wfn.org | Historic Methodist conference to focus on black men's issues

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

July 27, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
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By United Methodist News Service

Issues ranging from fatherless households to male mentoring to health
care will be examined at a historic black men's conference Oct. 15-18 in
Atlanta.

With representatives from the four Pan-Methodist denominations, the
event will focus on addressing critical issues facing the
African-American man in the coming millenium.

As the next century approaches, the "African-American male is facing an
unprecedented crisis," said the Rev. Joseph Harris, top staff executive
for the churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men.

The crisis may be seen in statistics showing that black males, more than
members of any other ethnic group, are more likely to be victims or
perpetrators of crime, underemployed, impoverished and chemically
dependent, he said.

"The systematic disintegration of an entire generation of men has
decimated the African-American family and local community," Harris said.

The 1998 National Black Men's Conference, sponsored in part by the
United Methodist Commission on United Methodist Men, will be held at the
Georgia International Convention Center. It will be the first event of
its kind since the 1800s, when African-Americans left to form sister
denominations that follow Methodist doctrine and Wesleyan practices.

The event, which begins with a 7 p.m. worship on Oct. 15, will be a
celebratory gathering of at least 5,000 men from the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church.  

Although designed primarily for African-American men, the gathering is
open to people of all races who are interested in attending.

The plenary sessions will feature speakers who have been  "modern day
trailblazers" through their impact on the spiritual and social
advancement of their communities. Each will engage conference
participants in discussing reconciliation, personal initiatives and
community reform strategies for the African-American community. 

Speakers include:
*	the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village and St.
John United Methodist Church, Houston, who oversees 13,000 members and
120 area ministries; 
*	the Rev. William B. McClain, professor of theology at Wesley
Theological Seminary, Washington, a noted author and a specialist in
African-American history, Pan Methodism and denominational
reunification;
*	Lee Brown, the first African-American mayor of Houston and the
first African-American in the country to earn a doctorate degree in
criminology; 
*	the Rev. Dennis Proctor, pastor of the historic Pennsylvania
Avenue African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Baltimore, and president
of the Congress of National Black Churches;
*	the Rev. Franklin M. Reed III, pastor of the historic Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore, and a nationally
recognized preacher as showcased by the "Bethel Outreach of Love" on
Black Entertainment Television;
*	the Rev. Vashti McKenzie, pastor of Payne Memorial African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore, who has helped establish 25
ministries that address community needs;
*	Bishop Othal Lakey, 44th bishop of the Christian Methodist
Episcopal Church and editor of  The Christian Index, an expert in the
field of Christian education.

Music for the gathering will be provided by soloists, choirs and groups
from across the country who will perform in contemporary, gospel,
traditional, classical and a capella styles. More than 500 men will form
a mass choir to sing for the Sunday morning closing service.

For registration information, contact 1-888-8BROTHR.

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United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/