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SQB
Articles |
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The positions taken in the United Methodist Social Principles and United
Methodist Resolutions are determined by the voting members of General Conference.
These delegates are elected by Annual Conferences and come from local United
Methodist congregations throughout the world. 2. The work of the General Board of Church and Society is consistent with the positions taken by General Conference as stated in the United Methodist Book of Resolutions and Book of Discipline, (see especially the Social Principles, Book of Discipline, paragraph 160-166). GBCS cannot take positions contrary to the Discipline; for example, it cannot advocate for unrestricted abortion on demand (as claimed by some) because this would be contrary to the church's Social Principles. 3. The ministry of the General Board of Church and Society is overseen by board members who are appointed by the elected delegates of General Conference and are mandated by the Book of Discipline to faithfully guide the Board to provide "forthright witness and action on issues of human well-being, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation that call Christians to respond as forgiven people for whom Christ died." (United Methodist Book of Discipline, paragraph 1004). The church ensures that these board members are representative of all geographical jurisdictions of the church, include clergy and laity, men and women, and persons of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. 4. The Church, throughout history, has maintained that faithful ministry must be prophetic. The church must not be afraid to boldly speak its "convictions…. to the church and the world." (Discipline, paragraph 1005). Active participation in social ministry and advocacy for social justice are deeply rooted in the history and United Methodist Church and clearly supported in the church's 1908 Social Creed, current Social Creed, Social Principles and Book of Resolutions. 5. Methodism's founder John Wesley preached boldly in the public square against slavery, beverage alcohol, war, and economic injustice. He and other Methodists worked faithfully to minister to persons in prison, people most of society had written off. In the 19th century faithful Methodist women and men followed Wesley's lead in opposing slavery, and in organizing the temperance movement. Taking to the streets and working within their churches they opposed alcohol, child labor, gambling, and argued fervently for prison reform and equal voting rights for African-Americans and women. Early in the 20th century the church boldly supported the labor movement in working for the humane treatment of workers, reasonable working hours and a living wage (see 1908 Social Creed). In the 1950s and 60s, faithful Methodists demonstrated and worked tirelessly for civil rights for all Americans in a time of widespread segregation and blatant racial injustice. 6. History has proven that many positions taken by the church through the years, though often controversial in their day, have been proven with time to be both right and just. As the Body of Christ we are called to be bold witnesses, not just to one another, but to the world; to proclaim the good news of God's grace and call, not just in the church but also in the public square; to witness to society not only when it does right but also when it does wrong. This is our prophetic call. For more information on the Ministry of GBCS see www.umc-gbcs.org or call 202-488-5600. Rev. Clayton Childers, Annual Conference Relations General Board of Church and Society The United Methodist Church |