Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Information Session

February 23, 2019, 10 AM to 12 PM at Cedarville UMC (1092 Laurelwood Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465)

This Cross-racial/Cross-cultural Ministry Information Session will introduce participants to ministry in churches where persons of one race, ethnicity or culture interact with a majority membership of another race, ethnicity or culture. Typically, those persons are pastors appointed to serve a congregation of a different race, ethnicity or culture. Such “crossover” experiences can produce challenging but potentially enlightening and rewarding ministry encounters for both pastors and laity.

This session will offer information, insights and testimonies of persons who are or have engaged in cross-racial and/or cross-cultural ministry. It is part of a conference-wide effort to cultivate opportunities and growth experiences in this bridge-building form of ministry, as we fulfill the church’s mission to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”

Leaders of congregations that may have never considered a cross-racial/cross-cultural appointment may learn something to pique their interest and consideration. So, all churches are encouraged to send representatives.

Clergy Serving in Cross Racial/Cross Cultural Appointments

The UMC Book of Discipline: Paragraph 425.4

Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are made as a creative response to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the church and in its leadership. Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are appointments of clergypersons to congregations in which the majority of their constituencies are different from the clergyperson’s own racial/ethnic and cultural background. Annual conferences shall prepare clergy and congregations for cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments. When such appointments are made, bishops, cabinets, and boards of ordained ministry shall provide specific training for the clergypersons so appointed and for their congregations.

Eastern PA Conference

EPA Conference recognizes the value of diversity and seeks to become more inclusive in how we live, how we serve, as well as how appointments are made and supported in CR/CC ministry. Opportunities are provided for clergy and laity to broaden knowledge, deepen understanding, and gain language skills designed to strengthen interpersonal and intercultural relationships. Workshops, retreats, dialogues, task forces, surveys and luncheons have been forums for addressing the proficiency of individuals, intricacies of groups, and complexities of systems.

Cross Racial/Cross Cultural dynamics extend beyond the process of clergy assuming pastoral leadership in a “cross racial/cross cultural appointment.” Rather, the focus should be on the relationship between clergypersons and congregations serving together in “cross racial/cross cultural ministry.”