True transformation in the church requires more than just passionate rhetoric. It demands strategic action and systemic change. This chapter explores how Transformative Community Conferencing (TCC), first introduced at the local level, can expand to influence broader denominational structures within the United Methodist Church (UMC) and beyond. While the church has historically championed justice in words, its governing systems, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, often reinforce existing power dynamics, making true inclusivity difficult to achieve. By integrating TCC into decision-making at the Annual, Jurisdictional, and General Conference levels, the UMC has an opportunity to challenge white normativity, address tokenism, and ensure fair representation and compensation for non-white clergy. Furthermore, TCC holds promise for ecumenical partnerships, moving beyond surface-level dialogue to collective action against systemic racial injustice in a society. By shifting from hierarchical decision-making to relationship-making engagement, the church can embody its mission more fully, ensuring that every voice is heard and every community empowered to participate in shaping its future.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

From a Local United Methodist Church Congregational Strategy to a Denominational Approach and Beyond

  • Steve Young Dong Kim

摘要

True transformation in the church requires more than just passionate rhetoric. It demands strategic action and systemic change. This chapter explores how Transformative Community Conferencing (TCC), first introduced at the local level, can expand to influence broader denominational structures within the United Methodist Church (UMC) and beyond. While the church has historically championed justice in words, its governing systems, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, often reinforce existing power dynamics, making true inclusivity difficult to achieve. By integrating TCC into decision-making at the Annual, Jurisdictional, and General Conference levels, the UMC has an opportunity to challenge white normativity, address tokenism, and ensure fair representation and compensation for non-white clergy. Furthermore, TCC holds promise for ecumenical partnerships, moving beyond surface-level dialogue to collective action against systemic racial injustice in a society. By shifting from hierarchical decision-making to relationship-making engagement, the church can embody its mission more fully, ensuring that every voice is heard and every community empowered to participate in shaping its future.