By Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed
Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion issues is paramount to disrupting and dismantling racism. The South Georgia Annual Conference is committed to this work so that our conference continues to thrive. Since its inception, the Bishop’s Task Force on diversity, inclusion and vitality began the work of developing a DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) strategy that South Georgia can achieve.
At the 2023 annual conference, I shared with annual conference attendees three focus areas that will provide a contextual narrative and framework for addressing this priority.
First focus area: connecting with community. The task force determined that focusing on people and the mission of Jesus Christ includes the communities where we live and serve. Community engagement involves building relationships outside the walls of the local church. When local churches engage with their community, they will discover a myriad of ministry opportunities to help people find common goals around their shared faith. Connecting with our communities will help our churches reimagine their purpose within their ministry context.
An excellent example of that can be found at Hinesville United Methodist Church. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Tony Caldwell, this coastal faith community has discovered strength and value within the dimensions of diversity. As Rev. Caldwell so aptly stated, “Our church takes seriously our mission to the community.” Rev. Caldwell further states that, “We open our doors wide at Hinesville First welcoming everyone. We actively work toward dismantling barriers that exclude or marginalize anyone."
This is just one example of growth in this area and supports the task force reporting that connecting with our communities is paramount to increase evangelistic gains and is essential to disrupting and dismantling barriers.
Second focus area: faith formation through resourcing and education. The task force believes that it is our responsibility to help our churches address this priority by championing resources that provide a practical expression of our discipleship and mission. In order to address the social justice issues of our present day, it is important to advise, inform, and inspire our churches by intentionally highlighting the nexus between discipleship and social justice.
As our local churches deeply engage with their community, significant moments may occur that will require a response of faith. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our witness in the marketplace must be effective, and by equipping our laity to live and serve within an increasingly diverse world this engagement can be created and ultimately thrive through resourcing and education. This focus will afford our conference the benefit of self-reflection, new conversations, and purposeful actions that affirm the image of God within all of us.
Third focus area: supporting clergy in cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments. The task force applauds and celebrates the gains in this area but acknowledges that there is opportunity for more, and it is essential for our future. We believe our conference can create and find success by implementing intentional diversity in new church starts.
Our first course of action can be achieved by strengthening existing relationships with seminaries and HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) by cultivating relationships with diverse college and seminary students who are interested the candidacy process within the United Methodist Church and appointment opportunities within South Georgia.
Second, we need to encourage and celebrate more local church engagements as it relates to pulpit exchanges and congregations’ partnerships across racial/cultural lines. Growth in this action step has already begun.
Epworth United Methodist in Columbus, Georgia is a congregation that mirrors the beauty and tapestry of a local church who celebrates cross-racial/cross-cultural strengths. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Earnestine Campbell, Epworth focuses on being missional in every aspect by utilizing the different gifts and graces that are a part of the congregation and community. This is another example of growth, and it supports the task force reporting that strategic investment in cross-racial/cross-cultural resources is a missional and discipleship win to disrupting and dismantling barriers.
In South Georgia, diversity is our strength and is an asset that allows our conference to maximize our mission, creativity, and productivity.
Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed serves as the South Georgia Conference Director of Diversity and Justice Ministries.