A024 Forming Culturally Diverse Clergy
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the 79th General Convention, if a Formation Networking Team is created, direct the Team to collect, evaluate, disseminate, and encourage the development of excellent resources and best practices for the discernment and formation of culturally diverse clergy, and to publicize to The Episcopal Church and its dioceses and congregations the availability of these resources; and be it further
Resolved, That, if a Formation Networking Team is created, the Formation Networking Team work with other teams and established groups within The Episcopal Church to make available information to persons involved in culturally diverse ministries and Christian formation, and to seek feedback regarding resources needed (and used) by the widest possible variety of groups within the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That, if a Formation Networking Team is not created, the 79th General Convention direct that an appropriate body or office in The Episcopal Church collect, evaluate, disseminate, and encourage the development of excellent resources and best practices for the discernment and formation of culturally diverse clergy, and to publicize to The Episcopal Church and its dioceses and congregations the availability of these resources; and be it further
Resolved, That, if the Formation Networking Team is not created, the 79th General Convention direct that an appropriate body or office, work with other teams and established groups within The Episcopal Church to make available information to persons involved in culturally diverse ministries and Christian formation, and to seek feedback regarding resources needed (and used) by the widest possible variety of groups within the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That, if a Formation Networking Team is not created or is not funded, the 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $60,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Explanation
Most institutions within The Episcopal Church are controlled by Anglo/Whites/Westerners. The fact that the Presiding Bishop is a person of color does not mean that there is still not substantial work to diversify leadership in The Episcopal Church. There are significant cultural differences between (and within) racial and ethnic groups, and all of them have different histories with The Episcopal Church. Economic and class distinctions also present complicating issues. All congregations and clergy should be encouraged to identify, recruit and mentor people of diverse racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds who are discerning vocations to lay or ordained ministries. There is a specific need to train commissions on ministry in recognizing and dismantling barriers that traditional discernment processes present to aspirants for ordination who come from (and who may serve in) ethnic minority congregations or from congregations with a sizeable proportion of people of color. Culturally appropriate approaches to theological educational are also needed in seminaries and other settings. It is expected that the Formation Network Team would work closely with the Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism and the Ethnic Ministries Department of TEC to make resources available to as many persons as possible.