The third proposed constitutional amendment concerns Article V: Racial Justice. It was submitted to the General Conference by the General Commission on Religion and Race. It strengthens the language and clarifies the antiracism work that all United Methodists are called to embody.
Article V was last amended by the General Conference in 2000. In the intervening years, we’ve learned much about the way racism’s tendrils have woven their way into the fabric of society. New understanding requires new language that helps us see, name, and confront the sin of racism.
The Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race, is enthusiastic in his support of the amendment: “Article V is about more than words. It represents the calling to see every person as created in God’s image and to stand against the sins of racism, white supremacy, and colonialism… Article V reminds us that our faith in Jesus Christ compels us to actively work against these evils, recognizing that racism and colonialism harm individuals and communities, as well as the unity and mission of the church.”
The updated amendment, written in full below, includes language that specifically addresses the concerns United Methodists must confront to truly dismantle racism in all its forms.
“The United Methodist Church proclaims that, from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness, and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy, and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm individuals, obstruct unity, and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy in every facet of its life and in society at large.”
The amendment specifically names white privilege, white supremacy, and colonialism as forms of racism that continue to harm people and destroy communities, focusing attention on the systems that need to be dismantled within our own hearts and in our shared life together.
Rev. Arroyo is clear that this amendment is future-focused: “Article V does more than reflect on the past; it challenges us to shift how we live out our faith today and into the future. This commitment urges us to dismantle systemic racism, build equity, and develop intercultural competence within our church at every level. It invites us to create spaces for vital conversations where all voices are heard and valued. It calls us to do our own internal work to confront our biases and privileges and to foster a church culture of accountability, love, and compassion that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus.”
If you would like to explore the concepts presented in Article V, either for your personal growth or in conversation with others in your faith community, you can check out GCORR’s series “What Is?” which provides succinct definitions of white supremacy, white privilege, and colonialism, includes real-life examples, and provides questions for reflection.
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You can also download a guide to Article V and liturgical resources designed to help faith communities embody these principles in our life together as United Methodists, or watch the video GCORR produced to support the amendment.