Page 2 - Volume 2 2016
P. 2

The paradox is that while churches in Africa and the Philippines are the fastest
                                          growing, they are limited in their financial ability to support existing
                                          congregations, to undergird growth, and implement global structures. The
                                          conundrum is that churches in the U.S, which are losing members and
                                          resources, are placed in the untenable position of providing increased
                                          financial support. This can create even more decline.

                                         What does it mean to be “inclusive?”

                                         We need to redefine inclusiveness. In an attempt to be inclusive, the General

                                         Church uses the formula of proportional participation based on numbers of

Oral History And You                      constituents as the only criteria. In the U.S., for more than 40 years, we prided
                                          ourselves on an inclusiveness model based on diversity of language, ethnicity,
                                         culture and geography -- not numbers. The ramifications are major. Left off the

                                         table of decision-making are large segments of the denomination who lack

The African American Methodist           numbers but bring unique and differing perspectives.

Heritage Center (AAMHC) is               Meanwhile, small churches in rural or impoverished areas of the U.S. are expected to give
establishing an oral history library to  sacrificially in order to support a global church, which may in turn set priorities and make
recover and preserve the stories of      the decisions for their ministry without their involvement. Perhaps we need to review
African American lay and clergy          what a board might need to be from a global perspective and incorporate regional sub-
Methodists who were active beyond        committees.

the local church during the period of    During the racist days of the Central Jurisdiction, most

the Central Jurisdiction and its         African-American churches proudly paid their full
subsequent merger with the               apportionments, which were often based on membership,
geographical jurisdictions. We stand     not financial viability. Remember, most black communities
on the shoulders of those men,           have historically received income at one-half the income
women, (such as Mrs. Ruth Thomas,        median of white America. But these churches perceived that
widow of Bishop James S. Thomas,         paying a full share was the reality of full participation and
pictured above), and youth who           equality.
worked during that era. We are the
heirs of their perseverance,             The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA)
ingenuity, strategies, commitment
and faith.                               recently introduced a formula for Central Conference

   AAMHC needs from you                  churches to contribute more equitably, but it will not
information about those leaders such
as conference staff, district            compare with Jurisdictional giving.                            Retired Bishop Forrest C.
superintendents, general agency staff
and members, youth staff, etc.           Autonomy or Accountability?                                    Stith, reflected upon the 2016
because we want to interview them
while they are willing and able to                                                                      General Conference. Reach
                                         Many American churches are deeply involved in mission him at fcpreach@aol.com.

                                         support and funding, but they do not always find that the

                                         funds raised for Africa are used appropriately. In a few instances, some of the newer

                                         conferences have serious financial issues. In at least one African conference, even GCFA

                                         and GBGM (General Board of Global Ministries), after several audits, were unable to gain

                                         restitution for missing funds or accountability of hundreds of thousands of dollars given by

                                         U.S. churches. There seems to be no Disciplinary process for global accountability. Can we

share their perspectives. These          be global if part of the church is not accountable?

“founts of wisdom” are in each           When I visited Africa, I had no doubt that the church was growing rapidly. However, no
jurisdiction and probably in each        one was counting, or even knew the names of, many of the attendees. Instead, the pastor
annual conference. Remember, when        estimated the number present in what we used to call “a preacher’s count.” However, the
an elder passes, a library perishes.     General Church is using these soft statistics to determine representation on boards,
Please contact Carol Travis, Executive   agencies, committees and even the General Conference. I would hope that GBGM would

Assistant, and provide the names,        offer a membership audit before 2020 to assure correct proportionate representation,

addresses, phone numbers and e-          before the implementation of new areas and the fair distribution of resources.

mail addresses of persons who            How do we address cultural diversity?
should be included in this collection    To be a global church is to understand that the cultural and governmental systems are very
of information. You may reach Carol      different in a given continent. How does a global church fairly relate to multiple cultural

at the telephone number and e-mail       and political styles and issues in its Social Principles or proclamations?

address below.                           While I lift up a number of questions, my greater concern is that we are not addressing
   Share your legacy with the United     realistically how to be a global church. Do we need a model like the World Methodist
                                         Council, or regional bodies with some kind of semi-autonomy?
Methodist Church through The
African American Methodist Heritage      I’m certain that absolute solutions will not be found in legislative action. We must seek a
Center (AAMHC): 36 Madison Avenue        methodology of living together in a diverse world and diverse church. It would also help to
• PO Box 127 • Madison, NJ 07940         study church history, how the church has survived and thrived amidst divisions of
(973) 408-3862                           theology, culture, and race. And, as we await what the Lord will do, let us pray that we all
aamhc@aol.com • aamhc-umc.org            may be one in Christ Jesus.
Advance Code 3020514
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