Learn about the African-American Task Force
History
As part of the response to an overture requesting the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) to prepare an analysis of the Church’s effort to combat racism and live out its antiracism commitments, the General Assembly directed the Racial Ethnic Ministries to assist the National Presbyterian Black Caucus to develop a strategy for church growth for African-American congregations.
A task force was then convened to develop a strategy by conducting the necessary research, gathering appropriate data and consulting key denominational and ecumenical constituents. This strategy is in relation to the Racial Ethnic/Immigrant Evangelism and Church Growth Strategy that was adopted in 1998. The strategy mandated an increase in racial ethnic membership in the PC(USA) by 20 percent by the year 2010.
The committee held interviews with a select sampling of African-American pastors throughout the country, compiled survey results from a survey provided to NBPC participants, and met with small church clergy, clergy women groups and New Church Development pastors.
In April 2006 a draft of the strategy was presented to the African-American Presbyterian community through the National Black Presbyterian Caucus and local congregations to promote opportunities for dialogue and to ensure that the strategy was a feasible plan for African-American congregations. The final paper with its recommendations was presented to the 218th General Assembly.
Current Work
In 2009, the NPBC met for its 40th convention around the charge, “Ready, Set, Grow,” and members studied the strategy. A team has been created to write a response to the strategy, which we be presented to the 219th General Assembly.
The task force members are the Rev. Dr. Karen Brown; the Rev. Dr. Lonnie Oliver (chair); the Rev. Dr. Andrew Stephens, the Rev. Dr. Y. Dianna Wright; Elder Mark Jones, Elder Sheila Louder and the Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon (staff).
