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Theme of "Transformation" Echoes During SBC-21 Report to General Conference; Initiative Is a Gift to the Church

(April 28, 2008, General Conference, Ft. Worth, TX/GBOD) — As presenters for Strengthening the Black Church Initiative (SBC-21) took the stage at the United Methodist General Conference, the top legislative body for the denomination, each invited the 992 delegates to repeat the word "transformational" as they gave their report.

Bishop Jonathan Keaton, resident bishop of the Michigan Area and chair of the initiative, introduced SBC-21 as a "transformational model of ministry that assists predominately Black congregations in becoming more effective in mission and ministry."

"The initiative links successful congregation resource centers with partner congregations that are in search of new ideas and revitalization," Keaton said.

Cheryl Stevenson

"Strengthening the Black Church has close to 100 partner churches enrolled. Over the years, 30 congregation resource centers have developed over 100 learning units sharing ideas and training tools with partner churches in rural, urban and suburban areas across five jurisdictions," said Cheryl Stevenson, national coordinator of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century.

The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, chief executive for the General Board of Discipleship, said "This initiative is a gift to the denomination in the way it is fulfilling Christ's mission in the life of the United Methodist Church."

The Rev. Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem

"Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is taking revitalization from the pew to the pavement. And lives are being transformed and changed in the name of Jesus, the risen Christ. Will you say 'transformational' with me," asked the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem, member of the Eastern Pennsylvania (regional) annual conference and evaluation committee chair.

Dr. Carolyn Johnson

Vice-chair Dr. Carolyn Johnson said, "We're looking at a model that's not just limited to an African American population, but it is indeed a gift to the entire church."

Johnson also said that the initiative will continue to partner with "general agencies and seminaries to provide awareness, resources, and training [available] throughout the United Methodist connection, as launched with the General Board of Discipleship as a home base, and continuing to work with the Division on Ministries with Young People to strengthen ministries to young people."

Moving forward, Johnson says SBC-21 will study and explore models and programs that strengthen the participation, in very genuine ways, of youth and young adults in the work and life of partner congregations and congregation resource centers, in addition to advocating and supporting new church development across the denomination.

"Transformation is theme and task. Transformation is prayer and possibility. Transformation is the residency of hope in all our lives," she concluded.

Created by actions of the 1996 General Conference and continued by the 2004 General Conference, SBC-21 is a major program initiative, whose 23-member coordinating committee is accountable administratively to the General Board of Discipleship.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.