Our Ministries

The General Board of Church and Society

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.

Board of Directors Executive Committee

• President - Bishop Beverly Shamana
• Vice President - Bishop William Hutchinson
• Secretary - Marget Sikes
• Treasurer - Raul Alegria.
• Members-at-Large - A. Lizet Rivera, Argentina Pinto
• Alcohol, Other Additions/Healthcare - Julius Trimble
• Envrionmental & Economic Justice - William Scott
• Human Welfare - Alan Delamater
• Peace with Justice / United Nations - Steve Sprecher
• Biblical / Theological Interpretation - Marget Sikes
• Personnel - JoAnn Yoon Fukumoto
• Trustees - Bishop James Swanson

2004-2008 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.

Building and Financial Information

About the United Methodist Building
Financial Information

Programs and Ministries

• Knowledge Center(Get the latest information on current issues)
• Faith in Action
• Social Principles Training & Leadership Development
• UM Seminars Program
• GBCS Grants
• UM Power Action Center

United Methodist Book of Discipline 2004

Section IV. General Board of 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.

General Conference

• 2008 Petitions
• Official General Conference website
• View all resolutions related to GBCS.

Board Meetings and Events