According to its website, the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) was created by The United Methodist Church in 1968 to “address the turbulent and exciting unrest, disease, hope and new possibilities unleashed as legalized racial segregation and separation were being dismantled in church and society.”
The site goes on to share that “The Commission was the vehicle through which the denomination invited white people and people of color to a common table to tackle institutional racism, engage in new conversations about what a truly desegregated and global church could look like, and chart a course for living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a more authentic and all-people-embracing way.”
It would seem that the work of the Commission –whether at the global level or at the conference level – is still needed. To this end, GCORR has identified three areas of focus: Intercultural Competency, Institutional Equity, and Vital Conversations.
As part of its work, GCORR has developed several video series designed to foster conversations within and among communities. Of particular interest to IGRC is its Vital Conversations Series. Among them are the following videos that seek to address challenges of race, culture, and oppression in the Church and world today:
Vital Conversations Series 1: Realities of Race and Racism
Vital Conversations Series 2: Institutional Focus
Vital Conversations Series 3: Young Adults, Social Justice and the Church
At the GCORR site, there are numerous articles, print materials, news pieces, bible studies, worship resources and more that are designed to help our communities develop deep and meaningful connections. Whether we are exploring cross-cultural appointments, issues of immigration, or seek discussion guides for use in our churches, it can be found here.