The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The General Board has headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City. The General Secretary of the Board since Nov.1, 2000 is Mr. James E. Winkler.
GBCS Board of Directors Meeting Dates for 2009-2011
Members-at-Large - Kabwita Kayombo and Anna Blaedel
Alcohol, Other Additions/Healthcare - Tamara Brown
Envrionmental & Economic Justice - Mike McKee
Human Welfare - Bishop Jane Middleton
Peace with Justice / United Nations - Tracy Malone
2009-2012 Board Members
United Methodist Building located on Capitol Hill (Washington, DC)
The General Board is defined by its five areas of ministry: (1) Public Witness and Advocacy (2) Administration (3) Ministry of Resourcing Congregational Life, (4)United Nations Ministry, (5) Communications.
...The message of salvation brought by Jesus Christ binds us together as a people and sends us forth to bring healing in the midst of strife, justice in the midst of brokenness, and love in the midst of hate. As United Methodists, we are called to invite people to enter into a community of faith responsive to a vision of justice ministries that is biblically and theologically grounded, and to invite United Methodist congregations to play a prophetic role in bringing God’s vision to reality. Our mission is to advocate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the church and society.
1002.Purpose - The purpose of the board shall be to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. It shall seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. It shall show the members of the Church and the society that the reconciliation that God effected through Christ involves personal, social, and civic righteousness.25
1003.Objectives - To achieve its purpose, the board shall:
1. Project plans and programs that challenge the members of The United Methodist Church to work through their own local churches, ecumenical channels, and society toward personal, social, and civic righteousness;
2. Assist the district and annual conferences with needed resources in areas of such concerns;
3. Analyze the issues that confront persons, communities, nations, and the world; and
4. Encourage Christian lines of action that assist humankind to move toward a world where peace and justice are achieved.
1004.Responsibilities - The prime responsibility of the board is to seek the implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian social concerns. Furthermore, the board and its executives shall 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. In particular, the board shall conduct a program of research, education, and action on the wide range of issues that confront the Church.
The board shall analyze long-range social trends and their underlying ethical values. It shall explore systemic strategies for social change and alternative futures. It shall speak its convictions, interpretations, and concerns to the Church and to the world.
The board shall develop, promote, and distribute resources and conduct programs to inform, motivate, train, organize, and build networks for action toward social justice throughout society, particularly on the specific issues prioritized by the board. Special attention shall be given to the nurture of the active constituency of the board. The board will encourage an exchange of ideas on strategy and methodology for social change. Through conferences, districts, coalitions, and networks, it will assist Church members as they identify and respond to critical social issues at community, regional, national, and international levels.
All the above shall be consistent with the Social Principles and policies adopted by the General Conference.
The board shall maintain close relationships with the General Commission on Religion and Race, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, and the Appalachian Development Committee as they seek to coordinate denominational support and cooperation with various movements for racial, sexual, and social justice, according to guidelines stated in the Book of Discipline. In cooperation with ecumenical agencies and other appropriate boards and agencies, the board shall encourage and promote ministries and models of mediation and conflict resolution, both ecumenically and within the agencies and institutions of The United Methodist Church.
The elected members of the General Board of Church and Society have voted to join the following coalitions and organizations. The staff person responsible for maintaining a liaison with each group is listed.
The purpose of the board shall be to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. It shall seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. It shall show the members of the Church and the society that the reconciliation that God effected through Christ involves personal, social, and civic righteousness.
From the very beginning of creation, Health and Wholeness is the ultimate design of God for humanity. Our advocacy focuses on achieving a global society of persons who have access to health and wholeness by emphasizing the Wesleyan understanding of social holiness extending to influence personal habits, public policy, and environmental and social factors that impact the Health and Wholeness of individuals and communities around the globe.
The Economic and Environmental Justice Program calls the church and society into a greater faithfulness to the biblical vision of wholeness and justice for all of God’s creation. From global warming and environmental racism to worker justice and poverty eradication, the program seeks to restore right relationships among ourselves, others and the created world.
The General Board of Church and Society advocates for the preservation of civil and human rights for all people throughout the world. As United Methodists, we are called to be in ministry with women and children recognizing that women and children bring abundant gifts to the world.
The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people's lives and communities. The United Nations and its related bodies are regarded by The United Methodist Church as "the best instrument now in existence to achieve a world of justice and law" (Social Principles, ¶165 D).
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