wfn.org | Church agency studies cross-racial clergy appointments

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Oct. 22, 2001  News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
10-30-71B{485}

By Kathy Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A three-year study is under way to analyze
cross-cultural and cross-racial clergy appointments in the United Methodist
Church.

Lucia Ann McSpadden, a researcher commissioned by the denomination's Board
of Higher Education and Ministry, shared preliminary research results at a
cross-cultural/cross-racial appointment consultation held Oct. 2-3 in
Nashville. The board's Section of Elders and Local Pastors sponsored the
event.

"This consultation was important because staff from five general agencies
were able to share the resources each provides," said the Rev. KilSang Yoon,
a director in the section.

"It's not God's style to see human beings in terms of 'we' and 'them.' God
is 'counter-cultural,'" McSpadden said. "The United Methodist Church can
make the vision of an authentically inclusive church a reality through the
clergy appointment process." McSpadden is senior research fellow with the
Life and Peace Institute in Uppsala, Sweden, and is setting up the
institute's U.S. branch. She is based in Oakland, Calif.

In a cross-cultural appointment, a clergy member is assigned to serve a
congregation that is predominantly of a different cultural background - for
example, a white pastor is assigned to an African-American congregation, or
a Korean pastor is assigned to a predominantly white congregation. 

McSpadden conducted her research with bishops, district superintendents,
clergy and laity in the San Francisco and New Jersey episcopal areas. 

"The surprising part of Ms. McSpadden's research is that there has been no
preparation for these appointments on the part of anyone she interviewed,"
said the Rev. Art Gafke, director in the Section of Elders and Local
Pastors. "Certainly the two conferences have not had processes of
preparation for the congregations or clergy involved.

"She found that most clergy have a deep sense of call to this challenging
ministry, and most laity in local churches with whom she spoke felt as
though cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments were organizational problems
visited upon them," Gafke said.

"The emotional and spiritual health of all involved is central to these
appointments," McSpadden said. 

Next steps for the cross-cultural/cross-racial appointment team include
expanding on the research process. McSpadden hopes to test her findings in
interviews in Wisconsin, South Carolina and Southwest Texas. Gafke said
letters of introduction and invitation have been sent to bishops in those
areas.

Another concept being explored is a multiconference listening team of clergy
and laity. "The multiconference listening team would do interviewing and
listening in each other's conferences regarding cross-racial/cross-cultural
appointments. Such listening would be with clergy, clergy spouses,
superintendents, local church leaders. Such a process would help highlight
the need for good preparation and support of these appointments," Gafke
said.

A second consultation is planned for April 2-4 in Claremont, Calif.
Representatives from United Methodist seminaries will be invited to attend,
as well as bishops, other annual conference leaders and Order of Elder
chairpeople.

# # #

*Gilbert is a staff member in the Office of Interpretation at the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org