poverty experienced on national and global levels form a vicious cycle. Racial bigotry and discrimination often cause sustained and chronic poverty; and sustained and chronic poverty causes perceptions, attitudes and consequent actions that lead to more racial bigotry and discrimination.

Furthermore, sustained and chronic poverty deprives its victims of the universal human right to personal and social development. As the church continues its historic commitment to being in ministry with the poor, we must ensure that our methods are not a further perpetuation of paternalism and exploitation, focusing on acts of mercy without regard for acts of justice.

Global Health

Lack of access to doctors, nurses, medications and appropriate facilities yields deadly consequences, especially among those who live in conditions of poverty. But the diseases of poverty are not inevitable. We believe the people of The United Methodist Church can play a significant role in educating others about diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and expanding treatment and prevention of their devastating effects.

The conditions of health, poverty and race in the U.S. and globally are interconnected, as health disparities among racial /ethnic minority people manifest protracted, institutional racism and economic injustices. Higher rates of infant mortality, diabetes, obesity, HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart disease and malaria, coupled with lower life expectancy, are all examples of the various health challenges endured by people of color here and all over the world.